Top Rated Attractions in Santiago

This spectacular home was the residence of Pablo Neruda, the acclaimed Chilean poet who won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The home has its unique style, in great part designed by the poet himself and can be found at the bottom of San Cristóbal Hill. It was built in 1955 by Pablo and his wife, Matilde. There is a beautiful library filled with a vast collection of books, paintings and other objects belonging to Neruda.

This informative museum was installed in the Real Aduana building, which was built in 1805 and 1807. Now it hosts important traveling exhibitions that bring in a large number of visitors. Permanent exhibits include valuable ceramics, paintings, sculptures and significant pre-Columbian textiles, from Mexico to Chile. Guided tours are available on request.

Hiking their way to the top of San Cristobal Hill or catching the Bellavista funicular to its peak, are two of the options available to tourists who wish to revel in breathtaking views of the city and the Andes in the distance. Part of the metropolitan park of Santiago, the hill has long been a source of wonder. The Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception is situated at the top, with its iconic statue of the Virgin Mary and its open-air amphitheater. The statue watches over the city from atop this perch and is bathed in colorful lights during the night. On and around the San Cristobal Hill, visitors are met with the chance to explore several attractions including the Chilean National Zoo, two swimming pools and a botanical garden. Whether tourists choose to work their way to the top or simply catch a ride, the panoramic vistas and beautiful sights that await them at the top are well worth the effort.

Barrio Italia is a neighborhood in Santiago and is one of the best places to look for vintage-style furniture as it is mainly inhabited by Italian craftsmen. Even though its name might make it sound like an Italian-dominated neighborhood, you'll still find a variety of eateries serving Asian, American, Spanish and Latin American cuisine. This is also a great place to stroll around gazing at old buildings, walking past broad streets, witnessing what the immense contribution that the immigrants have made to the city.

With its towering skyscrapers and glittering glass facades, the Costanera Center stands in stark contrast to its surroundings. The sprawling complex encompasses a shopping mall, several restaurants, two hotels, luxury apartments and office spaces. The Gran Torre Santiago, at the Costanera Center, boasts of a height that is unmatched by any other building in all of Latin America. The center is also home to one of South America's largest shopping malls. From high-end flagship stores and fine-dining restaurants to casual eateries, gyms and cinemas, at the Costanera Center, there is no dearth of entertainment and wonder. Visitors can spend a day at the center, admiring the panoramic views of the city as well as the mountainous scenery that unfolds beyond the fringes.

This aesthetic-looking building was constructed between 1804 and 1807 by José Goycolea, a student of prominent architect Joaquín Toesca, and was originally intended as a palace for the Real Audiencia (a sort of local admin office of the Spanish Crown). However, this was short lived, and not long after the first Government assembly was held here, initiating Chile's independence from Spain. This was also the site of the first sittings held by the National Congress, and the great liberator himself, General Bernard O'Higgins, had an office in the building. Although over the course of time numerous alterations have been made to the structure, the original façade is still in place in what is now considered a national monument. Home to the National Historical Museum since 1911, it houses a collection related to different periods and famous personalities in the history of Chile, from pre-Colombian times right up to the 1970s. There is also a section dedicated to numismatics (money, coins and medals). Admission is free on Sundays.