Mendoza in 5 days

Malbec country at the foot of the Andes: vineyard lunches, big skies, and high-altitude adventure. Best time to visit: March-April (harvest) and September-November (spring). Average daily budget: $45 to $90 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: City Centre, Plaza Independencia, leafy avenues, and the best restaurants and wine bars.

Morning: Vineyard lunch in Luján de Cuyo. A multi-course meal with paired Malbecs among the vines. Book ahead.

Afternoon: Explore City Centre, Plaza Independencia, leafy avenues, and the best restaurants and wine bars.

Evening: Wine tour of the Uco Valley. The most scenic region, snow-capped Andes behind every bodega.

Eat: Argentine asado (grilled beef) with chimichurri

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Maipú, The closest wine region, easy to tour by bike or driver.

Morning: Drive to Aconcagua. The road through the high Andes to the foot of the Americas' tallest peak.

Afternoon: Explore Maipú, The closest wine region, easy to tour by bike or driver.

Evening: Bike the bodegas of Maipú. The budget-friendly, do-it-yourself way to taste near the city.

Eat: Empanadas mendocinas, baked not fried

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Luján de Cuyo, The heart of premium Malbec, grand bodegas and fine dining.

Morning: Olive-oil tastings between wineries, Mendoza grows superb olives too.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Luján de Cuyo, The heart of premium Malbec, grand bodegas and fine dining.

Evening: Sunset from Cerro de la Gloria in the city park.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Malbec, of course, plus Torrontés and Bonarda

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Valle de Uco, Higher, newer, the most dramatic vineyard-and-Andes scenery.

Morning: A thermal soak at Cacheuta hot springs in the mountains.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Valle de Uco, Higher, newer, the most dramatic vineyard-and-Andes scenery.

Evening: An asado paired with a young Bonarda, not just Malbec.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Locally pressed olive oil and sun-dried tomatoes

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Parque General San Martín, The huge city park for runs, rowing and sunset over the hills.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Parque General San Martín, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Parque General San Martín, The huge city park for runs, rowing and sunset over the hills.

Evening: Dinner at Argentine asado (grilled beef) with chimichurri, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Parque General San Martín.

Eat: Argentine asado (grilled beef) with chimichurri

Hidden gems

Olive-oil tastings between wineries, Mendoza grows superb olives too.
Sunset from Cerro de la Gloria in the city park.
A thermal soak at Cacheuta hot springs in the mountains.
An asado paired with a young Bonarda, not just Malbec.

Getting around

The city is flat and walkable. To tour wineries, hire a driver for the day, join a small-group tour, or cycle the closer Maipú bodegas, never drive yourself between tastings. The Uco Valley is over an hour out, so a driver or tour is essential there.

Safety

Mendoza is relaxed and among Argentina's safer cities, with normal big-town precautions: watch belongings in the centre and use registered taxis or apps at night. The bigger risks are sun and altitude, the Andes day trip climbs past 3,000m, so hydrate and go slow. Always use a driver when wine tasting.

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