Five slow days with Mendoza as the base: the leafy city and its big park, the vineyards of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu, a day up into the Andes, and a last long lunch in the high Uco Valley. Wine is the thread, and nobody is in a hurry.
5 daysAnyoneLate March16 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
This plan works for 2 to 6 days
Tap a number and the same city is rearranged to fit, with the must-sees kept.
Before Day 1. Mendoza is a calm, flat city, so settle in on foot and keep the first evening easy.Details
By air or by bus
Mendoza has its own airport a short ride from the center, with taxis and rideshares at the door. Long-distance buses also run from Buenos Aires and from Santiago. The Santiago route crosses the Andes and can be held up by snow or wind, so check ahead.
Wine days
On the days with a tasting, plan a driver, a tour or a taxi for the day, and book your tastings ahead. Do not drive after drinking. Day 1 needs no car at all, so you can rest first.
The sun and the height
The city sits at about 750 meters, and the sun is strong and the air is dry. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and drink more than you think you need. The mountain day goes much higher.
First evening
Walk under the plane trees to Plaza Independencia and sit at a cafe table outside. Day 1 starts at the same square, so you will already be close.
Day 1. The leafy city and the big park
3 stops · 3.2 km
An easy first day. Mendoza was rebuilt with wide streets and rows of trees, with little irrigation channels running beside them. Walk it slowly and save the wine for tomorrow.
1
MorningWorth the time
Plaza Independencia
The big central square of the city, with fountains, shade and a craft market on many weekends. Four smaller squares sit around it. Walk to each if you feel like it, and look down at the narrow irrigation channels, called acequias, along the streets.
Go whenMorning, when the shade is cool and the city is waking up.
Local tip Look down at the narrow channels beside the streets. They carry mountain water to the trees, and they are why the city is so green.
The local empanada is baked, filled with beef, onion and often a little olive and egg. Order a few at a small shop or a cafe by the plaza and eat them warm.
Local tip Order two or three each, and share a plate of different fillings.
About 10 min by car or transit2.5 km
2
AfternoonWorth the time
General San Martin Park
A huge park of tree-lined avenues, a lake and rose gardens on the west side of the city. It is the green heart of Mendoza. Walk or take a short ride in, and stroll the paths as the heat of the day fades.
Go whenLate afternoon, when the heat has eased.
Local tip It is large, so pick one corner, the lake or the rose garden, and walk that. Carry water on a warm day.
A small hill at the top of the park, crowned by a monument to the army that crossed the Andes. The view runs over the city and the vineyards, and the evening light is soft.
Go whenAbout an hour before sunset (about 7:53 PM), then stay as the lights come on.
Local tip Walk up the stairs by the monument for the view. The mountains show on a clear evening, and the Zonda wind, a warm dry wind, can blow dust, so check the forecast.
Provoleta is a round of melted cheese grilled over coals, served with oregano and bread. With a glass of Malbec, it is the classic start to a Mendoza dinner.
Local tip Share it as a starter, then see what the grill has.
If it rains. Rain is rare here, but when it comes, keep the cafes of the main square and skip the long walk up the hill. The park is best on a dry evening.
Day 2. Lujan de Cuyo and the first vineyards
3 stops · 34.7 km
A day south of the city in the old wine country along the Mendoza River. Plan a driver or a tour for the day, and book your tastings ahead. The road is short, so the day can be slow.
Drive from Cerro de la GloriaAbout 14 min by car13.3 km
Where Day 1 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short visit
Chacras de Coria
A leafy village south of the city, with a shady square and small cafes. A gentle place to begin before the day turns to wine.
Go whenMorning, with a coffee in the square.
Local tip It is a village on the edge of the city, so a half hour is plenty. Walk the shady streets before the wine day begins.
Treat
A tasting of Malbec
The wine areas welcome visitors for a short tasting of two or three wines, often with bread and olive oil. Choose one place, book ahead and take your time.
Local tip Book ahead, and plan a designated driver or a tour. Never drive after drinking.
