The Best Things to do in Mendoza: A Travel Guide

If you spit out the first words that come to mind when you hear Mendoza, they’re probably words like Malbec, wine, and mas vino por favor.

And while yes, Mendoza is nearly synonymous with Malbec and there are hundreds of vineyards to visit there is much more to Mendoza than just wine.

So, if you’re lukewarm on wine and wondering if there are enough things to do in Mendoza, Argentina besides wine, then worry not.

There are enough Mendoza attractions to keep the whole family happy.

After three visits and counting, we have eaten our way from the Uco Valley to Maipu, we’ve gone white water rafting on Rio Mendoza, and we’ve followed San Martin’s footsteps on horseback through the Andes.

Keep reading for a complete travel guide to Mendoza including the best wine tours, non-wine attractions, where to stay and where to eat for all budgets.

Top 11 Things to do in Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza is an easy 90 minute flight from Buenos Aires and just a quick hop over the Andes from Santiago de Chile.

That makes Mendoza a great destination for a trip to either country and an easy way to visit both (fly into Buenos Aires and out of Santiago).

But what to do while you’re there?

First, I want to preface this article with the fact that the beauty lies not in the city but in its surroundings. (This is true for almost all of Argentina.) It behooves you to rent a car to truly appreciate all that Mendoza has to offer.

Spend an afternoon in the city but then get out and focus on the vineyards, the mountains, the adventure tourism, and the ranches.

Check rental car rates here but I will also link to tours and drivers that are excellent alternatives should you prefer not to drive.

🍇Keep reading until the end for important logistics – how to get to Mendoza, where to stay, when to visit, etc.!

Mendoza Things to do – The Map

I’ve pinned the main things to do in Mendoza on this map, but I wouldn’t say it is completely comprehensive. Think of the MANY wineries not pinned, etc.

But this map is a great way to get a scope of how spread out activities are. Use it to help you decide where you want to base yourself and whether you want to rent a car in Mendoza.

Go on a Wine Tour

When in Rome, drink the Malbec.

Since I’ve started visiting Mendoza 15 years ago I have seen its tourism industry grow immensely.

There are now hundreds of vineyards open to the public and what once required a herculean effort to organize tours is now as easy as clicking the reservation link in your bodega of choice’s Instagram bio.

If you choose to make your own bookings, you can definitely use a rental car and explore the vineyards yourself, but beware of the requirement of a designated driver. Wine tastings here are generous and there is a zero tolerance law against drunk driving.

Hiring a driver or tour is often the safest option so you can relax and properly enjoy your decadent winery lunch.

On a full day of wine tasting, whether it be by bike or with a private driver, you typically visit 2 wineries and a third for lunch. I recommend saving lunch for last as you won’t be in the mood for any more wine after.

When choosing your Mendoza wine tour, keep in mind that there are three wine regions that surround the city of Mendoza.

They are Maipu (closest to the city and ideal for backpackers wanting to bike), Lujan de Cuyo (close enough to use Uber to get around), and the Uco Valley (the most beautiful region nearest the Andes that produces the highest quality wines).

Here are the best wine tours in Mendoza:

• Winery Bike Tour | In the regions of Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo, the wineries are very close together and bike tours are very popular. I’ve biked in both areas and enjoyed both but Lujan de Cuyo is more beautiful. This tour is all inclusive, allowing you to have an easier, higher level experience. This bike rental is more budget friendly but you will be on your own with winery visits with a list of recommendations from the bike company.
• Uco Valley Private Driver | MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION, If you only have one day for wine tasting, hire a private driver and go to the Uco Valley (or to the further Lujan de Cuyo bodegas). We went with Patricia (book with her here) to the Uco Valley on our recent visit and she took care of everything.
• Small Group Tour | While the private driver makes more sense financially for two or more people, solo travelers (or the social butterflies out there) might enjoy this small group tour instead. The group is small enough to fully enjoy while still making friends with fellow travelers over Argentina’s best wine.

