What are the best things to do in Santiago?
Top picks in Santiago include Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, Bellavista neighbourhood. See the full list and itinerary on this Santiago travel guide.
🇨🇱 Chile travel guide
South America · South America
Santiago Travel Guide
Things to do in Santiago — Explore Santiago
Photo: Miguel hernandez · CC BY-SA 2.0
Why visit Santiago
thumb|350px|Santiago/Providencia#Q1542408|Gran Torre Santiago, the tallest building in Latin America Santiago is a fast-growing city in the Santiago Región Metropolitana, in the central valley of Chile between the Andes mountain range to the east and the Coastal Range to the west. The metropolitan area has about 7 million inhabitants. Founded in 1541 as Santiago de Nueva Extremadura by the Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia, it has been the heart of the country since colonial times and has evolved to the cosmopolitan city… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Santiago is a stop in Chile, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 55–140 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal
Weather
From highland cool to tropical warmth
Experiences
Things to do in Santiago
1
Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint
2
Plaza de Armas
3
La Moneda Palace
4
Bellavista neighbourhood
5
Santa Lucia Hill
6
Museum of Memory and Human Rights
7
Central Market (Mercado Central)
8
Day trip to Valparaiso
Budget travel
Free things to do in Santiago
Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint
Plaza de Armas
Central Market (Mercado Central)
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Santiago itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Cerro San Cristobal viewpoint
- Visit Plaza de Armas
- Visit La Moneda Palace
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Bellavista neighbourhood
- Visit Santa Lucia Hill
- Visit Museum of Memory and Human Rights
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Central Market (Mercado Central)
- Visit Day trip to Valparaiso
Prefer a full 9-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Santiago itinerary guide.
Budget
Santiago trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 55–140
per person / day
Luxury
USD 160–265+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Santiago, Chile. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Santiago
Estimated total (USD)
$2,180
≈ $1,090 per person · $311 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $95/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Santiago mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 55–140 · luxury 160–265+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
In pictures
Santiago gallery
Photos: Miguel hernandez, Omnespsx (D•ES), Pollolavin, McKay Savage from London, UK, Carlos Figueroa — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Santiago travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Santiago?
The dry season (roughly May–September) is ideal.
How many days do I need in Santiago?
Plan at least 3 days in Santiago for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Santiago?
Stay near the centre of Santiago for easy access to attractions, or near the airport if you have a short layover.
How much does a trip to Santiago cost?
On the ground in Santiago (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 55–140, and luxury about 160–265+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Santiago, Chile. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
