Santiago is Chile’s capitol, as well as its largest city. It’s a metropolis with over 5 and a half million people. While its true that I think there are better places in Chile to spend your time, many trips to Chile start or end in Santiago. So, since you’re already passing through, it makes sense to spend one day here. While there’s plenty to see and do (and you’d need more than one day in Santiago to see it all), one day gives you a good taste.
One Day in Santiago, Chile
Plan for a full day, but if you don’t have one, that’s ok. My flight landed in Santiago, Chile early in the morning and still managed to cover most of this list (despite my later start).
Morning
I’m starting the day with a mini DIY walking tour of Santiago. You’ll visit some squares, a gorgeous cathedral, and have some optional add ons.
Start at Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitution). To get here, take the metro to Estacion La Moneda. From this station it’s a short two block walk to Constitution Square. You can also start at Estacion Universidad de Chile, which has a slightly longer walk of about four blocks.
At Constitution Square, you’ll find benches and some people watching, but the highlight is looking across the square to La Moneda Palace.
After the palace, head north to Plaza de Armas. In almost every city in South America, you’ll find a “Plaza de Armas”. It’s a main square and it’s another great option for people watching. Just make sure to keep an eye on your belongings. This is one of the biggest places for pickpockets.
Just off Plaza de Armas is the Metropolitan Cathedral Santiago de Chile. The cathedral is free to visit and it’s definitely worth a stop. While on the outside, the cathedral doesn’t look too special, inside, it’s just gorgeous. The interior of this cathedral made this stop one of my favorites of my time in Santiago.
A short distance from the cathedral, you’ll find the National History Museum of Chile (Museo Histórico Nacional), which tells the story of Chile. It’s free to enter, but unless you have a knowledge of Chilean history or you can speak/read Spanish fluently, I don’t think it’s worth your time. That’s not to say that the museum isn’t important, but rather, you’re not going to know what you’re looking at.
As a note, I had read on another blog that at the National History Museum, you could climb the tower for views of Chile. Honestly, that’s a big reason why I added this stop on my own itinerary. As of my visit in October 2023, the tower can only be visited by guided tour. So while it’s still possible to visit, it’s not as easy as it once may have been.
Lunch
There are loads of restaurants around Santiago, so no matter where you break, you’ll be sure to find somewhere good to eat. If you still aren’t sure, head toward the Central Market (Mercado Central de Santiago). It’s just a few blocks north of Plaza de Armas.
Yes, you’ll find a market selling fruits, vegetables, and so much fish. But inside, and in the surrounding areas, you’ll find plenty of restaurant options. My only warning is that the waiters at the Central Market felt pushy. I didn’t feel that anywhere else in Santiago, or the rest of Chile for that matter.
Early Afternoon
After lunch, we’re going to head to something a little unusual. Rather than taking in city views or museums, we’re going to jump on the metro and head towards a cemetery. Assuming that you’re coming from the general direction of the Central Market, hop on the metro to Estacion Hospitales. From here, it’s a five minute walk to the cemetery entrance.
So why am I having you go to a cemetery? Because it’s this cemetery where many notable Chileans are buried. More than that, the graves vary dramatically in style across the cemetery and each one is a masterpiece.
At least, that’s what I’ve read. I didn’t actually get a chance to visit the cemetery. Due to timing issues on my trip to Chile, I only had a little extra time in Santiago early on a Sunday morning. When I visited, all of the gates were closed.
Alternative: If you’re a little wigged out by visiting a cemetery, you can walk fifteen minutes to Saint Lucia Hill for great views of the city. This was going to be my option of how to spend this part of your day, but I realized two hills for views back to back seemed a little much. But the choice is yours. The General Cemetery or Saint Lucia Hill.
Late Afternoon
In the late afternoon, head toward San Cristobal Hill for some of the best views in the city. There’s a couple ways to get to the top of San Cristobal Hill. The first is to hike up. You’ll need extra time as the hike can take an hour or two depending on the route you take. The second option is to take the funicular. The third, and final option, is to take the cable car.
The cable car is the most expensive of the three options, and while I may be biased because it’s the route I took, I think it offers the best views. Plus, the cable car really isn’t that expensive. When I visited in October 2023, I paid about 3700 pesos (that’s less than $5 USD) for the round trip cable car journey.
Other Ideas
This is not an exhaustive list of things to do in Santiago, Chile. Rather this itinerary is based off of the things I did and enjoyed on my visit, or things I wish I could have done. But, if something on this list doesn’t appeal to you, you still have options. Here’s some more places to consider.
Quinta Norma Park – I’ve included some squares and parks on this list, but here is one more. The park is fine, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite. But other people like it, so visit for yourself and decide what you think.
Guided Walking Tour of Santiago – For those wanting to learn more about the city of Santiago, consider a walking tour to get acquainted with the city.
Museum of Memory and Human Rights – I’ve read great things about this museum but I just ran out of time when I was in Santiago. But because of the good reviews, I’m keeping it on this list.
Is One Day Enough?
You won’t see everything in one day in Santiago. It’s just not possible. But I believe that one day is enough to give you a good taste of a city. Honestly though, if you have more than one day, I’d recommend looking into a day trip from Santiago for your second day. Hop over to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar, venture to the beautiful El Cajon del Maipo, or go wine tasting in the Valparaiso Wine Region.
Getting Around Santiago, Chile
I found Santiago to be a very walkable city. I did a lot of my exploration on foot.
However, some distances are too far. For those longer distances, Santiago has a handy metro system that will help you to effortlessly get around town for a reasonable price. All you need is a Bip! card which can be purchased at any metro station. The card costs 1500 pesos and each ride costs between 600 to 900 pesos, depending on the time of day.
Buses also traverse the city, but I found the metro convenient enough for what I needed.
When to Visit Santiago, Chile
As Santiago is a major city, and not a destination built on nature, you can visit Santiago all year round. Just keep in mind that seasons are flipped because you’re in the southern hemisphere. Summers, when the temperatures are the warmest, are from December through February. Winters, when temperatures are at their coolest (but still pleasant enough for sight seeing), are from June through August.
I visited in October, which was springtime. Temperatures hovered right around 21 degrees Celsius (or about 70 degrees Fahrenheit). It was cool in the mornings, but warmed up as the day went on. It was nearly perfect weather for exploring.
Final Thoughts
Santiago, Chile does have some great sights. If you’re traveling to Chile, odds are good you’ll start or end your visit in this city, so it just makes sense to stop. I’m not going to lie that out of everywhere I visited in Chile, Santiago was my least favorite. It wasn’t bad, but especially for those with limited time, I think there are better places in Chile to spend your time. But still, try to give yourself a little time in Santiago.
Continue Your Adventure
El Cajon del Maipo: For the best day trip to Santiago, visit the picturesque Cajon del Maipo for its brilliant blue water and stunning mountain views.
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: Visit Valaparaíso for its colorful street art and relax by the beach in Viña del Mar. Visit the towns separately or combine them into one awesome day.
Puerto Varas: Visit the charming town of Puerto Varas, but also take advantage of some of the day trips, including the Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls and a visit to the island of Chiloé.
La Campana National Park: For one of the best hikes in Chile, hike Cerro La Campana at La Campana National Park.
Chile Itinerary: For first time visitors, I recommend my 9 Day Chile Itinerary. Visit the capital city of Santiago, the beaches in Viña del Mar, and head south to Puerto Varas.
Chile Travel Guide: Check out my Chile Travel Guide for everything you need to start planning your trip, including itineraries, city guides, travel tips, and a detailed budget.