Sight guide · Mendoza · Argentina
Visiting Plaza España and the satellite plazas
After the 1861 earthquake, the city was rebuilt with four plazas two blocks from the main square, designed as open refuges.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Mendoza · Photo: Silviaanac, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Plaza España and the satellite plazas is a landmark in Microcentro, Mendoza. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Microcentro
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture, photo spot and history
- Best months
- May and September–October
Plan a trip to Mendoza
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About Plaza España and the satellite plazas
After the 1861 earthquake, the city was rebuilt with four plazas two blocks from the main square, designed as open refuges. Plaza España is the most striking, covered in Andalusian-style painted tiles with a mural of the country's history; Plaza Italia, Plaza Chile and Plaza San Martín complete the set.
Tip: Walk a loop of all four satellite plazas from Plaza Independencia; it takes under an hour and shows the city's grid plan.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Microcentro, the grid around Plaza Independencia, Peatonal Sarmiento and the satellite plazas.
Best time to visit Plaza España and the satellite plazas
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- September: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- May: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 3 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Mendoza has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Mendoza itinerary visits Plaza España and the satellite plazas on day 1, together with Plaza Independencia, Área Fundacional and San Francisco ruins and Avenida Arístides Villanueva.
- No. 3 of the 14 sights in our Mendoza things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Mendoza.
Near Plaza España and the satellite plazas
Also in Microcentro, so you can walk between them:
- Plaza Independencia — 45 minutes, free
- Área Fundacional and San Francisco ruins — 1–1.5 hours, low cost
- Mercado Central — 45 minutes, free
If you like Plaza España and the satellite plazas
- Cerro de la Gloria — Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva, 1 hour
Staying near Plaza España and the satellite plazas
Stay in Microcentro ($$) to walk here: the grid around Plaza Independencia, Peatonal Sarmiento and the satellite plazas. All areas to stay in Mendoza.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Plaza España and the satellite plazas?
Plan 1 hour. With Plaza Independencia nearby, it fits a half-day in Microcentro.
+Is Plaza España and the satellite plazas free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Plaza España and the satellite plazas?
May and September–October, the quietest of the good months. Walk a loop of all four satellite plazas from Plaza Independencia; it takes under an hour and shows the city's grid plan.
+Do I need to book Plaza España and the satellite plazas in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.