If you are part dmy list of emails, you probably already know that the trip I took to Santiago de Chile was a different experience than what I'm used to.
Numerous factors contributed to this, but one of the most important was that I didn't create an itinerary for my days in the city. To be honest, I only researched what to do on the first day, like where to exchange money or have a cheap lunch, and nothing else.
I arrived with low expectations, and I was surprised by a vibrant, sunny metropolis with countless interesting attractions. Even those that were visibly aimed at tourists, with the viewpoint inside the Shopping or “traditional restaurants”, won me over.
I spent more time than recommended in the city, and I even had time to repeat my favorite tours.
I really enjoyed traveling without an itinerary, but I think this plan is only ideal for those who are staying in one place for several days, and thus have time to discover everything at their leisure. On a shorter trip, I consider it essential to do some prior research to ensure that you will at least visit the tourist attractions.”unmissable". One of the things I hate most is coming home and only then discovering a place Super Cool in my destiny, haha.
So that you don't have to go through this, I wrote this post with tips on what to do in Santiago de Chile. It includes my favorite tours, and at the end I even gave tips on some others that you might also like.
Where to stay in Santiago
The best neighborhood to stay in Santiago is Providencia. It is in this region that several of the attractions I will mention in this post are located, and its location also makes it possible to walk to places, such as the historic center. There are also several metro stations in the area, which makes it easier to get around the city.
I stayed at Rado Boutique Hostel, a hostel next to Patio Bellavista. The structure was super modern, and the rooms had private bathrooms, as well as individual sockets and lamps for each bed. The terrace has an amazing view and is a great place to do happy hour and meet other travelers. The price of a bed in a women's room was, at the time, around R$70 per day. Here on the blog there is a complete review of the hostel.
Other legal options are:
- Quiral Hotel Boutique: With free wifi, flat-screen TV and air conditioning in the rooms, the property also serves breakfast and has a great terrace. It is close to the metro and prices start at R$400. Booking score: 9,2.
- Orly Boutique Hotel: All rooms have a TV, minibar and air conditioning. Breakfast is served at winter Garden, and there is an on-site restaurant that serves national and international cuisine. The daily rate for the simplest room is around R$500. Booking score: 9,0.
- Solace Santiago: Five-star hotel, close to Cerro San Cristóbal. There is an on-site restaurant, as well as an outdoor pool, gym and 24-hour reception. Wifi and breakfast are included in daily rates, which start at approximately R$750. Booking rating: 9,2.
What to do in Santiago de Chile – Best Tours
Historical Center
I confess that I'm not very fond of historic centers – especially those where the main attractions are churches – but Santiago enchanted me with its history and buildings that are true works of architectural art.
The main point is the Plaza de Armas, where the Metropolitan Cathedral is located. From here, you can walk to other landmarks such as Palacio La Moneda, Teatro Municipal and Antiguo Congreso. A suggestion is to walk along Paseo Ahumada, a super charming street with several shops and restaurants.
If you need to exchange money, the historic center also tends to have the best exchange rate, especially on the block of Rua Agustinas and Paseo Ahumada.
Another tip for those who want to know the history behind the buildings and museums is to do a walking tour free. There are several offered throughout the city, and most of them start their route at the Plaza de Armas.
Central Market & Food Market
Close to the historic center is also the Central Market, typical municipal market with restaurants, remembrances and exorbitant prices for tourists. I thought the place was small and I only recommend it to anyone who is going to eat., as it offers countless typical dishes such as giant crab.
I wanted to mention it in the post because, in addition to being one of the city's main tourist attractions, right next to it is the Emporio Zunino, a traditional empanada house in the region with super friendly prices – Pino (meat, onion, olives and egg) for 1000 pesos and cheese for 1200 pesos. I recommend it if you just want to have a snack instead of a meal in the market's restaurants.
For anyone staying at Airbnb, hostel or any other place with a kitchen, I also suggest taking a trip to Food Market, Across the street. Cheese, meat and fruit at much better prices than in supermarkets (we buy strawberries by the kilo!). Some famous Chilean dishes are also sold there, such as Choclo pastry.
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Sky Costanera
The highest viewpoint in all of Latin America, Sky Costanera allows you to see Santiago de Chile from a new perspective.
I'll be very honest and say that it is same to all the other viewpoints I went to, like the Sydney Tower Eye or the CN Tower in Toronto. You take an elevator to a floor Great high above the mall, and the glass walls give you a 360º view of the city.
What really sets Sky Costanera apart is precisely this: the view of the city. In addition to being stunning for its numerous green areas such as Centro San Cristóbal, the viewpoint is also a privileged vantage point for observing the Andes Mountains.
Try to visit close to sunset, as the orange tones make the scenery even more spectacular.
It is open from ten in the morning until ten at night, and the last climb is at nine. The ticket price is 15 thousand pesos per adult.
Next to Sky Costanera there is also a super cool revolving restaurant! The price is usually high, but the people at Vamos por Aí have already shown how to eat at Santiago's revolving restaurant without spending a lot!
Cerro San Cristobal
Another alternative to see the city from above, this time paying little or even nothing, is Cerro San Cristóbal.
Part of the Santiago Metropolitan Park, the easiest way to get to the top is using the funicular, a type of cart that moves along rails. The cost per person for a round trip is approximately four thousand pesos, and it also stops at the zoo (which I didn't visit because I don't like that type of attraction). The station is at the entrance to Pío Nono Street, close to Patio Bellavista.
