Santiago Attractions

There are many worthwhile things to see and do in Santiago for travellers. A fantastic way to start familiarising yourself with this vibrant and busy city is to pay a visit to the Plaza de Armas, Santiago's central square. Many of the main attractions of Santiago are in walking distance of this classic colonial meeting space. There are also brilliant walking tours with a group called Spicy Chile who offer three different walks a day to give tourists an introduction to the city. The guides are knowledgeable locals and the tours are free (although tips are expected).

There are a number of small but interesting museums in Santiago, the best of which is the Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art, a must-see for those interested in the ancient cultures of South America. If you are travelling in Santiago with kids then you must pop in to the Museo Interactivo Mirador, a huge interactive museum with lots of educational activities and play areas. Another deservedly popular attraction in Santiago is Pablo Neruda's home: the Nobel-winning poet's house is colourful, eccentric and romantic and worth a visit even if you are not familiar with his poetry. It is called La Chascona, which means Tousled Hair, a name given in honour of his third wife.

San Cristobal Hill is a must for great views of the city and a refreshing dose of greenery and clean air. For not-so-clean air try the Mercado Central seafood market, a bustling street market which offers a massive variety of seafood fresh from the ocean.

Many travellers stop off in Santiago as a base for adventures out in the surrounding mountains; it has become a renowned area for ecotourism and you can take your pick of exciting outdoor activities, including skiing, horese riding, climbing and hiking. If you are looking for a more mellow experience of the beautiful surroundings of Santiago then take a tour of the famous wine country just outside the city.

Cerro San Crist�bal

Cerro San Cristóbal is a 2,752-foot (860m) hill jutting out of Santiago city and on a clear day it affords magnificent…

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Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art

The Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art is housed in the old Royal Customs House in Santiago. The collection is impressively…

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Mercado Central

Santiago's colourful Mercado Central, housed in an 1872 wrought iron structure, has a fruit and vegetable market as well…

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Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas is both the heart of Santiago and the historical centre, a square hemmed in by impressive Spanish…

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Wine Country

Chilean wine enjoys a good reputation with sommeliers all around the world, with its popularity soaring in the last decade.…

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