Salta, Argentina has many panoramic mountain and valley views. Photo by Hector Ramon Perez on Unsplash

Salta is a very LGBTQ+ friendly city located in the Lerma Valley, surrounded by the steep and impressive Andes mountains. It sits at a high elevation, at almost 4000 feet above sea level in Argentina's north west region. Salta and the surrounding metropolitan area has a population of almost 700,000 making it an approachable and intimate city.

While Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Rosario all offer vibrant an exuberant gay scenes in Argentina, Salta offers LGBTQ+ travelers something unique. If you are seeking an Argentinian city with colonial architecture and cultural authenticity, Salta is for you. With remarkably well preserved architecture, grand parks, and a vibrant nightlife, it is no surprise that LGBTQ+ travelers have recently discovered Salta as an ideal gay-friendly Argentine vacation destination.

What Makes Salta, Argentina a Unique LGBTQ+ Destination

Nicknamed Salta la Linda (Salta the beautiful), this charming place has become a major tourist destination due to its colonial architecture, friendliness, awesome weather, and the picturesque scenery of valleys and mountains.

Within the city are two iconic attractions. First there is the 18th century Cabildo, a neo-classical style Cathedral. Then there is the popular and vibrant 9 de Julio, the city’s central square. 9 de Julio is a lovely monument-filled square sprinkled with palm trees at the center of the city. Many of Salta’s most enjoyable sights are nearby this square, making it a great jumping off point.

The city center features a number of impressive buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th and early 20th centuries. Clockwise around the 9 de Julio Square are the neoclassical Cathedral, the French style Museum of Contemporary Art, the Cabildo (in former times, the city's town hall, nowadays a historical museum) and the neoclassical Museum of High Mountain Archeology, which houses artifacts from the Inca civilization, including the magnificently preserved mummies of three Inca children.

Rising imposingly in the east is San Bernardo Hill, another top attraction in Salta. Its summit, from which visitors can get a panoramic view of the entire city and the valley. You can reach it by car, cable car, or stairway. The summit also offers fountains, cafes, a craft market, hiking trails and you can even rent a mountain bike for your journey down the mountain if you are so inclined, or declined rather.

Salta is a very Spanish city by physical appearance. So much so that tourists visiting from Spain often find a strong resemblance between Salta and Andalusian cities. The local culture, however, is a blend of Spanish and gaucho (mestizo, criollo, both indigenous and non indigenous) traditions, lending the city a distinctive identity, somewhat different from the more European like metropolises to the south. This mixture of cultures is the core of what makes Salta special.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Accommodations In Salta Argentina

LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations in Salta range from four star hotels to pousadas and short-term apartment rentals.

Set in a charming historic Spanish building only a short walk to Plaza principal 9 de Julio square, the gay-friendly Casa De Borgona pousada provides the perfect atmosphere for an enjoyable stay in Salta. It is housed in a restored, red 20th-century townhouse with the guest bedrooms arranged around a classic courtyard with potted plants, fruit trees, and wrought iron and wooden benches.

The English speaking gay-friendly staff will ensure a warm welcome. A generous complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the dining room or in the garden patio. The rooms are spacious, with daily maid service, and include linens and towels. They also include free Wi-Fi and cable TV. It features a coffee shop and a patio. Casa de Borgona's warm service, colonial-style decor and tranquil atmosphere, create an inviting and relaxing gay-friendly atmosphere.

Apart Salta is a gay-friendly rental agency offering fully furnished and equipped apartments of varying size. They provide daily maid service and are located in the center of the city of Salta. Reasonably priced they provide an economical, spacious alternative to hotel rooms.

Where To Go Out In Salta, Argentina as an LGBTQ+ Traveler

Gay night life in Salta is robust, lively, and safe, but a smaller community exists compared to larger South American cities. The LGBT entertainment scene is relatively limited but there are a few gay venues.

The City Night Club (Avenida Asunción S/N Portezuelo Tel:0387 15 4425183) is a gay Disco located on top of a hill, with one of the best views of the city of Salta by night.

The gay Dr Jekyll Pub (San Luis 761) is a small local place to meet all kinds of people including locals and other visitors to Salta. This resto bar is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 21:00 until 05:00 in the morning.

The lesbian-friendly Pizzeria Qui Resto Bar (Calle Zuviria 406) in the downtown core is uniquely furnished and decorated with all recycled materials. This is a very popular women's meeting place.

Experience The Rich Flavors and Folklore of Salta

Savor some authentic Argentininian cuisine like empanadas, loco and humitas in Salta. Photo by WOM | Creative Studio Verona on Unsplash

Salteños and tourists alike meet in peñas, pubs, cafes, casinos and discos. Most of this activity is concentrated in the area known as La Balcarce. Many venues offer live local folklore stage entertainment in the evenings to accompany dinner and drinks.

Visitors can taste traditional empanadas, locro, and humitas, as well as enjoy modern dishes made with local products such as corn, llama meat, quinoa, trout, and pejerrey. On weekends there is a street crafts market where tourists can buy different traditional handmade products.

One of the main activities in Salta is the April Culture Festival, which lasts the entire month and offers a wide variety of activities such as cultural performances, a handcraft exposition, and live orchestral performances. Also, from mid-February to mid-March there are numerous colorful and stunning Carnival celebrations and parades in both the city of Salta and the surrounding communities.

Enjoy The Wonders of the LGBTQ+ Friendly Salta, Argentina

Salta is also a perfect base for exploring Argentina's Andean regions such as the Calchaqui valley and the Quebrada de Humahuaca north in nearby Jujuy. Departing from Salta is one of South America's great railway journeys, the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the clouds), which has spectacular views as it zig zags up and down the Andes mountains. The natural Andes scenery provides a wide variety of day trips and excursions into the countryside, none of which you are soon to forget.

The magical Andes Mountains and Argentinian Valleys await you in Salta. Photo by Külli Kittus on Unsplash

Helpful Websites:

www.posadacasadeborgona.com.ar

http://www.welcomeargentina.com/salta/outings.html

http://www.turismosalta.gov.ar/