15 best Things to Do in Mendoza City and Surroundings

Discover the essential things to do in Mendoza city and surroundings, from relaxing walks around the city, routes through vineyards and wineries and a bit of adventure tourism.

The fourth most populated city in Argentina attracts visitors for its beauty and proximity to the Andes Mountains. Clean squares, large green spaces, wineries and many attractions in the surrounding area make up the city’s offer.

In addition, there are plenty of free activities to do in Mendoza, as well as most of the capital’s attractions, including parks, squares and hills. There are other places further afield that are ideal for visiting Mendoza by car, such as Aconcagua Park, Potrerillos Dam or taking Route 7 to the Chilean border.

Here is a summary of all the activities to do in Mendoza in summer. In winter, there are certain places where caution should be taken due to low temperatures and snow, such as the visit to Aconcagua and Route 7.

📷 Visit the main attractions of Mendoza city with a specialized guide by booking this tour. Transfers included.

🔝 Take a look at these route recommendations for Mendoza and San Juan, by car and for 1 or 2 weeks.

Map: things to do in Mendoza city and surroundings

Mendoza has very specific places to visit, but as we have already said, it is the fourth largest city in Argentina, so it is best to visit it by car, using public transportation (the SUBE) or on a tour.

If you are only going to visit the city, two days might be enough time to visit everything. These sites described below are ideal for an itinerary of things to do in Mendoza in 4 or 5 days.

🔝 If you are looking for itineraries with recommended day-by-day activities, take a look at the following articles:
– Mendoza in 3 days
– Mendoza in 4 days
– Mendoza in 5 days

1. Cerro de la Gloria

One of the main activities to do in Mendoza City is to climb the Gloria hill. Located behind San Martin Park, the hill can be accessed either by car on a paved road, by bicycle or on foot through the trails.

At the top of the hill there is a parador, parking to leave the car and the imposing National Monument to the Army of the Andes, a symbol of Mendoza capital and dedicated to the liberation of the people carried out by General San Martin.

In addition to contemplating the great monument, the Cerro de la Gloria offers spectacular views of the San Martin Park and the city of Mendoza. It is ideal to spend the afternoon with some mates.

The best views of the surroundings are at sunset when the last rays of the sun allow you to observe the orange-coloured sky with the valley and the mountains.

2. San Martin Park

The great green space of the city of Mendoza is the San Martin Park, located in the west of the city. Designed by the landscaper Carlos Thays, it covers an extension of 17 kilometers with a large number of sculptures and interior streets.

The iron gate that marks the access to San Martin Park was bought in Paris and designed in Scotland, originally for a sultan. On the upper part of the gates, the Mendoza coat of arms stands out.

Among the most outstanding sculptures in San Martin Park are the Marly horses, two small equestrian figures made of Carrara marble that belonged to Louis XIV’s Marly Palace, and the fountain of the Continents.

The park also houses a beautiful artificial lake where the Regatas de Mendoza club is located, several inns to enjoy a meal overlooking the lake or under the shade of a tree, and the amphitheater where the National Grape Harvest Festival is held every year.

The Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, built for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina and later remodeled, deserves a special mention. It is one of the most important in the country and there are guided tours to get to know it from the inside.

3. Juan Cornelio Moyano Museum of Natural and Anthropological Sciences

In a corner of the San Martin Park, this museum is ideal to visit in Mendoza with children or on rainy days.

Admission is free and it has 3 rooms, not very big, mainly with replicas of animals. The building has a curious shape that resembles a ship.

4. Things to do in Mendoza City: Independence Square and its satellite squares.

The central point of the city of Mendoza is the Independencia Square, which has games for children, lots of trees and an artisan fair that operates on weekends. In addition, it has a coat of arms with the Mendoza sign that lights up at night.

From the Plaza Independencia, the Paseo Sarmiento, a three-block pedestrian street with a large number of shops and restaurants with terraces for dining or having a drink outdoors.

But downtown Mendoza has, in addition to the main square, four satellite parks: Plaza España, Italia, San Martín and Chile.

The one we liked the most is the Plaza España, with mosaics, fountains and a playground for children, it is really very picturesque. San Martin Square has a large equestrian figure of General San Martin in the center.