About 10 min by car or transit2.8 km
2
MiddayWorth the time
Lujan de Cuyo
One of the oldest wine areas in Argentina, with vineyards in flat rows under the mountains. This is where many of the region's famous Malbec wines are grown. Choose one or two tastings, not five.
Go whenLate morning, with a tasting booked ahead.
Local tip Book your tastings ahead, keep it to one or two, and have a designated driver or a tour. Never drive after drinking.
The asado is the Argentine grill, with beef and sausages cooked slowly over coals and served with salad and bread. A long lunch among the vines is the meal many people come for.
Local tip Book a table ahead, and order the cuts to share.
About 33 min by car or transit18.7 km
3
AfternoonWorth a short visit
Cacheuta
A small river valley in the foothills with thermal springs, a canyon and cooler air. A quiet way to end the day after the vineyards. Check ahead before you go.
Go whenAfternoon, after the vineyards.
Local tip It is a quiet valley with hot springs in the hills. Check ahead on access and conditions before you go.
If it rains. Wine country works in light rain, since the tastings are indoors. Skip the hot springs if the road is wet and keep the village for a dry spell.
Day 3. Maipu, olive groves and a bicycle
3 stops · 49.9 km
A flat, easy day east of the city, where old vineyards sit beside olive groves. Go by bicycle, tour or taxi, whichever suits you, and stop often. The pace is the point.
Drive from CacheutaAbout 41 min by car29.1 km
Where Day 2 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short visit
Maipu
The town at the heart of one of the oldest wine areas in the province, with a quiet central square and farmland around it. A calm place to start the day.
Go whenMorning, before the heat.
Local tip Start in town and then head into the lanes. It is flat country, so it suits a slow day.
Treat
Olive oil and a tasting of olives
Mendoza has grown olives for a long time, and the oil is green and peppery. Taste it with bread and look for olives, jams and sweets at a small producer.
Local tip Ask for olive oil to try with bread before you buy a bottle.
About 10 min by car or transit2.5 km
2
MiddayWorth the time
The vineyard lanes of Maipu
Narrow, flat country lanes between old vines and olive groves. People ride them by bicycle, by tour or by car, and stop for a tasting of wine or of olive oil. Book ahead, and do not drink and drive or ride.
Go whenLate morning to afternoon, with a long lunch in the middle.
Local tip A bicycle is a pleasant way to see the vines, but not after a tasting. Book ahead, ride slowly, or hire a driver or a tour instead.
Lunch
A long lunch in the country
A simple lunch under a vine arbor: grilled meat, salad, fresh bread and a jug of local wine. The rhythm of the day is slow.
Local tip Book a table ahead and plan your way back before you start to drink.
About 17 min by car18.3 km
3
EveningAn evening stop
Calle Sarmiento
The pedestrian street that runs from the main square, full of cafes, shops and strollers in the evening. A pleasant way to end a day in the country.
Go whenEarly evening, when the street fills with strollers.
Local tip Choose a cafe table outside and watch the city pass. It is a short walk back to the main square.
Argentine ice cream, helado, is thick and creamy, with flavors such as dulce de leche. Walk the street with a cone in the evening, the way the locals do.
Local tip Try dulce de leche with a second flavor you do not know.
If it rains. A tasting and a long lunch are indoors, so keep those. Skip the bicycle if the lanes are wet, and take a tour or a taxi instead.
Day 4. Up into the Andes
4 stops · 205.4 km
A long, big day by road toward the highest peak in the Americas. The mountain road can close in snow or wind, so check ahead on the day and carry layers. Go with a driver or a tour, and take it slowly.
Drive from Calle SarmientoAbout 1 h 5 min by car78.4 km
Where Day 3 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short stop
Potrerillos
A mountain village beside a blue reservoir, the first lake on the road up. Stop for the view and the fresh air.
Go whenMorning, as the road climbs.
Local tip Pull in at a viewpoint over the reservoir, then carry on. Layers help, because the air cools as you climb.
A plate of grilled meat, empanadas or a stew in a small roadside restaurant in the valley. Eat something warm before you climb higher.
