How To Spend A Day In Santiago

If you’re wondering how to spend a day in Santiago, Chile, and enjoy a little bit of history like myself, then the following places are where you are going to want to spend some time.

Start out by heading to the Palacio de La Moneda (La Moneda Palace), which was originally a colonial mint over two hundred years ago (hence the name “Moneda”, meaning “coin”).  Nowadays it is where you can usually find the Chilean President and his cabinet (the rough equivalent of the White House in the United States).  It is one of the most important historical buildings in Santiago and should not be missed!

Tip: Try to schedule a tour if you can, but if you miss out on that, there’s a pretty cool changing of the guard procession on the northern side of the building at 10 AM every other day.  And if you find your way around back, the southern facade of La Moneda leads to the Plaza de la Ciudadania square, which was inaugurated in 2005 to celebrate the bicentennial of Chile’s independence in 2010 – a beautiful addition to an already amazing building.

Next up, make your way northeast to the Plaza de Armas just a few blocks away.  Anyone from Chile will tell you that this is the place to be if you want a true taste of the heart and soul of Santiago.  Mixing historic landmarks, high-rise buildings, and palm trees straight off the cover of a postcard, the Plaza de Armas is the centerpiece of Santiago and was developed nearly 500 years ago.

The National Historic Museum and Central Post Office both feature incredible buildings, but if you want a true masterpiece, I highly recommend the Metropolitan Cathedral, which I spent over an hour in just admiring the breathtaking paintings and statues that adorn the main hall. Do not miss the Metropolitan Cathedral.  Do. Not. Miss It!

When lunchtime rolls around, make your way a few blocks north of the Plaza de Armas to Mercado Central.  If you like seafood, you’re going to LOVE this marketplace.  With Chile having one of the longest coastlines in the world, you can wine and dine on the freshest seafood available from a wide variety of restaurants serving typical regional food.

Don’t be afraid to try delicacies outside of your comfort zone.  As most of the menus are in Spanish, I recommend just pointing to something and giving it a whirl.  This historical monument can get busy on the weekends, but you won’t want to miss this place if you like to enjoy some of the best catch around!

Finally, make your way northeast and take a tram to the top of the second highest point in the city at the San Cristóbal Hill.  At the top sits a 22 meter statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the best view of the city you’ll find.  Lying to the east you’ll see the snow-capped Andes Mountains with the sprawled out city of Santiago below – a site that will freeze time and truly make you think about life.  On the way back down you can stop by the Chilean National Zoo, home to thousands of animals from all over the world.

So when you’re wondering how to spend a day in Santiago, I find that the above locales represent the city in the most diverse and fun way possible.  Hopefully you enjoy these historical sites and the delicious food as much as I did!