Discover the city among the Andes: Santiago de Chile ✨🇨🇱

Discover the city among the Andes: Santiago de Chile ✨🇨🇱

Lena Müller
Living in Santiago de Chile for eight months, I collected my favorite places around the city. It's such a fun place, offering great restaurants, museums, amazing look-outs, scenic observation decks, and city hikes. In this guide, I've put together 30+ places on where to eat, sleep, and have fun. Disfruta! 🇨🇱
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Welcome to Santiago de Chile: A vibrant Fusion of Culture, Cuisine, and Chilean Hospitality. Nestled in the heart of the stunning Andes Mountain range, Santiago offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan charm and natural beauty. As Chile's dynamic capital city, it beckons travellers with its rich history, bustling markets, and a culinary scene that tantalises taste buds from around the world. 

From exploring the historic neighborhoods of Lastarria and Bellavista to visiting iconic landmarks like La Moneda Palace and Plaza de Armas, where the past and present seamlessly intertwine, Santiago will surely not disappoint. 

Places to See

San Cristóbal Hill
@thegoodlandbeyond
This is the best place for scenic views of Santiago. You can take the cable car or the gondola up the hill or walk up. I’ve done all and can recommend it all. The time is right before sunset but keep in mind that you’ll have to walk down as the cable car and gondola usually stop running before dark. On a clear day, you have the best views of the surrounding Cordillera de los Andes.
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Santa Lucía Hill
@thegoodlandbeyond
A historic urban park with panoramic views of Santiago, featuring trails, gardens, and a fortress.
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Los Dominicos Craft Centre
@thegoodlandbeyond
An artisan market offering a wide range of traditional Chilean crafts and souvenirs.
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Sky Costanera
@thegoodlandbeyond
The tallest building in Latin America, featuring an observation deck with stunning city views.
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Reyes Park
@thegoodlandbeyond
A peaceful urban park known for its lush greenery and a lovely spot for relaxation.
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Bicentenario Park
@thegoodlandbeyond
A large park with a lake and walking paths, popular for picnics and outdoor activities.
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Central Market
@thegoodlandbeyond
A bustling market known for its fresh seafood, offering a variety of Chilean cuisine.
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Plaza de Armas
@thegoodlandbeyond
Plaza de Armas is Santiago's central square and a historic gathering place. Surrounded by colonial-era architecture, it's a hub of activity, featuring a prominent statue of Pedro de Valdivia, the city's founder, and often hosting cultural events and street performers.
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La Moneda Palace
@thegoodlandbeyond
The presidential palace of Chile, known for its neoclassical architecture and historical significance.
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Museums

National Museum of Fine Arts
@thegoodlandbeyond
This museum houses an extensive collection of Chilean and international art, spanning from the colonial period to contemporary works.
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Museum of Memory and Human Rights
@thegoodlandbeyond
Dedicated to preserving the memory of human rights abuses during Chile's dictatorship, this museum provides a sobering and educational experience.
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Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
@thegoodlandbeyond
Focusing on the indigenous cultures of the Americas, this museum showcases a remarkable collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts.
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La Moneda Cultural Center
@thegoodlandbeyond
Housed in the underground level of La Moneda Palace, this cultural center hosts rotating exhibitions, performances, and events that highlight contemporary art and culture.
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Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (sede Quinta Normal)
@thegoodlandbeyond
Situated within the University of Chile, this museum features a dynamic collection of modern and contemporary artworks from Chile and beyond.
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Cafés 

Café de la Candelaria
@thegoodlandbeyond
A charming café with a cozy atmosphere, known for its delicious pastries and relaxed setting.
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Jugos La Naranja Mecánica
@thegoodlandbeyond
Juice bar that also offers amazing sandwiches and salads. I would go here all the time for lunch breaks when I was doing my internship around the corner.
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Original Green Roasters
@thegoodlandbeyond
A specialty coffee shop passionate about high-quality beans, roasting their own coffee, and creating a welcoming space for coffee enthusiasts.
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Wonderland Café
@thegoodlandbeyond
A quirky café with an Alice in Wonderland theme, serving creative drinks and treats in a whimsical setting.
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The Coffee Club
@thegoodlandbeyond
A café chain known for its extensive coffee menu and hearty breakfast options, providing a comfortable spot to unwind.
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COFI
@thegoodlandbeyond
A trendy coffee shop emphasizing sustainability, offering ethically sourced coffee and a minimalist, contemporary design.
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Faustina
@thegoodlandbeyond
A bakery and café celebrated for its artisanal bread, pastries, and coffee, embodying a rustic yet modern vibe.
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Restaurants & Bars

