what to see in santiago chile in 3 days
Have yous ever thought of planning a trip to Chile? Fifty-fifty among adventurous travelers, Republic of chile is often disregarded for more than pop countries like Peru, Brazil, or Argentina. If you've made it to this postal service, you're smarter than that – you want to know how to visit Santiago, and I'g here to aid.
Santiago is the capital of Chile, the biggest city which is abode to seven million people. It is in the interior, away from the Pacific Coast, and near the Andes on Chile'south western edge. Information technology's a nifty base of operations for exploring more of Republic of chile or making a terminate on a multi-urban center bout of Southward America.
I spent five days in Santiago in early 2019, traveling with friends and beau travel bloggers. We explored the best Santiago has to offering, including top neighborhoods, fascinating museums, and strolling through the city'southward dark-green spaces. In this post y'all'll detect everything y'all need to know to program a three-day itinerary in Santiago, and I'm happy to respond whatsoever questions you have in the comments.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if y'all make a booking after clicking on these links, I may earn a minor committee (at no additional cost to you).
The Best Things to See & Do in Santiago
Contents
- The Best Things to See & Exercise in Santiago
- Plaza de Arma
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- San Cristóbal Hill
- Santa Lucía Colina
- La Moneda Palace
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
- Museo de la Memoria y Derechos Humanos
- Vega Markets
- Wine Tasting
- La Piojera
- Where to Stay in Santiago
- Hotels in Santiago
- Airbnbs in Santiago
- Getting Effectually Santiago
- Public Transit in Santiago
- Other Transit Options
- A 3-Day Itinerary for Santiago
- Day 1: Exploring Santiago's All-time
- Twenty-four hours 2: Wine Tasting Tour
- Twenty-four hours iii: Chilean Civilisation & Santiago Sights
Obviously, this list isn't meant to be a comprehensive listing of everything you lot can do in Santiago – it'south a select list of what I remember you shouldn't miss.
Plaza de Arma
The Plaza de Armas is the central foursquare in Santiago. It has a very European vibe, a symmetrical set of paths and benches with palms and leafy copse that provide shade to different areas throughout the day. Around the square, there are administrative buildings, restaurants and cafes, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You can besides stop at the STGO letters for a selfie.
Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral is the almost auspicious building on the Plaza de Armas, and information technology's worth a terminate in even if yous aren't a practicing religious person. The Metropolitan Cathedral is much like European cathedrals, with a beautifully painted ceiling, statues, and alcoves throughout the church.
The Cathedral is a vital function of life for many Santiaguinos and it'due south one of the tiptop sights in the metropolis. The Metropolitan Cathedral is open to the public and free. If there's a mass going on, you can only access the side aisles of the cathedral and should be respectful and quiet.
San Cristóbal Loma
San Cristóbal Hill is the biggest hill in central Santiago; it'southward easy to walk here and explore the hill for a whole day if yous choose to. Some of the most popular spots in the urban center are on San Cristóbal Hill, including the popular funicular which takes you up and down the loma. You can visit the Chilean National Zoo and a Japanese-style garden which are too on the colina. It can get quite hot on San Cristóbal Colina in the afternoons, so this is a bang-up place to start the day, or to sentinel sunset.
Riding the funicular upward San Cristóbal Colina is an piece of cake style to become a panoramic view of Santiago, too. Y'all'll need to queue upward at the bottom of the hill to access the funicular, and tickets are 1500 CLP ($ii.25) per person one style.
As well on San Cristóbal Colina, you can visit the Sanctuary and statue of the Immaculate Conception. This open up-air church building is nearby the statue to the Virgin Mary which is visible atop the colina from around Santiago.
Santa Lucía Loma
Santa Lucía Hill is the other colina in the Santiago expanse; it's really an ancient, dormant volcano! This is an piece of cake hill to walk up from several sides, and there are good views and some fascinating buildings atop the hill. You tin can climb to the tower at the fort atop the colina, or sit down in the shade near the Neptune fountain listening to the h2o playing. At that place's as well a Japanese garden.
It can also get pretty warm on Santa Lucía Hill besides, so program accordingly if y'all're going to climb the loma.
La Moneda Palace
La Moneda is the presidential palace which was rebuilt after the previous i was bombed in the 1973 coup. The building is a neoclassical-style building with a plaza on one side and a massive water puddle on the other. Underneath the pool, you tin visit the cultural center, which houses exhibits on Chilean and South American history. If you lot don't want to pay to go inside La Moneda, it's worth walking around every bit role of a stroll through central Santiago.
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino isn't big, merely information technology's filled with the most all-encompassing collection of Southern and Cardinal American indigenous art I've ever seen. The exhibits are also presented in a respectful and elegant manner; it treats these pieces as art despite their variety and age.
