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Chile Santiago travel guide
31 things to do in Santiago, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Santiago
- La Moneda Palace — Neoclassical presidential palace with a changing of the guard and exhibitions in the cultural centre beneath. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Chilean National Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art — art museum in Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santa Lucía Hill — hill in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Museum of Memory and Human Rights — museum in Santiago de Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santiago Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- As-Salam Mosque — mosque in Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Plaza Baquedano — urban square in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 15 min)
- O'Higgins Park — park in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Plaza de Armas — main square of Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Torre Entel — TV tower in Santiago de Chile (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Basílica del Salvador — Santiago de Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Quinta Normal Park — publica park in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Museo Colonial — museum in Santiago (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro — Catholic Church in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica of Lourdes — church building in Quinta Normal, Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica de la Merced — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Municipal Theatre of Santiago — opera house and cultural center in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Chilean National History Museum — museum in Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museo de la Solidaridad Salvador Allende — contemporary art museum in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santo Domingo Church, Santiago de Chile — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basílica del Corazón de María, Santiago de Chile — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Fantasilandia — Amusement park, the largest and oldest in Chile (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Iglesia de los Sacramentinos — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Londres 38 — national monument of Chile (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Jardín Japonés de Santiago — Japanese Garden located in the Santiago Metropolitan Park (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Santiago Metropolitan Park — urban park in Santiago, Chile (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Santiago Chile Temple — temple of the LDS church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Military Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Santiago — church in Santiago de Chile (visit ≈ 35 min)
1-day Santiago walking itinerary
Starting point: Lastarria / Bellas Artes. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.2 km · 8,430 steps · 1 h 22 min on the way): Santa Lucía Hill → La Moneda Palace → Torre Entel → Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art → Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral → Plaza de Armas → Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts → Plaza Baquedano
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Santiago
- Sky Costanera — Viewing floors atop South America's tallest building, with 360° views of the city and the Andes. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- La Chascona — Poet Neruda's colourful hillside house in Bellavista, designed like a ship; visited with an audio guide. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Cajón del Maipo — A deep river canyon reaching into the Andes, with villages, hiking trails and hot springs. (visit ≈ 300 min)
Where to stay in Santiago
- Lastarria / Bellas Artes: Walkable to Santa Lucía Hill and museums; full of cafés and small hotels.
- Bellavista: At the foot of San Cristóbal Hill; lively bars and restaurants at night.
- Providencia: Safe and central on metro line 1, with plenty of places to eat.
- Las Condes / El Golf: Modern business district; calm, orderly and home to chain hotels.
- Barrio Italia: A local-feeling area full of design shops and cafés.
Getting from the airport to Santiago
- Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL): Centropuerto or Turbus bus to Los Héroes metro ≈ 35 min; taxi or Uber to the centre ≈ 30–45 min.
Getting around
The metro is fast and clean; the Bip! card works on metro and buses. At night use Uber or Cabify rather than street taxis.
Classic places to eat
- Mercado Central: Iron-roofed market from 1872; seafood stews and ceviche.
- La Piojera: Old-style working-class bar; home of the “terremoto” cocktail.
- Fuente Alemana: Classic counter famous for huge lomito and churrasco sandwiches.
- Liguria: Chilean-style bistro; busy and cheerful, good for dinner.
- Galindo: Home cooking in Bellavista since the 1950s; try the pastel de choclo.
- Emporio La Rosa: Homemade ice cream in Lastarria with unusual flavours.
- Bar Nacional: Downtown since the 1950s; Chilean classics and sandwiches.
- El Hoyo: Open since 1912; famous for pork pernil and terremotos.
Romantic views
- Cerro San Cristóbal (Sunset): From the summit the Andes and city turn pink at sunset.
- Cerro Santa Lucía (Sunset): A small hill garden full of stone stairs, fountains and terraces.
- Parque Forestal (Evening): This tree-lined park along the Mapocho River is ideal for an evening walk.
- Barrio Lastarria (Evening): A bohemian quarter with cobbled streets and small cafés.
Football stadiums in Santiago
- Estadio Monumental (Chile): Home of Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo
Good to know before visiting Santiago
- Fine: Declare food, plant and animal products to customs (SAG); failure is fined.
- Fine: Drug offences carry severe penalties.
- Warning: Watch for pickpockets and protests in Santiago.
- Warning: Carry ID.
- Earthquakes are common; learn the evacuation signs.
- The currency is the Chilean peso.
- Emergency: police 133, ambulance 131, fire 132
- Plugs: C/L, 220V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe in Santiago.
- Tipping: Bills show a suggested 10% tip (propina).
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Chile, Wikivoyage — Chile, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Santiago travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Santiago?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Santiago?
- Highlights: La Moneda Palace, Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, Chilean National Museum of Natural History and Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Santiago?
- Lastarria / Bellas Artes: Walkable to Santa Lucía Hill and museums; full of cafés and small hotels. Other options: Bellavista, Providencia, Las Condes / El Golf and Barrio Italia.
- How do you get from the airport to Santiago city centre?
- Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL): Centropuerto or Turbus bus to Los Héroes metro ≈ 35 min; taxi or Uber to the centre ≈ 30–45 min.
- How do you get around Santiago?
- The metro is fast and clean; the Bip! card works on metro and buses. At night use Uber or Cabify rather than street taxis.
- What is the emergency number in Santiago?
- Emergency: police 133, ambulance 131, fire 132.
- Do you tip in Santiago?
- Bills show a suggested 10% tip (propina).
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