Ciudadano Restaurant
@thegoodlandbeyond
A contemporary restaurant with a focus on Chilean flavors and ingredients, offering a refined dining experience.
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Mestizo
@thegoodlandbeyond
Situated in a beautiful park setting, Mestizo is a popular restaurant known for its outdoor terrace and diverse menu that highlights Chilean cuisine. My favorite fancy restaurant in Santiago. I especially recommend the Ceviche, Salmon and Tiramisu
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Azotea Mackenna
@thegoodlandbeyond
A rooftop bar and restaurant offering stunning views of Santiago's skyline, along with cocktails and international cuisine.
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De la Ostia
@thegoodlandbeyond
An Argentinean-style eatery renowned for its delicious empanadas, grilled meats, and South American ambiance.
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Giratorio
@thegoodlandbeyond
A unique restaurant atop a tower that rotates to provide panoramic city views while you enjoy a mix of international and Chilean dishes.
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Flannery's Beerhouse
@thegoodlandbeyond
A cozy Irish pub offering a selection of beers, pub grub, and a friendly atmosphere for a relaxed evening out. I used to live around the corner from here and spend many evenings on the patio.
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Streat Burger
@thegoodlandbeyond
A popular spot for gourmet burgers, known for its creative flavor combinations and quality ingredients.
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Pizzería Tiramisú
@thegoodlandbeyond
My favorite Italian restaurant in Santiago.
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Quinoa
@thegoodlandbeyond
A restaurant focusing on healthy and vegetarian options, Quinoa offers a menu with a range of plant-based dishes and nutritious choices.
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How to get around

Getting around Santiago de Chile is relatively easy with its efficient public transportation system. The "Tarjeta bip" is a smart card used for the city's buses and metro. You can purchase and recharge it at metro stations and various kiosks. The metro is a fast way to navigate the city, with multiple lines covering key areas, while the extensive bus network complements the metro, making it convenient to explore different neighborhoods. Using the Tarjeta bip allows for seamless transfers between buses and metro, offering a cost-effective and convenient way to travel within Santiago.

Where to stay

Solace Hotel Santiago
@thegoodlandbeyond
A modern boutique hotel known for its sleek design and tranquil atmosphere.
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Hotel Magnolia Santiago de Chile
@thegoodlandbeyond
An elegant historic hotel with a blend of neoclassical and contemporary architecture.
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Hotel Novapark
@thegoodlandbeyond
A comfortable hotel offering modern amenities and a convenient location.
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Hotel Almasur Providencia
@thegoodlandbeyond
A budget-friendly hotel in the Providencia district, offering simple accommodations.
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Happy travels! 

Love, Lena

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lena Müller
Welcome to my travel shop. 👋🏻 I'm Lena, originally from Germany but have called California, Mallorca (Spain), and Chile temporary homes over the years. When I don't travel, I like to spend my time with landscape photography, digital product design, baking, and drinking overpriced coffee. My goal here on Thatch is to offer you more than travel guidance. I'm dedicated to bringing value to your future trips by sharing my carefully curated itineraries, expert tips, and, most importantly, the priceless locals' perspective. Why should you work with me? Because I've lived it. I've walked the cobblestone streets of Valldemossa, Spain, set out to find the best cardamom bun in Copenhagen, and hiked the W-Trek in Torres del Paine, Patagonia. Because I've made mistakes, taken detours, and found hidden gems. I've learned from every step of my journey, and I'm here to share those lessons with you. Love, Lena P.S. Connect with me on Instagram or check out my blog @thegoodlandbeyond, where I share even more travel tales and tips! ✨ Testimonials ✨ "I admire how carefully my wishes were taken into account when the guide was created. I'm looking forward to the trip and can confidently say that my expectations have already been exceeded. " - Anastasiia "Lena's guide is organized, easy to navigate, and informative. We never questioned where our next place to stay was or where to grab a bite to eat. The guide was well thought out and took the pressure off the logistics, so we could focus on having a good time. I highly encourage others to use her guide if you plan on taking a trip to Europe." - Sue "The Portugal/ Spain trip could not have been planned any more perfectly for two old guys like Stuart and I who have no travel experience at all. Every place you picked for us was magnificent. I am sure no one else would have put such love, care and attention to detail for such a trip." - Arthur
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