My favorite exhibit by far was Chile ante Chile (Republic of chile Earlier Chile) which is located on the clandestine floor. The low lighting and drinking glass cases create a somber ambiance that underscores how these artifacts tell the stories of Chile. The upper level has a serial of galleries from unlike regions of the Americas, which demonstrate the different materials and styles of craft. At that place'south too an open court with some special exhibits off to the side, including one for children and families.
Admission is 7000 CLP ($10.60) for non-Chilean nationals.
Museo de la Memoria y Derechos Humanos
Santiago is home to many museums, and the Museo de la Memoria y Derechos Humanos (Museum of Memory and Human being Rights) is the other ane I consider a must-visit if you lot're making a trip. Be warned: this isn't a museum that volition necessarily make you feel cheery when you leave.
The Museo documents the victims of human rights violations during the Pinochet government between 1973 and 1990, and every bit y'all might imagine, it's heavy cloth. You lot'll walk away with a much deeper understanding of a dark chapter in Chilean history, and the museum serves as a fashion of holding the state answerable to never permit that happen again.
Vega Markets
If yous dearest nutrient or local markets, the Vega markets – Vega Key and La Vega Chica – should definitely be on your list. Vega Central is a massive traditional market, full of nutrient and goods stalls. Y'all tin can buy fresh produce, meat cut by the butchers before your eyes, spices and ingredients, and a variety of homegoods. There's also a small nutrient market with a couple restaurants and a seating area.
La Vega Chica has more food vendors, if you lot're willing to weave through the narrow walkways to choose one that catches your eye. Andrew Zimmern lists it amidst his top recommended food spots in Santiago, and I take to agree – this is a top place to find traditional, homestyle Chilean dishes.
My advice? Wander past the stalls, pick one that catches your eye, and signal out what you lot want on the menu. Be prepared to try whatever arrives!
Vino Tasting
Chile is one of the cracking wine countries in the world, fifty-fifty if it doesn't typically make the list with places like California and France. While they take different standards for winemaking and even some different varietals than you'll find elsewhere in the world, Chile'due south long narrow shape and diverse geography (mountainous to coastal) ways they can produce many different types of vino in close proximity.
As such, it's possible to enjoy a lot of unlike types of wine that are all fabricated in Chile. The best bar by far is Bocanariz. Y'all'll need a reservation to go a table, but every server is a sommelier who can walk you lot through the different tasting flights and bottles available. They take tasting plates and a full menu as well, so yous can sample some Chilean dishes or accept dinner depending on your own itinerary (and how much wine you plan to drink!).
If you have the time or an extra day, consider booking a wine tour out of Santiago. The Piffling Wine Bus is a full-day tour that takes you to the Maipo Valley where you can endeavor minor and family vineyards and learn more than about the vine-to-canteen procedure and Chilean wine regions.
La Piojera
La Piojera is considered 1 of Santiago's all-time bars, though information technology's non the 'best' in most of the categories people ordinarily consider (cleanliness, ambiance, quality of drinkable).
What makes La Piojera special is that it's the place to attempt Terremoto, the earthquake. This unusual cocktail has pipeño (fermented wine), piña (pienapple) ice cream, fernet, and grenadine, and is one of the weirdest things I've ever tasted. I'd call it a "Vegemite experience" – you either love it or y'all hate it!
Where to Stay in Santiago
As a major city, you take enough of choices for accommodation in Santiago. Equally I was traveling with friends (and boyfriend travel bloggers), we opted for the flexibility of Airbnbs since nosotros needed the space and wanted to continue the cost of traveling down. Beneath, I've detailed a few options that might work depending on your budget and plans.
Hotels in Santiago
Here are a few hotels that defenseless my eye in Santiago. All of these are nether $200 per night, and I went for those that had some personality – and pools!
• Luciano K Hotel – I'yard obsessed with the rooftop spaces, and the rooms look then luxe. From $197 per night; Read reviews on TripAdvisor and book on Booking.com.
• Casa Bueras Bazaar Hotel – Located in a bang-up spot within easy walking altitude of everything I recall you need to see in Santiago. From $159 per dark; Read reviews on TripAdvisor and book on Booking.com.
• ICON Hotel – This might be an accident, but I found rooms here equally low as $107 per nighttime – and yous'll have stunning views from this high-ascent hotel. Read reviews on TripAdvisor and volume on Booking.com.
Airbnbs in Santiago
I know in that location's controversy around Airbnbs, but I personally adopt them. I practice my all-time to stay with local hosts rather than companies listing their holiday rentals on the site. After staying in so many over the years, I've got a expert eye for them. Here are some worth considering:
• Furnished Flat Nigh Recoleta – This is the first flat we stayed in, and it was perfect for our grouping. The view was great, the apartment was spacious, and everything went smoothly. This host has a lot of other properties, and then we booked a second i with him later on in the trip – it was not practiced, and then only book this one if you like it! I can't vouch for any of his others! Sleeps 6, from $24 per dark; book on Airbnb.