If you want to read more, read my guide to The Best Wineries in Mendoza where I go into more detail on my favorite bodegas, tours, and even include sample itineraries from my past trips.

✈ Wine Carry On! Within Argentina on domestic flights you are allowed to carry up to 6 bottles of wine in your carry on luggage! Ask a winery you visit for a case to package it easily as your carry on luggage and travel happy.

Wine, Spirits, & Beer Tour

If you’re more into beer or whiskey, then book this tour instead of (or in addition to) a winery tour.

In recent years, both handcrafted beer and artisanal distilleries have started to grow in popularity, producing one of a kind local spirits like gin infused with yerba mate.

This guided tour will give you a taste of all three: a vineyard, a distillery, and a brewery.

You’ll eat, drink, and be merry (sorry, I had to).

Unique Dining Experiences in Mendoza

Come for the wine, stay for the food. With good wine, comes good food, and combining that with Mendoza’s stunning vistas and a bit of Argentine ingenuity has resulted in some of incredibly unique dining experiences.

Starting with the obvious, you should definitely book at least one winery lunch. Bodega La Azul is my favorite, serving excellent food and wine with zero pretention at the foot of the Andes. Finca Minimal was a favorite on our most recent trip, and that is just to name two of the many, many wineries to choose from.

Away from the vineyards and high in the mountains, Ruda Cocina has some of the best views in all of Mendoza. Located on a large mountain estate featuring a golf course, this is no club house. Think plant-based dishes and international influences from renowned chefs.

And for a full day experience in the mountains, reserve your spot (well in advance) for Chirivia in Potrerillos. A father son run project on the lake – an outdoor dining experience that is unforgettable. We were limited on time (and they were fully booked!) so we couldn’t go this trip, but it’s high on my list of things to do in Mendoza next time.

For something more traditionally Argentine, it is no secret I love this asado experience in Buenos Aires. For something similar in Mendoza, this asado experience on a local’s terrace will allow you to live a true Argentine barbecue while mingling with other travelers.

Aconcagua & High Mountain Andes

Aconcagua in the Andes is the highest peak in this hemisphere and if with just three weeks of mild effort (and a lifetime of preparation) you, too, can summit it.

There is that option or with this day trip option that allows you to gaze up at it from a safe distance and go on a short trek at its feet.

This High Mountain tour is the most popular day tour into the mountains from Mendoza. But it’s good to keep in mind that it’s a long day.

A 3-hour drive brings you to Aconcagua Provincial Park including stunning vistas along Ruta 7 through the towns of Potrerillos and Upsallata along the way.

This tour is easier on the wallet but will be a large group on a bus. If you prefer a smaller group, I recommend this tour instead.

It includes the same highlights as above but with a group of max 8 people and a traditional asado lunch in Upsallata.

If you want to properly hike, then go on this tour to hike to Confluencia Base Camp.

It’s also a full day and the hike itself is about 11 miles. The tour is ideal for hiking enthusiasts who want to experience more than just a superficial visit to the park.

See Puente del Inca

Argentina’s Puente del Inca (Inca Bridge) is a natural arch over the Las Cuevas River in the Andes.

If you go on either the High Mountain Tour or the small group to Aconcagua then your guides will bring you to see this natural geographical formation en route.

At one point, a healing spa operated here and you can see the deteriorating abandoned buildings that remain.

These days, the thermal spa has moved down river a bit to…

the Termas de Cacheuta Spa (& Water Park)

The Cachueta hot springs are one of Argentina’s most popular thermal baths.

Spend a day relaxing in the numerous pools, hot tubs, mud baths, and indoor pools here.

But stop, before you book your spa day decide which Cacheuta Spa is best for you. There are two and it can be a bit confusing.

There is the Cacheuta Parque de Agua – a water park for all ages that allows up to 2,000 people per day – and then there is the Cacheuta Hotel & Spa – a luxury spa that is limited to 50 guests per day, no kids allowed.

This Cacheuta tour includes transport and lunch in the luxury hotel spa. This is the spa I personally recommend visiting, if you are able. The views here are stunning from the different pools and it is the perfect way to unwind after a long trip.

