The 10 Best Free Things to do in Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

February 10, 2022 Rosalyn Ihle

Santiago Metropolitan Region (Spanish: Región Metropolitana de Santiago) is one of Chile's 15 first-order administrative divisions. It is the country's only landlocked administrative region and contains the nation's capital, Santiago. Most commercial and administrative centers are located in the region, including Chile's main international airport, Arturo Merino Benítez.
Restaurants in Santiago Metropolitan Region

1. Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)

Plaza de Armas, Santiago 8320147 Chile +56 2 2696 2777 http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/catedral-metropolitana/
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10,321 reviews

Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)

Reviewed By nickd18 - Calgary, Canada

when we visit the main church in a capital city we expect it to have great art, wonderful sightlines, an altar complete with paintings and sculptures, large yet intricate stained glass pieces, murals and frescos on the interior ceiling or dome and a massive pipe organ. We expect this but some churches are just more awe -inspring than others. This cathedral has everything and more. Beautiful side chapels, carved pulpit and an open an airy feeling because of the interior height. Well worth the visit

2. Plaza De Armas De Buin

Jose Manuel Balmaceda 401-485, Buin Chile 67667008 http://www.buin.cl/2015/
Excellent
50%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Plaza De Armas De Buin

3. Cerro Santa Lucia

Rua Santa Lucia, Santiago 8320190 Chile +56 2 23867185 [email protected] http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/oficina-de-turismo-cerro-santa-lucia/oficina-de-informacion-turistica
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19,554 reviews

Cerro Santa Lucia

The climb up this natural 230 foot hill offers a worthy reward: breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

Reviewed By Finewinery2019

We had the benefit of a very good personal guide who provided in depth knowledge of the beautiful park. This made our visit much more interesting.

4. Barrio Bellavista

Santiago Chile 5595959595 http://www.barriobellavista.cl
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,017 reviews

Barrio Bellavista

This cultural city neighborhood is rich with artists, entertainers and some of chile's best ethnic and local cuisine.

Reviewed By VernonW143 - Cape Town, South Africa

……A true-lii intriguing barrio to find yourself in just to wonder about casual-lii and explore and discover whatever there is to be found in this area. Besides the trend-ii ‘PATIO BELLAVISTA” centre with all its fascinating shops and restaurants it’s just amazing to see even so much more bars, cafes, restaurants of different proportions all around the streets of this barrio. We would just like to make mention in this review of all the places that we came across in this vicinity so that others may know it is here. The trend-ii “ZONA 3” that looks like a nice beer-garden where lots of young people hang out. “VENEZIA” Restaurant a renowned Chilean gastronomia. The big park-entrance to Cerro San Cristobal with food-vendors all around and also known as “the meeting place in the city”. The “DINING ROOM” Restaurant & Piano Lounge housed in a palatial double storey house with secured parking, La bodeguita de JULIO (the wine-cellar JULIO for Flavour & culture, the nice corner cafe Gracia Heladia which offers ice cream and breakfast. We also came across an outdoor amphitheater with lots of Graffiti on its walls. There was also CAVALERA Art & Tattoo shop, TEATRO SAN GINES a small but nice looking performing arts theater and very close-by was this impressive school building COLEGIO MARIA IMMACULATE the surroundings was very neat & clean, The VIVA LA VIDA restaurant very beautiful-lii decorated walls with bright-lii coloured flowers painted outside. There was a MINI MARKET shop where you could buy all kinds of liquors, a FLORISTERIA with very trend-ii and innovative floral decorations and also “LAPISLAZULI” Factory Shop the Blue Semi Precious Stone which is very popular here in Chile, they had some nice jewelry and fancy stuff created out of this Blue Stones. A nice church building which looks like it’s been here since 1891 and in 1997 the people requested that this be declared a Heritage Site and a Historic Monument. Even on the border of this Barrio there is a love-lii big STAR-BUCK……This is an area that needs lots of time to explore so it’s a must visit when in Santiago de Chile…………………..NB! Don’t forget to take time to study all the expressionism told by the multitude of GRAFFITI all over the area!......

5. Parque Forestal

Santiago Chile http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/parque-forestal/
Excellent
51%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,439 reviews

Parque Forestal

Perfect for strolling or biking, this park has a huge playground and is close to all of the main attractions in Santiago.

Reviewed By hawkes2an - Cranbrook, United Kingdom

Stretching from Plaza Baquedano (also known as Plaza Italia) all the way to the historic building Estancia Mapocho, near the Puente Cal y Cante metro station, this urban park in downtown Santiago is a tranquil place (even though Santiago's traffic is not that far away) with lots of winding paths providing endless options for walkers, joggers and cyclists. Its stretches of grass provide table-cloths for picnicking families. One of the distinctive landmarks in the park is the Fuente Alemana (German Fountain). This elaborate work of art is a good example of the sculptures and metalwork found throughout the park.

