South America / Argentina
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Mendoza
The central main square of the city is the best starting point to explore downtown Mendoza. It boasts some nice buildings around, restaurants and even some street shows. The Mendoza Museum of Modern Art is under the plaza also . The Plaza can also be visited at night, where you can see some nicely illuminated buildings and a beautiful big coat of arms of the city that is made of lights.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Mendoza
Possibly the most beautiful square in the city, this square is an artistic expression of the special relationship that this city (and all others in Hispanic America) has with Spain. It is decorated in a splendid way with typical Andalusian and Spanish motifs all around the place. The central wall depicts some images and texts of the Spanish colonization and it is crowned by a gorgeous statue.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Mendoza
. This huge park is nice for walking or biking around. Mendocinans claim that the 420 hectare park is the biggest city park in South America. A convenient way to explore the park is to take a bus to the junction of Avenida del Libertador and Subida al Cerro. A well maintained path takes you from the junction southward up to Cerro de la Gloria with an excellent view over the city and the mountains and a monument to San Martin's Ejercito de los Andes. The monument may be the best of its kind in Argentina. The view from the Cerro de la Gloria is particularly pleasant at sunset. You can then make your way down to the rest of the park. Unfortunately there is no footpath down to the east and you will have to follow the road down the hill -it's still enjoyable as vehicle traffic is light. It will take the best part of half a day to have a good look around.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Mendoza
A pleasant half-day hike easily done independently from Mendoza, offering great views of both the Andean foothills behind and the vast expanse of Mendoza's plains to the front. Cerro Acro is the looming mountain to Mendoza's north west, topped with various antenna. It is also used as the base for paragliding.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Mendoza
occur often and are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. The two week harvest festival starting towards the end of February and culminating in early March is a major event. One of the activities is an evening promenade by thousands of Mendocinans up and down Aristides street but the closing parade might top it. It seems as though every horse in Argentina is pressed into service and the riders all turn into gauchos with lariat, leggings, flags and other insignia.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Start with Plaza Independencia, then decide whether Plaza España deserves a separate visit rather than rushing both. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Festivals before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Central Mendoza is relatively compact and walkable: for example, it's a 20- to 30-minute walk from Plaza Independencia to Parque San Martin. However to get to the bodegas (vineyards) to the south, walking isn't recommended as it they are at least 10 km away. In January 2019, there was the radical transformation of the public transport system, introducing Mendotran, a system which is based on the setting up of two different transport "webs": one that takes you into and out of the city proper, and one that connects the different areas of the periphery.
Keep Plaza Independencia as the anchor for one day and Festivals for the other. Check their exact entrances on the map before adding further stops; a town name alone is not a reliable meeting point.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.
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This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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