Santiago's best neighbourhoods to explore on foot

Santiago makes sense on foot. Each neighbourhood tells a different part of the city's story, and many are just a few metro stops apart.

The historic centre

Where Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541: Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, La Moneda, shopping arcades over a century old and the Mercado Central. The best place to start: Santiago Old Town covers it in three hours.

Lastarria

Cobbled streets, cafés, bookshops and theatres between Santa Lucía Hill and Parque Forestal, next to the National Museum of Fine Arts and the GAM cultural centre. At sunset, climb Santa Lucía Hill for city views. We explore it on Lastarria: Art, Culture & Andes Views.

Bellavista

Across the Mapocho River, the bohemian quarter: murals, bars, restaurants and La Chascona, Neruda's house. The funicular to San Cristóbal Hill starts here.

Barrio Yungay

One of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, with 19th-century palaces, heritage passages, murals and Quinta Normal park with several museums. Less touristy and very authentic: see our Barrio Yungay tour.

Barrio Italia

Design studios, homeware shops, cafés and hidden courtyards around Avenida Italia. Ideal for a relaxed afternoon and a good meal.

Modern Santiago

Providencia and Las Condes show the other face of the city: the financial district nicknamed "Sanhattan", Gran Torre Santiago and the Sky Costanera viewpoint, 300 metres up. We walk it on Modern Santiago & Sky Costanera.

Getting around

1. Metro: fast and safe; buy a bip! card to ride.
2. Comfortable shoes: almost everything is walkable.
3. Watch your belongings in crowded areas, as in any big city.