Santiago is usually the first destination in the country, maybe because it is the window of international flights arrivals to Chile. The main airport is in Santiago and the majority of intercity and international buses arrive here as well.
There are very beautiful places to visit within the city that should be part of any traveler’s Bucket List. Most of the oldest buildings in the country are in the center of Santiago as it was there that the first immigrants and Spanish colonists settled.
Previous to the time of the Spanish colonists, the natives of this land – the Mapuches- were living in the area but they didn’t build anything with stones since they used wood and leaves there are not many historical architectural records of them in the country.
For your first approach to the city, I can recommend you this tour to Discover Santiago. You can BOOK HERE and visit the historical areas, like the place where Spanish people and Mapuches encounter, visit La Moneda (Government Palace), the Central Market and more!
Neighborhoods and best places to visit in Santiago
1. Santiago city center
I recommend you to spend at least a day walking around the city center and exploring the most emblematic and characteristic neighborhoods.
You can visit the Government Palace (Palacio de La Moneda) and nearby you will find a great Cultural Center, Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda with a wonderful video library and a permanent exhibition of our beloved artist Violeta Parra that you should not miss!
HOTELS IN THE CITY CENTER, BELLAS ARTES, BELLAVISTA AND LASTARRIA
HOTELS IN THE CITY CENTER, BELLAS ARTES, BELLAVISTA AND LASTARRIAThe city center is a great area to stay in Santiago. You have all the most interesting places to visit just around the corner and it’s easy to reach by public transportation. If you want to stay in the city center these are my favorite hotels:
LUXURY
Hotel Altiplánico, Bellas Artes
MID-RANGE
HOSTEL
2. The party and cultural neighborhoods: Barrio Lastarria y Bellavista
These neighborhoods are ideal for partying or to have dinner, as well as to appreciate the artistic and cultural scene in the city. During summer or springtime, they are the ideal places to enjoy sitting at a table outside and people watch…One of my favorite hobbies!
In this area, you’ll find two of the main hills you can go up and get a great city view: Santa Lucía and San Cristobal.
To experience the local nightlife with a group, I can recommend you this private night tour to the most vibrant areas. BOOK HERE to have a sample of the city’s favorite drinks and snacks and experience the vibrant salsa scene including a salsa class!
3. Barrio Italia
One of the emerging areas with a lot of upscale and coming restaurants and decoration shops. Barrio Italia, where you can spend a pleasant afternoon touring antique shops or some of its restaurants and coffee shops.
Perfect for visiting on the weekends as it is most of the shops, cafés, and restaurants are open and you’ll get the full vibe of the neighborhood alive!
4. Sky Costanera
To get one of the most beautiful and stunning views in the city, don’t miss a visit to the highest building in South America. With 360º and panoramic views, this is the perfect spot to finish a day in the city, especially if it’s after rain and the sky is clear you’ll get to see all the mountains around the city!
If you want to have an exclusive experience and make a toast with the best view in Santiago, I can recommend you this tour including Sky Costanera and the gems of Santiago’s nightlife. You can BOOK HERE to start your night at the tallest building in South America and keep the night in the best places in the city!
The Markets
5. Vega Central & Persa Bio Bío
One of my favorite things to do in any city is to visit the markets and the ones in Santiago are no exception. A visit to the Chilean capital is not complete until you visit at least one of the large markets or fairs that exist in the city.
One of the biggest and most popular is Vega Central. This market is the main fruits and vegetable market in the city where restaurants, but also people, shop for fresh and tasty products.
The other big market and a great place to visit on a weekend is Persa Bio Bio. This market can be an all day visit and you can walk around the many stalls with very unusual things and lots of national and international food.
You can get more details HERE about what to see in the center of the city in my Santiago Guide
6. Cementerio General
If you like – as I do – to visit cemeteries in Santiago you have the General Cemetery. It is a beautiful place where many of the important figures in Chilean culture and politics rest. If you have time you can make an interesting visit to this place in the afternoon.
Must visit in Santiago and surrounding areas
Perhaps one of the most fun activities in Santiago and a favorite of many of those living in or visiting the capital of Chile is the possibility of hiking its dozens of hills their tens of hills and reaching the summit to see the area from above.
You can enjoy the mountains doing a Ski day trip or even hiking in the many beautiful places around the city. One of my favorites is the El Morado National Park. BOOK HERE to explore Cajón del Maipo on foot and enjoy the San Francisco Glacier and Morales Glacier pond and spectacular views.
8. Manquehuito Hill
One of my favorites is the Manquehuito hill, which is right in the middle of town and which has been a refuge for me in those days when Santiago overwhelms me with its gray and contaminated colors.
9. Cajón del Maipo
This place is also one of the must visit in Santiago and it offers a variety of activities to do, camping, trekking, and traditional food near the center of the capital.
You can enjoy nature and experience the fresh mountain air of the Cajon de Maipo on a small group full-day tour from Santiago. BOOK HERE to visit the lake of Embalse el Yeso, pass the Tinoco Tunnel and more!
After taking a look at all of these must visit in Santiago you will want to stay longer in the capital of Chile. This happens to many visitors who plan to spend a few days but end up staying weeks or months in this city.
Below are a few tours I would definitely recommend doing in Santiago and get the most of your next visit
Hola NomadicChica. Me gusta tu Revista :). Una duda/acotación/sugerencia: ¿No considerad el Cerro San Cristobal emtre los lugares imperdibles para los turistas? Es de los parque urbanos más grandes del mundo, se pude subir a pie, en bici, en funicular, y hay hartas cosas que ver en él (sobretodo ahira que están haciendo arreglos). Saludos!
Hola Patricio!
Muchas gracias por tu comentario…no me había dado cuenta de que no estaba..lo agrego inmediatamente al Barrio Bellavista 😉
Saludos!
nice post, love Chile! It’s on our list to re-hit next year!
Thank you! Hope you’ll enjoy it! Drop me a line maybe I’ll be there and we can grab a coffee or beer! 😉
One traveler told me Santiago de Chile was the most beautiful city he has ever seen. It is on my list too. I hope sometime soon. I’ll get in touch with you for more advise when the time comes 🙂
I’m happy to know about a traveler loving Santiago! Let me know when you visit so can help you with your plans 😉
I consider the Pre-Colombian museum a must-see in Santiago. It is a really well-organised museum with artefacts from all parts of the Americas. If you only ever visit one museum covering this period, I recommend this one.
Hey Yasha! Oooh! Totally forgot about that Museum. I totaly love it and spent so many hours there reading and listening music many years ago. Great place to catch the story of this part of the globe. Thank’s for sharing! 😉