Santiago City Guide

Plaza de Armas

The historic Plaza de Armas is the beating heart of Santiago. The lively spot is encircled by beautiful architecture, restaurants and shops, creating a hub where a blend of tourists, locals and street performers meet. The square was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541, and has remained one of the most important areas of Santiago ever since. It’s also been the base of many historical events, protests and demonstrations. As well as the stunning buildings that surround it, the plaza is lined with trees and shrubbery which create a wonderfully open and relaxing space for those who walk amongst it.

Check out the prominent neoclassical Correo Central (Central Post Office), which once housed Pedro de Valdivia himself, with its intricate detailing and ornate facade. Or visit the National Museum of History where you can experience the wonderful view of the square from the museum clock tower. Another highlight is the Cathedral of Santiago, where you can enjoy pieces from its Museum of Sacred Art, or simply admire its lovely exterior.

Street performers are at large here, especially chinchineros. This unique one-man band normally consists of someone playing drums which are strapped to their back, while spinning around at high-speed. Sit down at one of the many restaurants here to enjoy a coffee and show all in one. From the plaza, you can easily access two of the city’s most prominent streets, Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Estado. Here you can find an abundance of local and international shops and boutiques as well as street vendors and cafes.

Cerro San Cristobal

Overlooking Santiago and the Andean mountains is Cerro San Cristobal - a peak that sits 300 metres above the rest of the city. This makes it one of the most popular things to do in Santiago due to the incredible views that can be seen of the city below and surrounding mountainscape. There are a few walking trails to enjoy, or alternatively hop on the funicular for a more relaxing and quicker way to reach the peak. At 722 hectares, the area is the largest green space in Santiago and makes for a fantastic relaxing day out of the city if you want to grab some friends and a picnic. On top of the hill sits a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as well as an amphitheatre and a chapel. The white 14 metre high statue towers above the city and provides an iconic landmark which can be seen from far and wide.

The funicular departs from Plaza Caupolicán where you'll find the tourist kiosk and ticket desk. You'll be asked if you wish to purchase only a funicular ticket, or a combined cable-car ticket which will allow you to hop on the cable car that takes you over the park and offers fantastic views of Santiago and the mountains.

Cerro Santa Lucia & Fuente Neptuno

Santiago is a city blessed with plenty of open green spaces and Cerro Santa Lucia, located in the middle of the city, is an excellent one to explore. Created from volcanic activity around 15 million years ago, the verdant hill was relatively unimportant until mayor Benjamín Vicuna Mackenna transformed the space during the 19th century.

Hidden within the greenery you’ll find a charming Japanese garden and the 18th century castle that once protected the city. A highlight here is the elegant Fuente Neptuno, a neoclassical fountain that was dedicated to the Roman god of the seas, Neptune. Being such a romantic spot, it’s historically been a meeting place for young lovers who wanted some space from the city. The walk to the top is slightly less strenuous and takes less time than exploring Cerro San Cristobal yet also offers some lovely views of the surrounding area.

Barrios Lastarria & Bellavista

José Victorino Lastarria Street, named after the famous 19th century writer and politician, is a small yet busy area overflowing with bars, shops and restaurants. The historical neighbourhood, nestled in the centre of Santiago, holds many of the city’s museums, cinemas and theatres which give way to various festivals and theatre performances throughout the year. This boosts the neighbourhood's already rich cultural atmosphere and makes it a popular area for young artists to congregate. Meandering around Barrio Lastarria is an excellent way to get to know the city and you’re bound to come across an abundance of delicious restaurants and trendy bars.

Barrio Bellavista is a bohemian style barrio and the access point for the funicular to Cerro San Cristobal, nestled between the giant hill and the Mapocho river that runs through the city. Due to its location, it’s also one of the most visited neighbourhoods in the city. Adorned with vibrant street art, quirky bars and restaurants and a lively nightlife, Bellavista is an excellent place to spend the evening. The best way to start exploring is by walking through the streets since there is colourful street art and murals around every corner. Spend some time ducking into the small shops and boutiques where you can find handmade goodies such as jewellery or art. Here you can also visit the Museum of Pablo Neruda, an exhibition set up in his former house to honour his life and poetry

The Central Market and Street Food

If you love seafood, then head to the Central Market, located a short walk from the Plaza de Armas. The market has been open since 1872 and to this day, remains the hot spot for fishmongers selling their best produce that has recently arrived from the coast of Chile. The building exudes the authentic feel of any good fresh seafood market, with rows of vendors chopping and gutting their catches. The smell of the ocean drifts down the walkways and the floors are normally wet from being constantly hosed down to keep it clean. Venture into the centre of the market and you’ll find yourself surrounded by restaurants eager to have you sample their best dishes.

Another popular market is La Vega, which is also one of the busiest food markets in the city. With an abundance of colourful fruit and the smell of sizzling empanadas drifting through the stalls, you won’t leave here hungry.

Vegetarian and Vegan

While South America is certainly heavy on the meat, vegans or vegetarians who are visiting Santiago shouldn’t worry. So long as you do some research, Santiago actually has a surprising amount of restaurants dedicated to plant-based eating. Some of our favourites are El Huerto, which is predominantly vegan but also has a few vegetarian items on offer. Other vegan hot-spots to look out for are Vegan Bunker, Holm and VegeChef Lyon. A quick search on HappyCow and you can see more!

For vegetarians, it’s generally a little easier. Most restaurants serving empanadas will offer cheese, or quesa, options which are meat-free. Pasta is also popular on a lot of menus.

Take a day trip to Valparaiso or Vina del Mar

Nestled along the coast are the seaside towns of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, which make for the perfect day trip from Santiago. Located 120 kilometres from Santiago, Valparaiso can be reached in around two hours on the bus, which departs regularly. Perched on the hillside in Valparaiso you’ll find a sea of quaint colourful houses, with some fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscape. Valparaiso is currently the third largest metropolitan city in Chile and has remained the headquarters for the Chilean National Congress since the early 1990’s. During the 19th century when South America saw a wave of European immigration, Valpairaso flourished as it became a major stopover for ships crossing the Straits of Magellan. Due to its rich cultural heritage, the old quarter of Valparaiso became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Popular activities in Valparaiso include wandering the colourful streets where you’ll discover vibrant street art, bohemian cafes and the odd boutique shops, or enjoy the local food scene and indulge in a chorrillana. Head to Vina del Mar and enjoy the beautiful beaches and glamorous atmosphere.

Channel your inner sommelier

Chile is a popular destination for wine lovers. It was during the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors first arrived that introduced the common grape wine, and by the 19th century French immigrants brought over new varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. As people learnt of Chile’s vast space and mild climate in the central belt, the country grew to become one of the world’s most prominent wine exporters. Today, it’s the fifth largest in the world. While simply sampling some of the country’s finest wines at bars in Santiago is a fantastic experience, if you have the time then visiting the surrounding the vineyards will simply add to the memory.

The best option is to get in touch with a local company who can provide transport and a guide. That way you won’t waste any time trying to find your own way there and you’ll learn all about the production of wine from an experienced guide.

If you have more time on your hands, a bus from Santiago to Mendoza takes around five hours. However, this doesn’t take into account the border crossing which can take some time - and the roads are incredibly winding!

What to expect on a trip to Patagonia

Patagonia is the wild child of South America, nestled deep in the south of the continent straddling both Chile and Argentina. Coated in mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers and more, the rugged region has been attracting keen hikers for decades. Having just embarked on my own Patagonian adventure for two weeks, I have compiled a list of what you should expect if you’re planning a holiday to Patagonia.