Concepción: Culture, Locro and Aconquija

Concepción offers urban culture, a food-focused festival and access to Parque Nacional Aconquija. As you plan your trip, you can weigh these different highlights against one another: Would you mainly like to explore the places in the city center, come for the August festival, or set aside time for the national park’s natural attractions? The following impressions can help you tailor your stay to your own interests.

Plaza Mitre and the City’s History

Plaza Mitre is Concepción’s main public promenade and also the city’s social and cultural center. In the city center, the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción stands opposite it. The Museo del Automovilismo Nasif Estéfano offers a historical tour of Nasif Estéfano’s racing career. The city therefore brings together a range of themes: public life around the square, the cathedral and the history of motor racing.

A city tourism description dated March 6, 2025, mentions guided tours of significant places in the city. If you plan to join a tour, check the dates in advance.

Fiesta Nacional del Locro in August

Concepción celebrates the Fiesta Nacional del Locro in August. The program includes music and competitions to choose the best cook and the best locro. The festival thus combines local cuisine with a competition and musical entertainment. If you would like to plan your trip around the Fiesta, check the event dates and program in advance; details may vary from one edition to another.

Concepción and Parque Nacional Aconquija

Concepción is the gateway to Parque Nacional Aconquija; the park entrance is in the city. The national park has numerous trails for walks and outdoor activities. Its archaeological remains include La Ciudacita. The park also protects 94,000 hectares of the Yungas and High Andes ecoregions. Visits to the city, archaeological sites and nature trails offer different ways to shape your travel plans. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Trails and Culture in the Department of Chicligasta

Parque Nacional Aconquija extends across the Department of Chicligasta as well as the departments of Alberdi, Monteros, Río Chico and Tafí del Valle. The following nature and culture highlights form part of the wider regional context of the Department of Chicligasta, not just the city of Concepción.

In the Department of Chicligasta, Sendero El Pozón passes through mountain forest to a natural pool in Arroyo Sufrimiento and is rated easy. Also in the Department of Chicligasta, the Sendero Interpretativo de La Selva Misteriosa interpretation trail runs through mountain forest. At the seven stops along this interpretation trail in the Department of Chicligasta, visitors can learn about important processes in this habitat. In the Department of Chicligasta, Sendero Puesto Zárate is rated moderate, is 4.5 kilometers long, and passes through Yungas forest, crossing Arroyo El Calao on the way to Puesto Zárate. The information offers different points of reference when choosing a trail: the rating for El Pozón, the difficulty level and length for Puesto Zárate, and the interpretation stops on La Selva Misteriosa.

In the Department of Chicligasta, Sendero Puesto La Mesada has a free campground, a shelter with a fire pit and a toilet for visitors. Availability may vary. Also in the Department of Chicligasta, Mirador La Banderita offers views of the plains of Tucumán and the impressive peaks of the Nevados del Aconquija.

Villa de Medinas is another destination in the Department of Chicligasta with historical significance: the town is legally designated a historic settlement. Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced is one of its main buildings. It preserves an old statue of Our Lady of Mercy, brought there by the Medina family in the 17th century.

For the broader travel overview: Department of Chicligasta.