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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Tucked deep in Chile’s central valley, the capital city enjoys a thriving arts scene and a cityscape surrounded by towering mountains.

Situated between the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range, the capital of Chile enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Santiago’s iconic skyline is dotted with green spaces, including the enormous Parque Metropolitano at its centre. Explore the park to find the National Zoo, take a swim in the Antilén or Tupahue Pools or to reach the top of the park’s central hill and take in the views across the city.

Chile’s rich history comes alive at the Presidential Palace (Palacio de La Moneda). Join a guided tour of the palace to hear the stories that took place within its walls, before you head across to the Plaza de Armas. The city square is commonly known as the “Heart of Santiago”. Nearby you’ll find the home of poet Pablo Neruda, La Chascona. See work by Chile’s most renowned visual artists from the past two centuries at the Museo de la Chilenidad. As evening falls, watch a live performance at the historic Teatro Municpal or visit the underground Cetro Cultural de Moneda to discover its range of cultural and artists exhibits.

Santiago’s neighbourhoods all offer their own unique atmosphere. Head to the Upper-class Vitacura for its vibrant arts scene that is centred around a number of museums, restaurants and galleries. If you’re on the hunt for some local food, head to Bellavista for its cluster of eateries and bars. The region is popular with both tourists and locals for its after hours scene. The bohemian enclaves of Brasil and Lastarria regularly host outdoor markets and events. At the heart of Santiago’s commercial district you’ll find Providencia, a suburb with many parks and gardens. Sample the local wine and traditional dishes as you sit outside a bistro or open-air restaurant.

Santiago is centrally located in Chile, just 2.5 hours from both the coast and the nation’s border with Argentina. Santiago Airport receives flights from around the world and buses run between the city and most major South American cities. A popular day trip from Santiago is to Valparaiso, a coastal town nearby.

Santiago’s accessible metro can be accessed with the Bip! Card, which also gives you access to the city’s bus system.

Where to stay in Santiago

Providencia which includes street scenes, a sporting event and cycling

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 garden, a pond and a castle

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 café scenes and street scenes 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
Bellavista which includes outdoor art and street scenes

Bellavista

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Bellavista is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Patio Bellavista and Santiago Metropolitan Park while you're in town.

Bellavista
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 AU$248 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$248
20 Oct - 21 Oct
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! (1,369 reviews)
"Easy check in. Helpful staff. Super quiet considering it is surrounded by airport terminals."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal by IHG
Hotel Capital Bellet

Hotel Capital Bellet

3 out of 5
Saint Paul 1457 / Antonio Bellet 135, Santiago, Providencia
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santiago. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (798 reviews)
"Good hotel in a quiet, safe area. Room was very clean. Good breakfast. Friendly staff."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Hotel Capital Bellet
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Santiago - Vitacura

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Santiago - Vitacura

4 out of 5
Avenida Vitacura 2727, Las Condes, Santiago
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$134 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
AU$134
31 Oct - 1 Nov
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! (1,022 reviews)
"Great location, close to tallest building in Santiago with numerous shopping and dining options."

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Santiago - Vitacura
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.
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 parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Costanera Center and Parque Arauco ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (253 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Zip Housing El Golf
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! (614 reviews)
"The keys to the room were not working and it required us to go to the reception and request an employee to open everytime that we needed to enter our room. We found that very inconvenient during our stay."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Park Plaza Apart Hotel
Spot Suites

Spot Suites

4 out of 5
882 Av. Manquehue Nte., Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Santiago. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Costanera Center and Parque Arauco Mall are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
"Overall I got impressed with the place it was way beyond what I was imagined. It was my husband first time in chile and having this place so nice and clean with amazing areas makes our trip memorable! So thank you for such a nice facility we will definitely stay back there again! 10/5 stars"

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Spot Suites
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

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