Things to Visit in Santiago

Santiago's main square since 1541, surrounded by the Cathedral, Central Post Office, Royal Court, and City Hall. The square itself has palm trees, chess players, and street performers. The Cathedral (free entry) has a neoclassical interior. The Post Office building has a philatelic museum on the upper floor. A good starting point for exploring the historic center.

Chile's presidential palace, infamously bombed during the 1973 coup. Free guided tours of the interior run on weekdays (book online 3 days in advance with your passport number). The Morandé 80 entrance, where President Allende died, is now a memorial. The underground Centro Cultural La Moneda (free) hosts excellent art exhibitions.

A small hill in the center of Santiago with winding paths, fountains, and terraces. The summit offers 360-degree views of the city and Andes (on clear days). Originally where the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Free entry, open until sunset. The climb takes 15-20 minutes. The Neptune Fountain and Castillo Hidalgo at the top are highlights.

A powerful museum documenting the human rights violations during Pinochet's military dictatorship (1973-1990). Audio-visual testimonies, original documents, and personal artifacts create a deeply moving experience. Free entry. Allow 2-3 hours. Located near Quinta Normal metro station. One of the most important human rights museums in Latin America.

Santiago's bohemian neighborhood at the base of Cerro San Cristobal. Colorful houses, street art, craft markets, restaurants, and bars fill the streets. The nightlife scene on Pio Nono street is the most active in Santiago. The Patio Bellavista complex has restaurants and artisan shops in a courtyard setting. Most vibrant on Thursday through Saturday evenings.

One of three houses belonging to Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, built for his secret lover Matilde Urrutia and shaped like a ship. The audio guide (CLP 8,000) narrates Neruda's life through each eccentric room filled with his collections of maritime objects, art, and curiosities. Located in Bellavista at the foot of Cerro San Cristobal.

Lastarria is a compact, trendy district near Cerro Santa Lucia with cafes, bookshops, a weekend antique market, and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center (free). Barrio Italia (a short metro ride away) is the vintage and design district, with antique shops, design stores, and restaurants in converted old houses. Both neighborhoods reward slow wandering.

A beautiful iron-and-glass market building (1872) now serving as Santiago's premier seafood market. The central restaurants serve fresh ceviche, congrio (conger eel), and other Chilean seafood specialties. Donde Augusto is the most famous restaurant. Avoid the touts who aggressively recruit at the entrance and choose your restaurant at your own pace. Lunch is the main meal here.

A 880-meter hill in the center of Santiago with a massive Virgin Mary statue at the summit. The funicular (CLP 3,500 round trip) climbs from Bellavista through beautiful gardens. The top offers panoramic views of the city with the snow-capped Andes as a backdrop (best visibility from April to October). A gondola connects to the other side of the hill. The park also has two swimming pools, a Japanese garden, and a zoo.

The tallest building in South America (300 meters) has a 360-degree observation deck on floors 61-62. On clear days, the view extends from the Andes to the coastal mountains. Entry CLP 15,000. Best visited on winter days when the air is clearest and the mountains have snow. The sunset view with the Andes turning pink is the most dramatic timing.

Chilean cuisine features empanadas (try the de pino: beef, onion, olive, egg), pastel de choclo (corn and meat casserole), and cazuela (hearty meat soup). Picadas are informal neighborhood restaurants serving home-style food at low prices. Galindo in Bellavista and Liguria (several locations) are beloved local spots. A meal at a picada costs CLP 5,000-10,000.

Chile's oldest and most accessible wine region, just 45 minutes south of Santiago. Concha y Toro (the most visited winery in South America), Cousiño-Macul, and Santa Rita offer tours and tastings (CLP 15,000-30,000). Many wineries have excellent restaurants. The valley produces outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. Book tours in advance, especially for smaller boutique wineries.

A massive, chaotic produce market across the river from the Mercado Central. Much more local and less touristy, with mountains of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices, and the cheapest lunch options in central Santiago. The prepared food stalls serve enormous plates for CLP 3,000-5,000. An authentic Santiago experience that most tourists miss.

Chile's iconic drink: a sweet white wine ice cream float with grenadine, served in a large glass. The name means earthquake because the sweetness disguises its potency. La Piojera bar near the Mercado Central is the original and most famous place to try it. The bar itself is a dive but the atmosphere is pure Santiago. A terremoto costs about CLP 3,000.

A UNESCO-listed port city 90 minutes west of Santiago, famous for its hillside funiculars (ascensores), vibrant street art, and colorful houses. The cerros (hills) of Alegre and Concepcion have the best art, restaurants, and views. Buses from Santiago's Terminal Alameda leave every 15 minutes (CLP 5,000). Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana house is another highlight. Allow a full day.

The ski resorts of Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado are just 60-90 minutes from Santiago. The season runs June through October. In summer, the Cajon del Maipo valley offers hiking, hot springs, and rafting. Embalse El Yeso, a turquoise reservoir surrounded by snow-capped peaks, is one of the most photographed landscapes near Santiago. A car or organized tour is needed for most Andes excursions.