Mendoza

Arrive at MDZ and taxi to city center(30 minutes)

Taxi or Uber $3-5 to downtown. The airport is compact and close to the city

Check into hotel in the centro or Quinta Sección(1 hour)

Park Hyatt Mendoza ($250+) for luxury on the main plaza, Diplomatic Hotel ($100-150) for modern comfort, or Hostel Lao ($15 dorm) in the centro

Walk the Peatonal Sarmiento and Plaza Independencia(1.5 hours)

The main pedestrian street leads to the central plaza. Tree-lined boulevards with outdoor cafes — Mendoza is designed for strolling. The underground Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno beneath the plaza is free

Dinner at Azafrán(1.5 hours)

Creative Argentine cuisine at Sarmiento 765. Entrees $30-50. Their braised lamb with Malbec reduction is outstanding. Reserve ahead

Remis to Luján de Cuyo wine region(30 minutes)

Hire through your hotel. A remis (private car without meter) costs $50-80 for a full day including waiting time. Never drink and drive

Bodega Catena Zapata(1.5 hours)

Cathedral-like Mayan pyramid architecture. Tastings from $20. Tours in English available. Their Nicolás Catena Zapata red blend is world-class. Reserve 48+ hours ahead

Bodega Achaval-Ferrer(1 hour)

Boutique winery focused on single-vineyard Malbecs. Tastings $25. More intimate than the big names. The terrace views of the Andes are stunning

Lunch at Bodega Ruca Malén(2 hours)

Wine-paired 5-course lunch ($60-80) prepared in an open kitchen with vineyard views. Book well ahead — this is one of Mendoza's most sought-after dining experiences

Bodega Norton(1 hour)

Free tour and tasting. Established 1895. Their Privada blend is excellent value ($15 in the shop vs $30+ at home). Beautiful grounds

Bus 10 or taxi to Maipú(30 minutes)

15km from city center. Bus $0.50, taxi $5

Rent a bike at Mr. Hugo or Bikes & Wines(15 minutes)

$8-12/day. They provide maps with routes to 6+ bodegas and the olive oil factory. Flat terrain, easy cycling

Visit 3-4 bodegas by bike(4 hours)

Trapiche (large, modern, free tour), Di Tommaso (small family winery, $8 tasting), Tempus Alba ($12 tasting). Tastings $5-15 each. Pace yourself — you're cycling

Olive oil tasting at Pasrai(45 minutes)

$8. Premium extra-virgin olive oil tasting. Mendoza produces 70% of Argentina's olive oil. Buy bottles at the source ($5-15) — excellent gifts

Dinner at La Marchigiana(1.5 hours)

Traditional parrilla (grill house) on Patricias Mendocinas. Provoleta (grilled cheese appetizer, $5), followed by bife de chorizo (sirloin, $15-20) with a bottle of Malbec ($8-15)

Guided tour or remis to Uco Valley(1.5 hours)

Guided tours $60-100 including transport and 3-4 wineries. Or hire a remis ($80-100) for independence. The drive south through the foothills is beautiful

Bodega Salentein(1.5 hours)

Stunning architecture with an underground art gallery. Tasting $15. The Killka gallery has rotating contemporary art exhibitions. Free with wine purchase

Bodega Zuccardi Valle de Uco(2 hours)

Named world's best vineyard multiple years running. Tastings $30-80 with food pairing. Their new gravity-flow winery is architecturally spectacular. Book well ahead

Lunch at Bodega Andeluna(1.5 hours)

Wine-paired lunch ($35-50) with panoramic Andes views at 1,300m. The afternoon light on the mountains is magical

Drive Ruta 7 into the Andes(2.5 hours)

Guided day trip ($50-80) or rent a car. The road climbs from 750m to 2,700m. Stop at Potrerillos reservoir for photos — turquoise water against brown mountains

Puente del Inca(1 hour)

A natural rock bridge over the Río de las Cuevas at 2,700m, with mineral deposits turning the abandoned thermal baths yellow-orange. Free to view. Altitude may cause mild headache — bring aspirin and water

Aconcagua Provincial Park viewpoint(1 hour)

