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Santiago Culture & history

Our most recommended Santiago Culture & history

From Santiago: Portillo Inca Lagoon and San Esteban Vineyard

1. From Santiago: Portillo Inca Lagoon and San Esteban Vineyard

Start with pickup from your hotel in Santiago by a professional guide. Travel through spectacular scenery to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Andes mountains, Portilla Inca Lagoon. Capture photographs of the water’s iridescent turquoise surface and listen to poignant legends of Incan royalty. Marvel at the archaeological park located in a hill in the middle of San Esteban Vineyard in which you will explore walking trails and find its various petroglyphs which belong to the Aconcagua culture. Ascend to the vertiginous altitude of Hotel Portillo ski resort to take in the verdant beauty of San Esteban Vineyard before pleasuring enjoying some samples of local wine.

Santiago: Highlights Bike Tour

2. Santiago: Highlights Bike Tour

A biking tour to head into the green spaces and historical highlights of downtown Santiago. Shady parks, hip barrios, and insights into Santiago local culture will make for a memorable afternoon. You will be lead first through the parks in Santiago, before visiting the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center and La Moneda where you’ll get into Chile’s political history and how it shapes society today. Following this, you will hit the streets with your bike, venturing to the historical GAM cultural center. Here you will be able to further hear about Chile's history, with your guide talking you through the background of each monument and figure that you encounter. Downtown’s afternoon highlights of big trees, skyscrapers are for the urban adventurers. You will ride through beautiful parks, see unique architecture and witness profound monuments, all within the heart of Santiago.

Santiago: Full-Day Bike Sightseeing Tour

3. Santiago: Full-Day Bike Sightseeing Tour

Enjoy this ultimate city bike tour to discover the whole of Santiago in one fun packed day. On this adventure ride, you will find out about the culture behind the boho streets of Bellavista, followed by the taste and colors of Santiago’s renowned food markets (all 3 of them). You can visit the former house of famed Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, in between your weaving bicycle tour of Santiago's streets and parkland. You will be shown the favorite places to grab a classic Chilean meal, and once your meal is fully enjoyed you will hit the wonders of Santiago that put this city in the history and travel books. You will be able to discuss important recent history about the Pinochet regime outside La Moneda. All this whilst still allowing time to see the main sites of downtown and enjoying the park life. These tours are designed to be a cultural cruise without overbearing you with information, dates and irrelevant facts.

Santiago: Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour

4. Santiago: Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour

Head out from Santiago to some of the most emblematic destinations within Chile, like Valparíso and Viña del Mar, as well as stopping by one of the best wine markets in Casablanca on your way and a visit to the famous Reñaca beach. Marvel at the towering Andean mountains that flank the road to your full-day tour outside of Santiago. You will stop at Río Tinto in the town of Casablanca, a wine market in the middle of Chilean wine country, for a complimentary glass of wine and an olive oil tasting. Afterward, visit Valparaíso and its city center which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its charming and picturesque houses include La Sebastiana, one of the houses of Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda. Your next stop is Viña del Mar, famed for its music scene and its numerous parks and gardens, which have earned it the nickname of the Garden City. Head along the coastline northwards to visit Reñaca, the most popular beach area in the region.

Frequently asked questions about Santiago

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The best day trips and excursions from Santiago are:

Valparaíso

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Other Sightseeing Options in Santiago

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What people are saying about Santiago

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 358 reviews

We learn about wine making ar this old Vinyard that has been in operation in late 1800s. The docent who explained the process was knowledgeable. We had wine tasting and could keep the wine glass as the souvenir. The visit to the Temple of Bahamian has a lot of time for us to explore the garden, structure and architecture by ourself. It was newly opened in 2016 and one of the world 8 temples and only one in South America. The view is spectacular due to it is located on the foothill of the Andes mountain range. The structure looks like flowers with 9 petals, inside was claded with marble but outside was of manufactured glass which was very interesting. It is not transparent but translucent.

We had a fantastic time with our guide Julio! We loved the whole day. We started with a beautiful vineyard and great wine, saw llamas and had an empanada lunch, and spent the afternoon immersed in the Andes.

A perfect day with an excellent guide. Beautiful images, interesting places, a lot to learn. The wine excellent as well!

Highly recommended tour. Jaime, our tour guide, gave us an excellent commentary during the tour.

Excellent experience! Gonzalo was a great guide :) super cool and amazing during all day.