• Espacioso Loft Étnico en el Barrio Bellavista – I'm obsessed with Airbnb Plus, and this is the first one that catches my eye. It's in Bellavista, right virtually one of the centers of nightlife. Sleeps three, from $53 per night; book on Airbnb.
• Sophisticated Condo in the Center of Santiago – This is a great affordable option in the heart of Santiago's business core and near most of the major sights. Sleeps ii, from $21 per night; volume on Airbnb.
Getting Around Santiago
Getting around Santiago is downright easy, betwixt the transit system and the technology we at present have available.
Public Transit in Santiago
For public transit in Santiago, y'all have two main options: the Metro de Santiago and the micros (buses). These two are a single transit system, which is handy considering you can transfer betwixt them. At that place are five metro lines and dozens of charabanc routes, and so it's possible to become almost anywhere within fundamental Santiago using public transit.
The cheapest way to employ public transit is with a Tarjeta bip! (beep card). The card costs 1550 CLP (near $2.50) and you tin can reload in denominations of 750 CLP (around $ane.15); most rides are effectually 660 CLP (around $1).
Unfortunately, the aerodrome is not part of the transantiago (Santiago transit organization), you can easily book an airport transfer from other companies like TransVIP (which is what friends and I used).
Other Transit Options
Y'all can definitely grab Ubers or Taxis if you need to get somewhere that isn't hands accessed on the Santiago Metro. There are also airdrome transfer companies which you lot tin arrange in advance or book to go to/from Santiago International Aerodrome.
There's too a number of coach companies that provide ship between major cities throughout Chile. These are chosen interurbanos, or intercity busses.
A 3-Day Itinerary for Santiago
Now you're all set up! You tin can put together the activities and sights y'all're cracking on, plus use transit to become around. Below I've detailed how I would put these together into a three-mean solar day Santiago itinerary.
Day 1: Exploring Santiago's Best
Showtime the morning time at one of the cafes or restaurants surrounding Plaza de Armas, in the heart of the city. You tin sip coffee and people-sentinel equally the urban center wakes up. Afterward, walk to the Metropolitan Cathedral for a quick wait at the sanctuary and the classical fine art. From there, information technology'south a curt walk to La Moneda, the presidential palace. You can go into the cultural middle if you want to spend the remainder of the forenoon in that location. If you lot oasis't yet, be sure to call Bocanáriz to set a dinner reservation.
Later on lunch, head to Santa Lucía Hill and climb to the top. Be sure to bring water and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. From here you'll become a good view of the surrounding area and start to get more oriented to the city as a whole. Once you descend back to street level, head into the Lastarria neighborhood to the west of the Hill. You could enjoy a Pisco sour at Chipe Libre or endeavour the metropolis's most popular ice cream at Heladería Emporio La Rosa.
Caput to Bocanáriz for your reserved dining time. Bask Chilean wine, then a walk back to your hotel or Airbnb through the streets, which are ordinarily quiet and peaceful after sundown.
24-hour interval two: Wine Tasting Bout
Assuming you enjoyed last nighttime's wine, I recommend booking your spot on the Little Vino Bus to the Maipo Valley. This is a total-twenty-four hour period tour (from effectually 9am to 6pm), so information technology takes almost of the solar day.
You'll prepare out from Santiago on the provided ship, and start the mean solar day with brunch at an artist's garden. On our tour, we visited about 5-half dozen wineries, and had lunch at a pocket-sized family restaurant and B&B, and ended the mean solar day at the guide's home where he distills his own pipeño. (What'due south pipeño? Read more than here.)
Dorsum in Santiago later on the tour, y'all might do dinner at Sarita Colonia. I didn't eat here during my trip, and some reviews say information technology is a scrap overpriced, just information technology's got a fun bill of fare and skilful cocktails (if you need 1 last drink for the day!).
Mean solar day 3: Chilean Civilization & Santiago Sights
Start your terminal day in one of Santiago'south museums. I recommend the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino as you can do it within a few hours and it offers a lot of context on Chile and its cultural heritage.
For dejeuner, head to Vega Chica, the nutrient market place in Recoleta neighborhood. At that place are enough of choices, only this is a great risk to try pasteles de choclo or porotos con riendas which are both offered at many restaurants in the market. You can then walk forth the Río Mapocho toward the Belles Artes museum and Bellavista neighborhood.
For the last few hours of daylight, ascend San Cristóbal Colina using the funicular to see the city and sights atop the hill. Once the sun goes down, caput dorsum downwards and eat dinner on your manner to La Piojera for a terremoto. (What's terremoto? Find out here.) After one, you won't desire to do anything else for the night, and can call your trip to Santiago a success!
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Valerie Stimac Bailey of Valerie & Valise grew up in Alaska, then it's no surprise she loves sharing stories from there and the rest of the American Westward. On her weblog, you lot can find resources to accept unforgettable experiences throughout the western U.S. including California, Hawaii, and yes, The Last Frontier.
Source: https://www.thesavvyglobetrotter.com/3-days-in-santiago-itinerary/
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