Santiago

Travel Guide
Museum of Memory and Human Rights showing modern architecture, a square or plaza and a pond

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 theatres, 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 neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood is home to the mall and skyscrapers of the Costanera Centre.

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, symbolising Chile’s past oppression and newfound freedom of expression.

Where to stay in Santiago

Providencia featuring a sporting event, cycling and street scenes

Providencia

Noted for its cafes and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Providencia. Top attractions like Costanera Center and Gran Torre Santiago are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Pedro de Valdivia Station or Los Leones Station to see more of the city.

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 showing a pond, a castle and a park

Downtown Santiago

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Noted for its museums and art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Santiago. Top attractions like Fantasilandia and Palacio de la Moneda are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Toesca Station or O'Higgins Park Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Santiago
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Vitacura

Vitacura is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Bicentennial Park or CasaPiedra Event and Conference Center.

Vitacura
Lastarria featuring street scenes and café lifestyle as well as a large group of people

Lastarria

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Travellers come to Lastarria for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Lastarria District and Forest Park while you're in town.

Lastarria
Bellavista featuring outdoor art and street scenes

Bellavista

3.5/5(5 area reviews)

Bellavista is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Patio Bellavista and Chilean National Zoo while you're in town.

Bellavista
Novotel Santiago Providencia
Novotel Santiago Providencia
4 out of 5
Avenida Holanda 222, Providencia, Santiago, Santiago
The price is S$128 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$128
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free kid's club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (589 reviews)
Comfortable and cosy stay
"Very comfortable, clean and cosy rooms. The staff is really friendly and helpful. Since I was not feeling too good, they gave us an early check in. There is a free water filter, so you do not need to buy any mineral water."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Novotel Santiago Providencia
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 S$231 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$231
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star ski hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,029 reviews)
"An excellent place to stay if you have an early flight. Five minute walk to Terminal 2 (International)"

Reviewed on 27 Mar,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 S$142 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
S$142
per night
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Shower had no water pressure and barely any hot water."

Reviewed on 22 Mar,2024

ICON Hotel
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.
Amistar Apartments
Amistar Apartments
3 out of 5
Merced 562 depto 209 torre c, Santiago
Stay at this 3-star ski aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an airport shuttle. Popular attractions Santa Lucia Hill and Plaza de Armas ...
8/10 Very Good! (79 reviews)
Good apartment with the AC for the summer
"it was AC, that made this apartment livable, with the temperature in Santiago up to 34C"

Reviewed on 31 Jan,2024

Amistar Apartments
One Nk Apartments
One Nk Apartments
3 out of 5
45 La Capitanía, Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (50 reviews)
"This is a convenient and safe community. Short walk to subway station and around streets are very safe. We ran every morning and people are very nice."

Reviewed on 9 Jan,2024

One Nk Apartments
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 onsite parking. Popular attractions Parque Arauco Mall and Costanera Center ...
9/10 Wonderful! (86 reviews)
"Good location. Noisy A/C"

Reviewed on 13 Mar,2024

Zip Housing El Golf
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

Things to do

Reviews of Santiago

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
12
" "5 - Excellent 19.672131147540984%
4 - Good
32
" "4 - Good 52.459016393442624%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 21.311475409836067%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 6.557377049180328%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

2/5 - Disappointing

Juliet
19 Feb 2020

Santiago is my home place but I’ve been living overseas for half of my life. The city is lovely but far too quiet in the summer months hence little to do in the warm weather. It felt unsafe to venture going downtown for the political riots

3/5 - Okay

Rob
17 Feb 2020

I would say the main sights in the city itself could be seen in 1 day unless you want to spend time in each of the museums. It’s worth taking a day trip to Valparaiso & Vina del Mar. There are other worthwhile day trips from Santiago too.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Jan 2020

Great place to visit and we will be back. Super safe next time we will explore more of the country

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Jan 2020

When you travel to Santiago, do not pre book any taxi, as this can be an inconvenience at the end. Go directly to the official taxi service. The trip will not cost much and it is going to be quicker.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Look beyond the Graffiti caused by some disgruntled locals and you'll find warm and welcoming people

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Very nice and lots to see but the riots and civil disobedience are a danger to tourists. We encountered two and ended up inhaling CS gas. Not good.