3 Day Mendoza, Argentina Itinerary: Wine & Adventure in a Long Weekend

Don’t have a lot of time to explore Mendoza, Argentina? Welcome to your new favorite 3 day Mendoza, Argentina itinerary, perfect for travelers who love to walk, explore a city, and take some time to reset in nature.  

In this itinerary, I will help you prioritize things to see in the city of Mendoza if you only have 3 days. Don’t worry – there will be time for wine tastings and outdoor adventures!

My friend and I greatly enjoyed our time in Mendoza, even though we had a few slip-ups during our travels. This itinerary is born from a few cautionary tales and many, many amazing experiences. From white water rafting to a relaxing stroll in the park, there is something for everyone in the heart of Argentina’s wine country.

Mendoza makes a fantastic add-on to your Buenos Aires Itinerary: 3 Beautiful Days in Argentina’s Cosmopolitan Capital.

Happy sampling!

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Exploring the City of Mendoza

 

On day one of our 3 day Mendoza, Argentina itinerary, we will be staying in the downtown area to explore the city center. Given the city’s small size, you will have no trouble walking around. Take advantage of the calm stroll, because it only gets more adventurous from here!

(1) Grab Food at El Mercado Central

Start your day with breakfast at El Mercado Central. This lively indoor market is popular among tourists and locals alike with a ton of stalls offering wine, vegetables, ham, and more.

El Mercado Central is incredibly historic, having opened in 1883, and offers great prices for a lot of the local delicacies. While there are a lot of nice market stalls, it’s not the best place to sit down and have a meal indoors. We suggest grabbing a few things from different vendors and then taking them to our next stop.

(2) Eat at the Plaza Independencia

Next, head to Plaza Independencia, a charming square right in the heart of the city with a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful fountains, green spaces, and surrounded by historical buildings. It is a popular gathering place and makes for a fantastic picnic area to feast on your food from El Mercado Central.

Plaza Independencia was built in 1863 following a very devastating earthquake in the city in 1861. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the weekend, you can wander through the artisan fair with locals selling their products. There are so many vendors that the fair stretches out beyond the actual plaza into the neighboring streets.

(3) Walk Down Paseo Peatonal Sarmiento

Let’s continue our tour of Mendoza’s city center by taking a stroll down Paseo Peatonal Sarmiento, a beautiful pedestrian street. This paseo makes for a great walk thanks to the plethora of bars, restaurants, and stores that line the street. Better yet, there’s a ton of outdoor seating, so if it’s a nice day, don’t forget to grab a coffee and sit outside to people-watch.  

Paseo Peatonal Sarmiento begins in the Plaza Independencia and runs a couple of blocks down to Avenida San Martín, a busy avenue. The pedestrian street is a great place to get your shopping done for your family back home, and it is mostly shaded by gorgeous trees making for a lovely stroll.

(4) Parque San Martín

After your fix of coffee or gift-buying, it’s time to head to Parque San Martín, a sprawling urban park and the final stop of the day. Parque San Martín is a gorgeous green oasis covering 400 hectares with gardens, walking paths, and areas of recreation. Two beautifully adorned gates welcome you into the park.

Rowers like me will be thrilled to know that there is a rowing club that practices within the man-made lake, and if you’re lucky enough, you might be able to see the boats go by. It’s even possible to rent a boat on the park’s lake, as well as jog, cycle, and picnic.

On our walk, we were joined by a pack of friendly stray dogs who were equally keen on getting their evening steps in!

Day 2 – A Full Day of Rafting and Outdoor Adventures

 

On day two of our exploration of Mendoza, we’re pulling out the wet suit!

(5) Rafting in the Mendoza River

Mendoza is known for its fantastic whitewater rafting opportunities. I know – who would have thought! Whitewater rafting is offered year-round in the Mendoza River, which completes any 3 Day Mendoza, Argentina itinerary.  

Argentina Rafting does a fantastic job of organizing outdoor tours. They offer hotel pick-ups, keep you within your private group, and overall, provide an incredibly smooth experience.

I had the most wonderful falling into the Mendoza River in July (for those of us Northern Hemisphere folks, it’s dead winter), so the water was absolutely freezing. The guide did a great job of fishing me out almost immediately, but always remember to pack a change of clothes!

Although the company name is Argentina Rafting, they offer a whole host of activities, and we highly suggest making this a full-day excursion. The rafting portion is only half a day, but you can tack on other half-day activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, zip lining, and kayaking. For those who prefer to stay dry, Argentina Rafting offers full-day hiking tours as well.

This is the company to go with when it comes to outdoor adventures. Their base camp has a restaurant and café, so you’ll be happy all day. Plus, you can say hello to a dog like we did (ignoring the fact that the dog decided that this brick in his mouth was his new best friend)!

Argentina Rafting’s base of operations is approximately 1 hour away from Mendoza’s center, but the bus will pick you up at your hotel. Plus, they have an office in the downtown area, so if you want to talk to them in person rather than over WhatsApp, that’s an option.

Day 3 – Hiking & A Bike Tour of Mendoza Wineries

On our last day, we are going to take a hike and finally hit the Mendoza wine region, exploring various wineries by bike.

