Since my partner is a native Santiaguino, Santiago holds a special place in my heart. Compared to many other Latin American capitals, Chile’s capital is very compact, walkable from point to point, and one of the safest. And these traits, combined with its excellent public transportation, means that you can see many of the city’s highlights in one walking day.

Given that I love this beautiful, lively city, it was not trivial to build this itinerary – there were just so many places I wanted to include! But I did painstakingly research and string together the must-see and must-do highlights into one efficient route. And I’m happy to report that after dragging my partner to do this route and play tourist for a day, he approves :)

So if you only have 1 day in Santiago, this ultimate, efficient itinerary is ready for you to grab and go — read below for the quick plan, map, hour-by-hour route, my notes and thoughts on each stop, and the logistics to make it smooth!

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Quick Plan (TL;DR)

Time needed: 1 full day (10-11 hours).
Start / end: Barrio Bellavista / Barrio Lastarria.
Walking distance: 5-6 miles / 8-10 km (flat city streets, some hill climbing).
Pace: Moderate.
Transportation needed: None except transit to start / from end.
Best for: First-timers / those short on time / those who want to hit the highlights in one day.
What you’ll do: Start with street art and classic Chilean lunch in Bellavista. Then, examine architecture and history in the historic center (Plaza de Armas, La Moneda), visit must-see museums (fine arts, history), eat more Chilean snacks, and stroll cobblestone streets. Finally, climb Santa Lucía Hill to get a panoramic view of Santiago and the Andes, and end with dinner and nightlife in Lastarria.
Modifications: Shortening (this is a long day), rainy weather, or more exercise? See towards the end of this post!

Street art in Bellavista

Historic center

Museums (fine arts + history)

Classic Chilean foods

View of Santiago from Santa Lucía Hill

Dinner + nightlife in Lastarria

Maps

Map of part one of route. — **First part of the route (morning to mid-afternoon):** Start the day with street art and Chilean food in Barrio Bellavista, then National Museum of Fine Arts, Plaza de Armas and surrounding landmarks and museums, and classic joint for “completos” (Chilean loaded hot-dogs), El Portal Exbahamondes. (Map data © Google).

Map of part two of the route. — **Second part of the route (morning to mid-afternoon):** After eating completos, head down downtown pedestrian streets to La Moneda (Presidential Palace) and surrounding plazas, then stroll cobblestone streets at Barrio París-Londres. Finally, climb Santa Lucía Hill for a panoramic view of the city, and end the day with dinner and nightlife at Barrio Lastarria. (Map data © Google).

Hour-by-Hour Itinerary

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Overview:

Morning — Barrio Bellavista (1–1.5 hrs)

Walk through Barrio Bellavista for street art and neighborhood vibes
Visit La Chascona (Pablo Neruda’s house)

Late Morning / Early Midday — Lunch in Bellavista (1 hr)

Lunch at Galindo (classic Chilean)

Try the pastel de choclo (Chilean corn pie)

Midday — Parque Forestal + Fine Arts (1.5 hrs)

Walk Parque Forestal (~20 min)
Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes) (~1 hr)

Early Afternoon — Historic center (45–60 min)

Walk through Bellas Artes neighborhood to Plaza de Armas (~10 min)
Plaza de Armas loop (~30 min)
Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago exterior and interior (~20 min)

Mid-Afternoon — Museum + grand civic buildings (1.5 hrs)

Choose one:

National History Museum (~1 hr), or
Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (60–90 min)

Plaza Montt Varas photo stop (~10 min)

Interior displays of the National History Museum.

