Few capitals boast as dramatic a setting as Santiago, Chile, which is squished between the Chilean Coast Range and some of the highest mountains in the Andes. Frequently overlooked by travelers headed onward to Chile’s wild extremes—like Patagonia and the Atacama Desert—this city of 7 million people really does deserve a few days of your time. (There’s a good reason we named it one of our Best Places to Go in 2026.)
Mark Johanson
Mark Johanson is a journalist who has lived in Santiago, Chile, for over a decade.
Day-trippers can swirl a glass of peppery Carménère at a Spanish-colonial Maipo Valley winery, soak in milky-green hot springs at Colina Valley, or hike to the Condor Lookout to photograph the largest raptors on earth. In winter, you can even race down the Andes at one of four ski resorts. And within two hours, you can survey the vast Pacific from a tony beach town like Zapallar or the art-filled streets of Valparaíso.
Of course, be sure to spend time downtown, too. Santiago has world-class museums, vibrant parks and plazas, bohemian barrios, buzzing nightlife, and a growing food scene to match those globe-conquering wines. This is everything you need to know to plan a trip to Santiago, Chile.
Read our full list of the Best Places to Go in Central and South America in 2026.
When to visit Santiago
Visit during the spring months of September through November, when daytime temperatures in the mid-70s are just right for exploring, and the Andes are green following winter rains. In September, seek out Independence Day traditions like cueca (a folk dance with handkerchiefs) on street corners and at week-long fondas (pop-up fairs).
The weather starts to warm in December, but it rarely gets steamy in this arid climate. Nighttime temperatures drop even at the height of summer, so it’s best to pack a layer no matter when you visit. City traffic is especially light in balmy late January and February, when most Santiaguinos take their summer holidays, but you’ll want to avoid the beaches then, as they’ll be crowded with fellow vacationers. And if you’re going skiing, book your Chilean getaway between mid-June and August.
Getting to and around Santiago
Santiago-based LATAM Airlines is the largest in Latin America, ensuring a wide array of direct flights to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. LATAM codeshares with Delta, and there are nonstop flights to major US cities, including New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a car service like Transvip to your accommodations.