WELCOME ΤΟSantiago

This building, like no other, has been a major player during a period in Chile’s recent history that was characterized by political and social division. The building was built as a masterpiece a symbol of the “new man” during Salvador Allende’s government. After the coup in 1973 this building housed General Pinochet’s regime embodying the “Total Power.”

Though similar to the Los Dominicos Village, the Santa Lucia Market is less about the ambiance and more about the inexpensive handicrafts and trinkets available for purchase. Located across the street from the Santa Lucia hill, this market is centrally located and excellent for buying small gifts for friends.

Learn about the life and work of the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda through this in-depth tour of his Santiago home. Tours of Neruda’s houses in Valparaiso and Isla Negra are also available for all the poetry geeks out there.

From Aymara textiles to three-legged pigs from Pomaire, the Los Dominicos Village market offers a wide variety of traditional Chilean artisan goods, just outside the Los Dominicos metro station. Enjoy popping into the different artist shops and learn more about Chilean culture while perusing the wares on offer. Live musicians will sometimes emerge and play traditional Chilean tunes. Grab a chair and a coffee at one of the market eateries and enjoy.

The Museum of Memory and Human Rights is a free and new museum that helps both foreigners and locals better understand and process the horrors of Chile’s 17-year dictatorship, which ended in 1990. English-language audio tours are also available and can be purchased at the museum entrance.

Located in Parque Forestal, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts is free for visitors and offers a wonderful introduction to prominent Chilean and South American artists. The museum’s structure dates back to 1910 and is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings.

Offering arguably the best view of Santiago, climb up the San Cristobal Hill on foot or pay to take the funicular. Atop the hill, pay respects to La Virgen and her sanctuary, which overlooks the city. Move on to the lookout area and take in the view while tasting the traditional Chilean drink mote con huesillos. The hill includes a city park, pool and a metropolitan zoo as well.

Take a break from the chaos of the Centro with an afternoon stroll through this lovingly manicured park. It was just a rocky hill until 19th-century mayor Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna had it transformed into one of the city's most memorable green spaces. A web of trails and steep stone stairs leads you through terraces to the Torre Mirador at the top, and there are a scattering of chapels and other interesting buildings in between.