The Horcones Lagoon trail (1.5 hours, easy) gives views of the highest peak in the Americas (6,961m). Entry $20 for day visitors. Bring layers — it's cold and windy at altitude

Lunch at Los Penitentes ski area restaurant(1 hour)

Basic mountain food — milanesa (breaded cutlet, $10) and empanadas ($2 each). The views compensate for the simple cooking

Parque General San Martín morning walk(2 hours)

420-hectare park designed by Carlos Thays. Walk the lake, rose garden, and up to Cerro de la Gloria monument for panoramic city and Andes views. Free. Good for a morning jog

Lunch at Mercado Central(1 hour)

The indoor market on Las Heras has cheap empanadas ($1 each), sandwiches, and local produce. A full lunch for $5-8

Free afternoon for rest or shopping(3 hours)

Browse leather goods on Peatonal Sarmiento. Argentine leather jackets ($100-200) and handmade boots are excellent value

Closed-door asado dinner(3 hours)

Book a private chef dinner through Mendoza Wine Camp or Uncorking Argentina ($40-70/person). A real asado experience in a private home: choripán, provoleta, entraña, tira de asado, and dulce de leche for dessert, all paired with wines. The cultural highlight of any Mendoza trip

Breakfast at Bistro M(45 minutes)

On Villanueva. Medialunas (Argentine croissants, $2) and café con leche. A classic Mendoza morning

Last-minute wine and olive oil shopping(1 hour)

Wines of Mendoza on Belgrano has a curated selection. Most bodegas also ship internationally. Buy olive oil and dulce de leche at any grocery store for a fraction of airport prices

Taxi to MDZ airport(20 minutes)

Uber or taxi $3-5. Allow 2 hours for domestic, 3 for international flights

Arrive at MDZ and taxi to centro(30 minutes)

Taxi/Uber $3-5

Walk Peatonal Sarmiento and Plaza Independencia(1.5 hours)

Underground art museum (free) beneath the plaza

Dinner at Azafrán(1.5 hours)

Braised lamb with Malbec reduction. $30-50 entrees

Remis to Luján de Cuyo(30 minutes)

$50-80/day

Catena Zapata(1.5 hours)

Tastings from $20. Reserve 48hrs ahead

Achaval-Ferrer(1 hour)

Boutique, $25 tasting

Lunch at Ruca Malén(2 hours)

Wine-paired 5-course ($60-80)

Norton(1 hour)

Free tour and tasting

Rent bike at Mr. Hugo(15 minutes)

$8-12/day

Visit 3-4 bodegas by bike(4 hours)

Tastings $5-15 each

Pasrai olive oil tasting(45 minutes)

$8

Dinner at La Marchigiana(1.5 hours)

Bife de chorizo $15-20

Salentein(1.5 hours)

Underground art gallery. Tasting $15

Zuccardi Valle de Uco(2 hours)

World's best vineyard. $30-80 tasting

Lunch at Andeluna(1.5 hours)

Wine-paired lunch $35-50. Andes panorama

Drive Ruta 7(2.5 hours)

Guided tour $50-80. Climbs to 2,700m

Puente del Inca(1 hour)

Natural rock bridge at 2,700m. Free

Aconcagua viewpoint(1 hour)

Horcones Lagoon trail. Entry $20

Mountain lunch(1 hour)

Milanesa and empanadas

Parque San Martín walk(2 hours)

420 hectares. Lake, rose garden, Cerro de la Gloria

Mercado Central lunch(1 hour)

Empanadas $1 each

Closed-door asado(3 hours)

$40-70/person. Private home dinner with wines

Breakfast at a plaza café(1 hour)

Medialunas and café con leche

Wine shopping at Wines of Mendoza(1 hour)

Curated selection on Belgrano. Ship home or carry on

Morning rafting tour on Río Mendoza(4 hours)

$60-80 including transport, gear, and guide. Class II-III rapids through the Potrerillos canyon. No experience needed. The scenery of red rock canyons is spectacular

Lunch at Potrerillos(1 hour)

Post-rafting asado at the operator's base camp usually included in the tour price

Dinner at 1884 by Francis Mallmann(2.5 hours)