5. Pedro del Castillo Square

In the historic area, Pedro del Castillo Square is the oldest square in the city and the place where Mendoza was founded. In the central part of the square stands the monument to Pedro del Castillo, founder of the city.

Adjacent to the square is the museum of the Foundational Area, a center that tells the story of the founding of the city in 1561. Through objects, pieces, photographs and models, it narrates the evolution of Mendoza City through the centuries, especially before and after the earthquake suffered in 1861.

In one of the corners of the square you can visit the ruins of the church of San Francisco, a building built by the Jesuits in the eighteenth century that was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1861.

6. Civic Park

Surrounded by public and government buildings such as the Palace of Justice and the Government House of Mendoza, the Civic Park occupies a block with a large fountain in the center.

In the Civic Park there is the Andes Army Flag Memorial, a subway room with free access that exhibits the remains of the original flag of the liberating army and clothing used by the troops. It is not allowed to take pictures inside.

Behind the Palace of Justice is the building of the Municipality of Mendoza, which has a lookout terrace on the seventh floor with free access and nice views of the city.

7. Things to do in Mendoza City: visit Lopez Winery

While one of the things to do in Mendoza city is to visit the wineries located in the outskirts, there is an option close to downtown Mendoza, which is the López winery.

It can be reached by TRAM Nr. 100 from downtown, get off at Gutierrez station. There are different types of tours available, all of which are guided. You can see the information and book from the official website of Bodegas Lopez.

If you choose the basic tour, you will first visit the facilities where the winemaking process is explained, then you will taste two varieties, and finally you will be in the sales room with very good prices and promotions.

Although its location is great if you don’t have a car, it should be noted that the property does not have vineyards, it is only the place where the wine is made.

8. Best wineries in Mendoza to visit

South of Mendoza city there are many wineries to visit, with tastings and sales. You can also see the vineyards, which is really worthwhile.

Even an excellent plan in case of visiting Mendoza, is to sleep in a winery. There are many that have a restaurant and a place to stay. They are not cheap, but waking up, opening the window and contemplating the vineyard plantations with the mountains in the background is ideal for a romantic getaway in Mendoza. In addition, the wineries’ restaurants offer wine tastings and high quality gourmet dishes.

Among Mendoza’s outstanding wineries are the Chandon winery, with champagne production, Trapiche and Nieto Senetiner.

📷 Check here for the winery and vineyard tour and reservation. Includes transfers, guide and guided tour of two wineries in Mendoza.

9. Cacheuta Hot Springs

On the scenic Route 82 that goes from Mendoza City to the Potrerillos reservoir, you can access the Cacheuta hot springs, a complex of pools at different temperatures and on the banks of the Mendoza River.

Ideal for a relaxing day, the thermal complex has a restaurant, places to stay and an adventure park for rappelling, rafting or trekking.

The Cacheuta hot springs are open every day of the year from 9 am to 6 pm. To fully enjoy and relax it is advisable to dedicate at least five hours to the place. It is even a good plan to spend the whole day here as there is room to eat inside.

📷 Check here the excursion to the Cachueta hot springs with entrance included and reservation. Includes: transfers and guide.

10. Potrerillos Reservoir

Passing the Cacheuta hot springs on Route 82, you reach the Potrerillos reservoir, a large body of water artificially created with the construction of the dam on the Mendoza River. The environment where it is located is really fantastic, with the mountains surrounding it.

📷 Check here the excursion to Potrerillos and Cacheuta reservoir and make a reservation. Includes: transfers and guide.

At the reservoir you can rent kayaks, go kitesurfing, windsurfing or simply enjoy the water’s edge. There are picnic areas and parking for vehicles.

It is advisable to bring sun protection and a hat as there is no shade around the Potrerillos reservoir.

If you are up for it, you can also go rafting on the Mendoza River in the area before the reservoir.

Although physically demanding, the shorter 12 kilometres can be done without any previous rafting experience.

📷 Check here the rafting excursion on the Mendoza River in a 12 kilometers trip and make a reservation. Includes: transfers, instructor and guide.

