Explore Santiago, Chile in 2 Days

• Day 1: Downtown and Historical Sites
  Start your day at Plaza de Armas, the central square of Santiago. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Correo Central, the central post office. Walk along Paseo Ahumada, Santiago's main shopping avenue, and stop by La Moneda Palace, the government seat of Chile. After lunch, visit the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Finish your day at San Cristobal Hill, and watch the sunset over Santiago.
• Day 2: Parks and Markets
  Start your day by taking a bike ride in Providencia district. Afterwards, stop at Mercado Central, the central market of Santiago, to sample some seafood. Continue onto Santa Lucia Hill, a public park that offers panoramic views of the city. Next, visit Barrio Italia, a charming neighborhood with restaurants and cafes. Finally, head over to Bellavista, the colorful and bohemian neighborhood. Take a tour of Cerro San Cristobal or enjoy a drink at one of the many rooftop bars.

Time and Costs Estimated

• Plaza de Armas (1-2 hours, free)
• La Moneda Palace (1-2 hours, free)
• Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center (1-2 hours, free)
• National Museum of Fine Arts (1-2 hours, free)
• Mercado Central (1-2 hours, $10-$20 for a meal)
• Santa Lucia Hill (1-2 hours, free)
• Barrio Italia (1-2 hours, free)
• Bellavista (2-3 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: $10-$20 for a meal, All other items are free.

Transportation

Travel in Santiago is easy with its extensive network of buses and trains that run frequently. For those who don't want to travel on public transportation or don't have enough time to rely on it, taxi and ride-sharing services such as Uber or DiDi are readily available. The estimated cost for a ride from the airport to downtown Santiago is around $25-30USD, while the majority of one-way fares on the metro are around 800 Chilean pesos ($1USD).

Useful Tips

If you have more time to spend in Santiago, we recommend visiting La Chascona, Neruda's House, and Cerro San Cristobal. On the other hand, if you only have one day, we recommend visiting the historic center and the hill of Santa Lucia. Be sure to keep an eye out for pickpockets and keep your valuables close at hand. And, if you are traveling during the summer months, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat, as temperatures can reach up to 35°C (95°F).