Attractions

This slick, privately operated fashion museum comprises a vast and exquisite permanent collection of Western clothing – 20th-century designers are particularly well-represented.

When poet Pablo Neruda needed a secret hideaway to spend time with his mistress Matilde Urrutia, he built La Chascona (loosely translated as 'messy hair'), the name inspired by her unruly curls. Neruda, of course, w…

This striking cultural and performing arts center – named for Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature – is an exciting addition to Santiago's art scene. The…

Exquisite pottery from most major pre-Columbian cultures is the backbone of Santiago's best museum, the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. As well as dozens of intricately molded anthropomorphic vessels, star exhib…

When NAVE opened to the public in 2015 it was a grand symbol of Barrio Yungay’s emergence as an artistic hub of Santiago. This experimental cultural center – built within the walls of a 20th century mansion – invite…

One of the most influential folk musicians on the continent, Violeta Parra was also a prolific artist and the first Latin American to have a solo exhibition in The Louvre. This biographical museum, opened in late 20…

Chile’s national library is a sight to behold with soaring ceilings, stained glass domes, checkered floors and creaky antique furnishings. One of the largest (and oldest) libraries in Latin America, it hosts frequen…

Head to the top of the tallest building in Latin America for a 360-degree view of Santiago and the mountains that tower above it on both sides for as far as the eye can see. Views are best on sunny winter days after…

The best sweeping views over Santiago are from the peaks and viewpoints of the Parque Metropolitano, better known as Cerro San Cristóbal. At 722 hectares, the park is Santiago's largest green space, but it's still d…

During Chile’s last dictatorship some 4500 political prisoners were tortured and 266 were exe­cuted at Villa Grimaldi by the now-disbanded DINA (National Intelligence Directorate). The compound was razed to conceal …