Things to Do in Santiago (Chile)

I will be honest with you. When I landed in Santiago, I expected a quick stop before heading to Patagonia. A place to sleep, a good meal, and out. Three weeks later I was still there, and I kept finding reasons to stay. Santiago surprised me. It folds the Andes right into the city, and you can ride a cable car to a mountain top in the morning and walk a cobbled colonial plaza in the afternoon. Here is what I actually did, and what I would do again.

Ride the Cable Car to the Top of Cerro San Cristobal

No trip to Santiago feels complete without looking down at the whole city from above. I took the cable car from the base of Parque Metropolitano, and the ride itself was almost as good as the view. The car climbs the green slope of Cerro San Cristobal while the city spreads out below, flat and framed by the snowy peaks behind it. At the top stands a big white statue of the Virgin Mary, and the terrace offers a 360 degree view across the sprawl. I went just before sunset and watched the light turn golden over the Andes. Budget an afternoon. There is a funicular on the west side too, and I found the whole thing, cable car, park, and viewpoint, easy on the wallet.

Wander Plaza de Armas and the Historic Center

Plaza de Armas is the beating heart of the old city, and I spent a happy hour just watching people there. That area has been the core of Santiago since the Spanish founded it in 1541, so the history runs deep. I walked from the plaza toward the Catedral Metropolitana, then on to the Palacio de la Moneda, the presidential palace. The changing of the guard happens every other day at about 10 in the morning, and I caught it on my third try. The square felt safe in daylight, full of families, chess players, and fruit sellers, and it gave me the best feel for daily life in the capital.

Eat Fresh Seafood at Mercado Central

The Mercado Central is a beautiful iron and glass building from the 1870s, and it is where I had one of my best meals in Chile. Vendors hawk piles of fresh fish, and the cook counters around the edge turn it into lunch on the spot. I sat down and asked for the local specialty, a rich seafood stew called caldillo de congrio, and it came loaded with eel, tomato, and potato. It was warm, filling, and cheap. I went back twice. If you like markets, pair this with the fruit and craft stalls at Mercado La Vega a few blocks north, though go there in the morning while the stalls are lively.

Climb the Viewpoint at Santa Lucia Hill

Santiago hides a small castle atop Santa Lucia Hill, right in the middle of downtown, and most travelers walk right past it. I climbed the stone steps through gardens and fountains to the Paseo Bulnes viewpoint near the top. From there I could see the Andes in one direction and downtown towers in the other. The hill is small and free, so I used it as a quick escape from the streets below. Bring water, because the stairs get you breathing hard even on a cool day.

Stroll the Artsy Barrios

After the museums, I wanted color, and I found it in Barrios Lastarria, Bellavista, and Italia. Lastarria is my pick for a relaxed afternoon. I browsed little bookshops, stopped for a coffee and a slice of cake, and watched street performers near the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo. In the evening I crossed into Bellavista for dinner and a drink on a leafy terrace. The houses there are painted in bright blues, oranges, and greens, and the whole area buzzes after dark. Barrio Italia is quieter and full of vintage shops if you want to shop without the crowds.

See the City by Fun Bike Tour

I am not usually a tour person, but a bike ride changed my mind. I joined a morning ride that took me along the river, through cycling lanes in the parks, and up to a viewpoint in Providencia. It beat the bus because I could stop whenever something caught my eye. Santiago is flatter than the mountain scenery suggests, and warm afternoons made the ride easy. If you prefer a slower pace, the hop-on hop-off bus covers the same highlights and lets you jump off to walk a neighborhood.

Spend a Day in the Andes at Cajon del Maipo

The best thing I did in Santiago happened an hour and a half outside it. I booked a day trip to Cajon del Maipo, a dramatic river valley in the Andes. We stopped at a lookout over the turquoise Embalse El Yeso reservoir and walked a short trail beneath rock walls and waterfalls. You feel far from the city even though you are not far at all. If you have energy left, a hike to the El Morado viewpoint gives you a classic postcard scene of the peaks. In winter I hear ski resorts like Valle Nevado are a short drive too, but I visited in summer and the valley was perfect for hiking.

Practical Tips From My Trip

A few things helped me enjoy Santiago without stress. The metro is clean, cheap, and easy, so grab a transit card at the station. I also carried cash, since a few market stalls do not take cards. Safety is fine in the central barrios during the day, but I stayed alert in crowded spots and kept my phone in my pocket at night. For altitude, most visitors are fine, but drink water the first day. Finally, pack layers. I sweated at noon downtown and reached for a jacket by evening when the wind came down off the Andes.

Santiago does not shout. It waits for you to look closer.