Things to do in Santiago: local guide

The story

Understanding Santiago

edro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541 at the foot of Cerro Santa Lucía, which Indigenous peoples called Huelén. The colonial city grew around the Plaza de Armas, then spread east to the foothills of the Andes.

Santiago is now a metropolis of several million people, but it is best experienced by neighbourhood: Lastarria and its museums, Bellavista and Pablo Neruda’s house, Providencia and its leafy avenues. Climb Cerro San Cristóbal to take in the city, and keep a day for the vineyards or the coast at Valparaíso.

Find your bearings

A neighbourhood for every mood

Lastarria & Bellas Artes

For a central first stay: museums, cafés, Cerro Santa Lucía and the metro nearby. Lively in the evening, pleasant on foot.

Providencia

For a residential, safe area well served by metro line 1. Varied restaurants and easy access to Bellavista and downtown.

Bellavista

For nightlife, murals and the foot of Cerro San Cristóbal. Noisy at weekends: choose accommodation a little away from the bar streets.

Las Condes & Vitacura

For a business or very quiet stay, near the Gran Torre Costanera. Modern and safe, but further from the historic centre.

Explore the neighbourhood guides

A first visit

Two days to get a feel for the city

A starting point to adapt to the weather, your energy and opening hours.

Day 1 · Historic centre & cerros
Morning at the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. Lunch at the Mercado Central or La Vega. Afternoon in Lastarria and on Cerro Santa Lucía. Dinner in the neighbourhood.
Day 2 · Bellavista & the view
Morning at La Chascona, then the Cerro San Cristóbal funicular or cable car. Afternoon in Providencia and Barrio Italia. End at the top of the Gran Torre Costanera at sunset, on a clear day.

Plan my stay with UGO

Conditions vary by street, time and situation. Use these pointers to plan your journeys.

Phone snatching

Bag and phone snatching are common downtown, around the Plaza de Armas, the markets and on the metro. Keep your phone away in the street and don’t leave it on a café table.

Gouvernement du Canada — Chili

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place regularly, especially around Plaza Baquedano (Plaza Italia). Move away from gatherings: they can escalate quickly.

Earthquakes

Chile is highly seismic. During a quake, take cover under sturdy furniture, away from windows, and follow official instructions.

SENAPRED — protection civile

Back to Santiago

Santiago

Understanding Santiago

A neighbourhood for every mood

Lastarria & Bellas Artes

Providencia

Bellavista

Las Condes & Vitacura

Two days to get a feel for the city

Day 1 · Historic centre & cerros

Day 2 · Bellavista & the view

Good to know

Language

Currency & tipping

Getting around

Safety

Phone snatching

Demonstrations

Earthquakes

Airport

Seasons

Alcohol

Emergencies

Booking