Late Afternoon — Snack + downtown streets (45–60 min)

Completos (loaded Chilean hot dogs) at El Portal Ex-Bahamondes
or mote con huesillo (classic Chilean beverage) from a street stand
Walk Paseo Ahumada + Calle Nueva York (Stock Exchange view)

Late Afternoon / Early Evening — La Moneda (Presidential Palance) (40 min)

Explore Palacio de La Moneda exterior + Plaza de la Constitución (~30 min)
Short rest on the nearby grassy lawn Plaza de la Ciudadanía (~10 min)
Optional: Centro Cultural La Moneda

Early Evening – Barrio París-Londres (30 min)

Walk to Barrio París-Londres (~10 min)
Stroll the streets (15–20 min)
Optional stops:

Church of San Francisco
Londres 38

Evening / Sunset — Climb Santa Lucía Hill (30-60 min)

Walk to Santa Lucía Hill (10 min)
Climb the hill for panoramic view the city and the Andes (30–60 min)

Night — Barrio Lastarria nightlife (2 hrs)

Walk to Barrio Lastarria (~10 min)
Dinner at Peztoro

Try the chorrillana

Drinks and nightlife in Lastarria

Cobblestone streets of Barrio París-Londres.

Example timing (what I followed):

10:30-11:30 Explore Bellavista → 11:30-12:30 Lunch at Galindo → 12:30-12:50 Parque Forestal → 12:50-13:50 Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes → 14:00-14:30 Plaza de Armas & Cathedral → 14:30-16:00 Your choice of museum → 16:00-17:00 Snack and stroll downtown streets → 17:00-17:40 La Moneda → 17:50-18:10 Barrio París-Londres → 18:20-19:00 Santa Lucía Hill → 19:00-21:00 Barrio Lastarria

Logistics: Transit, Safety + What to Wear

Hours

Many places are closed on Mondays, so you really can’t do this itinerary on that day unless you skip Galindo and most of the museums.
If it's Monday, consider doing what’s still open (Bellavista art walk, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda exterior, Santa Lucía), plus checking out Costanera Center (big mall in the tallest building in South America, reachable on Metro Line 1).

Transit notes

Transit to start point (Bellavista): Take the metro to Baquedano station (Line 1 or 5), then follow Avenida Vicuña Mackenna, cross the bridge, and onto Pio Nono (main street) in Bellavista. Alternatively, you could take rideshare (Uber or Cabify) directly to Patio Bellavista (the start point of Pio Nono).
Transit from end point (Lastarria): Metro station Universidad Católica (Line 1) is right next to Lastarria (note that the metro doesn’t open all night; check here for schedule). Alternatively, you can call rideshare back to your lodging – if so, I’d call the car for pickup either on streets Monjitas or Merced (to the north of the neighborhood) to avoid heavy foot and car traffic.
Stay tuned for my detailed guide on Santiago public transportation, coming soon!

Safety

Most of this walking route is heavy on foot traffic during the day, so I feel safe personally. There are certain streets Barrio Bellavista that are less secure, so I’d stick around the main street (Pio Nono). At night, Barrio Lastarria, especially the main strip, is well-lit and lively. But if you do stay out late, I’d go straight from Lastarria back to your lodging – the surrounding areas (especially closer to the historic center) could be hit or miss after dark.
However, since this route goes through busy downtown areas, there is opportunistic theft especially around metro entrances and busy tourist streets and areas. Make sure to keep your usual big-city habits with you (bag awareness, phone out minimally while walking). Especially look out for people on bikes zooming past to grab your phone!

Street art in Barrio Bellavista. — Murals covering entire building facades in Barrio Bellavista.

What to wear + bring (one-bag friendly)

Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking, and some of it on uneven cobblestone streets and narrow stone stairs (on Santa Lucía Hill).
→ Check out my guide for the best shoes to pack for versatility in travel (hint: trail runners like these Nike Pegasus Trail (*) — my current shoe!)
Clothing + layers: Wear breathable, comfortable clothing you can walk in all day. Santiago’s semi-arid climate means big temperature swings between daytime and night, so a light layering system works best — think a base you won’t overheat in, plus a packable layer you can throw on after sunset or on the hill.
Note: For the Metropolitan Cathedral, there’s a sign at the door to wear respectable clothing, but the specific requirements are not listed. I saw plenty of folks wearing shorts and tanks in the summer inside, but I’d keep a packable layer in mind for coverup.
→ Check out my packing list for my favorite layerable travel clothing (hint: merino wool!)
Sling / crossbody: For a one-bag setup, I recommend a sling or crossbody rather than a backpack. It keeps valuables in sight in busy areas and gives you quick access to your phone, water, and layers without taking anything off.
→ I really like my Osprey Ultralight Collapsible Stuff Waist Pack (*) — extremely lightweight and comfortable to carry.
Water / sun protection: Especially in the summer, Santiago’s sun is relentless, so make sure to wear sunscreen and bring water (Santiago’s tap water is drinkable, but you can also get bottled water at convenience / grocery stores like Lider Express).

