Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile is a capital city that surprises visitors above all with its extraordinary natural setting. The city spreads across a broad valley and, on clear days, the immense Andes seem remarkably close, creating a spectacular backdrop behind the buildings and neighbourhoods of the metropolis.

The historic heart of Santiago is Plaza de Armas, an ideal place to begin exploring the city. Some of its most important buildings stand around the square, including the Metropolitan Cathedral. A walk through the surrounding streets reveals historic architecture, museums, markets and busy shopping areas that show different sides of the Chilean capital.

One of the most pleasant places to visit is Cerro Santa Lucía, a hill transformed into a park in the centre of the city. Stairs, terraces, fountains and small paths lead towards the top, offering views across Santiago. An even wider panorama can be enjoyed from Cerro San Cristóbal, part of the extensive Metropolitan Park and one of the capital’s best-known viewpoints.

Santiago is made up of neighbourhoods with very different personalities. Bellavista is known for its restaurants, nightlife and lively atmosphere, while Lastarria combines elegant buildings, cafés, museums and cultural spaces. In the more modern areas of Santiago, skyscrapers and broad avenues reveal another, contemporary face of the city.

Markets are also a good way to experience everyday life. Mercado Central is particularly famous for fish and seafood, important ingredients in Chilean cuisine.

Santiago is a city worth discovering slowly. Historic and modern architecture coexist, quiet green spaces contrast with busy streets, and the Andes remain an almost constant presence on the horizon. Their immense silhouette is perhaps the image that stays longest in the memory, reminding visitors that one of South America’s great cities stands remarkably close to the mountains.