Santiago in 3 days: an itinerary for your first visit

Three days are enough to see Santiago's essentials and take one trip out of the city. This is the itinerary we recommend to first-time visitors.

Day 1: the historic centre and Lastarria

• Morning: Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, La Moneda and the downtown arcades. A guided walk such as Santiago Old Town gives you the context the signs don't.
• Lunch: the Mercado Central or, even better, a street food tour to taste empanadas, mote con huesillo and a terremoto.
• Afternoon: Barrio Lastarria, the Fine Arts Museum and sunset from Santa Lucía Hill.

Day 2: Bellavista, Neruda and the city from above

• Morning: La Chascona, Pablo Neruda's house, and Bellavista's street art.
• Midday: ride the funicular up San Cristóbal Hill and come down by cable car. On a clear day you will see the whole Andes range. All of this is on Neruda, San Cristóbal & Andes Views.
• Afternoon: modern Santiago and the Sky Costanera viewpoint, 300 metres up.

Day 3: a winery or the coast

Choose what suits you:

• Wine: a Maipo Valley winery less than an hour away, such as Concha y Toro half-day, or a full day with two wineries and lunch. Read our guide to the wineries near Santiago.
• Coast: Valparaíso and Viña del Mar in one day, as on our private full day.

Practical tips

1. When to go: spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) have the best weather; autumn is harvest season.
2. Getting around: the metro is the fastest option; buy a bip! card.
3. What to wear: warm days and cool nights; always carry an extra layer.
4. Money: the Chilean peso (CLP); cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Want us to plan your days for you? Write to us and we will propose a tailor-made trip.