Part of the Chile Travel Guide
← Back to ChileSantiago is where almost every trip to Chile begins, and it deserves more than the night most travelers give it before flying on. The city sits in a valley with the Andes rising directly behind it, close enough that on a clear morning the snow line fills the end of the street. It is dense, modern, and easy to move around, with a metro that reaches most of what a visitor wants.
What makes the region worth days rather than hours is what surrounds it. Valparaíso is roughly ninety minutes to the coast, a UNESCO-listed port of painted houses stacked up steep hills and connected by century-old funiculars. The Maipo and Casablanca valleys put serious wine within an easy drive. In winter, several ski resorts sit about an hour from downtown, which makes Santiago one of the few capitals where a ski day is a plausible afternoon.
We based ourselves in Santiago and took Valparaíso as a day trip, which works well if your time is short. If you have the days, the coast is worth an overnight.
Quick Resources to Plan Your Trip to Panama
Santiago articles
The Top Things to Do in Santiago, Chile: A 4 Day Itinerary
A starting point for the things to do in Santiago and logistical information you need to know before visiting. Personalize this for your trip.
Santiago Transportation: All Your Options to Get Around the City
The options for Santiago transportation to best experience and navigate the capital city of Chile and the surrounding area on your next trip.
First-hand
How we've traveled Santiago
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