Santiago is a modern capital with the Andes on its skyline, world-class wine valleys on its doorstep and Valparaiso's colorful port a short drive away. Spring and autumn are most comfortable.
Good to know
- Visit the Andean viewpoints on clear days after rain, when the air is cleanest.
- Valparaiso's hills are steep; use the funiculars and wear sturdy shoes.
- Dinner starts late, around 9pm.
Eat this
Places the planner can use
Mark places as a must or something to skip. The itinerary is built only from this list; ★ marks the destination’s highlights.
Historic main square with the cathedral, post office and street life.
Wrought-iron market hall with fresh seafood restaurants and fish stalls.
Presidential palace with changing of the guard and a cultural center in the basement.
Collection spanning thousands of years of art and craft from Americas cultures.
Funicular up a hill with a statue of the Virgin and views across the city to the Andes.
Moving museum on human rights violations during the Pinochet era.
Cobbled lanes of cafes, bookshops and bars, with Neruda's Santiago house nearby.
Hillside port of murals and funiculars, with Neruda's house La Sebastiana, 90 minutes away.
Garden city with beaches and a flower clock, often paired with Valparaiso.
Coastal vineyards producing sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, an hour from the city.
June to September skiing 90 minutes from Santiago.