Things to Do in Santiago de Chile: 10 Highlights & Tips

Our Top 10 Things to Do in Santiago de Chile

We’re going to walk you through our favorite attractions in Santiago de Chile. But first, here’s a quick overview of the city — we’ve marked all the highlights on a map so you can get your bearings.

The Absolute Must-Sees in Santiago

These four spots are non-negotiable when it comes to things to do in Santiago de Chile — don’t skip them!

Cerro San Cristóbal and Parque Metropolitano

Cerro San Cristóbal is Santiago’s local mountain — right in the heart of the city, tucked inside the sprawling Parque Metropolitano, which is the city’s green lung.

San Cristóbal is the highest point in the park and impossible to miss even from the streets below. Getting up there for the view is an absolute must when exploring Santiago’s highlights.

How to get to Cerro San Cristóbal

The best starting points are the Bellavista neighborhood or Metro station Pedro de Valdivia. You can get up via hiking trails, a funicular, gondolas, or paved roads.

Cars are not allowed on the hill, but panoramic buses run from Bellavista. A round trip costs 3,900 CLP (about $3).

From Bellavista, you can also take the funicular up to San Cristóbal — 2,250 CLP (about $2) for a round trip.

Gondolas depart from Pedro de Valdivia. A round trip by gondola costs 2,630 CLP (about $2).

Note: The funicular and gondolas do not operate on Mondays.

If you’d rather skip public transportation, you can hike up or cycle. On foot, the ascent takes about one hour from Bellavista — you’ll gain around 200 meters in elevation.

By bike it’s faster but considerably more strenuous. Helmets are required, and on weekends you can only enter the park by bike until noon.

Tour to Cerro San Cristóbal including tickets for the cable car & funicular
Parque Metropolitano

There’s plenty more to do in Parque Metropolitano beyond climbing Cerro San Cristóbal. Cycling is super popular here, and besides the main summit there are additional viewpoints, a swimming pool, and a lovely Japanese Garden.

Cerro Santa Lucía

Another hill in Santiago — much smaller this time — is Cerro Santa Lucía. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square.

Cerro Santa Lucía sits inside Santa Lucía Park, which is pedestrians only. There’s no admission fee — you just need to sign in with a park attendant at the entrance. After that, follow the stairs upward and you’ll find the hilltop easily enough.

Sky Costanera

Did you know that South America’s tallest skyscraper is right here in Santiago de Chile? At 300 meters tall, Sky Costanera towers over the Providencia neighborhood and is seriously hard to miss.

The top two floors are open to visitors and serve up a 360-degree panorama over Santiago and the Andean mountains — one of the best vistas in the city.

There’s also a stylish bar on the observation deck. And if you feel like shopping afterward, the lower floors of the building house the massive Costanera Center mall.

Admission to the observation deck costs around 20,000 CLP (about $19). You can buy your ticket online.

Online ticket for the Sky Costanera observation deck

Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas is Santiago’s central square. Honestly, we don’t find it particularly spectacular — but it’s one of those places you really should walk through at least once.

The square is also home to the Museo Histórico Nacional, which is well worth a visit if Chilean history interests you. Best of all, admission is free.

The Coolest Neighborhoods in Santiago

Here are the most interesting corners of Santiago — great for going out, eating well, or just wandering around.

Bellavista

Bellavista is a neighborhood full of contrasts. During the day, you can stroll its colorful streets and grab a meal at one of the many restaurants.

Come evening, the countless bars fill up and music pours out of every venue. Most of Santiago’s nightclubs are here too — people dance until the early hours.

That said, at night Bellavista can become a genuinely dangerous area. Once you step off the main bar strips, the side streets go quiet and dark fast. Muggings and theft are not uncommon.

If you’re planning a night out in Bellavista, stick to Uber or a taxi to get around — don’t walk the streets alone.

Our 3 favorite spots in Bellavista:

• Kunstmann Bar: Great beer selection.
• Galindo: Typical Chilean food.
• Ciudad Vieja: Really good sandwiches.

Lastarria

Lastarria is the more relaxed — and safer — alternative to Bellavista. The neighborhood is really just a handful of streets lined with pretty houses, perfect for a leisurely wander.

Thanks to a nearby university, you’ll find plenty of students here, plus cool, alternative bars and some seriously good restaurants.

Our 3 favorite spots in Lastarria:

• José Ramón 277: Chopería & Sanguchería: Fantastic sandwiches and great beer.
• Bocanáriz: Excellent wine selection and delicious food.
• Chipe Libre – República Independiente del Pisco: The spot for pisco.

Barrio Italia

Barrio Italia is the third of our favorite neighborhoods in Santiago. Because it’s not quite as central as Lastarria or Bellavista, you’ll find mostly locals here — and prices are a bit lower too.

That actually makes it feel even hipper, arguably a little cooler than the others. Expect plenty of unique bars and restaurants worth exploring.

Our 3 favorite spots in Barrio Italia:

• El Ciudadano: Wide selection of delicious, typical Chilean dishes.
• Galpón Italia: Very fancy and creative cocktails.
• Ruka: Cool bar for an evening drink.

The Best Markets and Parks in Santiago

If you want to experience the authentic side of Santiago, make sure to spend some time at the parks and markets.

Mercado Central

A visit to the central market is pretty much a rite of passage in South American cities — and Santiago is no different. The Mercado Central is a great place to try affordable, traditional Chilean food.

The menu leans heavily toward fish and seafood, though other options are available. One heads-up: the waiters outside the restaurants can be pretty pushy as they try to reel you in — so don’t expect a peaceful browse through the stalls.

