Being the longest country in the world to stretch from north to south, Chile benefits from enormous variations in scenery, providing it with some of the top attractions in South America. From the driest non-polar place on earth to the dramatic snow-capped mountains of Patagonia to the historical streets of Valparaíso and Santiago.
This guide will discuss what I think are
the top tourist attractions in Chile. Of course, there are hundreds of places you can visit, but these are the places shouldn’t be missed and are
guaranteed to make you fall in love with this country.
Torres Del Paine National Park
Patagonia offers some of the most dramatic scenery in South American national parks and the enormous peaks of Torres del Paine provide you with a sense of insignificance when you are amongst them. Glaciers, turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks and forests all litter the landscape with natural beauty. Visiting Torres del Paine is a true escape from the busy, modern world. It is the perfect place to relax by hiking, kayaking and walking.
Santiago
The backdrop of the beautiful snow-capped Andes adds extra beauty to this vibrant capital city. There is so much to do in this city from food-markets, parks, museums, galleries to the general cemetery (El Cementerio General). The Iglesia de San Francisco is a beautiful example of colonial architecture that is a must-see. Cerro San Cristóbal offers visitors the opportunity to take in the city from above and it is a must-do during your visit. Spending four days in the city at the start of your trip will open you up to the Chilean culture and make you excited to see more.
Cities such as Rio De Janeiro and Buenos Aires always come up first when you think of South American cities, but
Santiago is a beautiful city that should not be missed. Santiago is the point of entry for the majority of tourists who enter the country. It has good bus connections to Mendoza, Argentina, resulting in links from across Argentina. But it shouldn’t just be used as a gateway to the rest of Chile, it absolutely a destination in itself.
Valparaíso
A city of colour and art,
Valparaíso is one not to be missed. The location of the city less
than 2 hours from the capital and its expansive views of the Pacific ocean make it a popular place to visit. The narrow streets of the centre with the beautiful coloured buildings and street art in the form of murals, portraits and mosaics make it an outside almost museum. Free guided tours provide you with an understanding of the city’s cultural heritage and
boat trips allow you to take it all in from the pacific ocean.
Easter Island
At first, you may not think this mysterious
island is part of Chile, especially as it is located over
2000 miles away in the Pacific ocean. The last thing you expect to find on one of the world’s most isolated islands are giant stone statues, but that is what you will find!
The famous Moai statues stand tall over the dramatic landscape of the tiny island, you will be marvelled at how the
Rapa Nui people were able to build and transport these masterpieces.
Isla de Pascua is five hours from Santiago, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these masterpieces.
La Serena
If you want to
relax by the beach but also admire the
architecture and history, then the town of
La Serena north of Santiago is the place for you!
The second-oldest city in Chile is the place to go for staycations for the Chilean people.
A city where you can trek, surf and parasail, there is an activity for everyone.
Atacama Desert
Situated in Northern Chile, the Atacama desert is the world’s driest non-polar desert. The landscape of the Atacama is dramatic, with it featuring geysers, volcanoes and salt flats to name but a few! The size of the Atacama (41,000 sq. miles) means that it needs more detail. Below are three places that I would suggest visiting if you wish to set foot in the Atacama.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to the Atacama desert. The town is a great stop for those who want to
explore more of the desert. There is an interesting archaeological museum which houses many artefacts from the region that date back to the pre-Columbian times and several nearby ruins makes interesting attractions.
One way to explore the town and the nearby ruins are on a horseback tour which is a great way to get around.
Valle De La Luna
This place is called
Valley of the Moon, can you guess why?
The moon-like landscape has been shaped by erosion over thousands of years. It is the perfect place to stargaze, explore sand and rock formations and watch the sunset in total serenity.
Elqui Valley
Vineyards stretch along the southern fringe of the Atacama desert in a
region known as the Elqui Valley. Steep-sided valleys are lined with
lush green vineyards that extend from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Andes in the east at altitudes up to
2000 meters above sea level. The region is famous for producing Chile’s (or Bolivia’s, you decide!) national drink. Not only is the valley famous for creating exquisite wines, but it also has some of the clearest skies in the country and is the perfect place for stargazing with a glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc!
Isla Magdalena
Usually, it is crowds of tourists you have to fight your way through, but instead, on this island
it is over 60,000 pairs of Magellanic penguins. Upon arrival at Isla Magdalena, you have the opportunity to explore the small island at your own pace, wondering along very close to the penguins. You will often see other wildlife including sea lions and cormorants. This island is part of the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument which is one of Chile’s conservation efforts. The island is easily accessible via
boat trips from Punta Arenas.
Parque Nacional Patagonia
690 square kilometres of pure Patagonian bliss located in the south of Chile. The
Parque Nacional Patagonia is the place where tourists can make their way to experience the best wildlife and trekking that Chile has to offer. The amount of wildlife that calls this park home including
guanaco, pumas and flamingos leads some to call it the Serengeti of the Southern Cone. This national park can be reached by travelling along the fascinating carretera austral which weaves its way south from
Puerto Montt alongside glacial lakes and fjords.
Valle Nevado
South America isn’t famous for its ski resorts in the same way that North America and Europe are, but
Valle Nevado is a
Chilean resort that strives to be the best.
Being located only an hour from Santiago makes it easy to reach unlike other ski resorts in the Andes. The high chance of sunshine and fresh snow combined with the
39 runs offered makes it an ideal skiing break.
Chilean Lake District
The Lakes District (Los Lagos) is a region in southern Chile which is home to glacial
lakes, volcanoes and alpine towns. Puerto Varas is just one of the towns located in this region, with its unbeatable location upon Lake Llanquihue and far-reaching views towards
Volcano Osorno. Activities in the region include exploring lakeside towns and villages with their wooden churches, trekking to find waterfalls and even hiking Volcano Osorno (with a guide, of course)!
Lauca National Park
Almost as far north as you can go in Chile, this
national park Lauca is nothing like the national parks in the south of the country, but the difference is what makes this country so fascinating! Rolling
hills at 4000m above sea level are covered in wildlife which roam the slopes of the snow-capped volcanoes. The park is known as a brilliant place to partake in some bird watching because it is home to over
130 species and it is the best places to see birds in Chile! It isn’t just a place to see wildlife,
historic villages dot the landscape too.
The rest of Chile
There is so much to see and do in Chile, it deserves to have time spent on exploring it! This list is not exhaustive, it is the places that I you will enjoy the most, but as always there are so many other places that there isn’t the space to write about!
Whether you want to visit only Chile or visit as part of a wider trip that may incorporate Argentina and Bolivia, Tangol are able to help you get whatever you wish out of your trip.