Places / South America / Chile
Santiago
Visited in December 2015
At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Region
- Santiago Metropolitan Region
- Population
- 6.3 million
- Best time to go
- September to November, March to May
- Main airport
- Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International (SCL)
- Coordinates
- 33.45°S, 70.67°W
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Overview
Chile's capital fills a broad valley with the snow-capped Andes as its backdrop, a striking view on a clear winter morning. It is a modern, well-run city of glass towers and leafy suburbs, with an older core of grand squares and neoclassical buildings.
Santiago is often seen as a stopover, but it deserves a few days. The food and wine are excellent, the museums thoughtful, and vineyards, ski slopes and the Pacific coast are all within easy reach.
Things to see
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Photo: Carlos yo, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cerro San Cristóbal
Ride the funicular up the city's largest hill for views over Santiago to the Andes, best after rain clears the air.
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Photo: Apincheira, CC BY-SA 3.0 Plaza de Armas
The historic main square, framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral and colonial buildings, with chess players under the palms.
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Photo: Miguel hernandez, CC BY-SA 2.0 La Moneda Palace
The presidential palace, scene of the 1973 coup, with a cultural centre beneath its square.
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Photo: Warko, CC BY-SA 3.0 Museum of Memory and Human Rights
A moving, essential museum on the human rights abuses of the Pinochet dictatorship and their victims.
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Photo: Carlos Figueroa, CC BY-SA 4.0 Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
A beautifully displayed collection of textiles, ceramics and sculpture from across the ancient Americas.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Carlos Figueroa Rojas, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat at Mercado Central
The iron-roofed fish market is the place for a bowl of paila marina seafood stew.
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Photo: Marcelo Ois Lagarde, CC BY-SA 3.0 Visit La Chascona
Pablo Neruda's quirky house in Bellavista, built for his lover and full of his collections.
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Photo: Agne27, CC BY-SA 3.0 Maipo Valley wineries
Vineyards on the southern edge of the city make an easy half-day of tastings.
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Photo: Jimmy Baikovicius, CC BY-SA 2.0 Ski the Andes
In winter, resorts such as Valle Nevado are around a couple of hours' drive up into the mountains.
Where to stay
Lastarria
Charming and central, with cafés, galleries and boutique hotels near Santa Lucía Hill.
Hotels in LastarriaProvidencia
Leafy, safe and well connected by Metro, with plenty of restaurants. A good all-round base.
Hotels in ProvidenciaBellavista
Colourful and creative, with the liveliest nightlife. Can be noisy at weekends.
Hotels in BellavistaLas Condes
Modern business district with international hotels and smart dining, further from the old centre.
Hotels in Las Condes
Getting around
The Metro is clean, quick and extensive; buy a bip card for trains and buses. Ride-hailing apps are widely used.
The airport is about 30 to 40 minutes from the centre by taxi; shuttle buses run to the Metro network.
When to go
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) bring mild, sunny days, with the grape harvest in autumn. Summer is hot and dry, while winter is cool and sometimes smoggy but perfect for skiing.
Plan your trip to Santiago
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.