04/01/2023
SANTIAGO – TOP SITES TO VISIT
Visitors to Santiago will find there is no shortage of exciting activities and attractions in the vast metropolis. The city is unique in that it is possible to enjoy skiing in the nearby Andes mountains and relaxing beachside on the same day. The bustling city is home to museums, theatres, galleries, and other venues of interest. What’s more, nearly all locations throughout the city offer stunning views of the Andes mountain range. The city is full of various cafes, parks, and amazing restaurants, with many located in the area of Mercado Central.
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Parque Metropolitano
This urban park is located amongst the Los Gemelos hills and covers an area of 722 hectares, making it one of the largest in the world. Developed in 1966, the park was renovated between 2012 and 2016 to include new footpaths, the addition of more than 100,000 trees, and an expansion of the National Zoo which is located inside the park. Other attractions within the park include two open-air pools, the Santiago Cable Car, a botanical garden, and a children’s park. The Funicular de Santiago, dating back to 1925, is a National Monument and includes the National Zoo and summit, with two carriages running up and down.
Address: Pío Nono 450, P 2, Recoleta, Región Metropolitana
Phone: +56 2 2730 1409
Operating Hours:
– Monday 6:00am – 8:00pm
– Tuesday 6:00am – 8:00pm
– Wednesday 6:00am – 8:00pm
– Thursday 6:00am – 8:00pm- Friday 6:00am – 8:00pm
– Saturday 6:00am – 8:00pm
– Sunday 6:00am – 8:00pm
Admission Cost:
– FREE
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Plaza de Armas de Santiago
Considered the center of Santiago’s historic district, Plaza de Armas de Santiago is home to various commercial buildings and retail outlets. Visitors can enjoy food stalls serving both Chilean and international delights. One area of the street surrounding the plaza had been dubbed ‘Little Lima’ as it is home to a large number of immigrants from Peru. Remodeled in 2014, the original Plaza was planned at the founding of the capital city in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia. The area has long been the center of various commerce, including playing host to cart vendors in the colonial era, and even used as the location of the city’s gallows at one point.
Address: Pl. de Armas, Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Phone: N/A
Operating Hours: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
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La Chascona
Located in the Barrio Bella Vista district of Santiago, La Chascona is a house that was previously owned by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The unique building style of the house showcases the unique style beloved by Neruda. Currently managed by the Pablo Neruda Foundation, the building is now a popular location with tourists. Construction on the house started in 1953 and includes several original works of art. It had to undergo renovation after Chascona’s death in 1973, during which a military coup caused considerable damage to the house.
Address: Fernando Márquez de La Plata 0192, Santiago, Providencia, Región Metropolitana
Phone: +56 2 2777 8741
Operating Hours:
March to December:
– Monday closed
– Tuesday 10:00am – 6:00pm
– Wednesday 10:00am – 6:00pm
– Thursday 10:00am – 6:00pm
– Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm
– Saturday 10:00am – 6:00pm
– Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm
January and February:
– Monday closed
– Tuesday 10:00am – 7:00pm
– Wednesday 10:00am – 7:00pm
– Thursday 10:00am – 7:00pm
– Friday 10:00am – 7:00pm
– Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm
– Sunday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Admission Cost:
– General admission: $7,000 per person
– Special admission: $2,500 for students and Chileans over 60 years
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Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda
The cultural facility was built between 2004 and 2006 and designed by the Chilean architect Cristián Undurraga. Part of the larger Bicentennial Project, it was developed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Chile’s Republican Life. The center’s purpose is to bring Chilean culture to the forefront of the international stage. Including more than 7,200 square meters of exhibition space and featuring two main exhibition halls, the center is home to a digital library as well as a café, restaurant, and small shop. Free guided tours are available, with the center playing host to regularly changing exhibitions featuring art from across Chile as well as around the world. The inaugural exhibit was focused on Mexican art and featured more than 200 unique pieces of ancient art from Mexico.
Address: Plaza de la Ciudadanía 26 Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Phone: +56 2 2355 6500
Operating Hours:
– Monday closed
– Tuesday 10:00am – 6:30pm
– Wednesday 10:00am – 6:30pm
– Thursday 10:00am – 6:30pm
– Friday 10:00am – 6:30pm
– Saturday 10:00am – 6:30pm
– Sunday 10:00am – 6:30pm
Admission Cost:
– FREE
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Iglesia y Museo de San Francisco
A Franciscan church located in downtown Santiago, the San Francisco Church is built in colonial style and is one of the oldest buildings from Chile’s colonial area in the entire country, having survived 15 earthquakes with a magnitude of over seven. Consecrated in 1622, the building only sustained minor damage in 1647 when an earthquake caused the bell tower to collapse. The updated bell tower was designed in Victorian style and built in the 1800s. It also features a unique clock. The church’s main façade has been rebuilt a total of three times. The interior features a coffered ceiling, of which construction began in 1615.
Address: Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins
Phone: +56 2 2639 8737
Operating Hours:
– Monday 9:30am – 1:00pm; 3:00pm – 6:00pm
– Tuesday 9:30am – 1:00pm; 3:00pm – 6:00pm
– Wednesday 9:30am – 1:00pm; 3:00pm – 6:00pm
– Thursday 9:30am – 1:00pm; 3:00pm – 6:00pm
– Friday 9:30am – 1:00pm; 3:00pm – 6:00pm
– Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm
– Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Admission Cost:
– Students and Seniors: $500
– General public: $1,000
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Cerro Santa Lucía
The Santa Lucía Hill is a small hill located in the Santiago city center. Peaking at an altitude of 629 meters, it is actually the remains of an ancient volcano some 15 million years old. The hill includes a park that comprises 65,300 square meters and is popular with locals and visitors alike for a stunning view of the Santiago skyline. Also located on the hill is Fort Hidalgo, a recently renovated and reopened to the public. The location has been featured in several pop culture references, including The Amazing Race in which competitors have to complete the final leg of the race on the hill at Terraza Neptuno.
Address: Cuadrante delimitado por Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, Santa Lucia, Victoria Subercaseaux y Merced.
Phone: +56 2 23867185
Operating Hours:
– Monday 9:00am – 7:00pm
– Tuesday 9:00am – 7:00pm
– Wednesday 9:00am – 7:00pm
– Thursday 9:00am – 7:00pm
– Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm
– Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm
– Sunday 9:00am – 7:00pm
Admission Cost:
– FREE
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