Mendoza: Travel Guide

Mendoza is the largest city in the Cuyo region of western Argentina, with around 115,000 people in the city proper and over 1 million in Greater Mendoza. It sits at approximately 750 metres in the Andean foothills, with the snow-capped peaks of the main Cordillera visible to the west on clear days. The city is best known internationally as the centre of Argentine wine production — the surrounding province grows around 70% of the country’s wine grapes, with Malbec established as the flagship variety. Mendoza rebuilt its city centre in a grid of low-rise blocks after a major earthquake in 1861; each intersection features a small plaza shaded by plane trees, giving the centre a distinctive character among Argentine cities.

The Wine Routes

Two wine-tourism routes define most visits to Mendoza. The Maipú route, 18 km south of central Mendoza, runs through a dense concentration of small and medium bodegas, olive oil producers, and artisan food shops. It’s well-suited to a cycling day — bikes can be rented in the town of Maipú, reached by local bus from central Mendoza in around 30 minutes. The Luján de Cuyo route, at slightly higher altitude to the south, includes some of Mendoza’s most acclaimed wineries — Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer, and Achával Ferrer among them — most of which require advance reservations and are better visited on an organised tour.

Aconcagua and the High Andes

Route 7 west from Mendoza climbs into the Andes along the Mendoza River valley, passing through Potrerillos reservoir (a popular weekend spot for Mendocinos) and the ski resort of Los Penitentes before reaching the Chilean border at Paso Los Libertadores. Aconcagua Provincial Park is at 3,200 metres on this road; the park entrance allows day visitors to walk to a viewpoint of the south face, though the mountain itself requires a multi-day expedition. The drive up to the pass through the Andes is worthwhile in its own right.

Central Mendoza

The city centre’s main walking street is Avenida Aristides Villanueva (known as Arístides), lined with outdoor tables, wine bars, and restaurants. The main commercial drag is the pedestrianised Calle Sarmiento. The Parque General San Martín, 20 blocks west of the plaza, covers 307 hectares with a rose garden, rowing lake, and the city’s football stadium; it’s the most significant urban park outside Buenos Aires. The Museo del Área Fundacional, near the original 1561 settlement site, has archaeological and historical exhibits worth an hour.

Where to Stay

The area around Avenida Las Heras and the main plaza (Plaza Independencia) is the most convenient base for restaurants, wine bars, and city attractions. Chacras de Coria, a leafy suburb 12 km south in the Luján de Cuyo area, has a concentration of boutique wine hotels set among vineyards — higher cost but a different experience.

Getting There and Around

El Plumerillo Airport (MDZ) has multiple daily flights to Buenos Aires (about 2 hours) and connections to other Argentine cities. Long-distance buses connect to Buenos Aires (14 hours), Córdoba (10 hours), and Salta (20 hours). Within the city, taxis and remises are reliable. For the wine routes, buses reach Maipú town from central Mendoza; Luján de Cuyo requires a taxi, rental car, or tour.

Best Time to Visit

March and April, during and after harvest, are the most popular months for wine tourism — the bodegas are active, the weather is warm, and the vineyards are at their most photogenic with autumn colour on the vines. Spring (September–November) is similarly pleasant. July and August see snow in the Andes and are ski season for Argentines heading to Las Leñas or Valle Nevado in Chile; the city itself is mild.