Santiago

Day Trips

Arrive at Santiago’s international airport and transfer to your accommodation in the city center to settle in and freshen up. Unpack your bags and take a moment to plan your first explorations over a coffee in a nearby café. Feel the anticipation of the adventure ahead as you get oriented to the neighborhood.

Head to Plaza de Armas to admire the Metropolitan Cathedral and wander through colonial arcades while absorbing the historic ambiance. Continue to the Museo Histórico Nacional to gain context on Chile’s journey from pre-Columbian times to independence. Pause for a light snack at a street-side empanada stand.

Dine at Mercado Central, sampling the freshest seafood and local specialties while watching fishermen unload their catch. Savor a glass of Chilean white wine as you enjoy lively market atmosphere. Finish the evening with a leisurely stroll along the Mapocho River promenade.

Begin with a strong cortado at a café overlooking Plaza de la Constitución. Witness the guard change at La Moneda presidential palace and take a guided tour of its impressive halls. Marvel at the blend of neoclassical and modern architecture.

Climb Cerro Santa Lucía’s landscaped terraces to enjoy panoramic city views and explore hidden grottoes. Discover the 19th-century fortifications and read inscriptions that tell tales of colonial defenses. Pause at a shaded bench to admire the gardens.

Head to Barrio Lastarria for dinner at a cozy bistro offering Chilean fusion cuisine. Stroll through pedestrian alleys lined with street art and pop-up galleries. Cap off the night with artisanal gelato and live street performances.

Take the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal to soak in sweeping vistas over Greater Santiago. Pose by the iconic Virgin Mary statue and wander the park’s winding pathways among eucalyptus trees. Enjoy fresh fruit juices from a mountaintop kiosk.

Explore Bellavista’s colorful streets, stopping at La Chascona—Pablo Neruda’s quirky city home—to learn about his poetic life. Browse independent galleries showcasing local artists and pick up a unique souvenir. Sip on a craft beer at a neighborhood microbrewery.

Experience Bellavista’s vibrant nightlife with live music venues hosting everything from jazz to indie rock. Dine at a trendy restaurant specializing in sustainable, farm-to-table dishes. End the night with a nightcap on a rooftop terrace overlooking illuminated cityscapes.

Depart early for Maipo Valley to arrive at Concha y Toro before the crowds. Enjoy a guided vineyard tour, learning about iconic wines like Casillero del Diablo. Sample reds and whites while admiring rolling grapevines.

Travel to a boutique family-run winery for a gourmet lunch paired with estate-produced Cabernet Sauvignon. Chat with the winemaker about organic practices and cellar aging techniques. Relax under the shade of century-old eucalyptus trees.

Return to Santiago in time for sunset views from a rooftop bar in the city’s financial district. Savor a final glass of Chilean Carménère as the skyline lights come on. Reflect on the day’s discoveries while enjoying light tapas and live guitar melodies.

Set out before dawn for the Andes foothills, arriving at Cajón del Maipo to join a guided hike up the El Morado Glacier trail. Breathe in crisp mountain air as you navigate rocky switchbacks. Pause at high-altitude viewpoints to photograph snow-capped peaks.

Enjoy a riverside picnic by the glacial river, sampling local cheeses and fresh bread. Descend to natural hot springs for a rejuvenating soak amid soaring granite walls. Capture reflections of the surrounding peaks in steamy thermal pools.

Return to Santiago for a hearty dinner of cazuela—a traditional Chilean stew with fresh vegetables and tender meat. Warm up by recounting highlights of the high-altitude trek over a mug of spiced cinnamon tea. Drift off early after a full day of mountain adventures.

Drive out to the Pacific coast to explore Valparaíso’s vibrant seaport streets. Ride the historic Ascensor Concepción funicular up to panoramic miradores. Snap photos of brightly painted façades and ocean-dotted harbor.

Wander through Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción’s bohemian lanes, popping into art studios and cafés. Visit La Sebastiana, another of Neruda’s eclectic homes, perched on a steep hillside. Sample a seafood empanada at a local market stand.

Head to neighboring Viña del Mar for a relaxed seaside dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Stroll along the flower clock and watch waves crash under lamplight. Return to Santiago–the coastal breeze still lingering in your hair.

Start at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art to discover ancient sculptures, textiles, and ceramics. Learn about indigenous cultures from the Pacific coast to the Andean highlands. Reflect on artifacts in the museum’s serene atrium.

Walk through Parque Forestal’s tree-lined paths to the Museo de Bellas Artes, admiring classical and contemporary Chilean works. Spread a blanket for a casual picnic under century-old plane trees. Watch joggers and families pass by in the golden light.

Dine at a chic Lastarria restaurant known for creative seafood dishes and inventive cocktails. After dinner, explore underground speakeasy bars hidden behind unmarked doors. Sample craft gin infusions infused with native fruits.

Dive into Mercado Central’s bustling fish market to sample ceviche and chupe de mariscos. Chat with vendors about sustainable fishing practices and catch-of-the-day specialties. Sip on a fresh grapefruit juice tossed with mint.

Head to La Vega Central for a riot of color and aroma among fruit stalls and spice vendors. Taste exotic tropical fruits like lúcuma and chirimoya, then browse the cheese and cured meat counters. Pick up fresh empanadas for a mid-afternoon snack.

Join a local cooking class in a home kitchen where you learn to prepare pebre, pastel de choclo, and mote con huesillo. Swap stories with your hosts about Chilean culinary traditions. Enjoy the fruits of your labor in a convivial dinner setting.

Wander Avenida Nueva Providencia’s chic boutiques to discover handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and leather goods. Chat with designers about their creative inspirations and sustainable practices. Treat yourself to a freshly brewed specialty coffee.

Visit the artisan fair at Parque Bustamante to browse ceramics, woodwork, and hand-woven baskets. Participate in a quick pottery or weaving demonstration. Refuel with a gourmet sandwich from a nearby food truck.

Attend a theater or contemporary dance performance at Teatro Mori, engaging with Santiago’s dynamic arts scene. Head to a stylish cocktail lounge to sample pisco sours made with exotic fruit infusions. Wind down by the river under fairy-light bridges.

Ascend to the Sky Costanera observation deck for a final, breathtaking panorama of Santiago and the Andes beyond. Capture sunrise hues washing over the cityscape. Reflect on the week’s adventures with a hot coffee at the top.

Enjoy a leisurely brunch at a café in Parque Bicentenario, watching swans glide on the pond. Take a last stroll through gardens dotted with native wildflowers and sculptures. Browse the park’s weekend artisan stalls for a final souvenir.

Dine at a rooftop bar in the financial district, raising a toast as the sun sets behind the mountains. Savor a multicourse tasting menu highlighting Chile’s diverse seasonal ingredients. Bid farewell to Santiago’s skyline as it lights up against the night sky.