Famous Santiago: History, Culture & Local Life

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Biblioteca Nacional (National Library)

  We will meet at the National Library, the starting point of the tour, and go inside to explore its architecture, heritage value, and its role in Chile’s cultural and educational history.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Cerro Santa Lucia

  We will take a walk through parts of this historic hill, a key site in the founding of Santiago. As we explore its terraces and viewpoints, we’ll talk about the city’s origins, its urban transformation, and the relationship between Santiago and its geography, while enjoying panoramic views of the city center.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Centro Cultural Palacio De La Moneda

  We will explore this cultural space located beneath Plaza de la Ciudadanía, where we’ll discuss contemporary Chile, the reclaiming of public space, and the role of culture in today’s urban life.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  La Moneda

  We will observe the façade of La Moneda Palace to understand its architecture, its republican symbolism, and its role as the setting for key moments in Chilean history.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Plaza de La Constitucion

  We will cross this civic square to understand its relationship with La Moneda Palace, state power, and the urban changes that have shaped downtown Santiago over the past decades.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  We will stop in front of the Santiago Stock Exchange to talk about the city’s economic development, its European-influenced architecture, and the emergence of Santiago’s traditional financial district.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Paseo Bandera

  We will walk along this pedestrian promenade to discuss the urban renewal of downtown Santiago, the use of public space, and how art and design coexist with the city’s everyday life.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Plaza Montt Varas

  We will pass through this lesser-known square to talk about everyday Santiago, its secondary civic spaces, and the coexistence of offices, commerce, and urban life in the historic center.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9
  Ex Congreso Nacional

  We will observe the former National Congress building to discuss Chile’s political history, its architecture, and how the role of the historic city center has evolved over time.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  We will enter a traditional commercial gallery to explore everyday life in downtown Santiago, its trades and historic shops, and how these spaces continue to connect locals with their city.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11
  Palacio de Tribunales de Justicia

  We will stop in front of the Palace of Justice to discuss the Chilean judicial system, its monumental architecture, and the role this building plays in the country’s civic life.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12
  Portal Fernandez Concha

  We will visit this historic arcade to discover one of Santiago’s most popular food traditions and talk about the urban culture surrounding completos (the Chilean hot dog) and everyday life in the city center.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13
  Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)

  We will enter the Metropolitan Cathedral to explore its interior, artistic value, and its religious and social role in Santiago’s history.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14
  Plaza de Armas de Santiago

  We will arrive at Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago, to talk about the city’s founding, its urban evolution, and the cultural diversity that defines this central public space today.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15
  Barrio Lastarria

  We will walk through the Lastarria neighborhood to discuss its history, cultural life, and transformation into one of the most vibrant and bohemian areas of downtown Santiago.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

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