Key Stops: My Notes, Why Visit, Hours, Costs + Tips

Barrio Bellavista

What is it: Santiago’s vibrant bohemian neighborhood between the Mapocho River and San Cristobal Hill.
Why visit: Admire the colorful murals lining the streets, take in the vibrant energy, eat at the various restaurants and cafes, check out the theaters and art galleries.
Where to go: When you get out of the Baquedano metro station, follow the big Av. Vicuña Mackenna to cross the river onto Pio Nono (the main street of the neighborhood). I recommend sticking around that street and the surrounding ones since it’s the most dense and well-trafficked. Also check out Patio Bellavista for a modern outdoor dining/shopping area and Plaza Camilo Mori for a central gathering spot of the bohemian scene.
Safety: While the area is lively and full of people during the day, it gets less secure at night – if you have to visit then, stay on well-lit main streets then.

La Chascona

What is it: One of three house-turned-museums associated with Pablo Neruda in Chile (and the only one in Santiago). It’s shaped like a boat.
Why visit: Check it out if you’re a fan of Neruda, literary history, and/or quirky architecture. Or if you don’t go in, rest your feet in the outside seating area and admire the fun blue exterior.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00 (January and February, 10:00-19:00).
Entrance fees: 11,000 CLP / ~$12-13 USD.
Website: Link here.

Galindo

What is it: Typical Chilean cuisine, open since 1968.
Why go: Get a taste of pastel de choclo (Chilean corn pie), one of my favorite Chilean dishes – note that it’s sweet and savory, and I know some folks who couldn’t get used to the sweetness for a meal, but I (and my Chilean partner) think you need to try it since it’s an emblematic dish. For those of you who do like the sweetness, ask for some sugar to sprinkle on top (it’s what the Chileans do and it really brings out the flavor of the corn!)
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11:30-23:00 (closed Monday).
Cost: $$ (~$12 USD for pastel de choclo)
Tips: The traditional amount to tip in restaurants in Chile is ~10%.

Parque Forestal

What is it: Big park on the northern border of Bellas Artes neighborhood.
Why walk through: A good example of the types of greenspaces in Santiago. It’s my favorite way of getting from Bellavista to the Bellas Artes Museum – the wide dirt paths and lots of trees are so much more pleasant than the sidewalks along the busy avenues on both sides.

National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes)

What is it: One of Chile’s major museums and the oldest fine arts museum in South America (established in 1880). Situated in the Palace of the Fine Arts, a majestic Beaux-arts building facing Parque Forestal.
Why visit: Take in the beautiful building and the grand entrance hall, check out art by a range of Chilean and South American artists, including surrealist Roberto Matta.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:30.
Entrance fees: Free.
Website: Link here.

Exterior of National Museum of Fine Arts.

Plaza de Armas

What is it: The main square of Santiago, now and during the Spanish colonial period, surrounded by historic buildings and palm trees.
Why walk through: This is the historic center of Santiago, and lots of this itinerary are in its surrounding areas. Today, the plaza is a gathering spot as well, and you’ll see people out chilling, playing chess, and even skateboarding.
Safety: This is a very busy area with opportunistic theft, so be extra aware of your bags and belongings.

Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral de Santiago)

What is it: The main seat of the Catholic Church in Chile, dating back to the 18th century. Located in front of Plaza de Armas.
Why visit: Admire the neoclassical architecture, take in the grand marble nave and dome – the entire complex is a national monument.
Visit norms: As stated in the cathedral website, follow the visit norms as this is a religious site (no food, keep voices down, no flash photography).
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00, Saturday-Sunday 09:00-13:30.
Entrance fees: Free.
Website: Link here.

