Cafayate
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One of the most southern cities in the grand province of Salta, Cafayate is a small and picturesque town located 1660 m above sea level in the Calchaqui Valley, where visitors and locals alike cannot get enough of its famous beauty, tranquility, and deliciously popular local wines, a must visit destination for any traveler in the north.
Cafayate is only 183km from Salta and only 165 km from Cachi with both routes having equally spectacular valley and mountain views. From Salta, the highway takes you on route68, through the Quebrada de Cafayate, a series of strangely shaped canyons that make for an extraordinary sight and later through the enchanting national park, Los Cardones. From Cachi, the highway, route40, runs through the stunning Valles Calchaquies, a series of striking valley landscapes with a myriad of diverse plant and animal life, spectacular from both a near and faraway distance.
The town of Cafayate is a pleasure to explore as the beauty of its narrow streets, quaint houses, architecturally beautiful buildings, and traditional plaza and church, are not only warm and welcoming but truly make anyone feel right at home. The town is very popular among tourists in Argentina, especially on weekends, and there are plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafes, shops, parks, hostels, and hotels, as well as plenty of scheduled tours and places to rent bikes for wine and city tours.
There are more than a few wonderful activities to enjoy during a visit to Cafayate.
Museo de Vitivinicultura
An interesting and very informative museum that informs visitors of the history and technique of wine making in the region as well as displays a fantastic amount of winemaking equipment.
Artisan Market
In the centre of the town there is a beautiful Plaza that is surround by restaurants and shops, as well as the town church. Here is the plaza is an artisan market that sells many different handcrafts, textiles, and more, that are all specific to the region.
Rent a bike
Renting a bike in Cafayate is must. It is perfect option in which to explore the local wineries and also to venture into the Quebrada de Cafayate, for those a little more adventurous at heart.
Visit a Bodega – Wine, wine, and more wine…
Cafayate is especially famous for its fabulous local wines whether Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Chardonnay. The northern wine route in the province of Salta tours from Cafayate up to Salta, however the heart of the wine making industry is found in Cafayate where the very special Torrontes wine is made, consisting of a special grape and a careful balance of temperature, humidity, and planting soil, that after produced creates a unique sweet and intense flavour, a favourite among locals. There are many wineries in Cafayate and most can easily be reached by foot or, more appropriately, by bicycle. Tours will often last an hour or so and will include everything from the plantation of the grapes to the final crushing of the grapes, a special experience that occasionally visitors have the opportunity to participate in. A few fantastic wineries to visit are: Bodega Etchart; Bodega Lavaque; Bodega La Banda; Bodega La Rosa.
Cafayate is truly a spectacular town to visit in the north of Argentina, whether you come for the famous wine, the tranquility, or are just passing though on the traveler’s route, this small valley town of only 12,000 people has a unique attraction that is difficult to pass-up and not soon forgotten.
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