Chile – Santiago

So many people come to Santiago on their way to somewhere else in Chile or South America, but it actually is a destination in its own right and its location between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean gives you endless alternatives of day trips.

Each neighborhood has its unique flavor and tone, but some are more inevitable than others.

First of all, Bellavista which is first known for its nightlife. Picturesque during the day with its colorful homes and graffiti, the bohemian neighborhood is just as vibrant during day time. Along with color and art, visitors will find plenty of entertainment and food worth staying for. Also in this quarter is poet Pablo Neruda’s famous house, La Chascona. There’s barely a blank wall thanks to the active graffiti scene. Politics and protest mix with spirits and fairy tales. The neighborhood features beautiful street murals, some painted by professional artists and others by amateurs.

And, of course, you have to have a meal or at least a drink in Patio Bellavista! A concentration of restaurants and bars with colorful lights and cost seats. You’ll find different style places and for every budget. I strongly recommend Cosmopolitan for the cocktails and sushi, or Barrica 94 for their exquisite wine list.

If you’re looking for something more elegant, head to Barrio Lastarria with its elegant early-20th-century architecture housing theatres, cafes and restaurants, design shops and galleries.

Stop by Domestico Waffles for a waffle and a tea, the place is a bit hidden but has a covered patio so cute you’ll want to stay longer! Jose Victorino Lastarria 15

Barrio Bellas Artes and Parque Forestal is also worth a trip. If you visit on Sundays you will find this area full of Chileans enjoying the parc. There’s often a flea market with people just setting up blankets on the grass and selling used clothes, art and many other things. You will find people playing music, dancing, and a variety of street entertainment.

Last but not least, the cemetery. Named one of the World’s Most Scenic Cemeteries by CNN, the 85 hectares Cementerio General is definitely worth a visit. Filled with green, peaceful gardens and an abundance of colorful, it’s more of an urban park. The varying architectural styles of massive mausoleums is really interesting, from French and Italian designs to pyramides and a Mayan Temple.

After visiting the cemetery, head to the restaurant El Quite Penas, just across the entrance, for a traditional meal. Chileans usually gather there after a funeral to celebrate the deceased.

Find a nice view

Being surrounded by mountains and hills means you have some fantastic opportunities to see Santiago from above. Here are the classic panoramic views:

• Cerro San Cristóbal : you can get up by hiking or riding your bike, as you will see many of the locals doing, by driving, or by riding the funicular from Bellavista (about 1000-1300 pesos depending if it’s the weekend). Avoid going at night though, not the safest place once it’s dark.
• Cerro Santa Lucia: located right in the center of Santiago, it was once used by the Spanish as a lookout point for planning the city. This hill takes 15-20 minutes to climb and provides a 360° panoramic view of the city. Be careful as the stone steps can be slippery. There are various murals, statues, lookouts and ponds hidden all over the cerro, and multiple ways to get to the top so just get lost in the different paths in the park.
• Gran Torre: the tallest skyscraper in Latin America, also home to the largest shopping mall in Latin America. The two-level observation deck called Sky Costanera offers a 360° view of the city. Try to go around 5:30pm to see the sunset and enjoy a free wine tasting at 6:30pm. Entrance is 15’000 pesos but you can stay as long as you want.

Markets

You can’t leave Santiago without going to the market! Though there are many different markets throughout the city, the Central Market remains the one to visit first. Consistently named one of the top markets in the world, Mercado Central is celebrated for its seafood and fresh fish, as well as the cooked dishes you can enjoy at one of the many stands and restaurants. The market tends to close early so it’s best to aim for lunch on the weekends.

Nearby is La Vega Central, a popular fruit and vegetable market that’s great for people watching as al social classes mix here. They have everything! Chileans have a saying: Después de Dios, La Vega (after God, there’s La Vega).

Wine trail

Chile is known for a lot of things and wine is top of the list. Cabernet sauvignon, carmenere and sauvignon blanc are among the grape varieties nurtured in the wine regions surrounding the capital.

You can take a wine tour with Turistik (about 90$ full day) or go and visit yourself Santa Rita and Concha y Toro. The latest is actually known for the Casillero del Diablo, which a lot of us drink back home (I really like it!). The two vineyards are really interesting to visit. The first one is more familial and cute, the second is the biggest production in Chile but still worth the visit!

Day Trips

In addition to all the things you can do in Santiago there’s a multitude of things to do right outside the city. Some are easily accessible by public transportation and others by local buses, such as Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.

If you’re coming from the airport, take a Transvip, a shared minivan. For 7000 pesos it will bring you where you want in town. The bus is quite long and complicated from the airport and the taxi is very expensive and not always safe. You can book the Transvip in advance on their website too.