As the largest and capital city of Chile, you can bet that there are some fantastic things to do in Santiago. Many of the best sites have a historic flair to them that make them interesting and unique.
Here are the best things to do in Santiago.
Unmissable things to do in Santiago
How do these rankings work?
1. San Cristóbal Hill
The statue of the Virgin Mary lies on top of San Cristobal Hill and is one of the best spots to visit in Santiago. From the top of San Cristobal Hill, you will be able to see some amazing views of Santiago below you.
If you’re in Santiago and no matter your religion, a visit to San Cristobal Hill is a must.
2. Centro Gabriela Mistral
The Centro Gabriela Mistral is a performing arts centre that often has cultural performances and concerts. Named after Chilean poet, Gabriela Mistral, who became the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
If you want to get a sense of Chilean arts and performances, ingratiate yourself to the locals and swing by here.
3. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino is a museum that showcases art from pre-Columbian cultures. This is the best museum in Santiago and you’ll find some amazing historical artefacts here including stone columns from the Mayans and magnificent pottery.
The amount of ancient artefacts that are on display in this museum makes it a worthwhile visit in Santiago.
4. Explore the Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the largest city square in Santiago and lies in the heart of city centre. This plaza has been around since the mid 16th-century and many historical buildings surround this square.
Come here to enjoy the main square atmosphere and check out some of the restaurants and historic buildings around the square.
5. Sky Costanera
Go way up in Santiago to Sky Costanera and catch the best and highest views of Santiago. At around 1,000 feet above the ground, the observatory here is the highest in South America.
Take the two-minute elevator ride up to the observatory deck where you will be met with panoramic Santiago views.
6. Go for a Winery Tour
In case you didn’t know, Chile is the largest producer of wines in the South American region thanks to their perfect climate that is right for harvesting grapes. Visiting a winery is a must and with so many wineries nearby, choosing one should not be hard.
We’ve made it easy for you and suggest you visit Viña Cousiño Macul for some great Chilean wines.
7. Visit a Market
Santiago also has quite a few markets (ferias) that each offer different things. Many of the ferias target tourists and offer lots of souvenirs and hand-made trinkets to bring back home.
The best market to visit in Santiago is Mercado Central. It is Santiago’s biggest and best market and National Geographic ranks it as the 5th best market in the world!
