Santiago Metropolitan Region · Chile
A modern Andean capital, framed by snow-capped peaks, with great museums, markets and vineyards on the doorstep.
Photo: Rjcastillo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Santiago sits in a broad valley between the Andes and the coastal range, home to about seven million people. On a clear winter day the snow-covered mountains rise right behind the skyline, and few capitals have such a dramatic backdrop. The city is modern, orderly and well connected, and most visitors pass through it at the beginning or end of a trip.
The historic centre is compact and walkable, with the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the Presidential Palace of La Moneda and the central market, Mercado Central, famed for its seafood. Barrios such as Lastarria and Bellavista have cafes, street art and nightlife, while Cerro San Cristobal and Cerro Santa Lucia give green space and views. The Museo de la Memoria and the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino provide context on the country's history.
Santiago is also the centre of Chilean wine. Several well-known estates in the Maipo Valley are less than an hour away, and the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys make longer day trips. In winter, ski fields such as Valle Nevado and La Parva are within two hours.
Why visit
Santiago is an easy, enjoyable city that rewards a couple of days.
The Andes frame the city.
From pre-Columbian art to modern memory.
Seafood, markets and Maipo vineyards.
Lastarria, Bellavista and Barrio Italia.
Mountains within two hours.
Main attractions
Most sights are within the central districts and can be reached by metro.
The historic heart, with the cathedral and the central post office.
Tip Visit in the morning.
The presidential palace, with a cultural centre underneath.
Tip Check opening times for tours.
A hilltop park with a funicular, zoo and viewpoint.
Tip Go late afternoon for the light.
A market hall famous for fish and seafood stews.
Tip Eat lunch away from the tourist stalls.
Bohemian districts with street art, cafes and the Neruda house.
Tip Wander in the evening.
A museum about the military dictatorship years.
Tip Allow two hours.
Things to do
Santiago offers a mix of culture and outdoor time.
Up Cerro San Cristobal.
Tip Buy a combined ticket.
Seafood stews and ceviche.
Tip Ask for the day's special.
Tastings of Carmenere and Cabernet.
Tip Book ahead.
Cafes, galleries and street art.
Tip Go on a weekend.
Day trip to Cajon del Maipo.
Tip Hire a driver.
At Valle Nevado or La Parva.
Tip Book early.
Local food
Chilean food is hearty and seafood-rich.
Baked pastry with beef, onion and egg.
Where to try it Bakeries and markets.
Corn pie with beef and chicken.
Where to try it Traditional restaurants.
Loaded hot dog with avocado and mayo.
Where to try it Fast-food stands.
Pisco with lime and sugar.
Where to try it Bars.
Carmenere is the signature.
Where to try it Wine bars and Maipo estates.
Accommodation
The best areas combine safety with restaurants and metro access.
Transport
Santiago is the main international gateway.
The metro is the easiest way around.
When to go
Autumn and spring give mild weather and clear skies, with wine harvest in March and April.
Mild days and the grape harvest.
Spring flowers and comfortable temperatures.
Hot and dry, with fewer locals in January.
Cool, with occasional smog and nearby skiing.
Worth planning around: Late June and July if you dislike cold and smog.
Itinerary
The centre, barrios and wine.
Plaza de Armas and La Moneda
Cerro San Cristobal
Maipo Valley estates
Travel tips
A few tips for the city.
FAQ
Two to three days.
Generally, with normal city care.
Often, especially in winter and spring.
Moderate by regional standards.
Maipo Valley.
By bus in about 1.5 hours.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Santiago, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Valparaiso Region, central coast, Chile
A UNESCO-listed port with 42 hills, cable-car lifts, street art, the Neruda house and the seaside resort of Vina del Mar nearby.
Don't miss Riding a century-old funicular up a hillside of painted houses.
Explore Destination — ValparaisoCoquimbo Region, northern Chile, Chile
A green valley in the Andean foothills with pisco distilleries, observatories, the village of Pisco Elqui, Gabriela Mistral's home and stargazing.
Don't miss Sipping pisco in a village under one of the clearest night skies in the world.
Explore Destination — Elqui ValleyLos Lagos Region, Chile
A relaxed lakeside base for Petrohue Falls, Lake Todos los Santos, Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and kuchen cafes.
Don't miss Watching Osorno volcano turn pink at sunset over Lake Llanquihue.
Explore Destination — Puerto Varas and the Lake DistrictRead next
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