(6) Hike Up Cerro Arco

Start the day with a challenging but rewarding hike up Cerro Arco. This prominent hill on the outskirts of Mendoza is known for breathtaking panoramic views and hiking trails. Please note that this hike is difficult. We had plans to pack a picnic (of the popular sándwich de miga, of course) and go all the way up. While it was gorgeous and well worth the visit, Cerro Arco is not an easy hike, and we did not make it to the top. Even though it isn’t steep, and you will traverse on gravel roads, it takes approximately 3.5 hours to summit and descend, and there is little to no shade. That being said, if you make it – congratulations! You will be offered fantastic views of the foothills of the Andes.

While Cerro Arco’s parking lot is easily reachable by Uber, you will have no luck getting an Uber back to the city center. Therefore, pack enough cash to take the bus home (yes, we learned the hard way, but the bus driver pitied us and gave us a free ride). The 310, 311, and 313 buses will take you from the parking lot to the city.

(7) Maipú Winery Tour on a Bike

If you aren’t winded from this morning’s activity, head over to the town of Maipú to take a bike tour of the famous vineyards. We had a great time with Maipú Bikes because their tours are completely self-guided, meaning they give you a map, a bike, and a pat on the back. This style of tour is perfect for travelers who want the gear and directions, but don’t want an organized tour. While you have to take a taxi to get to the office, once you drop your bike off at the end of your tour, the office workers are kind enough to give you water and call a taxi back to your hotel.

Navigation will prove to be easy, as the major wineries are along the same stretch of road. The folks at the Maipú Bikes office suggested that we start at the far end and work our way back. Here, we learned about our new favorite white wine, a sweet Torrontés.    

Biking down the vineyards with my friend continues to be one of my fondest memories of any of my trips. While we hit our limit after visiting 4 wineries (we were 19 years old and didn’t realize you weren’t supposed to finish all your glasses of wine), there’s something magical about biking down rows of grapevines on a warm day.  

Where to Stay in Mendoza, Argentina

 

I’m going to have to give massive credit to my Mendoza friend for this one. We stayed in Villaggio Hotel Boutique, but she highly recommended some other options.

• Our Top Pick: Villaggio Hotel Boutique – We completely loved this hotel as a boutique option that is still affordable. We stayed as two budget travelers in a shared room and thought that the bang for our buck was fantastic. You also get to enjoy the hot tub in their spa, so it is a place where you feel like you’re treating yourself and not spending a lot of money.
• Other options include Edificio Presidente (apartment-style rooms), Diplomatic Hotel (expensive, 5-star), and Raices Aconcagua (stylish, relatively cheap).

Where to Eat in Mendoza, Argentina

 

Our friend from Mendoza also graciously provided us with this list of restaurants before our trip, although I have unfortunately had to cut out those that did not survive the pandemic:

• Ferruccio Soppelsa

While technically not a restaurant, you have to get an Italian gelato from this ice cream parlor! With countless flavors to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong at Ferruccio Soppelsa. Take your pick of one, two, or all three locations in the downtown Mendoza area.

• Bröd

Bröd is a fantastic place to get breakfast or brunch thanks to their platter options and their aesthetic coffees. Fuel up in the morning before going rafting, hiking, or wine tasting.

• La Marchigiana

There are a ton of Italian restaurants in Argentina, and La Marchigiana is no exception. It has a fancy feel although the prices themselves are rather affordable. We had a great meal here to pad our stomachs after a day of wine tasting.

Do remember that dinner in Argentina starts incredibly late. The restaurants don’t fill up until 10:00 pm. Therefore, if you go any earlier, the waiters will certainly tend to you attentively as the rest of the restaurant will be empty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mendoza, Argentina

 

Is 3 days in Mendoza enough?

Yes, 3 days in Mendoza is a perfect amount of time! One day is enough to explore the city itself, allowing a full 2 days for the outskirts. From hiking to rafting to biking to wine tasting, the beautiful countryside surrounding Mendoza has something for everyone. If you are interested in trying a little bit of everything, you will have ample time within the two days.

How much time do you need in Mendoza, Argentina?

You could easily spend forever in Mendoza just exploring nature and all of the wineries. However, if you just want to get a general taste of the region, explore the city a little bit, and do some hiking, a long weekend is perfectly fine. It is a great place to go for visitors who are already in Buenos Aires.

Is it worth going to Mendoza, Argentina?

Yes, going to Mendoza, Argentina is worth it! Mendoza is a base camp for outdoor activities and fantastic wine tastings. It provides a completely different atmosphere from Buenos Aires, the bustling capital. Mendoza is a laid-back destination beautifully situated on the foothills of the Andes mountains.

Do you need a car in Mendoza, Argentina?

Unless you are planning on doing a road trip, no, you do not need a car in Mendoza, Argentina. The city center is very walkable, and if you sign up for tours in the outskirts, there will usually be a bus that picks travelers up at their hotels. Mendoza also has a great bus and taxi system, and you will never feel the need to have your own wheels.

I hope you enjoyed this fast-paced and walkable 3 day Mendoza, Argentina itinerary. It was tested and loved by my friend and me during our trip in July (we needed down jackets!) where we greatly enjoyed being able to walk everywhere in the city and conveniently get to the outskirts for outdoor activities. Mendoza is a fantastic addition to your trip to Buenos Aires as well as anywhere else in South America, so don’t forget to check out our South America Travel Guides.

Happy Sampling!