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Commune in Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Historic Center is the traditional financial downtown district in Santiago. It comprises the historical center, including Cerro Santa Lucia (the place where the city was founded), historic and public buildings. Mostly commercial, there are also some traditional residential barrios here.
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The capital's main plaza, also the site of the national cathedral and main post office. It's few blocks from the traditional Central Market and has its own Metro Station. During the last years, Plaza de Armas has been used as a meeting and recreation place for the community of Peruvian immigrants. This has led to lots of cheap international calling centers, traditional Peruvian restaurants and Peruvian spice and food stores, being an interesting place to walk during day hours.
Next to the Alameda there is the governmental palace, an Italian neoclassical palace surrounded by more modern buildings with ministries. The squares around them are lined by statues and under one of the squares is an interesting cultural center. Guided one-hour tours are free, but require a reservation of at least seven days in advance (Spanish only).
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
The well put-together Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art houses various artefacts from Mesoamerica and South America, featuring cultures such as the Olmec, Maya, and Inca civilizations. Descriptions of the artefacts and the ancients' way of life are well-written in both English and Spanish. Highlights include a Mayan stone stele and Andean mummies, which precede their Egyptian counterparts.
Historical performance venue, including international dance and opera, worth a visit even if just from its outside.
The oldest church in the city. In the plaza, in front of the church, there is a Moaï from Easter Island.
19th century palace owned by a wealthy Spanish-Portuguese family. The architecture is a mix of Spanish and French styles with inspiration taken from the Versailles palace.
A long park that runs parallel to the Mapocho River, also site of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) and Modern Art Museum. Also known as the green lung of downtown, it's a popular place for cultural and recreational events and activities and the border between the historic center and Barrio Lastarria.
A park with fountains and stairs leading up to a fort and viewpoint the top. The summit has a great view of all but the skyscraper-obscured city center. Charles Darwin visited this peak at one point in his travels; his words are immortalized in a plaque at the summit.
The national library was built in the early 20th century near Cerro Santa Lucía. Here you can find archives of all Chilean newspapers and some foreign ones, map and photo archives and an exhibition hall.
This colonial building functioned as the seat of the first Chilean leader after independence. It was closed for 14 years due to earthquake damage but has opened once again in 2024. It holds a museum of Santiago's history.
Museo Postal y Telegráfico
The central post building has a museum of old stamps, letters and mailboxes and even a small replica of the first central post office.
The city's second oldest church features beautiful colonial religious artwork, including Cristo de Mayo, a statue of Jesus. The thorn crown fell off during an earthquake and legend has that if someone tries to put the thorn crown back on Christ's head, a new earthquake will strike.
The national museum showcases both the history and prehistory of today's Chile. There are several temporary themed exhibitions.
Catedral Metropolitana
One of the city's major landmarks, next to Plaza de Armas.
Built to celebrate Chile's 100 year anniversary, this museum boasts 3000 art works from Chile and the rest of Latin America.
Museum located underneath the Presidential Palace, the Cultural Center has rotating art and cultural exhibitions all year. Local crafts and souvenirs are available at middle-high prices in the local gift shop. A café is also within the facilities. Note that most exhibitions are not free of charge, however, prices are very affordable.
Cultural center with theater, dance, music, and other various cultural activities and conferences year-round. Hosts the International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro) every spring.
An impressive cultural center built on the former military Diego Portales building which was destroyed in a fire. The center has an art and film focused library with free WiFi, a theater, concert halls, a restaurant, a café, and public spaces for resting.
A traditional "soda fountain" that has become a large chain. Known for its rapid service and classic sandwiches and completos.
Peruvian sandwich place with a large variety of stuffings and sauces to choose from, also many different kinds of fruit smoothies.
Famous for its fast service and fried empanadas of different flavors.
Vegetarian restaurant with a large variety of products.
One of the most famous sandwich places in the city, the sandwiches are prepared in the front of the customer. Try the churrasco italiano.
Founded in 1928 with several restaurants around downtown. They have classic Chilean dishes as well as large sandwiches.
Matias Cousiño 54
Offers hearty Chilean meals and a range of local and imported drinks.
Like other eateries in the Mercado central, this restaurant specializes in seafood.
One of Mercado Central's largest restaurants, it's famous for traditional Chilean seafood dishes.
ex Las Carnes de Morandé
Barbecued meat and seafood, and home-made pasta.
ex Ópera Catedral
Nice bar downtown between lounge bar and more folklorica. Good rock bands often come to play.
Small hotel with clean and tidy rooms, double beds and hot water on demand. If there is none, you simply ask the owners to turn it on. Family run business and you can turn up to at any time of day/night. Close to the centre and safe. There is no hotel sign, just ring the bell.
Spacious hostel in a beautiful old building with a roof terrace. The interior is modern, comfortable, and always clean. It opened just a few months ago so it can be a little quiet at times, but if you're not looking for a party hostel you're sure to enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Very friendly and helpful staff. Free internet and Wi-Fi.
On the central square with a great view out over the plaza near the subway and museums. Small (located on an upper floor of a building) but lively place with good staff. Free internet with three computers, Wi-Fi throughout the establishment, common room equipped with a two TVs and a DVD player.
Cosy, friendly and quiet, but right in the middle of town. 2,000 pesos for unlimited internet access during your stay using Tabita's computer or Wi-Fi.
A small bed and breakfast with 4 guest rooms; all with private bathrooms, internet access, maid service daily and a great breakfast every morning of your stay. The house is three levels with two patios and many common spaces. Dinner is offered for those who want that option.
Renovated hotel that is conveniently located for sightseeing in the historic center of the city. It also has a good quality restaurant.
Nice clean hostel with recycling bins and ecological spirit (though some might find it doutbful, what with the use of a fuel heater, a permanently-on computer, and constant music blaring), away from the hustle and bustle of the city center while still being close enough to walk there. Wi-Fi, hot water, nice kitchen, breakfast included; close to laundry and supermarkets. The noise from the communal area, though not crazy, can still reach the rooms around it at night, so if you are looking for quiet choose rooms in the back or upstairs. The hostel name is not written outside; look for the facade painting depicting a traveller and a travel guide.
Mixed and women-only four- to six-bed dorms, private rooms and apartments. Price includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, and daily housekeeping service. Great staff and fun weekly events.
A view of Cerro Santa Lucia located just blocks away from the center. Great personal staff and good breakfast with fresh fruit.
This hostel is run directly in an old building in the middle of Neighborhood Bellas Artes, it has high quality infrastructure and also has a very nice coffee shop next door where the breakfast is served: The drawback is the six lane road outside which is rarely quiet and the early morning revellers returning home. Sleep is at a premium here. Good points are the staff, the location and the park areas nearby
Part of an international chain.
Large hotel near Plaza Italia.
Located downtown.
Small luxurious hotel in Barrio Lastarria
Near Plaza Italia.
As with La Vega, fruit and vegetables are sold, but the attraction here is the fish and seafood brought in fresh daily from the Pacific to be sold under an elaborate wrought-iron roof.
Paseo Ahumada comprises four blocks between Alameda and Plaza de Armas and is the commercial hub of the city. It features commercial buildings with restaurants, cafés and small and large places to shop.
The Historic Center is served by Metro Line 1 (Santa Lucía, Universidad de Chile, La Moneda, and Los Héroes), Line 2 (Los Héroes, Santa Ana, and Puente Cal y Canto), and Line 5 (Plaza de Armas and Santa Ana).
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