11. Villavicencio

To avoid a long and winding gravel road, we visited Villavicencio from Mendoza City. Route 52 is paved in that stretch and is quite quiet to do.

About this house in the middle of the mountains whose image appears on one of the best selling bottled waters in Argentina, we talked in the article about things to do in Uspallata.

📷 Check here the excursion to the Villavicencio Reserve and make a reservation. Includes: transfers and guide.

If you continue along route 52, towards Uspallata, the road becomes gravel. The slope is very steep and in the highest part you will find the Caracoles de Villavicencio viewpoint, a panoramic point from where you can see the hills and the foothills.

Our advice is that if you do it by car you should drive slowly, as the road is gravel and winding. In a van or 4×4 there is no problem to drive.

12. Uspallata and the Andes Mountain Range

The town of Uspallata is located 120 kilometers from Mendoza City along Route 7. From here you can continue along Route 7 to the border crossing with Chile, passing through Puente del Inca, Los Penitentes and Aconcagua Park.

The Inca Bridge can be photographed but not walked on as it is at risk of collapse.

📷 Check here the high mountain excursion in the Andes and make a reservation. You will visit Uspallata, Puente del Inca, the Aconcagua viewpoint and Christ the Redeemer. Includes: transfers and guide.

About the Aconcagua park and contemplating the Aconcagua mountain from the viewpoint or doing a high mountain excursion of several days, we talked in the article trekkings to do in the Aconcagua provincial park.

However, we recommend you at least get to the viewpoint as it requires no physical effort and the views of Aconcagua and the whole mountain range are amazing.

13. Christ King of the Tupungato Valley

On Provincial Route 86 and a few kilometres before reaching the town of Tupungato is one of the best viewpoints to see the mountains of the Cordillera de los Andes in Mendoza.

The climb up to the image of Christ the Redeemer has many curves and a cornice, but going slowly is enough to get there without any problems. At the top, there are tables, toilets and a small shop selling coffee and fried cakes, ideal to contemplate the imposing landscape of the Tupungato valley and the so-called silver cordon, accompanied by something to drink and eat.

In addition to contemplating the highest peaks of the Andes Mountains with their snow-capped peaks, you will be able to observe condors.

At the bottom of the monument to Christ the King, and on the side of the road, there is a sign with the letters of Tupungato, to take a nice picture with the landscape in the background.

Be careful, take a coat because the wind blows a lot at the top of the mountain. Do not go during the zonda wind because it will be impossible to get there due to the dust cloud it raises.

14. Rafting on the Mendoza River

For the adventurous, rafting down the Mendoza River is one of the best experiences in the vicinity of Mendoza City. The route usually starts from the Potrerillos reservoir upstream.

You can choose between shorter routes of 12 kilometres, rafting down the river for an hour and a half, and longer routes of up to 30 kilometres, rafting for about four hours.

📷 Book your rafting trip on the Mendoza river here, an adventure in the middle of nature.

15. San Rafael and the Atuel Canyon

The city of San Rafael is not so far from the capital and is also one of the most sought after places for adventure tourism thanks to its famous Atuel Canyon. Trekking, climbing, rappel, rafting… there are many options of adventure activities to do in the surroundings of Mendoza (the photo I share with you is from Flor in 2002 and is digitalized).

📷 Check here the tour to Atuel Canyon and Valle Grade trip and reserve your place.

🔝 Discover all there is to do around the Atuel Canyon in this article about things to do in San Rafael Mendoza.

🔝 Check out these tours from Mendoza to make your trip complete.

Practical information for travel to Mendoza

Where to stay in Mendoza City

We stayed in the Guaymallen area, far from the centre and in a residential neighbourhood. Accommodation in that area is fine if you have your own car.

We have an article on where to stay in Mendoza with recommendations for all budgets.

How to get to Mendoza City

As one of the most important cities in the country, Mendoza has many local and international connections with Chile.

There are frequent buses to different destinations and direct flights from Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Panama, Sao Paulo and other cities in Argentina.

📷 Book here your transfer from Mendoza airport to the hotel or city center.

✈️ Search here for cheap flights to Mendoza.

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