What to see in Santiago de Chile?
Santiago de Chile is the modern financial and commercial heart of Chile, and offers many attractions to visit during your trip. Take a look to the list below:
City tour of Santiago de Chile
A good idea once you arrive to Santiago, is to take a half day city tour and visit the main areas of the city. Santiago will surprise you as a cosmopolitan and modern city that perfectly combines its traditions with a modern outlook. The tour will take you to visit the heart of the city and its emblematic sites such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Santiago’s Central Postal Office and its Municipality. We will also visit the Moneda Palace, which is the government’s headquarters as well as the traditional neighborhoods of the historic city center. The tour also includes a visit to the Santa Lucia hill, named Huelén by the natives. It is a real urban oasis in the center of the city. There we will learn more about Chile’s history and enjoy some of the best views in the city. After knowing Santiago, we will arrive to Barrio Lastarria, famous by it cultural, inherited and gastronomical offer. The second part of the tour will take you to the eastern side of the city, to the financial heart of Santiago, known for its modern buildings, impressive glass skyscrapers and its impressive sculptures designed by prominent national architects. It`s a perfect overview to start visiting the best of Santiago
Palacio de la Moneda
One of the highlights in the city tour is the Palacio de laMoneda, the President of the Republic of Chile home, and it`s also one of the many beautiful buildings you have to see in the capital. Built way back in the 1700s, the neoclassical palace was created by an Italian architect named Joaquin Toesca. It`s an splendid building.
The Plaza de Armas (Central Square) & Sacramentinos Church
In the centre of the capital, and in the old colonial streets, you will find the Plaza de Armas. Established in 1541 as the city’s main area for religious events and political news, today it is mainly used as a gathering spot and a great place for people-watching. Take a visit to the Sacramentinos church that is totally iconic in Santiago and beautiful too.
Surrounding the square are several historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, Royal Court Palace, and the Central Post Office. You could easily spend an entire day just taking in all the sights in and around the plaza
Santa Lucia Hill
Cerro Santa Lucia is a small, intimate hill-park in the centre of Santiago and a beautiful place to visit. Once in the top, be sure to stop and visit the Neptuno Fountaine and Castillo Hidalgo, two impressive structures located three. The park was formerly just a rock, but during XIX century, the city turned it into a perfectly piece of beauty. It`s a typical visit for chileans and tourist during beautiful days.
The funicular to Metropolitan Park
If you`re looking for the best views of Santiago de Chile, a good idea is to take the funicular to the Metropolitan Park. There, the cable cars will take you to the top of the San Cristobal Hill. The funicular dates from 1925, and there is also a a zoo, botanical gardens, a religious sanctuary, and a children’s park. Nice visit to do in the city.
La Chascona: Visit Pablo Neruda House
In the Bellavista neighborhood of Santiago, you’ll find La Chascona. Once home to the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, it’s now a museum that’s open to the public. Neruda had this home built for his third wife, Matilde Urrutia. Actually, she was his secret lover when he started work on the house. A must-see if you`re Pablo Neruda lover.
Visit the Cajon del Maipo
The Cajon del Maipo is an amazing natural place located 25 km south-east of Santiago. You will be surprised tol find a massive gorge on the Rio Maipo. It is here that many residents of Santiago come to for their outdoor adventures and a perfect place to enjoy a local’s favourite. Take a visit to this place and enjoy the unique natural landscape and only 25 km from the city centre! you can camp, hike, enjoy rafting, biking and trekking in the area. There are great wineries to visit in the area too.
Visiting vineyards and wineries
Of course, Chile is very famous for making excellent wine, and the climate is perfect for excellent grapes. And of course, one of the must-do is to visit a vineyard. A great news is that these wineries are not very far from the city centre, so visiting a vineyards and a winery is not a problem. Some of the most famous are Concha y Toro, Undurraga, and Cousiño Macul. There are buses avaialable to these wineries and it`s another must-see during your trip in Santiago.
