Use Santiago as a Launching Pad to Explore Chile’s Best Attractions

Nearly all visitors to Chile land in the capital, Santiago. And there are plenty of things there to occupy your time: markets, historical sites, museums, world-class restaurants, parks, and more.

If your time in Santiago inspires you to discover more of this country and what it has to offer, consider using the city as your launching pad to some of the country’s other top attractions.

Valparaíso

Valparaíso, Chile’s second largest city, is on lots of travelers’ to-visit list. Besides being a port city with an extensive history, modern-day “Valpo,” as locals call it, has many attractions. There’s its street art, its funicular, which scales the city’s hillside and offers a panoramic view of the port, and La Sebastiana, one of three houses that belonged to beloved Chilean poet (and 1971 Nobel Prize winner) Pablo Neruda. Today, it’s open to the public as a museum.

Chile’s Wine Country

Foodies can’t get enough of Chile: its delicious grilled meats, its can’t-get-any-fresher-than-this seafood, and, of course, its wine. Chile’s unique geography has blessed the country with the perfect conditions for growing the grapes that produce some of the best wines in the world.

You can discover the range of flavors by taking a tour through Chile’s wine country, enjoying tastings of whites and reds at wineries that are both well-known, like Concha y Toro, and those that are more boutique in size and production.

The Atacama Desert

It’s called the world’s driest desert, but don’t let that nickname scare you. The Atacama is spectacular. And it has loads of attractions, including salt flats and geysers (don’t miss the Los Flamencos National Reserve!).

Be sure to stay over at least one night. The nighttime sky is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and you can put your knowledge of constellations to the test. If you want the input of a professional, head to ALMA, one of the world’s most-respected observatories. (Pro tip: The visit there is free, but you need to book a reservation in advance.)

Patagonia

You can’t visit Chile without going to the southern most tip of the Southern Cone. And there’s no better way to do that than to take an excursion to Torres del Paine National Park. Bundle up (it’s cold) and don’t forget your camera: the views are so staggeringly gorgeous that it’s likely you’ll be at a loss for words when you try to describe them to friends and family when you get home. Here, you can enjoy hiking, scrambling along glaciers, camping, or simply taking in the expansive mountain view.

Chile may be the world’s narrowest country, but there are plenty of places to explore. With these spots, you’ll see some of the best the country has to offer.