By air
Mendoza (MDZ), ~8 km
South America · Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina
Malbec vineyards below the Andes
Getting there
Best time to visit
February to April — the harvest
Don't miss
The Luján de Cuyo wineries
The Uco Valley
Aconcagua Park
Plaza Independencia
Things to do
Winery tours by bicycle
The Aconcagua viewpoint
The Cacheuta hot springs
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, sun protection
A quieter corner
The Potrerillos reservoir, on the road into the Andes
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Mendoza for the harvest?
February to April — the harvest, and the best time to go. Bring layers and sun protection.
How should I tour Mendoza's wineries?
Try a winery tour by bicycle, and visit the Luján de Cuyo wineries and the Uco Valley.
What else is there to do around Mendoza?
See Aconcagua Park and the Aconcagua viewpoint, soak in the Cacheuta hot springs, and stop at the Potrerillos reservoir on the road into the Andes.
What should I eat and drink in Mendoza?
Asado, with a glass of Malbec.
About Mendoza
- Mountains
- Desert
Where it is
Mendoza is the capital of Mendoza province in western Argentina, set at about 750 m in the dry foothills of the Andes near the border with Chile, and a stopover for climbers heading to Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
History
The Huarpe people farmed this valley before the Spanish founded Mendoza in 1561, and it was from here that José de San Martín organised the Army of the Andes, which crossed the mountains in 1817 to fight for the independence of Chile and Peru. An earthquake destroyed the city in 1861, and it was rebuilt with wide avenues and plazas designed to cope better with earthquakes.
People
Mendocinos speak Spanish, and many families descend from Italian and Spanish immigrants who planted the vineyards; wine, olive oil and fruit shape local life. The Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, the grape harvest festival, fills the city with parades in early March.
Known for
- Malbec from the wineries of Luján de Cuyo
- The Uco Valley vineyards
- Aconcagua Provincial Park
- Tree-lined streets and plazas
- The Vendimia harvest festival
Did you know?
Open irrigation channels called acequias run along the city's streets, watering some 100,000 trees, and the region around Mendoza is the largest wine-producing area in South America.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.