Luxury hotels in Santiago

Santiago guide

Santiago: the Andes on the doorstep and the wine valleys

Cerro San Cristóbal for the view, then a day among the vineyards of Maipo or Casablanca.

Santiago sits in a valley ringed by the Andes, and the funicular or cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal gives the most cited view of the city against the snow-capped peaks, clearest after rain. The neighbourhoods of Lastarria and Bellavista, and La Chascona, one of Pablo Neruda's houses, are best explored on foot.

The day trip most visitors take is to the wineries of the Maipo Valley, just south of the city, or Casablanca, on the road to Valparaíso, with its colourful hillside houses. In winter, from June to September, ski resorts such as Valle Nevado are about ninety minutes away.

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

Valparaíso, about ninety minutes from Santiago, is the most cited excursion from the capital: a UNESCO port city of colourful houses climbing steep hills, linked by historic funiculars, with street art on every wall and La Sebastiana, one of Pablo Neruda's houses, overlooking the bay.

Next door, Viña del Mar is a seaside resort with gardens and beaches, and the Casablanca Valley wineries, famous for Sauvignon Blanc, are on the road from Santiago, making a perfect combination.

The Maipo and Colchagua wine valleys

The Maipo Valley, just south of Santiago, is the cradle of Chilean wine, and a day of tastings at its estates, from historic cellars to modern wineries with views of the Andes, is one of the most cited experiences from the capital. Maipo is known for Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Colchagua Valley, about two and a half hours south, is famous for Carménère, the grape rediscovered in Chile, and the town of Santa Cruz has a wine train and an excellent museum. Harvest festivals take place in March and April.