Local tip Keep it light before the higher road, and drink plenty of water.
About 48 min by car70.5 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Puente del Inca
A natural stone bridge over a river, stained orange and yellow by the minerals in the water. It sits high in the mountains, around 2,700 meters, so go slowly and drink water.
Go whenEarly afternoon, on a clear day.
Local tip Stay on the marked paths, because the old bridge and the stone around it are fragile. At this height, walk slowly and drink water.
The viewpoint of the highest mountain in the Americas, a little way along the road past the bridge. It is a short walk to a view of the snow and rock. Altitude affects people differently, so go slowly.
Go whenAfternoon, if the day is clear.
Local tip Go only as high as you feel well. Altitude can bring a headache or breathlessness, and the road and the border pass can close in snow or wind, so check ahead.
After the mountains, an easy dinner in the city: a bowl of soup or a plate of pasta, a glass of wine and an early night.
Local tip Eat early, because the day will have been long.
If it rains. Rain in the city can mean snow in the mountains. Check the road before you go, and swap this for a second wine day if the pass is closed.
Day 5. The high Uco Valley
3 stops · 155.9 km
A last day south and west of the city, where the vineyards climb toward the mountains and the air is cool. Plan a driver or a tour, and book a long lunch ahead.
Drive from Aconcagua Provincial ParkAbout 1 h 32 min by car97.0 km
Where Day 4 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short visit
Tupungato
A small town at the foot of a snow-capped volcano, with orchards and vineyards on the plain. The mountains fill the horizon in every direction.
Go whenMorning, with the snow on the volcano clear in the air.
Local tip The fruit orchards and vineyards around the town make a good first stop before the long lunch.
Treat
A tasting at a high vineyard
The high vineyards of the Uco Valley welcome visitors for a quiet tasting with a mountain view. Choose one and book ahead.
Local tip Book ahead, and plan a designated driver or a tour for the day.
About 36 min by car45.0 km
2
MiddayWorth the time
The Uco Valley
A wide high valley of vineyards at a much greater height than the rest of the wine country, with snow-capped peaks behind the vines. Wines here often taste cooler and brighter. The place for a long lunch.
Go whenMidday, for a long lunch that fills the afternoon.
Local tip Book your table and your tasting ahead, and have a designated driver or a tour. The road is long, and the view is better after a rest.
The long lunch of the trip: grilled lamb or kid, vegetables from the garden, fresh bread and a glass of the local red, with the snow peaks in the distance.
Local tip Book ahead, and let the lunch run long. The afternoon has no plans.
About 17 min by car13.9 km
3
EveningWorth a short walk
Tunuyan
The main town of the southern Uco Valley, with a wide plaza and tree-lined streets. A quiet place to end the trip, with the mountains turning pink at the end of the day.
Go whenLate afternoon, around sunset (about 7:53 PM).
Local tip Walk to the plaza and watch the light turn the mountains pink. Then drive back with a rested driver.
If it rains. Keep the long lunch, which is indoors, and skip the open walks. The mountains may stay hidden in cloud, so the view will wait for another day.
Departure day
After the last day. Plan the way out the night before and the last morning stays slow.Details
Wine to carry home
Check your airline and your country's rules before you buy bottles. Many wine shops will pack and ship cases, and checked bags need good padding.
To the airport
The airport is a short ride from the center. A taxi or rideshare is the easy choice, and early flights are best booked the night before.
By bus
The bus station is on the edge of the center. If you are heading over the Andes to Santiago, check that the pass is open before you set out.
If you have a few hours
Stay near the hotel: a long breakfast, a last walk under the trees, a final glass of water on the plaza, then go.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Mendoza?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, March to May and August to November are the most comfortable months for walking around Mendoza. This plan is built for late March, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in Mendoza, planned for late March. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 3.2 to 127.0 kilometers between its stops, and 231.4 kilometers in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
5 days in Santiago and ValparaisoAbout 190 km awayAn easy add-on
4 days in Colchagua wine countryAbout 290 km away
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