Holiday in Santiago de Chile

About Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile is a vibrant metropolis framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes — a city where cosmopolitan urban life meets one of the most dramatic mountain backdrops in the world. With over seven million inhabitants, Santiago is the political, economic, and cultural heart of Chile and also South America's most underrated capital. Cerro San Cristobal rises 880 meters above the city and offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama from its summit, featuring a 22-meter-high statue of the Virgin Mary: to the east, the majestic Andes mountain range, with peaks soaring over 6,000 meters, and to the west, the endless expanse of the urban sea stretching to the coastal cordillera. The cable car (Teleférico) and the historic funicular railway (Funicular) take visitors through botanical gardens and wine terraces to the summit. Barrio Lastarria and Barrio Bellavista are the creative soul of Santiago: In Lastarria, independent bookstores, author cafes, and galleries line up in neoclassical buildings, while Bellavista enchants with colorful house facades, street art, bars, and Pablo Neruda's house La Chascona — a whimsical home that the poet and Nobel laureate had built like a ship. The Mercado Central, opened in 1872 in a magnificent iron structure, is considered one of the ten best markets in the world: under the wrought-iron roof, fresh seafood from the Pacific is transformed into Ceviche, Caldillo de Congrio (conger eel stew), and Paila Marina. National Geographic has named this market the best fish market in South America. Santiago's wine tradition is world-famous: The Maipo Valley begins just 30 minutes south of the city and is home to wineries like Concha y Toro and Santa Rita, which produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. Wine tastings with a view of the Andes are among the most unforgettable experiences in the capital.