Exterior of Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago,

National History Museum (Museo Histórico Nacional)

What is it: Museum that overviews Chilean history from its indigenous peoples to the 1970s (government of Salvador Allende). Located in front of Plaza de Armas, in a historic neoclassical building where the first congress of the Chilean republic met.
Why visit: I really like this museum – I find it to be a great way to get a comprehensive view of Chile’s political and social history through artifacts and information displays. You can see archeological products as well as everyday objects (like furniture, clothing, and carriages).
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Entrance fees: Free.
Website: Link here.

Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino)

What is it: Museum dedicated to the art of the indigenous peoples of Central and South America before prior to European conquests. Located 1-2 blocks from Plaza de Armas.
Why visit: This is very unique to the region and is an extensive collection of art from indigenous cultures like the Mapuche, the Maya, the Inca, just to name a few. See textiles, pottery, carvings, and even Chinchorro mummies, the oldest mummies in the world.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Entrance fees: 3,000 CLP / ~$3.5 USD; 1,000 CLP / ~$1.5 USD for students; free for children and senior citizens.
Website: Link here.

Display inside the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art.

Completos (Chilean hot-dogs) at El Portal Ex-Bahamondes

What is it: El Portal Ex-Bahamondes (est. 1930) is reportedly the birth place of the “completo italiano” – Chilean hot dogs loaded with mashed avocado (“palta”), diced tomatoes, and mayonnaise. Located in the historic commercial center Portal Fernández Concha next to Plaza de Armas.
Why go: Completos are a classic, very popular Chilean fast food, and in my opinion a must-try – it’s made of the same type of hot dog and bun as American hot dogs, but the combo with avocado, tomato, and mayo makes it very different. Order the classic completo italiano.
Hours: Everyday 9:00-evening (19:30 or 22:00, hours vary).
Cost: ~5,400 CLP / ~$6 USD for a large completo italiano. As a snack, the large size can be shared amongst two people.
Tips: The traditional amount to tip in restaurants in Chile is ~10%.

Mote con huesillo from street stands

What is it: Mote con huesillo is a traditional Chilean non-alcoholic drink / dessert made from sweet dried peach (huesillo) juice, topped with wheat berries (mote) and rehydrated dried peaches. The pedestrian streets next to Plaza de Armas (e.g. Paseo Ahumada, Paseo Estado) are dotted with these street stands, how this drink is normally sold. .
Why eat: This is a very popular Chilean drink, especially in the summer, so worth trying for the local food tasting. It’s also just so good – if you love peaches like me, you will love this stuff. Especially on a hot summer day, after walking around sightseeing, it’s so refreshing and energizing.
Hours: Vary by stand, but most should be open in the afternoons. However, as this is a summer drink, there are much fewer stands open in colder months.
Cost: Vary by stand, but usually ~$1-3 USD.
Payment: Many stands are cash only, though some do take credit cards.

Street stand on Paseo Ahumada selling mote con huesillo.

Paseo Ahumada & Calle Nueva York

What is it: Pedestrian (car free) streets in the heart of downtown Santiago that connect Plaza de Armas with Santiago’s main avenue, La Alameda, to the south.
Why visit: Lively commercial zone with street performers, lots of shopping galleries, malls, stores, and restaurants, and street stands. Sometimes it could be a little chaotic, but great for walking around and feeling the pulse of the city.
What to see and do: Eat mote con huseillo from a street stand! And on Calle Nueva York (beautiful cobblestone street), turn around for a view of the Stock Exchange building, a grand French Renaissance-style building.

