3 Days in Santiago, Chile: Hills, Neruda, Markets and a Wine-Country Day
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Chile · Santiago · Jet Set LatAM
Santiago is a city of hills with the Andes as its backdrop. Spend two days on its neighborhoods, markets and poets, and the third in the vineyards that make Chilean wine famous.
Your trip at a glance
- Day one
- Lastarria, Cerro Santa Lucía and Mercado Central
- Day two
- Cerro San Cristóbal, La Chascona and Bellavista
- Day three
- A wine day in Maipo or Casablanca
- Base
- Lastarria, Providencia or Vitacura
Quick links
Where to stay
Lastarria is charming and walkable, with cafés, galleries and small hotels. Providencia is central and residential. Vitacura and Las Condes are sleek and close to the best restaurants and luxury hotels.
Day one: Lastarria and the center
Begin in Lastarria with coffee and the Museo de Bellas Artes, then climb Cerro Santa Lucía for your first view of the city and the mountains.
Walk to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, and have a seafood lunch at the Mercado Central. Try the machas a la parmesana.
Day two: San Cristóbal and Bellavista
Ride the funicular or cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for the big view across Santiago to the Andes, best on a clear morning.
Visit La Chascona, Pablo Neruda’s quirky house at the foot of the hill, then stay in Bellavista for street art, bars and dinner.
Day three: wine country
Spend the day in the vineyards. The Maipo Valley, just south of the city, is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. The Casablanca Valley, on the way to the coast, is known for its white wines and can be combined with Valparaíso.
Book tastings ahead, and hire a driver or join a tour so nobody has to drive after lunch.
Practical notes
- The metro is efficient; use ride-hailing at night.
- Seasons are the reverse of the north: summer is December to February, and harvest is around March and April.
- Smog can hide the Andes in winter, so try the hilltop views after rain.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough in Santiago, Chile?
Three days is enough to see Lastarria, the center and Mercado Central, Cerro San Cristóbal, La Chascona and Bellavista, and to spend a day in wine country.
Where is the best area to stay in Santiago?
Lastarria is the most charming and walkable area for first-timers. Providencia is central and calm, and Vitacura and Las Condes have the luxury hotels.
Which wine valley is closest to Santiago?
The Maipo Valley is closest, just south of the city. The Casablanca Valley is about an hour west, on the road to Valparaíso.
When is the best time to visit Santiago?
Spring, from September to November, and autumn, from March to May, are the most pleasant. Autumn is also harvest season in the vineyards.
Keep exploring
- Where to Stay in Santiago: A Neighborhood Guide
- What to Eat and Drink in Santiago: A Chilean Food Guide
- Discover Boutique Shopping in Santiago: Barrio Italia & Vitacura
- Karyn Coo in Santiago: Chilean Cool for a Polished City Wardrobe
- Cajón del Maipo: A Day Trip from Santiago into the Andes
- Santiago + Casablanca Valley: A Wine Country Weekend
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