There is a buffet lunch included and optional massages (bring cash to add a massage once there).

Note that kids under 14 aren’t permitted as this spa is geared 100% to a quiet atmosphere.

Since we were traveling with two toddlers on our recent trip (and I should note it has been years since we’ve enjoyed a “quiet atmosphere”) we decided to check out the Parque de Agua.

While the views are just as beautiful as the luxury spa, I have to admit that I did not enjoy the experience. The park gets very crowded and I found if very hard to relax or enjoy a thermal spa with so many people.

If you’re still tempted to go, you can go with your own car or by bus. There is a parking lot that costs just under the equivalent of $2 US for the entire day. By bus, Andesmar offers a route from the Mendoza bus terminal to Cacheuta and onwards to Potrerillos.

No need to buy your ticket in advance and know that your pass comes with a wristband so you can come and go throughout the day (there are cheap restaurants on the blocks surrounding the park).

Go Horseback Riding

With its strong rural history and gaucho culture, horseback riding in Argentina is a must and Mendoza’s mountains offer the perfect scene.

There are options for differing budgets and most depart from the Uco Valley or the mountain town of Potrerillos.

I recommend a full day horseback ride like this that includes a traditional asado in the mountains prepared by your personal gaucho guides.

We just visited Estancia Los Chulengos on our recent visit and it was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in my 15 years here. We stayed overnight but they also offer a day experience with asado and horseback rides on the estate.

This property has been in the Palma family since the 1860’s and you’ll be taken care of by their owners throughout your visit. If you can go to Los Chulengos, go to Los Chulengos.

For other options that I have heard excellent things about but have not experienced personally check out Rancho El Jarrillal and Nino Masi.

Rancho El Jarrillal is just north of the city, compared to the rest on this list that are south in the Uco Valley. It is family run and comes very highly recommended by members of my Facebook group.

Nino Masi offers one of a kind rides above Tupungato in the Uco Valley, culminating with an asado in the mountains.

And to go even further, if horseback riding is your passion, one of the most popular multi-day tours from Mendoza is this week long ride across the Andes to Chile. It includes meals and camps prepared by gauchos, sleep under the stars and ride across the Andes.

A friend took his children on this tour and made memories that will last a lifetime (time will tell if I, myself, am brave enough to take my kids when they’re older).

White Water Rafting

On our more recent trip to Mendoza, my husband and I went on this white water rafting excursion and had a blast.

Admittedly, I was a bit trepidatious because I’m hardly an adventure tourism type of person but our guides were excellent and I felt safe the entire time.

The rafting experience itself is in Potrerillos but the package includes transportation from Mendoza’s city center.

The intensity of the rapids varies depending on the time of year. For example, in the hot summer months (December-February) the river will be much fuller as snow melt floods into the river.

Read More: Mendoza Adventure Tourism in Potrerillos

See Chacras de Coria

Chacras de Coria is a small town just outside of Mendoza.

There are city buses you can take if you have a local SUBE card or you can take an affordable 20 minute Uber.

This small town is beautiful and feels much further from the city center than it really is and it is always my chosen place to base myself on any Mendoza stay.

The main square has an artisan market on the weekends and a charming church and a handful of cafes.

We rented bikes from Baccus Bikes here and spent a day peddling to the wineries in and near the Chacras de Coria center.

Don’t miss my favorite bodega here, owned and operated by the charismatic Carmelo Patti.

Go to Atuel Canyon in San Rafael

San Rafael is a small city three hours south of Mendoza and in reality, it’s a destination all on its own.

My husband has family there and we spent a few days with them back in 2014 and again in 2024, always taking the mornings to tour the wineries and canyon before family duties call.

In reality, San Rafael is worth staying for a few days to truly do the canyon and the wine route justice. But if you don’t have the days to spare, this day trip from Mendoza is an ideal substitute.

The day tour hits up the most beautiful highlights in San Rafael.

