In a nutshell
- Torres del Paine: This national park in Patagonia is seriously stunning — turquoise mountain lakes, towering granite peaks, and world-class hiking.
- San Pedro de Atacama: In the world’s driest desert, you’ll discover hidden salt lagoons, dramatic volcanoes, and some of the clearest skies on earth.
- Santiago de Chile: The capital is home to the tallest building in South America and the iconic Cerro San Cristóbal with its sweeping city views.
- Easter Island: Completely isolated in the middle of the Pacific and famous worldwide for its mysterious Moai statues.
- These four are absolute must-sees — but Chile has so much more to offer. Here are our top 10 things to do in Chile, including all the highlights you shouldn’t miss on your Chile trip.
Chile Attractions on a Map
To give you an overview of where the top 10 things to do in Chile are located, we’ve marked them all on a map.
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is the ultimate highlight in Chile. It’s located near the city of Puerto Natales in the southern part of Patagonia.
The park’s most iconic feature is three granite peaks rising above a turquoise mountain lake. You can capture this unforgettable shot from the Mirador Base Las Torres, which you can reach on a day hike via a well-marked trail.
Also super popular is the multi-day W-Trek through Torres del Paine. The lodges and campsites along the route are seriously in demand — book them months in advance or you’ll be out of luck.
If you’d rather take it easy, you can also do the trail on a guided tour.
Book the day hike to Mirador Base Las Torres
Our tips for Torres del Paine National Park:
San Pedro de Atacama
The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the entire world and stretches mostly across northern Chile, though it extends into Peru.
The tourist hub of the Atacama is the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama. Most accommodations and tour operators are based here — it’s the perfect jumping-off point for excursions into the desert.
Around San Pedro you’ll find incredible attractions like the Valley of the Moon, salt lagoons, volcanoes, and so much more.
Our tips for the Atacama Desert:
Santiago de Chile
The Chilean capital is where most of the country’s life unfolds — no surprise, since nearly 40% of the population lives in the Santiago province.
Top things to see in Santiago de Chile include the cable car up to Cerro San Cristóbal, the charming Cerro Santa Lucía, and the skyscraper Gran Torre Santiago — at 300 meters, the tallest building in South America.
Santiago also has a real cosmopolitan energy with a distinctly European feel. You’ll find fantastic restaurants from around the world and hip neighborhoods worth wandering for hours.
Our tips for Santiago de Chile:
Easter Island
Easter Island — Isla de Pascua in Spanish — is and remains a mystery. More isolated than almost any other place on earth, it sits in the middle of the Pacific between Chile and Australia.
About 8,000 people live there — the Rapa Nui, who also call their island Rapa Nui. Not much is known about the culture and history of this indigenous people, but the Moai statues they erected are absolutely the island’s standout attraction.
The only connection to the outside world is a handful of flights from Santiago. Flight prices range from 200 to 700 euros. You can search and book flights on Skyscanner.
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is Chile’s second-largest city, sitting just about 1.5 hours from Santiago — which makes it one of the most popular day trips from the capital.
The city center is a real highlight. Vintage funicular elevators wind through the hilly streets, and vibrant street art covers every alley. Valparaíso is absolutely not to be missed on your trip to Chile.
Book the day trip to Valparaíso from Santiago
Our tips for Valparaíso:
Elqui Valley
The Elqui Valley lies east of the coastal city of La Serena in Chile’s Little North. It’s famous for sitting beneath one of the clearest night skies in the world — an absolute must for astronomy fans.
The valley is also known for its Muscat grapes, which are used to produce Pisco, Chile’s national drink.
The village of Pisco Elqui makes a great base for exploring the region, and there are several observatories nearby. You can experience the breathtaking night sky on stargazing tours. If you want to photograph the night sky, there are honestly very few places on earth that can compete.
Book the stargazing tour from Pisco Elqui
Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is a 1,240-kilometer-long road that runs from Puerto Montt through northern Patagonia all the way to Villa O’Higgins.
It’s one of the most popular routes for a road trip in Chile — whether by car, motorcycle, or bicycle. Along the way you’ll pass stunning spots like the Capillas de Mármol and the Rio Futaleufú.
Honestly, the entire drive is a highlight in itself. The untouched nature and jaw-dropping scenery are so spectacular you’ll barely want to blink.
Heads up: Not the entire highway is paved. Make sure to factor this in when choosing your vehicle.
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in the Chilean Lake District, the region between central Chile and Patagonia. It sits on the beautiful Lago Llanquihue, and behind the lake one of Chile’s most impressive volcanoes towers into the sky: Osorno Volcano.
Several volcano ascents depart from Puerto Varas. If that sounds a bit too intense, there are also great alternatives like rafting or a relaxed stroll along the lakeshore.
Puerto Varas also has a surprisingly strong connection to Germany. Many German settlers put down roots here in the past, and the architecture reflects that — there are even German restaurants dotted around town.
Lake District
One of the most beautiful corners of southern Chile is its collection of large inland lakes. The water is typically crystal clear and calm — honestly better suited for a beach vacation in Chile than the wild Pacific coast.
The best-known lake is Lago Villarrica with the resort town of Pucón, which is also the base for tours up the active Villarrica Volcano.
Our personal favorites in the region, though, are Lago Calafquen and Lago Ranco — the water is noticeably cleaner, the crowds are thinner, and you can really soak in the stunning surroundings.
Chiloé
Chiloé is one of Chile’s largest islands, tucked away in the country’s southern region. It’s largely uninhabited with very little infrastructure — which makes it a genuinely wild nature experience and a perfect destination for outdoor lovers. It’s a real under-the-radar gem in Chile.
Secluded dream beaches, breathtaking hiking trails, and small lakes — Chiloé is a place where you can truly switch off and let the wild nature do its thing.
Top points of interest on the island include the Muelle de las Almas and the Tocoihue Waterfalls.
General Tips for Chile
Planning your trip to Chile? Make sure to check out our travel tips so you’re perfectly prepared!
Our essential travel tips for Chile