Celebrity chef Francis Mallmann's restaurant at Bodega Escorihuela. Multi-course asado-inspired menu $60-90. The open-fire cooking is theater. Reserve well ahead

Drive to Villavicencio Nature Reserve(1.5 hours)

50km north. The old mountain road (Ruta 52) has 365 switchbacks climbing to 3,000m. The landscape shifts from vineyards to sparse high desert. Free entry

Caracoles de Villavicencio viewpoint(1 hour)

The switchback section of the road is Argentina's most dramatic mountain drive. Stop at the mirador for photos. Look up — Andean condors soar over the peaks

Historic Villavicencio Hotel ruins(45 minutes)

The abandoned 1940s hotel that graces Argentina's mineral water brand bottle. Atmospheric ruins in the high desert

Lunch at a roadside parrilla on the return(1 hour)

Simple grilled meats and empanadas at family-run stops along Ruta 52. $8-12 for a full plate

Argentine cooking class(3 hours)

$50-80 through The Argentine Experience or local operators. Make empanadas, chimichurri, and alfajores. Wine pairing included

Mercado Central browsing(1 hour)

Spices, dulce de leche by the kilo ($3), regional preserves, and local snacks

Afternoon at Bar à Vin (Maison du Vin equivalent)(1.5 hours)

Vines of Mendoza on Belgrano offers self-serve tasting dispensers. Pour your own glasses from $3-12 per pour. Great way to sample rare wines without full winery visits

Dinner at Siete Fuegos by Mallmann (if at a winery hotel)(2 hours)

At The Vines Resort in Uco Valley. Open-fire Argentine cuisine. $80-120 for the experience. Alternative: Fuente y Fonda in Mendoza centro ($15-25)

Bodega Familia Schroeder(1.5 hours)

$20 tasting. The dinosaur-themed winery (they found fossils during construction) has a paleontology museum. Their Pinot Noir is exceptional

Bodega Atamisque(1 hour)

$15 tasting. Small production, 9-hole golf course on the estate. The Catalpa Malbec is their flagship

Lunch at Bodega Gimenez Riili(1.5 hours)

Small family winery with a seasonal restaurant. Wine-paired lunch $40-55. Intimate and personal

Final wine purchases(1.5 hours)

Most bodegas ship to the US/EU. Or visit The Vines of Mendoza wine bar for curated cases

Lunch at Osadia de Crear(1.5 hours)

Innovative restaurant in the centro. Creative seasonal menu $20-35. Wine list focuses on small producers

Sunset at Cerro de la Gloria(1 hour)

The monument in Parque San Martín with golden-hour views over the city and Andes

Horseback riding day trip(6 hours)

$80-120 including transport, horse, guide, and lunch. Ride through the pre-Andean landscape of Potrerillos or Uspallata. Crossing mountain streams and passing gauchos with cattle. All levels welcome

Asado lunch on the trail(1.5 hours)

Included in the tour. Cooked over open fire by the guides — authentic gaucho-style

Farewell dinner at Ocho Cepas(1.5 hours)

Wine bar and restaurant on Belgrano. Great final-night spot — share a board of cheeses, cured meats, and a bottle of your favorite Malbec

Breakfast at Bistro M(45 minutes)

Medialunas and café con leche

Last shopping — olive oil and dulce de leche(45 minutes)

Any supermarket for dulce de leche ($2-3/jar). Mendoza airport also has wine shops

Dinner at Azafrán(1.5 hours)

$30-50 entrees

Remis to Luján de Cuyo(30 minutes)

$50-80/day

Catena Zapata(1.5 hours)

From $20

Achaval-Ferrer(1 hour)

$25

Lunch at Ruca Malén(2 hours)

$60-80 paired lunch

Norton(1 hour)

Free tour

Bus to Maipú, rent bike(45 minutes)

$8-12/day

Pasrai olive oil(45 minutes)

$8

Dinner at La Marchigiana(1.5 hours)

Bife de chorizo $15-20

Salentein(1.5 hours)

$15 tasting

Zuccardi(2 hours)

$30-80

Lunch at Andeluna(1.5 hours)

$35-50

Aconcagua viewpoint(1 hour)

Entry $20

Closed-door asado(3 hours)

