How many days · Mendoza · Argentina
How many days do you need in Mendoza?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Luján de Cuyo wineries, Mendoza · Photo: Silviaanac, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Mendoza, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days allows one day in the city, one in Maipú or Luján de Cuyo wineries and one Andes trip. Five days adds the Uco Valley, hot springs or rafting; wine lovers often stay a week.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 10 h (Jun) to 14.3 h (Dec)
Plan a trip to Mendoza
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Plaza Independencia, Luján de Cuyo wineries, Plaza España and the satellite plazas and Parque General San Martín |
| 2 days | Rushed | Parque General San Martín, Cerro de la Gloria and Área Fundacional and San Francisco ruins |
| 3 days | Good | Mercado Central, Avenida Arístides Villanueva and Paseo Sarmiento |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Uco Valley |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Uco Valley and Aconcagua and the High Andes |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Mendoza add up to roughly 23–31 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Luján de Cuyo wineries (Full day), Maipú wineries by bike (Full day) and Parque General San Martín (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Independencia | 45 minutes | Microcentro |
| Luján de Cuyo wineries | Full day | Luján de Cuyo wine country |
| Plaza España and the satellite plazas | 1 hour | Microcentro |
| Parque General San Martín | 2–3 hours | Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva |
| Cerro de la Gloria | 1 hour | Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva |
| Área Fundacional and San Francisco ruins | 1–1.5 hours | Microcentro |
| Mercado Central | 45 minutes | Microcentro |
| Avenida Arístides Villanueva | An evening | Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva |
| Paseo Sarmiento | 30–60 minutes | Microcentro |
| Maipú wineries by bike | Full day | Maipú |
| Museo Casa de Fader | 1 hour | Luján de Cuyo wine country |
| Museo de Ciencias Naturales Juan Cornelio Moyano | 1–1.5 hours | Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Plaza Independencia and Luján de Cuyo wineries |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Parque General San Martín |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Uco Valley and Aconcagua and the High Andes |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 10 hours of daylight) than in December (about 14.3 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Mendoza with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago | About 181 km (112 mi) | 4 days |
| Buenos Aires | About 986 km (612 mi) | 5 days |
| Montevideo | About 1,191 km (740 mi) | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Mendoza?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days allows one day in the city, one in Maipú or Luján de Cuyo wineries and one Andes trip. Five days adds the Uco Valley, hot springs or rafting; wine lovers often stay a week.
+Is a week too long in Mendoza?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Uco Valley and Aconcagua and the High Andes.