Photo by Pablo García Saldaña on Unsplash
If you bite into a chili pepper, you’d better be prepared for a complex blend of heat, piquant spice, and an unforgettably edgy kick. The same goes for your first taste of Santiago, the vibrant capital of Chile, which is indeed shaped a bit like the skinny, pungent fruit whose name it evokes.
With its warm arid summers (November to March), a lively bar scene, and cuisine that has intrigued the likes of many internationally renowned chefs, Santiago has become a muy caliente destination. Sitting snug in a valley, surrounded by the snow-dusted Andes and the Chilean Coast Range, Santiago is about halfway between Chile’s northern and southern border, at the literal and figurative heart of the country.
Santiago is so rich and diverse, it would be impossible to experience it all in one visit—but we’ve put together a list of the 10 best things to do in Santiago Chile, so you can focus on hitting the highlights as you’re discovering this amazing destination.
All distances within Santiago are measured from Santiago’s Plaza de Armas, where locals gather for picnic lunches, to play chess, or gossip on palm-shaded benches. Plug into the square’s pulsating energy while indulging in some prime people-watching and admiring the grand architecture of the surrounding Catedral Metropolitana, the Palacio de la Real Audiencia (home of the National History Museum), and the Correo Central—possibly the poshest post office you’ll ever encounter.
Insider tip: While you’re at the Plaza de Armas, make time to visit the surrounding historic buildings, including:
The Palacio La Moneda is one of Chile’s most important buildings. As the name suggests, it was originally intended to be a coin mint, but today, it’s home to the president of Chile and three cabinet ministers. This impressive Neo-Classical structure also houses a cultural centre that hosts an array of interesting exhibitions.
Insider tip: You can visit the interior of the Palacio la Moneda. It’s free, but you need to book at least one week beforehand by email.
Santiago boasts a number of world-class museums and cultural centres. You could, of course, spend your whole trip visiting them—or choose just a few that are sure to please you. Here are our two top picks.
If you only visit one museum, make it the Museo de la Memoria y Los Derechos Humanos (the Museum of Memory and Human Rights). Housed within a modern copper-covered monolith, the museum, which opened in 2010, focuses on human rights violations under the late 20th century dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. It’s fascinating to discover the various objects, documents and archives, along with an innovative sight and sound exhibit as you learn about the military coup, the repression, the resistance movement, the exile, and other key moments in Chile’s history.
Insider tip: Before you visit the exhibition, remember that the museum’s mission is to dignify the victims and their families and promote respect and tolerance—so that events such as the ones that forged Chile’s history never happen again. It won’t be light entertainment, but it definitely provides eye-opening insight into the local culture.
Nobel Prize Winning Poet Pablo Neruda is world-renowned for his love poems and political writings. La Chascona House is one of the late author’s three homes and is well worth the detour, thanks to its unusual architecture and bright, vibrant colours. The visit includes details about Neruda and his life, as well as interesting facts about the house’s history.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the home’s gardens, a lovely oasis and breath of fresh air in the middle of Santiago.
For kiss-the-sky vistas, head to Cerro San Cristóbal, a 722-hectare park which peaks at more than 850 metres high. Santiago’s most expansive green space encompasses a botanical garden, zoo, swimming pools and a towering white statue of the Virgin Mary. You can hike up the 300-metre hill (a 45-minute walk), or simply take the funicular, which makes two stops on the ascent—midway at the zoo and at the summit. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Santiago and the perfect spot to sit down, sip a cool drink, and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for a little calm or refreshment, check out the Japanese-Style Garden and the two outdoor swimming pools, which are open during the summer.
When visiting a large city like Santiago, you may find yourself craving a quiet respite from the buzzy beat of the city streets. Thankfully, the Chilean capital is home to a host of rejuvenating green spaces, which appeal to locals and tourists alike.
The Parque Forestal in Santiago is a great destination for an afternoon stroll. Located in the historical downtown area, this urban park was created on reclaimed land from the Mapocho River. For a one-hour walk, start at the Puente Cal y Canto metro station on the West hand side of the park and head towards the eastern side, where the park stretches into Parque Balmaceda along the river.
Insider tip: After visiting the Parque Forestal, you can stay in the neighbourhood and pay a visit to the Bellas Artes Museum—Santiago’s Fine Arts Museum—or the Mercado Central to sample some amazing fresh seafood. Both venues are located alongside the park.
