Sanitago de Chile crackles
with energy and vibrancy
The green and leafy capital of this narrow country (average
width 110 miles or 177 kilometres) might not be teeming with sights like London, but the sum of its parts makes
this modern and sophisticated city a place worth visiting.
Where is it?
Nestled in a valley, snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the
east provide Santiago de Chile with a stunning setting.
Best views
Go on a clear day and see an amazing 360-degree view of Santiago from a height of 300 meters at the Sky
Costanera. It is said to be the tallest building in South America.
Cerro Santa Lucia, a
park built on a hill in the centre, is one of the stand-out features of the
city. This remnant of a volcano millions of years old was used by the
conquistadors as a lookout point and is where the birth of Santiago was
declared by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541. It became a park in 1872.
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| Take a history lesson |
Take a history lesson
Plaza de Almas
(square of weapons), the city’s original centre and still its beating heart and
soul, is surrounded by beautiful buildings including the Metropolitan Cathedral
of Santiago, the Central Post Office and the Royal Palace, home to the National
History Museum. Palm trees, fountains and statues add to its unique charm.
Carry on walking to
La Moneda Palace and you will pass more great architecture including the Museum
of Pre-Columbian Art.
La Moneda Palace (Palacio de La Moneda)
The former mint is now the seat of the president. It still
bears the scars of the 1973 military coup when President Salvador Allende was
overthrown and General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte assumed power and established a
military dictatorship. The inner courtyards are open to visitors. Tours of the
palace are available but you must book at least a week in advance.
Mercado Central
This colourful market selling fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers
is popular with locals and tourists and is a nice spot for lunch.
Discover a piece of Europe in Barrio Paris Londres
This small quaint area near Iglesia de San Francisco is renowned for its colonial buildings. It is a pleasant stroll along the narrow cobble-stoned streets.
This colourful market selling fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers
is popular with locals and tourists and is a nice spot for lunch.
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| Sunset over the Andes |
Take in a museum
If you have only time to take in one museum, make it the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. Renowned for its collections of pre-Colombian art and artefacts from all over Latin America, you will not be disappointed.
If you have only time to take in one museum, make it the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. Renowned for its collections of pre-Colombian art and artefacts from all over Latin America, you will not be disappointed.
Enjoy Santiago’s foodie scene in Barrio Lastarria
Each of Santiago’s neighbourhoods has its own distinct character and charm. With restaurants and bars plus boutiques in which to mooch around, this is a fascinating place to while away a couple of hours. Museums, theatres and galleries are also to be found here. A great place for people-watching.
Each of Santiago’s neighbourhoods has its own distinct character and charm. With restaurants and bars plus boutiques in which to mooch around, this is a fascinating place to while away a couple of hours. Museums, theatres and galleries are also to be found here. A great place for people-watching.
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| Iglesia de San Francisco |
Discover a piece of Europe in Barrio Paris Londres
This small quaint area near Iglesia de San Francisco is renowned for its colonial buildings. It is a pleasant stroll along the narrow cobble-stoned streets.
Learn about Chilean Wine and taste a glass or two
Viña Undurraga, in the Maipo Valley, was founded by Don Francisco Undurraga in 1885. One of the founders of Chile’s wine industry, he brought plants to the country from France and Germany and began producing wines such as cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and riesling.
Take a guided tour and see how wine is made and, of course, taste a glass or two! For more information visit undurraga.cl
Viña Undurraga, in the Maipo Valley, was founded by Don Francisco Undurraga in 1885. One of the founders of Chile’s wine industry, he brought plants to the country from France and Germany and began producing wines such as cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and riesling.
Take a guided tour and see how wine is made and, of course, taste a glass or two! For more information visit undurraga.cl
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
British Airways flies direct to Santiago. However, if you are travelling around the country you will get a much better deal booking with latam.com but you will have to change planes in São Paulo. The plus side is that it breaks the journey and, overall, the airline’s service is good
British Airways flies direct to Santiago. However, if you are travelling around the country you will get a much better deal booking with latam.com but you will have to change planes in São Paulo. The plus side is that it breaks the journey and, overall, the airline’s service is good
Stay
I stayed at the five-star Hotel Plaza San Francisco (plazasanfrancisco.cl). The location is excellent and the service good. There is marked difference between the levels of rooms, so go for a superior one
I stayed at the five-star Hotel Plaza San Francisco (plazasanfrancisco.cl). The location is excellent and the service good. There is marked difference between the levels of rooms, so go for a superior one
I booked through Cox
& Kings. Once a great company, I found the standards have dropped considerably over the years and was disappointed with the quality
of the hotel rooms and its overall service