6. La Moneda

Moneda S/N, Santiago 8320000 Chile +56 2 2690 4000 [email protected] http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/palacio-de-la-moneda/
Excellent
44%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,781 reviews

La Moneda

The center of Chile's history, this presidential palace is a beautiful building that occupies an entire city block on downtown Santiago.

Reviewed By deborahk3 - Maidstone, United Kingdom

La Moneda is the seat of the president of Chile. It also houses the offices of three cabinet ministers. It occupies most of a large block in the Civic District of downtown Santiago. It looks much like other parliamentary buildings around the world, but well worth seeing. La Monda, is of neoclassical design by an Italian architect and was originally built as a Mint . In 1973, during the military coup, the building was bombed by the Chilean air force. The building was rebuilt some years later although some bullet marks remain and have been preserved. Well worth a visit.

7. Barrio Lastarria

Jose Victorino Lastarria, Santiago 8320165 Chile +56 2 2632 2121 [email protected] http://www.barriolastarria.com
Excellent
58%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,125 reviews

Barrio Lastarria

This bohemian neighborhood has plenty of shops, bookshops, design shops, museums, cinemas, theater, restaurants and bars, hotels and tourist appartments, and more.

Reviewed By melodyk1000 - Carmel, United States

The streets are busy with sellers of books and maps and antiques and lots of other items and there are wonderful restaurants and bars as well. We stayed in this area 2 years ago and loved it - a happening place a night, and frankly during the day as well. We have been going back each day to try a new restaurant. It backs up to the GAM museum and is a fun place to wander. Check out Jose Ramon for artisenal Evers and good burgers, Bocanariz for 250 different option of Chilean wines and wonderful food, or a number of other street side restaurants offering food, beer or ice cream. You will keep going back!

8. Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos

Avenida Matucana 501, Santiago 8350392 Chile +56 2 2597 9600 [email protected] http://ww3.museodelamemoria.cl
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,112 reviews

Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos

The Museum of Memory and Human Rights seeks to draw attention to human rights violations committed by the Chilean state between 1973 and 1990. Its mission is to allow dignity for victims and their families, stimulate reflection and debate and to promote respect and tolerance in order that these events never happen again. It is a Bicentennial project, inaugurated on January 2010, by then President Bachelet. Its purpose is to promote educational initiatives that enhance knowledge and consideration. Its location, on Matucana Street, is also part of an ongoing effort to promote the cultural circuit of Santiago's West Side. Through objects, documents and archives presented in different settings and formats, as well as a innovative sight and sound presentation, it is possible to learn part of this history: the military coup, the repression that took place in the following years, the resistance movement, exile, international solidarity, reparation policies.

Reviewed By yheisler - Toronto, Canada

This is a sobering look at the atrocities committed in Chile under the Pinochet Regime, and a must-see for visitors to Santiago. The museum itself is beautiful and well laid-out, and the exhibits inside are easy to follow and really reveal a lot of details about the darker history of Chile.

9. Parque Arauco

Avenida Presidente Kennedy 5413 Las Condes, Santiago 8320000 Chile +56 2 2731 8763 [email protected] http://www.parquearauco.cl
Excellent
55%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,738 reviews

Parque Arauco

PARQUE ARAUCO is the country´s pioneer and leading shopping mall. Located in one of the city´s most exclusive districts, it stands out for offering the most attractive store mix, and a gastronomic experience with over 65 alternatives to choose from, together with a high level entertainment listing. In PARQUE ARAUCO you will discover more than 350 brands, and all 4 unique and distinguishing areas will delight you for sure. Our Luxury District, where you will find exclusive world class brands; “Piso Diseno” (Design Floor), dedicated to home and decoration; the Boulevard, one of the mall´s most emblematic areas, with its refined international cuisine setting and the best flavors of the world; and finally, following the latest trends, our Bazar Gourmet, Chile's first food hall, with dazzling aesthetics and innovation, in relation to urban and casual cuisine of the world. With tourists in mind, in Parque Arauco you can request your Travellers Card, with exclusive benefits for you.

Reviewed By Ilmar1 - Perth, Australia

This is probably the best modern shopping centre in Santiago. It has a good range of restaurants, with several serving local Chilean and Peruvian food in a nice environment. Lots of brand name clothing and several large department stores throughout. It is not particularly cheap, though. Money changer is on the ground floor and the information desk near the front entrance is very helpful. They helped us with the free Wifi. Most shop staff here speak English which is an advantage. It could be anywhere in the world - the only thing to remind you that you are in Chile is a small souvenir stall outside, near the main restaurants.

10. Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda y Plaza de la Ciudadania

Plaza de la Ciudadania No. 26, Santiago 8320000 Chile +56 2 2690 4000 http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/plaza-de-la-ciudadania/
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,050 reviews

Centro Cultural Palacio de la Moneda y Plaza de la Ciudadania

Reviewed By travelling140

This is a must see place in santiago, is the president office and use to be the place where they kept the coins. Every other day around 10 am they have the change of guards ceremony with a band. You can also go to the Centro Cultural Palacio la Moneda, right next to the palace undergournd and if you are lucky it has a very good exhibition, sometimes coming from the best museums of the world.

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