3 Days in Santiago, Chile: A Complete Itinerary for Culture Lovers

I took the subway to Quinta Normal subway station to visit the Museum of Memory, a powerful and moving space dedicated to Chile’s recent history. Afterward, I walked through Barrio Yungay, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, and stopped for lunch at Peluquería Francesa, a charming restaurant set inside an old barbershop.

Continuing along Compañía de Jesús Street, I made my way to Barrio Brasil, another historic area known for its colorful architecture. I kept walking until I reached the Palace of Justice, where I paused to take some photos, and I only visited from outside the Museo Precolombino before finally arriving at Plaza de Armas. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral there.

By then, it was already around 6 pm, but I decided to keep exploring. I walked a few more blocks to Barrio Bellas Artes, where I enjoyed a drink at The Singular Hotel’s rooftop bar, which offers great views of San Cristóbal Hill. I ended the day in Barrio Lastarria, located right next door, with an amazing dinner at Boca Nariz—highly recommended.

It sounds like a lot, but everything was within walking distance, making it a perfect full day of discovering Santiago’s diverse neighborhoods.

On my second day in Santiago, I took the subway from El Golf Station to Pedro de Valdivia and hiked up San Cristóbal Hill. It’s a relatively short hike, and I spent about an hour at the top admiring the city views and enjoying a mote con huesillo, a traditional Chilean drink made with wheat and dried peaches. I went down using the funicular, which ends at the Pío Nono exit.

From there, I walked a couple of blocks to Patio Bellavista, a lively complex filled with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. After exploring for a bit, I took an Uber to Mercado Central, Santiago’s famous fish market, known for its fresh seafood and local charm.
Next, I walked to La Moneda Palace, the presidential office, which is about a 15-minute walk from the market (you can also take the subway to La Moneda Station if you prefer).

After taking some photos, I decided to visit another of Santiago’s landmarks, Santa Lucía Hill. It’s much smaller than San Cristóbal but very picturesque, and right across the street, you’ll find the Santa Lucía Market, a great spot for local crafts and souvenirs.

I ended my day having dinner in a restaurant called Tiramisu, an amazing Italian restaurant located in the El Golf neighborhood.

On my third day, I took an Uber to visit the Bahá’í Temple, a stunning architectural site surrounded by peaceful gardens and panoramic views of the Andes. Ubers in Santiago are very affordable, so they’re a convenient alternative if you don’t feel like taking the subway, which, by the way, is also an excellent option for getting around the city.

After exploring the temple, I took another Uber to Pueblito Los Dominicos, a charming artisanal market located right next to Los Dominicos Subway Station. It’s a great spot to browse handmade crafts, jewelry, and local art. I had lunch in the area before heading to MUT, a modern shopping center filled with boutique stores and trendy restaurants. The mall has even won architectural awards for its innovative design. I spent about two hours here just wandering around and exploring all the cute shops.

Around 6 pm, I crossed the street to visit Sky Costanera, the second-tallest building in Latin America. From the observation deck, you get breathtaking 360-degree views of Santiago, and if you’re lucky, you can catch a stunning sunset over the city skyline.

This was my last day in Santiago, as the next morning I was heading to the coast to continue my Chilean adventure.