Santiago Hotels

Santiago is littered with revealing historical buildings, including the Iglesia de San Francisco, dating back to the early days of Spanish settlement, and Teatro Municipal, a glorious concert hall indicative of the peak of Santiago’s power in the region. Once-heavily congested, Santiago Centro is now a pedestrian-friendly promenading haven, with its conservativeness offset by the artsy bohemian Barrio Brasil district. And if you haven’t called Santiago’s bluff already, check out Bellavista’s mouthwatering restaurant scene…

Santiago's Top 10

Santiago History

• Museum of Memory and Human Rights – This recently opened museum recounts the horrors of the Pinochet regime.
• La Chascona (Pablo Neruda's Home) – Explore one of the three homes owned by famed writer Pablo Neruda.
• General Cemetery (Cementerio General) – Some of the most illustrious people in Chilean history have been laid to rest here.
• Plaza de Armas – All destinations are measured from this central Santiago location, where the governor's mansion is located.
• National Museum of History – Exhibits on display take visitors through the history of Chile.

Santiago Art & Culture

• Galeria del Mundo Andino – This former art centre is now a gallery featuring the work of local artisans.
• Museum of Pre-Columbian Art – Peruse this large collection of art and artefacts from the times before the Europeans.
• Ralli Museum – Visit this museum to see the displays of modern Latin American art.
• Museo de Artes Visuales – Another contemporary art museum with collections by Manuel Santa Cruz and Hugo Yuconi.
• Museo Interactive Mirador – This Santiago museum will delight children for hours while they engage in the interactive displays.

Santiago Shopping

• Los Dominicos Handicraft Village – This large area features local arts and crafts, as well as some specialty shops.
• Bio-Bio Market – This is an open-air market that sells fresh food, clothing and musical instruments.
• Central Market (Mercado Central) – You can enjoy the sounds of street musicians while you shop this fresh market known for its seafood.
• Alto Los Condes – This popular mall is known for its upmarket boutique stores and quality merchandise.
• La Vega Central – This Santiago flea market has a wide variety of locally produced wares for sale.

Gay & Lesbian Santiago

• Club Ignorancia – One of the largest gay bars in Santiago.
• Vox Populi – A gay bar and restaurant in the city.
• Mascara – This is a lesbian bar and disco.
• Amor del Bueno – This is another lesbian-centred bar in Santiago.
• Thelonius – A gay-friendly jazz club with the best music in the city.

Santiago Events

The best of the international and Chilean jazz scene join together for Providencia International Jazz Festival in January, one of the best open-air jazz festivals in the world.

March to May sees a full season of concerts by the world-famous Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra for Concerts at Teatro Municipal.

For the Feast Day of the Virgen del Carmen in July, Chileans gather outside Santiago to undertake folkloric rites of passage – ending in dancing and feasting in true Chilean fashion.

The best in Chilean art, film and music come together in September for the Festival of Legends to pay tribute to the native legends of the indigenous Mapuche people

The streets are filled with music during October’s Columbus Day. The parade has locals donning traditional and period clothing

When To Go

December to March is by far the busiest time of year, as Chileans are taking holidays and tourists are drawn to the summer warmth.

Santiago is beautiful in October and November, when pleasant breezes keep the heat down.

Trekking and other outdoor activities aren’t recommended in the unpredictable winter weather.

Getting Around

Buses are reliable and routes stop by most major attractions.

The metro is the quickest way to get around Santiago. Stations are well maintained and often play host to rotating art exhibitions.

Walking is a great way to discover the city. To avoid looking too obviously ‘gringo’, have a map handy, but not open at all times.