Purmamarca

Considered one of Argentina’s most postcard-worthy towns, Purmamarca lies in the province of Jujuy just north of Salta, beneath the shadows of the spectacular Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). The area's collection of adobe houses and 17th-century Spanish colonial church are pretty in their own right, but the backdrop of jagged hills displaying layers of red, purple, yellow and orange makes for a particularly vivid sight in the early hours when the rising sun illuminates the natural tapestry.
Within the town itself sits one of Argentina’s oldest and prettiest churches, the centuries-old Iglesia de Santa Rosa de Lima, constructed from adobe and thistle wood and dating back to 1648. The sleepy pueblo serves as a favored base from which to explore some of the region's other natural attractions, including the equally spectacular Salinas Grandes and Quebrada. Spending a night in the pueblo also means you can take advantage of the dry air and high altitude by doing some stargazing.

Practical Info

If you’re already planning a trip to Salinas Grandes from Salta, do yourself a favor and stay the night in Purmamarca on the way there or back.