Travel Guide of Santiago in Chile by Influencers and Travelers

The Commune of Santiago is the central commune of the Santiago Province, located at the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region in Chile's Central Zone. Locally, Santiago is usually abbreviated Stgo.

The Best Things to Do and Visit in Santiago

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1 - Santiago de Chile

Santiago, also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas.

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2 - Las Condes

   7 km away

Las Condes is a city of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. The area is inhabited primarily by upper-mid- to high income families, and known in the Chilean collective consciousness as home to the country's economic elite.

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3 - Trekking | Santiago Metropolitan Region

Come to climb with us the classics of Cajón del Maipo valley with us!

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4 - Providencia

   6 km away

Providencia is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. Part of Greater Santiago, it is bordered by the communes of Santiago to the west, Recoleta to the northwest, Las Condes and Vitacura to the northeast, La Reina to the east, and Ñuñoa to the south.

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5 - Plaza Baquedano

Plaza Baquedano, commonly known as Plaza Italia, is a major landmark in Santiago, Chile. The plaza was inaugurated in 1928, being crowned by a monument made by Chilean sculptor Virgínio Arias and featuring General Manuel Baquedano, giving the current name to the urban landmark.

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6 - Sightseeing | Santiago, Chile

Explore Santiago's historic sites and vibrant neighborhoods. Visit landmarks like Palacio de la Moneda and Santa Lucia Hill, and savor authentic Chilean cuisine.

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7 - Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas De San Fernando is the main square of Santiago, the capital of Chile. Plaza de Armas metro station is located under the square.

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8 - Basilica de la Merced

The Basilica de la Merced is a basilica located in Santiago, Chile. It was founded by the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy and constructed in 1795. It is a Chilean National Monument.

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9 - La Florida

   10 km away

La Florida is a suburban commune of Chile located in the South East of Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region. It is a residential area and its inhabitants are mostly members of a new middle to upper-middle class.

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10 - Costanera Center

The Costanera Center is a business and commercial complex that includes a six-floor shopping mall, the Gran Torre Santiago and three other skyscrapers – two high-end hotels and an office building.

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11 - Iglesia de los Sacramentinos - Santa Isabel

The Basílica de los Sacramentinos is a church in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile. It administered by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and its design was inspired by the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Paris.

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12 - Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral

Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, currently Celestino Aós Braco, and the center of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile. Construction of the Neoclassical cathedral began in 1753 and ended in 1799. The architect was the Italian Gioacchino Toesca.

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13 - Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida

   13 km away

Estadio Bicentenario Municipal de La Florida is a multi-purpose stadium, located in La Florida, in eastern Santiago, Chile. It is the home stadium of Chilean football team Audax Italiano. The stadium was built in 1986 and rebuilt in 2008.

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14 - Valle Nevado

   16 km away
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15 - Padre Hurtado

   19 km away

Padre Hurtado is a Chilean commune in the Talagante Province, in the Metropolitan Region. Part of the Greater Santiago conurbation and one of the outermost communes of it, the commune is named after Saint Alberto Hurtado, who was popularly known as Padre Hurtado.

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16 - Cerro Provincia

   20 km away

Cerro Provincia is a mountain on the eastern side of Santiago, Chile. It is a popular climb due to its accessibility and low level of difficulty by mountaineering standards.

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17 - Sendero Cerro Provincia

   22 km away

Dientes de Navarino are a mountain range in Navarino Island, Chile, located just south of Puerto Williams, along the Beagle Channel coast. They are named for the jagged pinnacles which resemble teeth. There is a rough hiking circuit around the range. Depending on weather conditions the trek takes 5 to 7 days. The trail was first set out in the 1990s by the Australian climber and author Clem Lindenmayer.

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18 - Mapocho River

   25 km away

The River Mapocho is a river in Chile. It flows from its source in the Andes mountains onto the west and divides Chile's capital Santiago in two.

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19 - Buin Zoo

   30 km away
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20 - Buin

   32 km away

Buin is a city and commune of Chile, in the Maipo Province, Metropolitan Region of Santiago, which forms part of Greater Santiago. It is a city composed of the towns of Maipo, Viluco, Linderos, Valdivia de Paine, Alto Jahuel, Los Guindos and El Recurso. Buin is located about 35 km south of Santiago in the Maipo Valley wine region.

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21 - La Parva

   38 km away

La Parva is a town and ski resort located about 50 km northeast of the Chilean capital of Santiago. It is in the middle ridge of the "3 Valleys" resorts that also includes El Colorado and Valle Nevado.

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22 - Farellones

   42 km away

Farellones is a village and ski resort located 36 km from Santiago, Chile. It was founded during the 1930s, nestled in a small valley in the Andes mountains close to other ski areas such as Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado.

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Pictures and Stories of Santiago from Influencers

20 pictures of Santiago from Yannes Kiefer, Micael Sáez, Alvaro Reyes and other travelers

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Why should you visit Santiago ?

Travel to Santiago if you like:

  🏃‍♂️ Running     🏕️ Camping     🗼 Landmark     ⛰️ Hill     🌆 Skyline     ⛰️ Mountain range  

How to visit Santiago ?

Why travel there?

Santiago is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural surroundings. It boasts historical landmarks, world-class museums, and a thriving culinary scene. Its proximity to the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean also provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and surfing.

How to get there?

