9 THINGS THAT MUST DO IT IN SANTIAGO CHILE
SANTIAGO
9 THINGS TO DO IN SANTIAGO (CHILE)
1- WATCH THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The 18th-century Italian-designed Palacio de la Moneda is the place to watch the carabineros, or police, perform the changing-of-the-guard ceremony each day.
For a building that houses the offices of the current president, it is surprisingly accessible to the public.
The building was the city’s official mint before it became the presidential palace in 1846 and is one of the top landmarks in Chile.
Chile has had its fair share of colourful leaders including the country’s first president, Bernado O’Higgins, the illegitimate son of the Irish Viceroy to Peru, who came to office in 1818.
The country’s most notorious leader was General Pinochet who was stood trial for laundering the kingly sum of $US28 million and countless human rights abuse allegations.
2- ADMIRE THE SANTIAGO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral is the historic centre of Santiago and the seat of the Archbishop of Chile, making it one of the most famous landmarks in South America.
It’s a serene escape from the crowds of Plaza de Armas and a place to admire the architecture.
3- DISCOVER ANCIENT WONDERS AT THE PRE-COLUMBIAN MUSEUM
The city has several good museums but if you only have time for one don’t miss the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Museum).
The ancient Chinchorro mummies on display are a result of Chile’s indigenous culture and are thousands of years older than the Egyptian mummies.
There are exhibits of ceramics, textiles and jewellery displaying 4500 years of pre-Colombian civilization.
4- TAKE THE FUNICULAR TO THE TOP OF SAN CRISTOBAL HILL
The best view of Santiago is from the lookout on top of Cerro San Cristóbal hill, which is around 300 metres above the city.
Catch the funicular railway at Plaza Caupolican to the top of the hill where a 14-metre statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepcion stands above the lookout.
Spending a few hours admiring the view is one of the top things to do in Santiago.
5- VISIT LA CHASCONA MUSEUM
La Chascona (Museo Neruda) is a museum dedicated to Pablo Neruda who was one of Chile’s most influential 20th-century poets.
Neruda’s works range from erotically charged love poems to political manifestos.
The poet’s ship-like house sits at the foot of Cerro San Cristobal. The decor includes a beautiful bar from Marseille and Bauhaus furniture.
On display is a whimsical array of the poet’s keepsakes including his library of books and the medal for his 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature. English tours are available.
6- WINE AND DINE AROUND EL GOLF
Wander around the upmarket El Golf precinct where historic European architecture and gleaming modern glass towers stand side-by-side.
In the evenings, the atmosphere around El Golf is vibrant with diners filling the area’s alfresco restaurants.
7- ADMIRE THE VIEW FROM SKY COSTANERA
The highest viewpoint in Latin America with spectacular 360-degree views across Santiago is Sky Costanera. Sky Costanera even offers views over the Andes.
Sky Costanera is on the 62nd floor at the top of the Gran Torre Santiago, 300m (984ft) from the ground.
As the viewpoint is open till late, visitors can expect to see spectacular sunsets across the city, before seeing the whole of Santiago lit up in lights.
An elevator from the ground takes only 2 minutes to reach the platform.
Sky Costanera is at Av. Andres Bello 2425, Providencia, Region Metropolitana.
8- STROLL THROUGH CERRO SANTA LUCIA
Cerro Santa Lucia is a park built on a hill and a perfect place to seek solitude away from the crowds of the city.
The hill is 69m (226ft) high, offering views over the city and the Andes mountain range that frames Santiago.
The hill itself is all that remains of an ancient volcano, and after being used as a lookout by Conquistadors, the hilltop became a park in 1872.
Within the parks vertical 65300 square feet are fountains, states and bronzed gates.
The park offers some terraced areas with seating, however, continuing to climb its various staircases will improve the view with each step.
Cerro Santa Lucia is at 1700000 La Serena.
9- EXPLORE THE ARCHITECTURE OF CEMENTERIO GENERAL DE SANTIAGO
For a more unique stop during your visit to Santiago, head to Cementerio General de Santiago.
Cementerio General de Santiago is a vast labyrinth of ornately carved and decorated tombs. The carvings are made by famous local sculptors and artists.
Buried here are many of Chile’s politicians and social figures from the countries history.
Tombs inside the cemetery include former presidents Salvador Allende and Eduardo Frei Montalva.
Aside from the tombs, there are also many monuments in the cemetery, including ‘Memorial del Detenidoto Desaparecido y del Ejecutado Politico; a memorial for the disappeared during General Pinochet’s dictatorship.
Cementerio General de Santiago is at Av Professor Alberto Zanartu 951, Barrio Recoleta.