If you have more than one day there you can easily spend a couple days in the canyon and another touring San Rafael’s vineyards.

Yes, three hours is a lot but that’s also how long it takes to get into the Andes for Aconcagua (Argentina is vast and distances can be long here). Argentina is a huge country and the distances are vast.

See Mendoza City

Get to know a little about Mendoza’s city center on a walking tour or simply by wandering on your own.

The layout is easy to follow, with one main square, Plaza Independencia, in the center of the city surrounded by 4 complimentary plazas on each corner.

Don’t miss the huge Parque San Martin to unwind on a sunny afternoon.

I recommend this Mendoza walking tour to see the highlights in just an afternoon. Dedicate the rest of your time to discovering all that Mendoza’s beautiful surroundings have to offer.

Where to eat in Mendoza (city)? Michelin blessed Mendoza with stars and recommendations and Azafran is one of the top restaurants on their list. The two blocks surrounding Azafran on Av. Sarmiento, however, are full of tempting restaurants.

Head there for lunch or dinner and you’ll surely find something from pizza napolitana at Bigalia to traditional Argentine fare and snobby hipster coffee shops.

We also visited the Mercado Central for lunch one day. It was a fun spot for a wander but we didn’t find the lunch specials to be much cheaper than outside the market.

For ice cream, head to Ferruccio Soppelsa which has been open since 1937. During the harvest season (around March) they have seasonal wine centered flavors. My favorite is always the pineapple viognier sorbet!

Things to do in Mendoza with Kids

Traveling to Mendoza with kids and worried you won’t get to fully enjoy yourself? We just visited with two toddlers and had a great time and yes, we even visited bodegas with them!

My main tip for visiting wineries is do your research on which bodegas are kid friendly and to also limit yourself. Before kids we’d visit 3 (and sometimes 4!) in a day. We did three with the kids on one day this trip and I felt that the third was just a bit too much because two had long tours.

Be strategic, if your kids will complain then limit yourself to one winery with a tour, one with a kid-friendly lunch, and a third could be squeezed in without the tour (just do a tasting). If they complain they won’t have fun which means YOU won’t have fun. Bring coloring books, markers, tablets, snacks and whatever keeps you and them sane.

If you don’t have a car, we went with this tour to the Uco Valley. They were great with the kids. We used our car seats that we rented with our rental car. Give them information in advance if you want them to book things specifically for the kids (limit number of wineries? limit tours? end with lunch? etc).

Here are a few kid friendly options I found when researching, we only did a few but all looked excellent.

• Finca Minimal – We booked lunch at this winery in Lujan de Cuyo and it was spectacular. They had a reasonably priced kids menu (22k pesos, which was half of what I saw at other bodegas) and it’s relaxed so the kids could run around in the grass while we ate. They have goats that the kids had so much fun feeding (with adult supervision between courses) and even chickens. Everyone was happy.
• Bodega La Azul – This is my favorite winery in Mendoza and is very laid back. You can bring the kids and they can run around while you eat but bring toys (no animals or entertainment here). Just beware that La Azul serves A LOT of wine with the meal so you will be limited with the kids, drink in moderation ha.
• Bodega Familia Blanco – This winery was so good to our two kids, setting up coloring pages with markers for them to play while we enjoyed the tasting along with a very generous snack bag that kept them extra happy and busy.
• La Julia – La Julia has a cooking class for little ones, I read about it on social media but can’t find information on their website so just reach out to them directly for details.
• Cruzat – This bodega, known for their sparkling wines, has a family friendly tour where the kids can paint the label of a bottle you’ll then take home as a souvenir.
• Ecochacra – I wish I had known about this sooner so we could have gone, this farm looks amazing for families and kids of all ages.
• Non wine related activities – Remember, Mendoza isn’t all wine! Book a day of horseback riding, go white water rafting if your kids are old enough, there is a LOT to do in Mendoza beyond Malbec.
• Note: Your kids don’t have to be big to horseback ride, we have always gone out with our babies/toddlers on our saddle with us!

