Traveling to Chile is much more than just visiting one country. This very long nation contains climates, landscapes and ecosystems that are very different and choosing what to visit can be hard. From peaks in the Andes mountains to deserts, from modern cities to glaciers, Chile has really a lot to offer. We started from the capital and then headed North.
Like many cities in Latin America, several aspects coexist in Santiago, all combined in a perfect mix: a historical and artistic heritage linked to the colonial past, as well as the modern architecture. Every corner of the city tells a piece of history with colonial buildings and Art Nouveau villas, and then museums and squares. This magnificent city, where the great poet Pablo Neruda lived for most of his life, has many surprising beauties.
The heart of Santiago de Chile is the lively Plaza de Armas, one of the most beautiful squares and the busiest meeting place in the capital. In this area you will be able to admire many examples of colonial architecture, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and La Moneda Palace, where the President of the Republic lives.
We loved the Bella Vista Barrio, a very romantic neighborhood. It is also perfect for nightlife and renowned for its restaurants, exhibitions, theaters and art galleries. Here you can find the houses of some famous writers, such as Pablo Neruda’s La Chascona: the house where the poet had lived most for the last 20 years of his life with his third wife called Chascona until 1973, the year the artist died. Now it is an important museum, with objects and jewelry from the poet’s life. Furthermore, it is also the headquarters of the Pablo Neruda Foundation, an artistic-literary studio with space for poetry readings, book presentations and cultural events.
El Barrio Lastarria is also a very lively district with its multitude of places to drink or eat during the night.
Through the funicular, you will reach the top of the San Cristobal hill, one of the most important social and cultural places of the city. It offers a spectacular view over the city which it is only comparable to the view from Cerro Santa Lucia, a romantic French park. The Mercado Central is also worth visiting: it was built in 1872, and is the true commercial core of Santiago, including fish shops, butcher shops, panaderias and more than 241 local shops, and it has been declared by National Geographic as the fifth most beautiful market in the world.