If you’ve already been to the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos, you may remember Quinta Normal. This picturesque park features several playgrounds, as well as scenic paths for walking or biking. It is set around a lake, where you can rent pedal boats, and is home to four museums. If you work up an appetite along the way, you can sample local snacks thanks to food vendors located on site.
Visiting the markets is one of the best ways to fuel up on local food and typical Chilean snacks. Not only do they offer great variety, but the markets are also less expensive than restaurants. So if you’re travelling on a budget, it’s an easy way to save without depriving yourself.
As its name indicates, the Mercado Central is Santiago’s central market. Beneath its vaulted ceiling, vendors serve up local products ranging from seafood to baked goods, empanadas, cheeses and more. As you nibble on native nosh, you can browse the shops for a special souvenir to take home. Discover traditional Chilean handicrafts and jewelry, including items inlaid with lapis lazuli, a bright blue gemstone that is mined in only a few places around the world, including Chile.
This open-air flea market features artisan food stands and intriguing microbreweries. The market takes place at Parque Bicentenario one weekend per month and offers a terrific opportunity to discover small independent producers.
Pisco is popular, but you can’t go wrong with Chilean wine. The country’s climate makes it one of the finest wine-growing regions in the world, so sampling the local vino is a particular pleasure when visiting Santiago. Here are two mouth-watering options to explore.
One of Chile’s oldest vineyards, Viña Cousiño Macul was founded in 1856. Today, it is still a family-run business, known for its typical fine Chilean wines. Set on the outskirts of Santiago, the attractive estate offers wine tours, wine tasting, and private tours of the vineyard.
Less quaint but definitely more adventurous, Maipo Valley offers wine tours…and so much more. Their seventeen different tours feature horseback riding, biking, walking—and even a minibus if you want to take it easy. Their Santiago-based office provides a free shuttle or pick up from your accommodation to the wine valley, which is less than an hour away from downtown.
Santiago has an active nightlife scene, and between high-end nightclubs and dive bars, there’s bound to be a venue to whet your appetite. One of the best neighbourhoods to dance the night away is Bella Vista. Located just north of the Mapocho River, it’s a vibrant district filled with bars, restaurants, clubs, and see-and-be-seen terrasses lining the sidewalks. To experience typical Chilean nightlife, we recommend heading to the Salsoteca Maestra Vida.
This authentic salsa dance club features hip-swivelling Latin music, reasonably priced drinks and especially delicious mojitos. Feeling nervous about busting a move with your two left feet? Not to worry, this Chilean salsoteca offers beginner salsa lessons for a small fee ($5), which includes a drink to help calm the nerves.
Futbol—or soccer, as we know it—is one of the world’s most popular sports, and in Chile, it’s practically a religion. Catch a match and share the enthusiasm with passionate fans, cheering on one of the six country’s famous teams, including the “Big Three”: Colo-Colo, La “U” or La Catolica!
La Universidad de Chile’s La “U” Team rents out the National Stadium (known by the locals as el Estadio Nacional), which can welcome up to 50,000 people for its home games.
Colo-Colo plays at the Estadio Monumental Santiago, a vast stadium that can accommodate some 47,000 fans.
La Universidad Catolica Santiago’s team La Catolica plays at San Carlos de Apoquindo, a venue that can greet up to 30,000 cheering fans.
Insider tips:
Once you’ve seen the city, you might want to take a day trip from Santiago to the coast to bask on the beautiful beaches. Two breathtaking destinations come to mind: Valparaiso (yes, it’s called paradise) and Viña del Mar.
See the sea with a journey to Valparaiso, one of Chile’s loveliest ports, famed for its rainbow palette of cliff top homes and historic funiculars. This world heritage city has charming narrow streets with endless staircases and numerous lookouts offering perfect panoramic views
Located close to Valparaiso, Viña del Mar is a resort town best known for its exquisite gardens, fabulous beaches and towering buildings. To get the most out of your day trip to Viña del Mar, we suggest lounging on the beach and then visiting the national botanical gardens afterwards to chill out and cool off.
That sums up our top 10 best things to do in Santiago. Have we left out anything? Share your favourite spots by commenting below! Oh—and psst! Busbud can get you to many Chilean cities, from smaller villages to bigger cities to remote locations, at a fraction of flying or renting a car. Check out our coverage of the country.
This post was written by Amy Laughinghouse, a UK-based freelance writer and photographer. Read more about Amy’s adventures on her website, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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