La Moneda

What is it: Officially Palacio de La Moneda, this is the seat of the President of Chile. It’s a grand neosclassical palace that occupies an entire block.
Why visit: A must-see – one of the iconic landmarks of the city, and a very historically significant one. The palace was bombed during the 1973 military coup d'état that started the Pinochet dictatorship. Large portions of the building were destroyed then but have since been restored.
What to see and do: Walk around the exterior of La Moneda to take in the view and the surrounding plazas. Take a rest in the grassy areas of Plaza de la Ciudadanía outside while admiring the building (and the huge Chilean flag right there). Optionally, head down the ramp at Plaza de la Ciudadanía to Centro Cultural La Moneda, a basement center that showcases various exhibitions.

Barrio París-Londres

What is it: Neighborhood centered on two short cross-streets south of La Alameda, known for its cobblestone streets with French-style mansions turned into hotels and shops.
Why visit: European elegance in Santiago. I think it has a distinct feel compared to the rest of the city, and is a great spot to walk around for the vibe and for photos, as well as see some history.
What to see: Church of San Francisco (consecrated in 1622) is one Santiago’s oldest colonial-era buildings and has survived a bunch of earthquakes. Londres 38 is a former dictatorship-era torture site that’s now a memorial/museum. There’s also an elaborate arch bridge on Calle París.

Santa Lucía Hill

What is it: Small hill in the center of the city with lots of greenery and dominated by Castillo Hidalgo, a historic fort that has its structures and terraces now blended into the hill.
Why visit: It’s a short climb to the top (~30 minutes), but the pay-off of the view up top is totally worth it and the various historic structures dotted around the hill make it more than a nature climb.
What to see: Neptune Fountain at the base of the hill. Structures of Castillo Hidalgo. At the top, you have a panoramic view of the city, with Gran Torre Costanera (the tallest building in South America) and the majestic Cordillera de los Andes.
Safety: Watch out for the stairs near the top – the steps could be narrow.
Hours: Everyday 9:00-evening (~19:00-20:00 in the summer, closer to 18:00 in the winter).
Entrance fees: Free.

Barrio Lastarria

What is it: Neighborhood directly east of Santa Lucía Hill, a popular tourist hub with lively streets full of restaurants, cafes, wine bars, and street vendors.
Why visit: Great for outdoor dining and nightlife, and to have a relaxed and well-deserved end to a full day of sightseeing :)
What to do: Walk around and take in the atmosphere. Dinner and drinks at Peztoro, a Chilean/Italian restaurant. Try their chorrillana (Chilean plate with fries topped with various meats) and sit outside.

Optional Swaps

If you don’t have / want a full day…

Skip: One of the museums.
Keep: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, and surrounding areas for the historic landmarks. Santa Lucía Hill for the panoramic view of Santiago.

If it’s rainy…

Skip: Santa Lucía Hill – it’s closed when it’s raining.
Keep: The museums (maybe go into both the National History Museum and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum). I’d still recommend going to Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, and the surrounding areas, but you can duck into the nearby indoor areas once in a while when you want to escape the rain. Some indoor areas are: Portal Fernández Concha (near Plaza de Armas, where El Portal Ex Bahamondes is), Centro Cultural La Moneda (basement of Plaza de la Ciudadanía).

If you want to make the day exercise-focused + have 1-2 extra hours in the morning…

Add: Hike San Cristóbal Hill – large hill area that houses Parque Metropolitano, Santiago’s largest park. The climb and the top gives you a panoramic view of the city. Take the cable cars down.
Skip: Santa Lucía Hill later in the afternoon – you will already have gotten all the views of the city from a much higher point.
Maybe also skip: Some of the stops in the center/downtown areas, since the hill is a hike. I’d still recommend going to Plaza de Armas and La Moneda, and pick one of the museums though.
And kudos to you!

Recap

This ultimate 1-day Santiago itinerary gives you a clear, efficient route through the city’s highlights, from historic streets to sunset views. Follow it as-is for a smooth, well-paced day that shows you a lot. I hope you love it as much as I did — tell me in the comments what you ended up doing and how it went for you!

Hi, I’m Tiffany —

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Jan 15 Santiago in 1 Day: Ultimate Itinerary + Map (Efficient, Walkable, Local-Approved)

Table of Contents

Quick Plan (TL;DR)

Maps