Top 10 Tourist Attractions and Things To Do in Chile

With one of the planet’s most diverse landscapes, Chile has become increasingly popular as a travel destination, especially among nature lovers and adventure seekers. This long, thin nation on the western edge of South America, is home to stunning sightseeing opportunities and amazing landscapes, including charming beaches, lush temperate forests, the tall peaks of the Andes, ancient volcanoes, and a breathtaking coastline.

Chile has also an abundance of amazing national parks and conservation areas, with many of them being popular destinations for those interested in trekking, hiking, river rafting, climbing, and mountain biking.

Chile’s capital, Santiago, is the best place to begin your journey, as it offers a wide range of things to see and do. Here, you can visit some of the country’s most important landmarks, such as the stunning Easter Island with its famous stone figures, and many fine museums and art galleries.

In this guide, we will take you on a tour of the top tourist attractions of Chile and things to do from the capital, Santiago, to the city of Valparaiso, and the world-class national parks and reserves.

Santiago

Santiago is not only the financial and business capital of Chile, but it’s also the country’s cultural and entertainment center. It’s where you’ll find endless fun things to do, such us visiting its best museums and galleries, along with excellent shopping opportunities, dining, and hotel options.

Located in the middle of Chile, Santiago is the main transportation hub in Chile, for many people, the most enjoyable part of a trip to Chile is getting to know Santiago before embarking on the other adventures planned.

Founded in 1541, the Chilean capital is home to many points of interest such as the Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, a state-of-the-art cultural center that occupies part of the outstanding Palacio de la Moneda, and the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts. Founded in the 1880s, the Museum of Fine Arts, features a large permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and photos, most of them by Chilean artists.

You can’t miss the excellent Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino) – featuring amazing collections relating to the native people of Chile. And Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos (The Memory and Human Rights’ Museum). The latter commemorates the victims of the Pinochet regime.

Another highlight of any visit to Santiago is the Aerial Tramway ride up to San Cristobal hill for its stunning views of the city. There are also some fascinating attractions here, including an observatory, an amphitheater, and a 22-meter-tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Be sure to also take time to enjoy Santiago Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano de Santiago), an enormous urban green space. You’ll find a botanical garden, a funicular railway, and the Chilean National Zoo.

Valparaíso

It’s not surprising that Valparaíso is one of Chile’s most popular destinations. It’s located near the sea, in the middle of the country, and is just a quick and easy day trip from Santiago. The city has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and fun. You can enjoy the unique architecture, and the beautiful old cobbled streets, go shopping, or just relax on the beach.

There are many tourist attractions in Cuba focused on its rich maritime heritage, including the Lord Cochrane’s Museum (Museo Lord Cochrane), located in a charming old colonial home built in 1842. One of the must-visit tourist attractions is the Naval and Maritime Museum (Museo Naval Y Maritimo). Its exhibits focus on the War of the Pacific of 1879, between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, with specific emphasis on the contributions of Chile’s war heroes. 

Another related attraction is the Huáscar battleship, which was the pride of the Chilean Navy. It is located in the Port of Talcahuano, some 600 kilometers south of Santiago. Talcahuano’s beautiful harbor is the base for this immaculately restored historic vessel built in 1865 in Britain and one of the only remaining surviving battleships of its type.

Torres Del Paine National Park

One of the most beautiful national parks in South America, that is becoming a very popular travel destination is the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Located more than 100 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia, this gorgeous area is characterized by mountains, glaciers, and countless lakes and rivers.

The Cordillera del Paine, or “The Paine” in English, is the most important region of the park, an area that marks the transition from the Patagonia steppe to the subpolar forests of the north. One of the most noticeable features of this park is the three 2,850-meter-tall granite peaks of the Paine Massif, which sit on top of the surrounding mountains, which dominate this impressive scenery.

Hiking in the Park is one of the park’s most popular activities, It has various well-marked trails, some with overnight shelters (refugios) with the basics needed for longer treks that circle the mountains. You don’t need a professional guide to do a day hike or a shorter trail. However, for longer trips, professional guides are often recommended and, in some areas, necessary.

The best-guided tour of the park is the five-day W Trek, which is one of the best hikes in Patagonia. This 71-kilometer route will take you through some of the top points of interest in Patagonia, including the massive Glacier Grey and the mountains of Paine Grande.

Valle de la Luna and the Atacama Desert

Valle de la Luna or “Valley of the Moon,” is a valley in Los Flamencos National Reserve, located 13 kilometers west of San Pedro de Atacama at the north end of Chile, near its border with Bolivia. You can access it via well-marked biking routes, tour buses, or self-drive car rentals.

One of the most stunning landscapes on Earth, this barren desert in the heart of the Atacama Desert is the best destination for anyone who enjoys being surrounded by unique natural beauty, and a fascinating resemblance to the surface of the moon. In spite of its remoteness, though, this remarkably beautiful landscape has sustained life for centuries, both humans and numerous species of flora and fauna.

The most interesting feature of this beautiful landscape is its dry lake beds, one of the driest places on the planet. They are splendidly white due to deposited salt, and they give rise to intriguing natural saline outcrops.

The other notable features of the Atacama Desert are its many caverns, some of which contain evidence of pictographs created by early man, and where some of the world’s oldest mummies, preserved by the area’s aridity, have been found. The most well-known of these, are the Chinchorro mummies, which are now on display at the San Miguel de Azapa archaeological museum.

