Things to Do in Santiago
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Santiago, Chile, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Santiago. Andes visible from downtown on a clear day, a dramatic backdrop for a capital city, a valley capital ringed by mountains, surrounded by vineyards producing some of the world's most exported wine, and watched over by a hilltop statue visible from much of the city below. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Santiago: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the funicular ride. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Santiago's Andes Backdrop
Santiago sits in a valley overlooked by the Andes, a striking, dramatic setting, worth timing your sightseeing around clear-weather days if you want the mountains fully visible, air quality can occasionally obscure the view, particularly during winter months when a temperature inversion traps smog over the city.
Cerro San Cristobal, a hill within the city itself, offers one of the best vantage points, sweeping views over both the urban skyline and the mountain range beyond, worth timing a visit for a clear morning.
Best time Clear mornings, particularly in summer
Wine Valleys Near Santiago
Santiago's surrounding valleys have made central Chile a major producer of wine, the Maipo and Casablanca valleys are both within easy reach for a day trip, worth booking a proper tour covering tastings at a few different vineyards rather than trying to arrange visits independently.
Concha y Toro, one of the largest and most visited wineries, offers well-organised tours covering the winemaking process alongside tastings, worth it if you'd rather a straightforward, established option over a smaller, more independent producer.
Getting there Maipo Valley about 45 minutes from Santiago
San Cristobal Hill
Santiago is served by a hilltop funicular leading up to a large statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the city, worth the funicular ride up, this is one of the best free viewpoints in the city, combining the statue itself with the Andes backdrop mentioned above.
The hill also holds a botanical garden and a small zoo, worth combining a statue visit with a wider wander through the park if you have a spare afternoon.
Hours Daily, roughly 10am–8pm, hours vary seasonally
Address Cerro San Cristobal, Santiago
Best time to visit Santiago
September through November and March through May give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and day-tripping this list involves, mild and generally clear.
Summer (December through February) brings warm, dry weather good for wine touring, though winter (June through August) can bring the temperature inversion that traps smog over the city, worth checking air quality forecasts if travelling then.
Getting around Santiago
Santiago's metro is efficient and covers the city well. The funicular handles the climb up San Cristobal Hill, and buses or organised tours cover the wine valleys.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Santiago worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for the Andes backdrop and the nearby wine valleys, a striking natural setting combined with easy access to some of the world's best wine regions.
- How many days do you need in Santiago?
- Three days covers San Cristobal Hill and a wine valley day trip comfortably.
- Is Santiago expensive?
- Moderate, generally comparable to other major South American capitals for food and accommodation.
- What is Santiago famous for?
- Its setting in a valley overlooked by the Andes, the nearby wine valleys producing some of the world's most exported wine, and the large statue atop San Cristobal Hill.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
