Free things to do · Mendoza · Argentina
7 free things to do in Mendoza
Mendoza without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Cerro Arco, Mendoza · Photo: Itsmemarttin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Mendoza without paying an entry fee: Plaza Independencia, Plaza España and the satellite plazas, Parque General San Martín and Cerro de la Gloria are all free. Argentine prices change quickly with inflation; check current rates and compare paying by card with paying in cash.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- June and August–September
Plan a trip to Mendoza
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Microcentro
1.Plaza Independencia
Come on a weekend evening, when the craft stalls are out and families gather around the lit fountains.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- After dark
- Shopping
Landmark · Microcentro
2.Plaza España and the satellite plazas
Walk a loop of all four satellite plazas from Plaza Independencia; it takes under an hour and shows the city's grid plan.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Park · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
3.Parque General San Martín
Rent a bike near the main gates and ride the loop around the lake and up towards Cerro de la Gloria.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- Active
Viewpoint · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
4.Cerro de la Gloria
Go late in the afternoon for the view; the walk up from the park lake is steep, so taking a taxi up and walking down is easier.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Market · Microcentro
5.Mercado Central
Eat lunch at one of the counters with locals, then buy olives and dried fruit for a winery picnic.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Street · Microcentro
6.Paseo Sarmiento
Order a café con leche and medialunas at an outdoor table in the morning before the shops get busy.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Nature · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
7.Cerro Arco
Start early with plenty of water and sun protection; there is little shade on the slope.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours return
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Microcentro | Plaza Independencia, Plaza España and the satellite plazas, Mercado Central and Paseo Sarmiento | 45 minutes + 1 hour + 45 minutes + 30–60 minutes |
| Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva | Parque General San Martín, Cerro de la Gloria and Cerro Arco | 2–3 hours + 1 hour + 3–4 hours return |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Microcentro
Área Fundacional and San Francisco ruins
Take a short taxi from the centre and combine the museum with the ruins on the plaza opposite in one visit.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Street · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
Avenida Arístides Villanueva
Start with dinner at a parrilla around 9:30pm, then move to the bars as the street fills later.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Food
- Free
Gallery · Luján de Cuyo wine country
Museo Casa de Fader
Combine it with a Luján winery visit or lunch in Chacras de Coria, both a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
Museo de Ciencias Naturales Juan Cornelio Moyano
Pair it with a walk around the park lake; it is a good choice for a hot afternoon or a rare rainy day.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Nature
Experience · Maipú
Olive-oil tasting in Maipú
Buy oil in tins rather than glass bottles if it is going in your luggage.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Kids
- Shopping
More ways to save
- Argentine prices change quickly with inflation; check current rates and compare paying by card with paying in cash.
- Visitors paying with foreign cards often receive a favourable exchange rate; check your card's terms before you travel.
- Do Maipú by bike and public transport instead of a private winery tour to keep costs down.
- Winery lunches are expensive but often replace dinner; plan a light evening after one.
- Winter and spring bring lower hotel rates than the harvest months of March and April.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Mendoza expensive to visit?
Mendoza is affordable for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Mendoza?
Plaza Independencia: Come on a weekend evening, when the craft stalls are out and families gather around the lit fountains.