Santiago: Top tips for Nature and culture in abundance!

Santiago doesn’t seem to hit the limelight as a holiday destination, and because it’s far from Europe, it isn’t very well known. However, more families ought to consider adding it to their list! 

The first thing to know is that on arrival, don’t take a local cab; they often try to cheat you. An Uber is much cheaper, and I found them very reliable.

We stayed in the Providência neighborhood, but there are many decent Airbnb’s and central hotels.  Hostal Rio Amazon is one of the places my friends recommended as great value for location.

Upon thinking of activities to indulge in on arrival, I would start with horse riding in the hills around Santiago. The Cabalgata Santiago is the riding place I recommend, and it is reasonable cost-wise if you take your own Uber to the stable. It gives you a feeling of the city from a perspective of nature, and the hills around the city are peaceful. 

Once your thighs are sore after a good morning ride, you might want to relax with a cocktail in the afternoon at Tower Los Leones in the Costanera centre. The USD19 elevator ride to the top is worth it because it offers stunning views and a great cocktail bar upstairs. Each structure is listed, and screens explain each neighbourhood, giving you a good overview of the city. 

this …

Another lovely day out is taking the Cable Car called the Teleférico Santiago. Once at the top, you can see Santiago from above and reach the summit of Cerro San Cristóbal. On the way back, you can visit the Sculpture Park, an outdoor area with more than 30 sculptures by prominent Chilean artists. 

Also in the sector, as you leave the cable car, is the historic Casona “Lo Contador”, a beautiful building with Spanish influences from the end of the 18th century, which today is occupied by the Campus of Architecture, Design and Urban Studies of the Catholic University.

A good way to see the city is the Tourist hop on, hop off bus around Santiago for two days and cable car. It’s perhaps not a kids’ activity, but Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos is a great museum. 

A fantastic way to explore Santiago’s rich history is to join a walking tour. For USD25, you can join a three-hour tour starting from the town centre. I took my daughter in her pram for sun protection and so she could nap while I enjoyed this engaging walking tour, which I booked on GetYourGuide. 

I started the day with a coffee at the Wonderland cafe, which has an Alice in Wonderland theme. The cafe has great decor, and we found it delightful to be there. We shared eggs on toast for 12 USD, and I had one of their fine iced coffee concoctions made from strong Chilean coffee. 

After breakfast, I walked us to the place where they started the tour at the Palacio de la Moneda.

This is the heart of the city, where we walked by the bustling Stock Exchange Building, the historic Bandera Avenue, and the majestic Court Justices. Everywhere was graffiti, decayed buildings, and broken windows.

The guide explained this was caused by a series of massive demonstrations and severe riots in 2019, known in Chile as the Estallido Social. This began in Santiago, where the cost of public transport was increased, and it spread to all over Chile, with a greater impact in the regional capitals. The cost of living and social anger over the government’s policies fueled the uprising that continued until 2021. Much of the downtown is still boarded up or vandalised as a result.  This is perhaps why the downtown isn’t as attractive as it could be. 

From the courts, we stopped at the Ex-Congress National building and the lively Plaza de Armas. Here, we enjoyed looking at  Cathedral of Santiago, which dates back to 1748. The tour continued through the City Hall of Santiago and into the artistic Bellas Artes Neighborhood, home to the renowned Bellas Artes Museum.

Next, we ascended the picturesque Santa Lucia Hills for a stunning panoramic view of the city (entrance is free from Tuesday to Sunday). We then walked another distance around the Lastarria Neighborhood and the peaceful Forest Park.

Our last stop was back in the vibrant Bellavista Neighborhood, a hub for local flavors and vibrant energy. The tour ends at Patio Bellavista, a central location perfect for further exploration or a delightful meal with your family.

We found Les Sabores del Inca, which is a famous restaurant in the Bella Vista area that gives an Inca tasting menu and traditional Chilean food. The waiters are all dressed in traditional Inca costumes, and the restaurant’s theme is super fun. The service is excellent, making the USD50 per menu for the tasting worth it. 

Republics Independiente de Pisco is a great restaurant and bar that serves the best Pisco sour I have found in Santiago. The street it is on is full of  cafes, bars, and artists and is the most vibrant street in Santiago. 

While we were there, we also went to a Christmas market in Plaza de Rio Janero in providence, where a real Santa Claus met children and local products were being sold.  

The best place to buy souvenirs and enjoy typical Chilean food is Centro Artesanal Los Dominicos, which is located inside Barrio Pueblito Los Domínicos. It is a little far from the centre, but it is worth the Uber ride to get there. 

I bought jewellery made from horse hair by local communities. I loved sitting in the central courtyard and having traditional Mote con huesillos, a cool drink made with rehydrated dried peaches, wheat, water, and solid dark-brown sugar called chancaca.  Chile can be very hot at this time of year, so Chileans know that a cool Mote simultaneously relieves hunger, thirst, and heat.

FAQs About Visiting Santiago, Chile with Kids

Also, check out some of our other Chile Adventures:

Discovering Parque Metropolitano
Family Adventure in São Paulo
Playing in Patagonia
Vibing in Valparaiso
Wine Tasting in Maipo Valley
Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley, Chile
Zoom to Zapallar