Travel Guide to Santiago, Chile: Where to Stay and What to Do

In this travel guide, you’ll discover the city of Santiago, Chile, and the best areas to stay in, where to eat, and amazing things to do. Santiago, Chile is one of the top cities I’ve visited in South America. The wine is great, the people are friendly, and the scenery is incredible! Within a day, you can visit the beach and then head to the snowy mountains.

I’ve recommended Santiago to many travellers who are visiting South America for their first trip. This is due to the safety levels, amazing food, and ease of travelling around the area.

Continue reading this travel guide to check out some of the best places to stay, where to eat, and top things to see and do in Santiago, Chile!

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How to Get There

Santiago is home to the busiest airport in Chile, so you’re bound to find a direct flight from most major cities (at least in North America!). You’ll likely fly into Santiago’s airport, Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). This airport is about 17 kilometres from downtown, and is easily commutable by taxi, minibus, airport bus, or Uber. I personally prefer to use Uber everywhere to avoid exchanging cash.

Where to Stay in Santiago

As with any travel destination, you should always research places to stay ahead of time. This is especially critical in most major cities in South America. There are certainly good areas and rougher areas to stay in Santiago, Chile. But, lucky for you, I’ve thrown together some of my top recommended places to stay in Santiago, Chile!

1. Centro Histórico

My favourite place to stay in most South American cities is the Historic District. Centro Histórico in Santiago is no exception to this! There is so much culture and history to experience in this area within walking distance. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars as well! As this area is busier due to all of the nearby attractions, it can be prone to pick pockets, so be careful with your belongings!

2. Providencia

This area is filled with great shopping and amazing food. It is a great place to wander the streets and stop at cafés and local shops that line the streets. The area is a bit quieter and more residential, so you can relax away from the bustling downtown area.

3. Bellavista

This is a hip and quirky area in Santiago, boasting plenty of street entertainers and possibly the city’s best food. At night, the streets are filled with tables outside the bars where locals and tourists grab drinks and make new friends. It is definitely a more rowdy area, but there sure is a lot happening nearby!

Where to Eat in Santiago

Chilean cuisine is filled with different kinds of meats and also plenty of seafood as the country borders the ocean. There’s the popular dish, Curanto, which is a stew made of meat, seafood, and veggies. There’s my favourite, empanadas! And of course, there’s incredible wine all throughout the country.

1. Emporio Zunino

Emporio Zunino is my choice for amazing empanadas around the city. While it is true you can find great empanadas from street food stalls around the city, they can definitely be a hit or miss! My favourite is the cheese empanada, but this shop serves up many different varieties to try!

2. Ocean Pacific’s

This restaurant is highly rated in Santiago for it’s big variety (and delicious!) seafood. The entire restaurant is ocean themed and has quite interesting decor. Walking through the restaurant is an unusual experience, but the food is fantastic!

3. El Huerto

I had to add this one as it is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Santiago. They have a diverse and exciting menu, from great salsa and hummus to taco plates and falafels. Even people who are very carnivorous have enjoyed eating here!

Top Things to See and Do in Santiago

1. Visit the beautiful Santa Lucí Hill and find amazing views of the city

This hilltop park attracts visitors due to the beautiful views of the city. The park also boasts interesting architecture and well manicured gardens. It offers an easy walk up the hill, but views that do not disappoint!

2. Admire the architecture and statues at Plaza de Armas

This historical plaza is the main square of Santiage, and is surrounded by buildings with incredible architecture. It is filled with plenty of statues, and is a great place to get a walking or bike tour from.

3. Visit Central Market

A visit to Santiago isn’t complete without grabbing a bite to eat at Central Market (Mercado Central). People say it is one of the best markets in South America and even the building is considered a historical landmark! The market is filled with seafood restaurants that are both affordable and delicious! There’s also plenty of souvenir shops to explore in between snacks.

4. Hike up San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic city views

Who doesn’t love panoramic city views?! The hike to the top takes about 30-60 minutes, or you can opt to take a taxi to the hill entrance at the top. Once you are at the top though, you’ll find amazing views of the city. You can even catch a sunset in the areas as well!

5. Take a day trip to Maipo Canyon

To this day, I obsess about my incredible day trip to Maipo Canyon (Cajon del Maipo). It was quite memorable due to it’s beauty, but also because I embarrassingly forgot to bring a jacket to the snow-covered area in winter. Here, you will find incredible views of the valley and have the option to relax in hot springs!

6. Indulge in wine in one of the nearby wineries

My favourite wine to this day is from a winery I visited in Chile. I took a tour to the Maipo Valley and visited Santa Rita winery. The winery grounds are beautiful – mountains and well cared for gardens surround the entire winery. The tour guides were very informative about the wine and the area, and the wine tastings were phenomenal!

7. Visit the zoo

The zoo in Santiago is inexpensive, and a great idea for things to do on a lazy day in the city. There are many different species of animals, from birds to large cats. A bit of warning though – some cages are quite small for the animals and can be a bit sad.

8. Learn about Chile’s history in one of the many museums

I love to visit local museums when I’m exploring cities – it is the best way to absorb as much history all at once! Among the best museums in Santiago, Chile are Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, and the National Museum of History.

9. Relax and have a picnic in one of the city’s parks

After long days of hiking, eating too much, and spending a bit too much money, it is nice to relax in a local park and have a picnic. Stop by a local cafe or a grocery store to pick up some sandwiches, wine, and snacks and enjoy your time in one of the beautiful parks!

10. Shop til you drop at the outlet mall

After catching a bite to eat, you can visit the large outlet mall of Arauco Buenaventura Premium Outlet, located close to downtown. Here, you can find great discounts on many known brandname stores and local fashion. I even heard someone say it was the best outlet mall in South America!

11. Take a day trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

A travel guide to Santiago, Chile wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the must-visit beach cities! A day trip’s distance away are the beautiful beach cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. They are located nearby each other on the coast, so you can definitely visit both in the same day! In Valparaiso, you can find colourful buildings and winding streets to adventure through and find fantastic views of the water. Viña del Mar boasts beautiful beaches and large green areas.

What are your top things to see and do in Santiago, Chile that you would add to this travel guide? Let me know in the comments!

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