Santiago

Travel Guide
National History Museum showing a city and street scenes

Santiago Travel Guide Video

The capital city of Chile is famous for its colonial-era architecture, lively arts scene and breathtaking mountain scenery.

Santiago is dynamic, historic and entertaining with its art galleries and theaters, colonial architecture and modern shopping districts. Nestled between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, the picturesque Chilean capital has a pleasant temperate climate year-round.

Santiago’s heart is Plaza de Armas, an animated square surrounded by historical monuments. Visit the Catedral de Santiago and the National History Museum, housed in the elegant Palacio de la Real Audiencia. Sit at a café terrace and observe street performers, artisans and preachers. Discover ancient Latin American cultures at the nearby Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino.

Walk along the pedestrianized commercial street Paseo Ahumada to the iconic Santiago Stock Exchange Building. Tour the Palacio de la Moneda and see the visual arts exhibitions at the Centro Cultural La Moneda. Browse the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural in Quinta Normal Park.

Escape the city’s bustle at Parque Forestal and visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. Sample local seafood, such as picocoros, at the Mercado Central. Explore the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood and visit La Chascona, the former home of the famous poet Pablo Neruda. Ride the funicular up to Cerro San Cristóbal for views of Santiago’s skyline and the Andes. 

For more excellent views, climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago. See the nearby 16th-century Iglesia San Francisco and the Teatro Municipal de Santiago. The modern Providencia neighborhood is home to the mall and skyscrapers of the Costanera Center.

Santiago is a 2.5-hour drive from the Chilean coast and the border of Argentina. You can fly to Santiago Airport or take a long-distance bus from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil or Peru. 

Although relatively wealthy for a Latin American city, Santiago still has poverty. Take all regular precautions to have an enjoyable experience without incidents. Purchase a Bip!-card to make the most of Santiago’s comprehensive public transport system. Don’t miss the mural by Mario Toral at the Universidad de Chile metro station, symbolizing Chile’s past oppression and newfound freedom of expression.

Where to stay in Santiago

Providencia featuring cycling, a sporting event and street scenes

Providencia

Boasting high-rise apartments and elegant houses, this area offers access to Cerro San Cristóbal with its Virgin Mary statue, Metropolitan Zoo, and the Teleférico. Explore the nearby bohemian Barrio Bellavista, home to artists and performers.

Providencia
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Las Condes

Cafes, shopping, and mountain views highlight some notable features of Las Condes. Make a stop by Alto Las Condes or Parque Araucano while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Hernando de Magallanes Station or Manquehue Station to get around town.

Las Condes
Santa Lucia Hill featuring a pond, chateau or palace and a park

Downtown Santiago

4/5(45 area reviews)

Central to Santiago Metropolitan Region, this commune boasts the oldest part of the city, including downtown and major government infrastructure like La Moneda palace.

Downtown Santiago
Vitacura which includes bird life and a pond

Vitacura

Boasting Santiago's most exclusive shopping street, Avenida Alonso de Córdova, with luxury boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Armani, this upscale area is also home to elite private schools and the Gliders Club. Easily accessible via Costanera Norte toll-way.

Vitacura
Lastarria which includes cafe lifestyle and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Lastarria

4.5/5(79 area reviews)

Lastarria is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Lastarria District and Santa Lucia Hill while in the area.

Lastarria
Bellavista showing street scenes and outdoor art

Bellavista

4.5/5(61 area reviews)

Travelers come to Bellavista for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Patio Bellavista and La Chascona while you're in town.

Bellavista
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Armando Cortinez Norte 2150, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
The price is ₩227,405 per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
₩227,405
₩241,187 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Stay at this 4-star ski hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,017 reviews)
"Everything was great !"

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2024

Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal, an IHG Hotel
ICON Hotel
ICON Hotel
4 out of 5
Av. Alonso de Cordova 6050, Las Condes, Santiago
The price is ₩183,615 per night from Nov 24 to Nov 25
₩183,615
₩183,615 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Very friendly staff. Extremely accomodating to me despite me not knowing the language. Great room, great view, excellent food. Would come again!"

Reviewed on Nov 2, 2024

ICON Hotel
Radisson Blu Plaza El Bosque Santiago
Radisson Blu Plaza El Bosque Santiago
4 out of 5
Av. Manquehue 656, Las Condes, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
The price is ₩192,483 per night from Nov 23 to Nov 24
₩192,483
₩192,483 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 23 - Nov 24
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Hotel needs some upgrades! But area is amazing, and staff polite and helpful."

Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024

Radisson Blu Plaza El Bosque Santiago
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Zip Housing El Golf
Zip Housing El Golf
3 out of 5
Málaga 79, Santiago, Metropolitana
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Costanera Center and Parque Arauco ...
9/10 Wonderful! (130 reviews)
"Excelente ubicacion , todo muy limpio! super bien!"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2024

Zip Housing El Golf
Suite by Time
Suite by Time
4 out of 5
Callao 2988, Las Condes, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Costanera Center and Parque ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (236 reviews)
"Muy cómodo y tranquilo."

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024

Suite by Time
VIP Apartments Chile
VIP Apartments Chile
3.5 out of 5
Huérfanos 1400, Santiago
Stay at this 3.5-star ski apartment in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (94 reviews)
"Kathy who we met to obtain our room was absolutely fantastic! The room had all the necessary needs you would like. We were truly happy staying there and would definitely book them again in the future! Thanks for having us!"

Reviewed on Apr 5, 2024

VIP Apartments Chile
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Santiago

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
273
" "5 - Excellent 40.56463595839524%
4 - Good
315
" "4 - Good 46.80534918276374%
3 - Okay
70
" "3 - Okay 10.401188707280832%
2 - Disappointing
9
" "2 - Disappointing 1.337295690936107%
1 - Terrible
6
" "1 - Terrible 0.8915304606240714%

5/5 - Excellent

Tobin

shopping mall near the hotel was great !!!!!!! It was an easy walk from the hotel. We have nothing to say about our stay. TTBOYD

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Santiago was a short stop after our cruise and before flying home. We enjoyed walking in the parks and museum visits. We saw a little more defacing of the buildings from the student unrest than we expected.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Beautiful city, but there is a lot od pollution

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Local were kind and helpful when I needed directions to find places and sights.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

People we encountered were friendly and helpful especially with us not fluent in Spanish. We would like to return and see more of Santiago. Did visit the Railway Museum Santiago (Chile) and enjoyed that very much.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Very nice city, a little concern in afternoons with the protests, but easy to avoid those areas.

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