Parque Araucano

Our absolute favorite park in Santiago is Parque Araucano in the Las Condes neighborhood — one of the safest districts in the city and one of our top picks for where to stay in Santiago.

The park is full of birds and gardens, and the food trucks make it easy to eat well while you’re there. Our top pick is the Mandala Food truck, which serves excellent Indian food.

You can enjoy a great walk or have a picnic on the grass, all with a stunning backdrop of sleek modern buildings.

Our Day Trip Recommendation from Santiago de Chile

If you want to get out of the city for a day, heading to the coast is your best bet.

Valparaíso

Valparaíso is a city in its own right, but it’s only 1.5 hours by car from Santiago and feels like a natural add-on to any Santiago visit — so we had to include it.

Valparaíso’s historic center is one of the most beautiful sights in Chile. Historic funicular elevators, narrow hilly alleyways, and incredible street art give it a character all its own — we think it has a real resemblance to Lisbon.

Valparaíso is perfect for a day trip from Santiago. The guided GetYourGuide tour also includes a stop in Viña del Mar — a town right next to Valparaíso with some lovely beaches.

Guided tour to Valparaíso from Santiago

Two Under-the-Radar Gems in Santiago de Chile

Beyond the top ten Santiago chile attractions, we’ve got two tips you’ll barely find in any guidebook.

Embalse el Yeso Reservoir

Who says you have to travel all the way to Patagonia for stunning mountain scenery? Just two hours by car from Santiago into the Andes, you’ll find this breathtaking reservoir — it blew us away and is one of our top lesser-known spots in Chile.

Embalse el Yeso sits at around 2,000 meters above sea level and shimmers a brilliant crystal blue. A mostly flat path runs along the water’s edge — perfect for a relaxed walk.

Just be aware that it can be quite windy up there and noticeably colder than in Santiago. You can only reach the reservoir by car or on a guided tour — there are no public buses.

Guided tour to Embalse el Yeso from Santiago

Cerro El Carbón

Want some mountain scenery without a long drive? No problem. Santiago has several other hills to hike beyond Cerro San Cristóbal.

Cerro El Carbón is a great option. Located in the northeast of the city, it sits about 700 meters above the urban sprawl below — and the views from the top are spectacular.

The trail is 3.8 kilometers long. You’ll need solid stamina and good footing — it’s steep, and the dry ground makes the path slippery in places.

From central Santiago, take Line 405 from Plaza Italia to Avenida Vitacura/Vespucio, then transfer to Line C22 to Puente Centenario. The stop is right at the trailhead.

Where to Stay in Santiago de Chile

Finding a hotel in a good — and above all, safe — location really matters in Santiago. That’s why we’ve put together a dedicated article on the best neighborhoods and hotel tips in Santiago de Chile.

Getting Around Santiago de Chile

With a population of around 5.5 million, public transportation is simply unavoidable in Santiago. We’d strongly advise against renting a car in the city during your Chile road trip.

You can walk around individual neighborhoods easily enough, but getting between districts on foot is just too far.

Metro in Santiago de Chile

The metro is the fastest and easiest way to get around Santiago — super straightforward to figure out even on your first day.

There’s only one type of ticket: the BIP card. You can buy one at any metro station for 1,550 CLP (about $2) — cash only. You then load money onto the card, also at metro stations and also cash only.

To enter the system, hold the BIP card up to a scanner. This deducts 600–800 CLP — less than a dollar — with the exact amount depending on the time of day (peak hours cost more).

Your ride gives you 120 minutes and lets you transfer to any other metro line within that window.

The metro operates during the following hours:

• Monday through Friday: 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM (last entry at 11 PM)
• Saturday: 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM
• Sundays and public holidays: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Santiago currently has seven metro lines. You’ll likely spend most of your time on Line 1, which runs past many of the city’s top points of interest. Find more details about the metro on the official Red website.

Buses in Santiago de Chile

If your destination isn’t on the metro, the bus is a solid alternative. Board at the front near the driver and tap your BIP card on the scanner. Bus rides always cost 700 CLP.

Important: You can transfer between buses without paying again. However, switching between a bus and the metro (in either direction) will charge you twice.

Cycling in Santiago

Believe it or not, cycling in Santiago is genuinely enjoyable. The city has a growing network of bike lanes that are increasingly well used.

Note: Chile has a mandatory helmet law for cyclists. At Parque Metropolitano, for example, you won’t be allowed in without one.

Itaú rental bikes are available across the city. How to use them is explained on the Itaú website (unfortunately in Spanish only).

Weather in Santiago de Chile

Santiago’s climate is comparable to Sicily or Andalusia — hot summers, mild winters. February is the hottest month, and the city can feel almost unbearably warm then.

The climate is generally very dry, and rain is fairly rare year-round.

We recommend visiting from March through May or October through December. Those months give you pleasantly warm weather without the summer heat.

Since your Chile trip will probably take you beyond Santiago, check out our article on the best time to visit Chile.

Crime in Santiago de Chile

Wondering whether Santiago de Chile is safe? We can put your mind at ease: yes, Santiago is a safe travel destination. That said, it’s definitely more dangerous than cities like Berlin or Cologne, so it’s worth keeping a few safety pointers in mind.

During the day, you can comfortably explore all the neighborhoods and areas covered in this article. As always, keep an eye on your belongings.

At night, avoid the city center and Bellavista. We generally recommend taking the metro, Uber, or a taxi after dark rather than walking. Providencia and Las Condes are the only areas that stay reasonably safe at night.

Santiago also has lower-income neighborhoods known in Chile as Población. As a tourist, you’re unlikely to wander into these areas — they tend to be on the outskirts — but it’s good to be aware.

For more detail on staying safe in Chile, check out our article on safety in Chile.