$40-70/person

Rafting tour(4 hours)

$60-80. Class II-III rapids through Potrerillos canyon

Dinner at 1884 by Mallmann(2.5 hours)

$60-90 multi-course

Caracoles viewpoint(1 hour)

Watch for Andean condors

Argentine cooking class(3 hours)

$50-80

Self-serve tasting at Vines of Mendoza(1.5 hours)

Pours $3-12

Dinner at Fuente y Fonda(1.5 hours)

$15-25

Familia Schroeder(1.5 hours)

$20. Dinosaur fossils and Pinot Noir

Atamisque(1 hour)

$15

Lunch at Gimenez Riili(1.5 hours)

$40-55 paired lunch

Horseback riding day trip(6 hours)

$80-120. All levels. Mountain streams and gaucho country

Trail asado lunch(1.5 hours)

Open-fire cooking by guides

Lunch at Osadia de Crear(1.5 hours)

Creative menu $20-35

Drive to San Rafael(3 hours)

Rent a car or join a tour. The drive south through wine country passes through Malbec vineyards

Bodega Jean Rivier(1 hour)

Small family winery making sparkling wine (méthode champenoise). Tasting $10. They've been making wine here since 1945

Bodega Bianchi(1 hour)

One of Argentina's oldest wineries (1928). Free tour and tasting. Their Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet is a local icon

Lunch in San Rafael town(1 hour)

Simple parrilla. Prices 30-40% lower than Mendoza

Cañón del Atuel (if time allows)(1.5 hours)

A dramatic red-rock canyon carved by the Atuel River. Drive-through viewpoints and optional kayaking. Free

Drive to Uspallata(1.5 hours)

Ruta 7 west through the pre-Andes. The broad valley at 1,900m has a totally different feel from Mendoza

Bóvedas Históricas de Uspallata(45 minutes)

Colonial-era adobe domes used for smelting in the 1800s. Free. A piece of mining history at the edge of town

Cerro Tunduqueral petroglyphs(1 hour)

Pre-Columbian rock carvings on a hillside near town. Short hike. Free. Ask locals for directions

Barrio Bombal morning walk(1.5 hours)

The leafy residential neighborhood south of the park. Tree-lined streets, local bakeries, no tourists

Espacio Contemporáneo de Arte(1 hour)

Free contemporary art gallery in a converted warehouse. Rotating exhibitions by Mendoza artists

Lunch at La Lucy(1 hour)

Tiny neighborhood restaurant with amazing milanesas ($8) and hand-cut fries. On Colón near the Quinta Sección

Afternoon wine bar hopping(2 hours)

Walk between Vines of Mendoza, The Vines, and other wine bars in the centro. Compare pours from dozens of regions

Dinner at El Palenque in Parque San Martín(1.5 hours)

Parrilla in the park. Grilled meats and Malbec under the trees. $15-25 per person

Wine blending workshop(2.5 hours)

Several bodegas offer blend-your-own-wine workshops ($40-60). You taste components (Malbec, Cabernet, Merlot) and create your custom blend, bottled to take home

Vendimia (Harvest Festival) amphitheater(45 minutes)

The massive Frank Romero Day amphitheater in Parque San Martín hosts the annual Vendimia celebrations in March. Even outside festival season, the venue is impressive. Free to visit

Lunch at Francis Mallmann's El Mercado(1.5 hours)

More casual than 1884 but still Mallmann's cooking. Wood-fired dishes $20-35 in a market setting on Arístides

Bodega Sophenia(1 hour)

$15. Award-winning wines, beautiful estate, fewer tourists than the big names

Bodega SuperUco(1 hour)

Natural wine producer. Tasting $12. If you like orange wines and minimal intervention, this is your place

Lunch at The Vines of Mendoza(2 hours)

Siete Fuegos by Mallmann ($80-120) or the more casual grill. Either way, the Andes views at 1,200m are unmatched

Final Mercado Central visit(1 hour)

Stock up on dulce de leche and spices

Final shopping(1 hour)

Wine, olive oil, alfajores, dulce de leche

Farewell dinner at Ocho Cepas(1.5 hours)

Cheese board, cured meats, final bottle of Malbec