Where to Stay in Mendoza

I have a more complete guide on Mendoza accommodation where I break down the pros and cons of staying in town versus on a vineyard, and list the best hotels in each location.

But for a quick glance, here are the best places to stay in Mendoza starting from hostels in town and ending in my favorite Uco Valley guesthouse.

Hotels in Downtown Mendoza:

• Gorilla Hostel: For backpackers, I recommend this hostel. It’s in a well-maintained historic building downtown. They focus on cleanliness, which truly is next to Godliness when it comes to shared hostel living. Check availability & rates here.
• Bed & Breakfast Plaza Italia: We stayed in this B&B on our first visit to Mendoza and it was great! The owners were incredibly friendly and gave us fantastic restaurant recommendations. It’s centrally located and ideal for couples if you want to stay in the city. Check availability & rates here.
• Park Hyatt Hotel Mendoza: If you want a luxury splurge in the city, this it it. It’s in a massive palace of a building and you’ll be treated like a queen. Check availability & rates here.

Hotels in Chacras de Coria:

• Posada Borravino: We stayed at this boutique hotel in Chacras de Coria and had a lovely stay back in 2018. This small town is adorable and quieter than the city center, at just a 15 minute drive (taxi or rent a car). They have bikes you can use to visit the wineries and a lovely pool and patio to rest afterwards. Check availability & rates here.
• La Maria Hotel Boutique: La Maria is a luxury property also in Chacras de Coria. Oriented to couples (no children allowed) this is the place to spoil yourself on a honeymoon or just because. The rooms are full apartments with private saunas and plunge pools. Check availability & rates here.

Hotels in the Uco Valley:

• Tupungato Divino: We spent two nights in Tupungato Divino in 2018 and it remains a favorite. It’s made up of small cabins and the view from your bed consists of vines, the Andes and one hell of a sunset. It’s luxury in the Uco Valley on a budget. Check availability & rates here.
• Finca La Azul Guesthouse: We also stayed at Finca la Azul Guesthouse (seen below). It was ideal after having lunch at their restaurant and drinking all their wine. It’s my favorite winery in Argentina so clearly I also LOVE their hotel. I can’t recommend it enough. Check availability & rates here.
  

When to Visit Mendoza

Mendoza is a wonderful destination year-round.

It’s a desert climate, with sunny days 330 days out of the year. Nights tend to be cooler so I recommend packing layers.

I’ve been in March during the harvest and again in winter after the pruning and found it to be beautiful in both scenarios.

Summer (Dec-Feb) will give you lush, full vines loaded with grapes. Harvest is typically in early March but varies, confirm by searching for Vendimia Mendoza. The harvest festival, Vendimia, is a festive time to visit but if that is your plan, book everything well in advance.

In winter the vines will be empty and pruning is around September (making it extra bare). But, as I said, I still found it beautiful with the rugged mountains in the background of the the bare vines.

Read More: When to Visit Argentina (By Region & Season)

How to Get to Mendoza

Mendoza is at the same altitude as Buenos Aires but on the opposite end of the country, butting up to the Andes Mountains rather than the coast.

From Buenos Aires I recommend taking the short 90 minute flight. Aerolineas Argentinas is the most reliable airline but Jetsmart and Flybondi often have competitive rates as budget airlines.

Long distance buses aren’t much cheaper (if at all) but you can always check Busbud to compare. It takes around 12 hours but is overnight, so with a lay flat seat it is relatively painless.

From Chile, I’ve heard the bus offers magnificent views over the Andes! It’s 8 hours via bus or a very short (equally beautiful) flight.

Note that wait times crossing the border can vary from nothing to upwards of hours in line. To avoid that risk I recommend taking the flight.

Read More of my Mendoza Resources

• The 15 Best Wineries in Mendoza
• Potrerillos, Mendoza: White Water Rafting & Horseback Rides in the Andes
• Bodega la Azul Review: Mendoza’s Best Winery Lunch and Hotel
• Where to Stay in Mendoza from City Luxury to Winery Resorts

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