Santiago's main airport is the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), which is well-connected to major cities worldwide. From the airport, you can take a taxi, shuttle, or the Centropuerto Bus to reach the city center. Santiago also has a well-developed public transport system, including buses and the Metro.

What to book in advance?

It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially during high season (December to February). If you plan to visit nearby attractions such as the Valparaíso or the Andes Mountains, consider booking guided tours as they can fill up quickly.

What are the costs?

Santiago is relatively affordable compared to other major cities. You can expect to pay around $30-50 per night for budget accommodations and up to $150-200 for luxury hotels. Meals at local restaurants typically cost around $10-20 per person. Public transport is also quite affordable, with a one-way Metro ticket costing around $1.

What are the best things to do?

1. Explore the historic center, including the Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the La Moneda Palace.
2. Visit the Museum of Memory and Human Rights to learn about Chile's recent history.
3. Take a funicular ride up to Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic city views.
4. Stroll through the colorful streets of the Bellavista neighborhood and visit La Chascona, the former home of poet Pablo Neruda.
5. Explore the vineyards in the nearby Maipo Valley and indulge in some wine tasting.

Where to eat?

1. Liguria: A popular local chain offering delicious Chilean cuisine.
2. Bocanáriz: A wine bar with an extensive selection of Chilean wines and a diverse menu of tapas.
3. Peumayén Ancestral Food: A unique restaurant that serves traditional Chilean dishes with a modern twist.

Where to stay?

1. The Singular Santiago: A luxury hotel located in the Lastarria neighborhood, offering a rooftop pool and elegant rooms.
2. Hotel Magnolia: A boutique hotel situated in a historic building, providing a mix of modern design and classic architecture.
3. Rado Boutique Hostel: A budget-friendly hostel in the Bellavista area, featuring stylish rooms and a rooftop terrace.

Off the beaten path:

For an unusual travel experience, visit the Cajón del Maipo, a stunning canyon located about 50 km southeast of Santiago. Here, you can embark on a trek to the El Morado Glacier or relax in the natural hot springs of Baños Colina. The area offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city, with breathtaking landscapes and a chance to connect with nature.

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Santiago, the capital of the Andes

Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, in a valley bordered by the Andes Mountains, Santiago de Chile has lost most of the architectural heritage of that time, which was destroyed by earthquakes and fires. 
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city had a population of about 300,000 inhabitants, and it has since grown steadily to reach 7 million inhabitants (one-third of the total population of Chile).

Santiago, administrative and political city

Santiago is the administrative and political capital of Chile, where everything is centralized. It is the main center of finance, industry, culture, and communications, with only the Congress now based in Valparaíso.

Santiago is often just a place to stop for a day or two before heading off to another destination. However, the city has its attractions and it is also the safest capital on the continent, so you can walk around safely.

Districts to visit in Santiago

The Estación Central neighborhood

The Estación Central was built in 1863 in the mythical Chuchunco neighborhood. At the beginning of the 20th century, the neighborhood underwent a considerable change with the increase in migration from the countryside to the capital, mainly from the south of the country, creating a space where different cultures and ways of life were mixed: rural habits and customs with an urban environment tending towards industrialization and modernity.

The Bellavista neighborhood

The Bellavista neighborhood stands out for its different cultural centers and the picturesque decoration of its buildings, which make this neighborhood a wonderful urban landscape. This residential area is one of the favorites of young people looking for a bohemian lifestyle, no doubt due to a large number of nightlife venues, especially bars and restaurants.

The Lastarria & Bellas Artes neighborhoods

The Lastarria neighborhood connects the Parque Forestal, Santiago's most atypical park, and the Santa Lucia neighborhood. The urban development took place during the 19th century, a period in which the most important buildings were constructed, among which the parish church of Vera Cruz stands out, built-in 1857.

The Bellas Artes neighborhood, which borders Lastarria, is made up of several emblematic monuments, such as the old buildings from the beginning of the last century, or since 2002, the reproduction of the French fountain of Amphitrite and Neptune, dating from the 19th century.

The Santa Lucia Hill

Cerro Santa Lucia is a small hill located in the heart of Santiago, bordered on the south by the Alameda and surrounded by the streets of Santa Lucia, Merced, and Victoria Subercaseaux.
Today this Cerro has become a major axis of tourism due to the large number of fountains, terraces, and balconies that compose it.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Santiago

How do I get to downtown Santiago from the airport?

From the airport terminal, you can reach downtown Santiago in about 45 minutes by car.

There are several options to reach downtown Santiago de Chile.

The CentroPuerto bus or buses for $1800 per trip, cabs for $20,000 (27 euros) and shared for $7600 (10 euros), or a local agency.

 The option of a transfer with a private driver is the most practical and safe. 

The shared transfer with a private driver is also possible for the return to the airport from downtown Santiago de Chile.

It is also possible to book your airport-hotel transfer in advance but it is, of course, more expensive.

What is the best time to visit Santiago?

The weather in Santiago de Chile is very simple. You can come all year round.

The thermometer oscillates between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius on average during the day between May and September and it is the season when it rains the most (5 days on average per month).

Between October and April, we reach 25 degrees Celsius with an average of 30 degrees Celsius in January and February. 

Blue sky guaranteed or it's really bad luck. Santiago de Chile is however at 500 meters of altitude and surrounded by mountains. At the end of November, we even got sunburned!

   Where to Stay in Santiago

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Discover more travel spots to explore around Santiago

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