Travel Guide: Santiago
Questions This Article Answers
What are the must-see landmarks in Santiago de Chile?
Where can I experience the local culture in Santiago de Chile?
What are some traditional local dishes in Santiago de Chile?
Where can I learn about Pablo Neruda in Santiago de Chile?
What are some of the best neighborhoods to visit in Santiago de Chile?
What are the best museums in Santiago de Chile?
Santiago is the capital of Chile(Chile) and its largest city by far. It's a bustling metropolis, and there's a lot to see and do. In this article, we'll go over nine of the must-see places to visit. Let's dive right in!
Santiago…¡de Chile!
First things first. The full name of Chile’s capital city is actually Santiago de Chile. If that seems redundant, think of the many cities named Santiago in the Spanish-speaking world: Santiago de Cuba(Santiago of Cuba) in Cuba, Santiago de los Caballeros(Santiago of the Knights) in the Dominican Republic, and Santiago de Cali(Santiago of Cali) in Colombia, among many others. If you want to learn more about why so many cities in the Spanish-speaking world are named Santiago, check out our Chile travel guide.
Top Nine Things to See in Santiago de Chile
1. Scenic Viewpoint
One of your first stops in Santiago should be Cerro San Cristóbal(San Cristóbal Hill), a central hill that offers some of the best views of the city and the Andes Mountains. This hill is part of the larger Parque Metropolitano de Santiago(Santiago Metropolitan Park), the largest urban park in Latin America and the fourth largest in the world.
You can reach the summit via funicular, cable car, or a hike. The funicular, which has been in operation since 1925, is a tourist attraction in itself, and the climb up the hill is incredibly scenic!
At the summit, you'll find a giant statue of the Virgin Mary, known as the Inmaculada Concepción(Immaculate Conception).
2. Famous Poet's Home
Visit the home of Nobel Prize–winning poet Pablo Neruda(Pablo Neruda). Located in the artsy Bellavista(Bellavista) neighborhood of Santiago, La Chascona(La Chascona) was built for Neruda's third wife, Matilde Urrutia(Matilde Urrutia), whose curly red hair inspired the name La Chascona, which means tangled-haired woman in Chilean Spanish. The house is now a museum and offers a peek into the poet's fascinating life and works. Its quirky architecture and unique collections make it a memorable stop.
Pablo Neruda’s Three Houses
La Chascona is just one of Neruda’s three houses-turned-museums in Chile. The second, La Sebastiana(La Sebastiana), located in Valparaíso(Valparaíso), offers breathtaking ocean views and an interior filled with artifacts from Neruda’s global travels. The third, Casa de Isla Negra(literally, House of the Black Island), located in the coastal area of El Quisco(El Quisco), was his favorite retreat. This house, which resembles a ship with collections of maritime relics, was a source of inspiration for many of his poems. It is also his final resting place; the graves of Neruda and his wife Matilde Urrutia are located on the grounds.
3. Central Market
For food enthusiasts, the Mercado Central(Central Market) is a paradise. More than a century old and renowned for its fresh seafood, this busy market also offers a range of traditional Chilean dishes. Speaking of which, here’s a list of some of the local dishes you should try while you are in Santiago!
4. Museum of Memory and Human Rights
The Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos(Museum of Memory and Human Rights) offers a detailed and moving exploration of the period of the rule of General Augusto Pinochet(Augusto Pinochet), which lasted from 1973 to 1990. It features multiple exhibits displaying the events leading up to the 1973 coup, the years under Pinochet’s rule, and the subsequent return to democracy.
Interactive multimedia displays and documentary screenings provide visitors with an immersive experience. These include interviews with survivors, footage of protests and crackdowns, and narratives about what life was like in those years. The displays also include letters written by political prisoners and photographs of protests and victims.
5. Main Square
The heart of Santiago's Centro Histórico(Historic Center), the Plaza de Armas(Main Square) is surrounded by important landmarks like the Catedral Metropolitana(Metropolitan Cathedral), the Correo Central de Santiago(Santiago’s Central Post Office Building), and the Museo Histórico Nacional(National History Museum). The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino(Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art) is right across the street, and you’re also a short walk away from other important landmarks like the Palacio de la Moneda(Palace of the Mint).
The area is also often filled with filled with street performers, artists, and vendors, and there are tons of cafés and restaurants nearby. It's a great starting point for exploring Santiago's old quarter!
6. Bicentennial Park
The modern Parque Bicentenario(Bicentennial Park) is a favorite among locals for picnics and outdoor activities. Located in the Vitacura(Vitacura) district, the park has beautiful green spaces, artificial ponds, and a popular dog park.
7. Lastarria Neighborhood
The Barrio Lastarria(Lastarria Neighborhood) is a cultural and tourist hub with a distinct European feel. Also known as the barrio Bellas Artes(literally, Fine Arts Neighborhood), this trendy neighborhood is known for its cafes, boutique shops, and bookstores. The Plaza Mulato Gil de Castro(Mulatto Gil de Castro Plaza) and the Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral(Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center) are among the local landmarks.
A Literary Icon of Chile
Nowadays, if you mention Chile, poet, and Nobel Prize in the same sentence, most people will understandably think of the great Pablo Neruda. But Neruda was actually Chile’s second poet to win the prize. Gabriela Mistral(Gabriela Mistral), a poet, diplomat, and educator, was awarded the Premio Nobel de Literatura(Nobel Prize in Literature) in 1945, beating Neruda by about a quarter of a century. Mistral was not only the first Chilean author to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature; she was the first Latin American author to receive it, period. Quite the accomplishment, if you ask us!
8. Visit a Winery
Just a short trip from Santiago, the famous Viña Concha y Toro(Concha y Toro Winery) offers a peek into Chile's world-renowned wine industry. Enjoy a tour of the vineyard and wine tastings and learn about the winemaking process here.
9. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
Discover Chile's rich indigenous history and art at the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It houses an impressive collection of artifacts from across Latin America!
We hope you found these tips on what to see and do in Santiago useful! ¡Buen viaje!(Have a good trip!)
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