Santiago, Chile: The City You’ve Been Skipping Deserves a Spot on Your Itinerary
Santiago, Chile, sits wedged between the Coast Range and some of the Andes’ tallest peaks—a setting few capitals can match. Yet travelers often rush past this city of seven million on their way to Patagonia or the Atacama Desert. That’s a mistake. Santiago earned a spot on our 2026 Best Places to Go list for good reason.
A decade living here has taught me that the city offers far more than a layover. In a single day, you can sip Carménère at a Maipo Valley vineyard, soak in Colina Valley’s milky-green hot springs, or hike to Condor Lookout for photos of the world’s largest raptors. Winter brings skiing at four Andean resorts within an hour. Two hours west, you’ll find the Pacific at Zapallar or the street art of Valparaíso.
Downtown holds its own: world-class museums, lively plazas, bohemian neighborhoods, and a food scene that rivals the wines. Spring (September to November) is ideal, with mid-70s temperatures and green hills. September’s Independence Day brings folk dancing and pop-up fairs. Summer stays dry and mild, though pack a layer for cool nights. January and February see light traffic as locals flee to the coast—so avoid the beaches then. Ski season runs mid-June through August.
Getting around is easy. LATAM Airlines flies direct from major U.S. cities. From the airport, grab a taxi or Transvip. Santiago’s metro is safe and efficient; use a Bip! card for trains and buses. Uber and Cabify beat street taxis.
For food, start with an empanada or lomo liso steak. Seafood shines—try Parmesan-baked scallops. Nikkei cuisine is trending; head to AMA Nikkei in Providencia for Chilean seafood sushi. CORA bistro serves seasonal tapas, and Rica Rica offers vegan diner fare. Don’t miss Mercado Urbano Tobalaba, a seven-floor market with tiny restaurants like Mirai Food Lab and La Vermuteria. For upscale dining, Bocanáriz in Lastarria pairs Chilean oysters with wine. Boragó in Vitacura serves a tasting menu of endemic ingredients. 99 Restaurante focuses on a single wine valley every six months. End the night at Siete Negronis in Bellavista or Bar Cerros de Chena in Barrio Italia.
History buffs will love the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art near Plaza de Armas. Walk past La Moneda palace, climb Santa Lucía Hill for views, then explore the Municipal Theater or GAM. In Yungay, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights tells the dictatorship’s story. Bellavista holds Pablo Neruda’s home, La Chascona. Rent a bike along the Mapocho River, ride the cable car up Metropolitan Park, or stroll Bicentenario Park. Wine lovers should book a tour at Santa Rita or Concha y Toro. Hikers can warm up in Cajón del Maipo.
Most visitors stay in the eastern end. The Mandarin Oriental in Las Condes has a garden pool. Hotel Bidasoa in Vitacura draws crowds with its vegan restaurant. The W Hotel’s rooftop bar is a sunset favorite. For downtown action, The Singular in Lastarria is top-tier; Debaines Hotel offers style on a budget.
Santiago isn’t a stopover—it’s a destination.