A panoramic view of a city with mountains in the background
South AmericaCultureCityMountains

Santiago

City plazas and Andean mountain trips

Plan with AISee the 1 itineraryPhoto by Mauricio Farias on Unsplash
Best timeSeptember to November for mild spring weather.
Typical trip length4 days
On travli1 itinerary
Getting aroundMetro and walking in central Santiago; buses to the Andes.
CurrencyChilean peso; credit cards accepted in most places.

About Santiago

Santiago spreads across a valley with the Andes rising sharply to the east. The city center holds landmarks such as La Moneda Palace and Plaza de Armas. Bellavista and Lastarria provide lively streets with museums and markets. San Cristóbal Hill offers views over the urban grid.

Travelers use the city as a base for trips into the mountains. Sites like Embalse El Yeso lie within reach for day outings. This suits a trip that mixes urban exploration with outdoor time in the cordillera.

Why travelers love it

La Moneda PalaceLa Moneda Palace is the seat of Chile's president in central Santiago.Plaza de Armas, SantiagoMain square in Santiago's historic center, bordered by the cathedral and colonial buildings.Santa Lucía HillSanta Lucía Hill is a central park with paths and viewpoints over Santiago.Pre-Columbian Art MuseumThe Pre-Columbian Art Museum holds artifacts from ancient American cultures in Santiago's historic center.San Cristóbal HillSan Cristóbal Hill rises above Bellavista and provides wide views across Santiago.BellavistaBellavista is a bohemian neighbourhood in Santiago known for street art and cultural sites.

Top attractions

La Moneda Palace
MonumentLa Moneda PalaceSantiago, Chile
Plaza de Armas, Santiago
MonumentPlaza de Armas, SantiagoSantiago, Chile
Santa Lucía Hill
ViewpointSanta Lucía HillSantiago, Chile
Pre-Columbian Art Museum
MuseumPre-Columbian Art MuseumSantiago, Chile
San Cristóbal Hill
ViewpointSan Cristóbal HillSantiago, Chile
Bellavista
NeighbourhoodBellavistaSantiago, Chile
Lastarria
NeighbourhoodLastarriaSantiago, Chile
La Chascona
MuseumLa ChasconaSantiago, Chile
Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago
CathedralMetropolitan Cathedral of SantiagoSantiago, Chile
Mercado Central de Santiago
MarketMercado Central de SantiagoSantiago, Chile
Embalse El Yeso
ViewpointEmbalse El YesoSantiago, Chile
Cerro Alegre
NeighbourhoodCerro AlegreSantiago, Chile

1 Santiago itinerary

Santiago, Chile
Santiago, ChileSantiago & the Andes4 days · By travli

Santiago questions

Do I need to book La Moneda Palace ahead?

Book the free tour online the day before. Slots fill by midday during high season.

How do I get from Santiago to Cajón del Maipo?

Take the bus from Terminal Ohiggins or book a tour with transport. The ride takes 90 minutes.

Is one day enough for Valparaíso?

Yes. Start at 8:30 and use funiculars to cover Cerro Alegre and La Sebastiana.

How much does the cable car to San Cristóbal Hill cost?

Round-trip tickets cost about 4000 CLP. Buy them at the Bellavista base station.