Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Chile

A photograph of Chile
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chile is a narrow strip between the Andes and the Pacific, the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica. Its 756,102 km² are arranged almost entirely along one north–south line, with Peru and Bolivia at the top and the Drake Passage at the bottom, so nearly every journey here is a journey up or down. The 2024 census counted 18.5 million people. Santiago is the capital and largest city. Chile also administers Pacific islands far offshore, among them Juan Fernández and Easter Island, which means two places under the same flag can sit an ocean apart.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information
Language spoken
Spanish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+56
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Chilean peso (CLP)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
133 police · 131 ambulance · 132 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and L · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers all regions and remote areas

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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100 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 982 Museums 173 Places of worship 1331 Nature sites 2924 Viewpoints 1270 Food and drink 7 Markets and shopping 414 Entertainment 68 Nightlife 644 Family attractions 38 Art and culture 714 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 982

Interests

History 962 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Plaza de Armas Plaza de Armas
    01 45 min

    Plaza de Armas

    Plaza de Armas is Santiago's principal historic square and the city's Kilometre Zero.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  2. La Moneda Palace La Moneda Palace
    02 45 min

    La Moneda Palace

    La Moneda Palace, known locally as Palacio de La Moneda, serves as Chile's presidential palace and stands as Santiago's foremost national civic landmark. The neoclassical building occupies a central position in the city's civic district.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  3. Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile
    03 45 min

    Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile

    The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, known locally as Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago, stands as the principal Catholic cathedral of Chile's national capital. It occupies a commanding position on the west side of Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  4. Barrio Lastarria Barrio Lastarria
    04 1 hour

    Barrio Lastarria

    Barrio Lastarria is a compact neighbourhood in central Santiago known for its concentration of cultural venues, dining, and pedestrian-friendly streets.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  5. Barrio Yungay Barrio Yungay
    05 1 hour

    Barrio Yungay

    Barrio Yungay is a community-protected heritage district in Santiago, Chile. It is recognized for its distinctive low-rise architectural character, network of passages, and prominent large-scale street murals.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  6. Municipal Theatre of Santiago Municipal Theatre of Santiago
    06 45 min

    Municipal Theatre of Santiago

    The Municipal Theatre of Santiago, known locally as Teatro Municipal de Santiago, stands as Chile's premier venue for opera, ballet, and classical music. This nineteenth-century architectural landmark occupies a central position in the capital.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  7. Former National Congress Building Former National Congress Building
    07 45 min

    Former National Congress Building

    The Former National Congress Building, known locally as Ex Congreso Nacional de Chile, stands as a historic legislative palace in central Santiago.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  8. Cousino Palace Cousino Palace
    08 45 min

    Cousino Palace

    Palacio Cousiño is a nineteenth-century mansion in Santiago, Chile, built during the country's mining boom era. The palace was constructed for the Cousiño-Goyenechea family, whose wealth derived from silver, coal, and other mineral extraction.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  9. Pereira Palace Pereira Palace
    09 45 min

    Pereira Palace

    Palacio Pereira is a restored mansion dating from 1874, now serving as a national heritage centre. It stands as a significant architectural landmark on Santiago's historic-centre visitor route, recognized for its cultural and historical importance to Chile.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  10. Palace of the Courts of Justice Palace of the Courts of Justice
    10 45 min

    Palace of the Courts of Justice

    The Palacio de los Tribunales de Justicia de Santiago serves as the seat of Chile's Supreme Court. This monumental neoclassical structure anchors a significant civic block in the Chilean capital, positioned beside the pre-Columbian museum.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  11. Patio Bellavista Patio Bellavista
    11 45 min

    Patio Bellavista

    Patio Bellavista is a commercial and entertainment complex situated at the entrance to the Bellavista neighborhood in Santiago, Chile. It serves as a gateway point between the city and Cerro San Cristóbal, one of the capital's prominent hills.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  12. Sewell Sewell
    12 45 min

    Sewell

    Sewell is a UNESCO World Heritage mining town in the Andes mountains of central Chile. Established as a company town for copper extraction, it represents an exceptional example of early 20th century industrial urbanism at high altitude.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  13. Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts
    13 45 min

    Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts

    The Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, locally known as Palacio Museo de Bellas Artes, stands as a principal cultural institution in Santiago. Located within the city's urban fabric, this landmark occupies a significant position in Chile's museum landscape.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  14. Casa Central de la Universidad de Chile Casa Central de la Universidad de Chile
    14 45 min

    Casa Central de la Universidad de Chile

    The Casa Central de la Universidad de Chile is the historic headquarters of Chile's oldest state university, founded in 1842. Located on the Alameda, Santiago's principal avenue, this institutional landmark anchors one of the country's most significant educational traditions.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  15. Estación Mapocho Cultural Center Estación Mapocho Cultural Center
    15 45 min

    Estación Mapocho Cultural Center

    Centro Cultural Estación Mapocho is a monumental former railway terminus in Santiago, Chile, now reused as one of the city's principal exhibition and event spaces.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  20. Patio 29
    20 45 min

    Patio 29

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  23. Maipo Canyon Maipo Canyon
    23 45 min

    Maipo Canyon

    Cajón del Maipo is a canyon and mountainous valley region southeast of Santiago, Chile, formed by the Maipo River as it descends from the Andes.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  68. Morandé 80
    68 45 min

    Morandé 80

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  85. Swiss Lion
    85 45 min

    Swiss Lion

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago
  90. Casa 100
    90 45 min

    Casa 100

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Santiago

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Chile be?

A 10–16 day visit should pair Santiago with one major region, such as the Atacama, the Lake District or a Patagonian gateway. Chile’s length makes combining north and far south in a short itinerary transfer-heavy.

What entry documents are needed for Chile?

Chile’s consular service publishes the visa rules used for entry. Nationality, travel purpose and length of stay determine the requirement, and any application should be made through the official consular channel.

What is the best way to travel around Chile?

Santiago is the central international and domestic hub. Flights connect the desert, lake and Patagonian gateways, while long-distance buses cover mainland corridors and remote parks require a confirmed final transfer.

When is a practical time to visit Chile?

October through April is the broad operating window for many central and southern journeys. Atacama conditions, central-valley heat and Patagonian wind are distinct, so the least flexible regional leg should set the calendar.

What money and payment basics apply in Chile?

Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). Current withdrawal costs and merchant acceptance are Not recorded; review the amount in pesos and any conversion offered before completing payment.

What practical safety details should I save for Chile?

Chile uses 133 for police, 131 for ambulance and 132 for fire. Power is 220 V with Type C and L plugs, while nationwide tap-water guidance remains Not recorded.