It is also possible to go up on foot, but from what I researched the walk takes around two hours, and the trails don't have much structure.
Up there, the view is breathtaking, and it is also where the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception is located.
Anyone who wants to return via a different route can take the cable car and get off at Oasis station, close to Jardim Japonês. The Metropolitan Park itself offers numerous other attractions in addition to the hill, such as swimming pools, picnic areas and even an environmental education center.
Cerro Santa Lucía and Craft Center
Close to the city center, Cerro Santa Lucía is another option for those who want to observe the local landscape from another angle.
Initially transformed into a fort and cemetery for the Spanish army, it is still possible to see influences from that time in the buildings within the park. Furthermore, there is a tradition of firing one of the cannons there every day at noon.. Don't be alarmed if you're passing through the area and hear a bang at this time.
The park has a very peaceful atmosphere, and I saw many natives eating lunch on benches or even sitting on the grass. There, in addition to the viewpoint, you will also find Castillo Hidalgo, an old fortress that today serves as a party house, and Fuerte Neptuno.
Leaving Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, when crossing the street, there is the Centro Artesanal Santa Lucía, which sells clothes, shoes, remembrances and other handmade items. Even though it was touristy, I found the prices affordable and with a lot of variety, especially leather and wool items.
If you want to buy snow parts, however, I recommend reading this blog post from Diário de Turista about where to buy cheap clothes in Santiago.
lastarria
Mixing the best of local culture and gastronomy, Lastarria is ideal for those who enjoy good restaurants, museums and street markets.
I was surprised when I visited the neighborhood for the first time because, even close to the center, the atmosphere is completely different. I would venture to say that the streets in the region resemble those of small European cities.
To discover the best that Lastarria has to offer, our tip is to visit the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the most famous in Chile. I also really enjoyed exploring some galleries and independent production stores. I entered the Ulises Bookstore to ask for information and I was enchanted by the collection of books on display there.
To eat, the Casa Lastarria restaurant is highly recommended, but where I saw a queue was at the José Ramón 277: Chopería & Sangucheria, beer garden with sandwiches and other snacks. For dessert I recommend the ice cream shop The Rose Emporium, considered the best in the city.
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
I'm not the best company in museums: I understand very little about art and after a while I get so tired that I can no longer distinguish the paintings and their authors. The Museum of Memory and Human Rights, however, does not try to portray beauty through canvas, but rather to tell the story of Chile's military dictatorship.
It wasn't an attraction that interested me when I searched for things to do in Santiago, but luckily the friends I made at the hostel convinced me to give it a chance. I can say that it was one of the most interesting museums I've ever been to, and the events are shown in a way that makes it impossible not to get emotional.
Composed of videos, documents, images and interviews, the exhibition is super interactive and takes the visitor on a painful journey, but necessary to understand the atrocities that happened during this period in Chilean history.
Entry is free and is open even on holidays.
Pío Nono Street and Patio Bellavista
In the Bellavista neighborhood is the famous Pío Nono street, practically a tourist attraction in itself. There are countless bars, clubs and restaurants concentrated here, ideal for those who enjoy nightlife and want to see some of the places frequented by locals.
The prices are within the standard for Santiago, and while you are deciding where to have fun you can be sure that they will approach you offering discounts and even drinks free. Don't be alarmed if all the establishments seem empty, as the night starts a little later than in Brazil.
It is also on Pío Nono that Patio Bellavista is located, a concentration a little more elegance of restaurants and shops (which is reflected in the values). A great choice for those looking for something more romantic and peaceful in the region. If you need to exchange money and don't go to the center, there is also an exchange office there, but the prices are worse than on Rua Agustinas.
Rado Boutique Hostel is next to Patio Bellavista. It is an excellent accommodation, with great value for money and very well located.
Cajón del Maipo and Embalse el Yeso
When putting together your itinerary, it is important to look not only for things to do in Santiago, but also for tours in the surrounding area. The tour to Cajón del Maipo and the Embalse el Yeso dam is one of the most popular day trips to do from the city today. It's easy to understand why just by looking at the photos of the place.
Os guided tour usually leave early in the morning and spend the morning at the dam, while afternoon destinations can be the hot springs or other points in Cajón del Maipo itself. In my case, as I wanted to spend little, I chose to just visit Embalse el Yeso and I thought it was excellent, the scenery is stunning!
I recommend signing up with an agency rather than trying to do it on your own., as the road is complicated and even getting around there is difficult. I saw countless drivers accidentally locking their way and parking in inconvenient places.
I didn't write down many details about my trip, such as agency and price (it was a vacation trip, or), but Débora from the Foco no Mundo blog has a very complete post about her visit to Cajón del Maipo. I recommend reading!
Other interesting tours are the day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and visiting a winery. In the latter case, there are several options, from those aimed at tourists to those more intimate. The people at Ligado em Viagem have a post telling What was the experience of taking a private tour at Santa Carolina Winery?.
Do you have more time in the country? So my suggestion is that you go and visit the Atacama, one of the most famous deserts in the world! The Viagem em Details blog has a post with the best tours in the Atacama Desert so you can plan this part of the trip (the photos are incredible!).
Do you have other suggestions about what to do in Santiago de Chile? Do you know any special places in the city? Tell me in the comments! 🙂
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