2-Day Mendoza Wine Itinerary

Arrival day

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. Mendoza city

2 stops · 2.5 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

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 when Morning, 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.
Photo: Mike D, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
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 when Late 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.
Photo: MacAllenBrothers, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
Empanadas mendocinas
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.
Dinner
Provoleta and a glass of Malbec
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. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Day 2. The Andes and Lujan de Cuyo

4 stops · 208.6 km

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

Travel from General San Martin ParkAbout 28 min by car or transit12.3 km
Where Day 1 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 when Morning, before the heat.
Local tip Start in town and then head into the lanes. It is flat country, so it suits a slow day.
About 25 min by car or transit10.6 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 when Late 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.
Photo by DEBY RODRIGUEZ on Unsplash
Lunch
An asado lunch among the vines
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 1 h 13 min by car71.9 km
3
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 when Midday, 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.
Photo: David, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 1 h 44 min by car113.8 km
4
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 when Early 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.
Photo: Havardtl, CC BY 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

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 2 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 2.5 to 196.3 kilometers between its stops, and 198.8 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.