Santiago de Chile, Chile’s charming capital, is the ultimate wonderland and one of the most popular destinations to visit in South America. The city keeps its head high in the snow-capped Andes Mountains and deeps its feet in the Pacific Ocean. Housing a vibrant and rich Chilean culture blended with a touch of modern appeal and old-world charms. Besides the ponding surfs and puffing volcanoes, Santiago boasts world-class wineries, beautiful neighbourhoods, steamy hot springs, and a great nightlife that buzzes with energy. Whether you travel on a lavish and luxurious planned budget or a shoestring budget, it is difficult to run out of activities in Santiago. The city will give you a thrilling experience that will be memorable after leaving the wonderland.
Before you jet off for any adventure in Santiago de Chile it is crucial to secure yourself and your companions travel insurance for Chile. With travel insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind and worry-free travel. Travel insurance also helps you mitigate traveling risks and other unforeseen events such as loss of luggage and emergency medical care. World-class travel insurance like Heymondo is a reliable and trustworthy choice that ensures a seamless and electrified travel experience.
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What to do in Santiago de Chile
No matter what kind of experience you are looking for, you are guaranteed to find a slice of that in Santiago de Chile. Here are some sizzling options to kick off your adventures.
Take a free walking tour
One of the unbeatable ways to start out your tour is by taking advantage of free walking tours. A free stroll around the city will help you get acquainted and learn more about the place and probably make new friends. Not only do you get to enjoy the views of the city, but also get to see the cafes, food stands and notice the little details that might be important for your travel.
Visit Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is considers as the true heart of Santiago and the central landmark of Chile. Plaza de armas is one of the most iconic places to take a chill and admire the busy city life. While in the park you’ll get to enjoy live performances, salsa lessons, and streets performances. This gland plaza also features architectural monuments and there always people selling local crafts.
La Chascona
For anyone who enjoys poetry, culture, and telling stories, La Chascona is a must-visit. The architecture of this building served as a hideaway for the Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda and his secret lover. Visitors get to explore and capture the poetic charms written in a quirky way all over the wall by the famous poet Pablo Neruda.
Explore the Bellavista neighborhood
Bellavista is a cultural neighborhood where the intellectuals, artists, entertainers, and the wealthy live. It is the happiest neighbourhood in the city, and famous for its fun night life. During the day you can explore the fancy boutiques, restaurants, avant-garde galleries, and fantastic street arts.
Enjoy the culture fix at the National Museum of Fine Arts
Get to immerse yourself amongst the 3,000 crafts and artwork in the National Museum of Fine Art. The dignified gallery showcases some of the most notable artists in Chile and in South America.
Enjoy a seafood lunch at Mercado Central
Mercado Central is the busiest market in Santiago and was founded in 1872. This busy central market bazaar provides some of the best seafood, fresh produce, and souvenirs. As you stroll around the market, you’ll get to interact with the small vendors and get to taste local flavors. You could also collect flowers to make your experience more memorable as you indulge in the scrumptious lunch.
Go skiing and enjoy the views of Valle Nevado
Valle Nevado is a resort located on the El Plomo downlands of the Andes Mountains and is 46 km to the east side of Santiago, the capital of Chile. Valle Navedo is the most famous skiing and snowboarding resort in Santiago. If you are a lover of snowboarding and skiing, this is the best spot for you. Whether you are an expert in skiing or a beginner, Valle Nevado has a package for everyone.
Marvel at the unique Sky Costanera tower
Sky Costanera is the tallest building in Latin America, offering a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint at 300 meters high. The tower gives a spectacular view of the city and gives you a chance to look down at the local life of people in a breathtaking view. There’s a café and a bar at the top of the tower where you can try local drinks like pisco sour and syrup as you enjoy the magnificent view.
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
“Museo de la Memoria” is a world-class museum in Santiago. It honors the victims of human rights violations, which was led by Augusto Pinochet during the military dictatorship between 1973 and 1990. Visitors learn about how the military detained and tortured Chileans. You’ll also find haunting accounts of the political imprisonment and military regime in Chile.
