Santiago

Chile's capital pairs a colonial core and hilltop lookouts with glass towers, and the Andes rise close enough to see from much of the city.

Find a room in Santiago Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Santiago

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Santiago is Chile's capital and largest city, set in the Central Valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range. Pedro de Valdivia founded it on February 12, 1541, and the historic center is Plaza de Armas, about 565 metres above sea level. The Metropolitan Cathedral stands on the square, and Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, is one of the city's main sights. Greater Santiago holds over a third of Chile's population. Sanhattan, the high-rise business district in the east, is home to Gran Torre Santiago, South America's tallest building.

Cerro San Cristóbal, a hill park with a 14-metre statue of the Virgin Mary, gives wide views over the city and, on clear days, the mountains. Bellavista and Lastarria have bars, cafés and restaurants, and the Metro serves much of the city. October to March is warm and dry, with days up to about 35 °C. Winter mornings can drop to or below 0 °C, most rain falls then, and thermal inversions trap smog over the city, so plan indoor time for those months.

Santiago in five

Get a bip! card for the metroThe metro is the fastest way around, and buses take the same card. Top it up at stations.
Go up Cerro San CristóbalA funicular and cable car climb the city's big hill for views of the Andes. Clear days after rain give the best view.
Visit a wine valley in a dayMaipo is on the city's edge, and Casablanca is on the way to Valparaíso. Book tastings ahead, especially on weekends.
Ski close to the city in winterResorts above Farellones are about 1.5 hours away, usually from June to September. Book transport; the road is steep and busy.
Check air quality before hill plansCold, still winter days can trap smog in the valley, which hides the Andes. Look at the daily air-quality report, and save the cable car for clear days after rain.

Things to do in Santiago

See all attractions in Santiago

a white building with red, white and green awnings

Museum · SantiagoMuseo de la Solidaridad Salvador AllendeSunday admission is free.

Historic site · SantiagoMonumento a los Héroes de Iquique

a view of a city with mountains in the background

Museum · SantiagoLa ChasconaArrive early in the day to avoid the busiest part of the day.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to SantiagoPut the places you like in Santiago on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Santiago (SCL), about 30–45 min to the center
Getting there: Flights from the Americas and Europe; buses from Mendoza
Getting around: Metro and buses with a bip! card; ride apps
Best base: Providencia or Lastarria, near a metro station
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low17°Hot, dry
FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low17°Hot, quiet city
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low15°Harvest
AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Autumn
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Cool, smog
JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Ski starts
JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Cold, ski
AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Ski season
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Spring
OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Clear, mild
NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°Warm
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low15°Hot

Average daily high and low in Santiago, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Santiago

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 11°
Humidity: 54%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Santiago

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today23°12°100%Monday: Rain. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue18°12°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed21°10°29%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 29%.
Thu22°11°43%Thursday: Fog. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 43%.
Fri19°11°43%Friday: Fog. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 43%.
Sat29°11°20%Saturday: Clear. High 29°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sun28°16°16%Sunday: Clear. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 02:07 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP

Amount

Converted to

CLP · Chilean Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Santiago

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

FebViña del Mar International Song FestivalViña Del Mar, a day trip

Day trips by train

ValparaísoAbout 1.5–2 hours by busHillside port city of murals and funiculars.Read the guide
Cajón del MaipoAbout 1.5 hours by roadAndes canyon with hikes and hot springs.
Casablanca ValleyAbout 1 hour by roadWhite wine valley on the Valparaíso road.

Before you go to Santiago

Stays near LastarriaMetro Line 1 base for first visitsCheck availability

Wine valley and city toursMaipo and Casablanca day tripsCompare tours

eSIM for ChileData for ride apps on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for ski and wine daysCheck cover for winter sportsRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Santiago, checked

Check Chile's entry rules for your nationality with the Chilean foreign ministry before you fly.
Winter smog alerts can restrict vehicle use in Santiago. Check the current environmental alert level before you drive.
Helmets and lights are mandatory for cyclists in Chile.
The Bip! contactless card works on RED buses, the Metro and commuter trains in the public transport system.
Uber, Cabify and DiDi work in Santiago, but authorities say they currently operate outside the law. Check their status before you book.

Plan around Santiago

All of Chile

Patagonia, the desert, the Lakes and Easter Island

Read the guide Valparaíso

Hill port of murals and funiculars, by bus

Read the guide Mendoza

Wine capital across the Andes by bus or flight

Read the guide Atacama Desert

Flights north to Calama for salt flats and geysers

Read the guide Phone and data

Staying online for ride apps and the metro

Read the guide Travel insurance

Cover for ski days and long onward flights

Read the guide

Santiago FAQ

How many days do I need in Santiago?

Two to three days for the center, the hills and a wine valley. Add a day for Valparaíso.

Where should I stay in Santiago?

Lastarria or Providencia. Both are on metro Line 1, with restaurants nearby and the center within reach on foot or by one stop.

What time zone is Santiago in?

Mainland Chile uses UTC-4 in winter and UTC-3 in summer, roughly September to April. Check the exact change dates for your trip.

Is Santiago safe for tourists?

Mostly, with big-city care. Pickpocketing and phone snatching happen on the metro, around Plaza de Armas and in Bellavista at night. Keep your phone out of sight on the street, use ride apps late, and read your government's current advice.

What is the best time to visit Santiago?

September to November and March to April: mild days, clear Andes views and open vineyards. December to February is hot and dry, with the city quiet in January. June to August is cool and the season for skiing nearby.