How to Spend 48 Hours in Chacras de Coria, Mendoza

Chacras de Coria is an upper class suburb of Mendoza city. Located about 25 minutes from the airport, and about an hour and a half from the Uco Valley, it’s a great choice for people who don’t want to have to choose between the city and the wine producing region at the foot of the Andes. Chacras de Coria is like any typical Argentine town, but with the added benefit of being home to Mendoza’s upper middle class, so it is well maintained, safe and incredibly picturesque. From the town’s main tree-lined square to the pretty streets, Chacras de Coria charms with its rural vibe and plethora of cute cafes, delicious restaurants and boutique wineries.

If you’re in Chacras de Coria for two days, there are endless amounts of activities to engage in, mostly, as you would imagine, concentrated around the tasting and drinking of wine. On the first day, start the day at your leisure with breakfast in your hotel, before heading to Bacchus Bikes to rent some bicycles for the afternoon. The friendly staff will kit you out with helmets, bikes, locks and a map of the area. They will let you know what times the various bodegas have wine tours and tastings at, as well as pointing out various places to stop and eat along the way. The circuit should take about five hours and cover around 18 km (11.2 miles), so this will keep you occupied for most of the first day! Once you drop the bikes back at around 6pm, you will likely want to go to your hotel for some rest, and then in the evening you can make a reservation for a delicious tasting menu in one of the town’s most well known restaurants, Brindillas.

The following day, get ready for another day of eating and drinking, as most travelers are wont to do in Mendoza. Head to El Enemigo for a long and languid lunch in one of the most picturesque settings in the region, and sample some of their in-house wines that are the perfect accompaniment to the delicious dishes on offer. Lunches in Mendoza are a luxurious affair, and you’ll no doubt be in a food coma when you come out the other end, so head back to your hotel to relax and digest. In the evening, why not mix it up and get a cocktail in one of the bars around the main square, before heading over to Taverna, a huge beer hall located behind El Mercadito, a cute spot just on the edge of town. Avoid the food, but go for the cocktails and the fun.