Santiago Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

National History Museum showing street scenes and a city
Museum of Memory and Human Rights featuring a pond, modern architecture and a square or plaza
Santiago which includes a city and street scenes
Lastarria featuring café scenes and street scenes as well as a large group of people
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Santiago Travel Guide Video

A lively arts scene, breathtaking mountainous setting and rich cultural heritage combine in this Chilean capital city.

Santiago’s location in between the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range gives the capital city a pleasant climate year-round. The city combines an impressive skyline and an abundance of green spaces, like the large Parque Metropolitano. While in the park, cool off with a dip in the Antilén and Tupahue pools, visit the National Zooor hike to the top of the park’s hill to get a spectacular view of the city.

Delve into Chile’s rich history with a visit to the Palacio de la Moneda (Presidential Palace). Take a stroll through the “Heart of Santiago”, the beautiful Plaza de Armas, and admire palm trees, sculptures and old Spanish-style architecture. Take a guided tour through La Chascona, home of famous South American poet Pablo Neruda.

Admire Chile’s most renowned artists in the Museo de le Chilenidad and catch a live performance at the remarkable Municipal Theatre of Santiago (TeatroMunicipal). For a taste of Chile’s contemporary art scene, the Centro Cultural Palacio la Moneda offers a variety of artistic and cultural exhibits.

Santiago is divided into neighbourhoods, each of which has a unique and distinctive character. The Vitacura area is home to a lively art scene, as well as an assortment of galleries, museums and fine restaurants. For a night on the town, visit Bellavista, which has eateries, bars and a thriving nightlife scene. The neighbourhoods of Brasil and Lastarria offer a bohemian vibe, as well as outdoor markets and events. Providencia, one of Santiago’s more commercial sectors, combines excellent shopping and lovely outdoor parks. Sip on Chilean wine and try local cuisine at open-air bistros and restaurants.

Located in Central Chile, Santiago is a 2.5-hour drive from the country's coastline, to the east. A 2.5-hour drive to the west is Argentina. Fly directly into Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, which is right outside the city, or catch a bus from most major South American cities.Purchase a Bip! card to get access to Santiago’s extensive and well-run public transportation system. For a nice daytrip,travel to the nearby coastal town ofValparaiso.

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 KidZania Santiago 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(12 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 Santiago Metropolitan 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(13 area reviews)

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

Lastarria
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El Golf

Spend some time visiting places like Apoquindo while getting to know El Golf, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at El Golf Station or Alcantara Station to see more of the area.

El Golf
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal by IHG
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal by IHG
4 out of 5
Armando Cortinez Norte 2150, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
The price is NZ$218 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$218
8 July - 9 July
Stay at this 4-star ski hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,288 reviews)
"Wonderful serve and great people. I loved my stay and plan to return."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal by IHG
Ola Santiago Providencia, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Ola Santiago Providencia, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
Holanda 307, Santiago
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$178 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$178
13 July - 14 July
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (543 reviews)
Love the place!
"The first 2 nights were sponsored by expat explore. Then we went to San Pedro de Atacama and left our luggages for the meantime. Then came back and stayed for another 2 nights paid by Expat Explore. After the tour, we extended our stay for 6 more nights. We felt safe in the area and located near ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

Ola Santiago Providencia, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Hotel Almasur Providencia
Hotel Almasur Providencia
4 out of 5
440 Avenida Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago
The price is NZ$150 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$150
3 Aug - 4 Aug
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (172 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2025

Hotel Almasur Providencia
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.
Park Plaza Apart Hotel
Park Plaza Apart Hotel
3 out of 5
Av. Huerfanos 545, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (573 reviews)
"I had booked a loft room for 3 through Expedia. When I arrived I was told only 2 persons for the room. They were kind enough to put us in a rental apt. with 2 bedrooms and kitchenette for the same price. This is an inexpensive option to be downtown."

Reviewed on 18 Jun. 2025

Park Plaza Apart Hotel
Park Plaza Apartments
Park Plaza Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Lota 2233, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (158 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on 1 Feb. 2025

Park Plaza Apartments
Sunset Aparts Boutique
Sunset Aparts Boutique
3.5 out of 5
La Capitania 70, Santiago
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Costanera Center and Parque Arauco ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (122 reviews)
"Unos problemas con el agua caliente y toallas pero fuera de eso todo bien"

Reviewed on 9 Jun. 2025

Sunset Aparts Boutique
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

Activities

Reviews of Santiago

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
20
5 - Excellent 18%
4 - Good
60
4 - Good 54%
3 - Okay
21
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
9
2 - Disappointing 8%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 2%

2/5 - Disappointing

Aurora

Dont visit Santiago on Mondays as major sites are closed for maintenance. ie Museums, Monuments etc, Cablecar for San Cristobal. Was in Santiago less than an hour, and my bag was nearly stolen in Starbucks, staff stopped the culprit. Felt unsafe

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

It’s not somewhere I will come again The place was filthy streets stank like urine Graffiti everywhere literally everywhere Beggars and homeless everywhere Half the bus stops I passed had been burnt down Very dirty city unattractive

2/5 - Disappointing

Trevor

Found it hard to get served as we could not speak Spanish in the shops

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We like Santiago, this is our third time in Chile and have enjoyed our previous stays. This visit was only for transit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

There were some demonstrations going on so we could not visit Santiago fully. However, it was the visit to the Andes which was amazing

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Pretty seedy in down town. Lots of graffiti everywhere. Banks and hotels boarded up

Cities near Santiago