Take a trip to Valparaíso
Take a day trip to the multi-colored coastal town of Valparaiso. Valparaiso is a colorful town built on the hills and directly overlooking the sea. Visitors can watch the sea lions on the ocean front, walk up the hills enjoying the view of the sea.
Visit the Chilean president’s seat at La Moneda Palace
If you are into history and politics then “La Moneda Palace” has to be in your to-do list. It was built by an Italian architect known as Joaquin Toesca, and was declared a National Monument in 1951. It serves as the presidential seat making it one of the most pivotal landmarks in Chile.
Visit the Bahai Temple
Whether you are religious or not, do not forget to explore the Bahai Temple. It is a beautiful building that stands in the most natural surroundings of Santiago. A Persian place of worship that promotes peace and unity among the people of Chile. With its modern aesthetic design, it is attractive and is open to people of all religions. While visiting the temple you can take time to meditate, visit the temple garden, or cycle up the hills.
Explore the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is a plateau located on the Pacific coastline of a city in South America. It is the world’s driest desert and the largest fog plateau in the world. The Atacama Desert is Chile’s best travel destination, comprising its saline lake and salt flats, incredible landscape, and soft smoking volcanoes. The landscape is mostly used by NASA for experimentation and to carry out tests of instruments used in outer space. Besides mountaineering and hiking, other activities that can be done in the Atacama desert are paragliding, fat-biking, sand boarding, and off-roading games.
Admire the view from Santa Lucia Hills
Santa Lucia is a small hill at the centre of Santiago that was built in the colonial decade. It comprises a 65,300 square-meter park with stairways, facades and fountains. The park is a historical site that used to be a volcano many years ago. In 1541, Pedro de Valdivia announced the founding of Santiago while at this park. The park offers a fascinating view where travelers can see the capital from its summit. Other than the view, the park also has a few terraces, monuments, and plenty of places to relax and calm your mind down.
Visit Cerro San Cristobal hills
Cerro San Cristobal is one of the most legendary and iconic attraction sites that every visitor should not miss while visiting Santiago. The hills have lush greenery and the iconic statue of the Virgin Mary at its pinnacle, which provides a sublime, serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. To reach the top of the hills, you will be required to hop in a funicular located at the north of the summit. The hills serve as a popular relaxing spot for the locals and tourists.
Is Santiago de Chile good for tourism?
Absolutely yes! Santiago de Chile is a fabulous city with incredible places for travelers to explore. The city is home to notable museums, great parks, booming nightlife, excellent dinning, friendly people and pleasant neighbourhood. The city offers visitors with a wide array of electrifying experiences with a vibrant feel and there a lot of activities for everyone.
What is Santiago best known for?
Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdvia Santiago is the largest and oldest city in South America. It stands out for its rich cultural heritage, stately art galleries, and vibrant street dancing, and it boasts the tallest skyscraper on the continent. The city also has some world-class museums, such as the Museum of National History, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Santiago, and the Cathedral Museum.
How many days do you need to visit Santiago?
The number of days to spend in Santiago directly depends on the time you take to spend on a place and your traveling style. However, for unrushed and fulfilling Santiago visit, three to four days should be enough. This gives you enough time to immerse yourself in the Chilean local culture, relax in the greenery parks, and explore the city quite well.
Don’t forget your Heymondo Travel Insurance
As you embark on an exciting trip to Santiago, make sure to secure travel insurance. Exploring new areas involves inherent risks, and travel insurance helps you manage those risks, ensuring you’re covered in emergencies. When budgeting for your vacations do not forget to budget for insurance. So, make sure you do not embark on your travels without taking advantage of a comprehensive travel insurance.
Heymondo travel insurance offers the best protection you need to ensure peace of mind during your travel in Santiago. The Heymondo travel insurance has a reliable and active app, which is available on a 24/7 basis worldwide. This app provides a convenient call feature that allows you to seek immediate help in cases of an emergency or need any medical assistance. Apart from the health cover, which is up to $10,000,000 USD, the travel insurance also covers you against luggage theft and loss.
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