Easter Island & Rapa Nui National Park

Easter Island was first visited by the Europeans in 1722. It’s so remote that a Dutch explorer who first set eyes on it on Easter Sunday named it “Easter Island. It has been inhabited for thousands of years by Polynesians. Located about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) east of mainland Chile, this amazing island with its gorgeous stone sculptures remains the country’s most recognizable attraction.

There are actually 887 Moai statues created by the early Rapa Nui population of the island. And each has been recognized and protected by Rapa Nui National park. The main island itself has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most remarkable collection is founded at Ahu Tongariki where 15 of them have been re-erected on the island’s largest Moai platform.

Rapa Nui is also home to the country’s best beach, Anakena. This gorgeous stretch of white coral sand is a great spot for a break from hiking.

Near ahu sites, are the “hare paenga” ruins, they consist of stones that once formed the foundation of the boat-shaped houses. Other highlights include the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum in Hanga Roa, the island’s main community, it is a good place to explore the history and culture of the Polynesian islanders.

Easter Island is best seen as part of a visit to Chile, with regular flights available from Santiago or Tahiti. Expect a flight time of four to five hours, so plan to stay at least a couple of days.

The Chilean Lake District

The Lake District of Chile is over 300 miles in length from Temuco to Puerto Montt and resembles the alpine regions of Europe. It’s well worth visiting for those who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. This beautiful region in the Andean foothills is ringed by snow-capped volcanoes and thick forests. Its deep blue lakes are perfect for those who enjoy water sports.

Adventure travelers will find a typical Chilean Lake District itinerary packed full of hiking and biking options, along with volcano climbing, white-water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, and skiing in the winter.

Cape Horn

Cape Horn is considered a real “Holy Grail” for travelers. If you can get here, it’s well worth the effort.

The last stop before Antarctica and the world’s southernmost tip is Cape Horn. For centuries, it’s been a sailor’s graveyard for its remoteness, its hazardous coastline, and the dangerous seas that prevail here. Although it’s not as important as a trade route, now due to the Panama Canal, it has seen a spike in popularity among serious sailors and features in many exciting races.

For travelers, it can still be visited, but with careful planning. However, there are only a few ways to get to Cape Horn (except for having your own yacht). A very popular option is via helicopter from the Chilean town of Puerto Toro. A day-long trip can be expensive, so you may want to seek travel companions on the adventure. For an alternative option, charter sailboats can get you here, but it’s a long trip and often rough.

Cruise ships to Cape Horn are, perhaps, the best option. Many cruises pass by Cape Horn on their way to Antarctica, if weather and seas permitting, they stop here for an hour. 

While ashore, passengers can take the short cliff-top climb to what is perhaps the ultimate tourist selfie spot; the Cape Horn Memorial Sculpture. This outstanding monument and its amazing views welcome you to the bottom of the world.

Lauca National Park

Located just outside of Arica in northern Chile is the Lauca National Park (Parque Nacional Lauca). It consists of high plains and mountain ranges, most of which are formed by volcanic cones.

Highlights here include hiking around its many pristine mountain lakes, most notably Chungara and Cotacotani, which reflect the beautiful scenery around them to stunning effect. The park also features a number of important archaeological sites, as well as the presence of many fine old colonial churches and buildings.

This is a fantastic place for bird-watching, and home to more than 140 species, including Andean geese, crested ducks, Chilean flamingos, and the giant Andean condor. Another amazing area popular among nature lovers is Conguillío National Park (Parque Nacional Conguillío), always in the Araucanía Region of the Andes.

Pumalin Park

Easter Island was first visited by the Europeans in 1722. It’s so remote that a Dutch explorer who first set eyes on it on Easter Sunday named it “Easter Island. It has been inhabited for thousands of years by Polynesians. Located about 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) east of mainland Chile, this amazing island with its gorgeous stone sculptures remains the country’s most recognizable attraction.

There are actually 887 Moai statues created by the early Rapa Nui population of the island. And each has been recognized and protected by Rapa Nui National park. The main island itself has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most remarkable collection is founded at Ahu Tongariki where 15 of them have been re-erected on the island’s largest Moai platform.

Rapa Nui is also home to the country’s best beach, Anakena. This gorgeous stretch of white coral sand is a great spot for a break from hiking.

Near ahu sites, are the “hare paenga” ruins, they consist of stones that once formed the foundation of the boat-shaped houses. Other highlights include the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum in Hanga Roa, the island’s main community, it is a good place to explore the history and culture of the Polynesian islanders.

Easter Island is best seen as part of a visit to Chile, with regular flights available from Santiago or Tahiti. Expect a flight time of four to five hours, so plan to stay at least a couple of days.

Chiloé Island & Chiloé National Park

Situated on Chiloé Island, the country’s second-largest island, Chiloé National Park is well worth adding to your travel itinerary. While not as rugged as the majority of the country’s most striking scenery, Chiloé Island is nevertheless quite unique.

In places, it looks not unlike the kind of rural topography you’d expect to find in parts of Europe – Germany immediately springs to mind – and it’s a delight to explore.

What makes the island such a special destination for both locals and visitors is the island’s impressive concentration of beautiful old wooden churches, which give it an exotic charm. You will also see plenty of gorgeous, colorful old homes known as “palafitos”. Some of the island’s old churches, too, are painted brightly and should be visited.

Chiloé National Park has become increasingly popular with tourists in recent years. The area’s main attraction is the chance to observe wildlife; there are dolphins swimming in the sea and penguins on the shoreline. You can go to Islotes de Puñihuil Natural Monument, a protected nature reserve. There are also many available adventures including sea kayaking, hiking, and eco-tourism.

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