Last updated August 7, 2026 · Editorial policy
More: When to visit Chile
Things to Do in Santiago: What Is Actually Worth Your Time
Quick answer: This is an honest look at Santiago: which popular attraction to think twice about, what to do with that time instead, and the spot most visitors never reach. It also covers the transit and money moves that save the most hassle.
Skip the long lunch at Mercado Central. The 1872 fish hall still draws crowds, but the restaurants inside run an old hustle: hawkers wave you in, then steer you off the cheap blackboard special toward pricier plates once you sit. For the same seafood with locals actually eating beside you, walk ten minutes north over the river to La Vega Central, where the second-floor cocinerias serve a proper plate for a fraction of the price.
The pick most visitors walk past is Cerro Santa Lucia, the landscaped hill right downtown. Entry is free (you just sign the guest book), the climb to the Torre Mirador rewards you with Andes views, and the old cannon still fires at noon. It beats queuing for a paid lookout.
Two smart moves to save money:
- For the view, the free summit of Cerro San Cristobal rivals the paid deck at Sky Costanera (around 300 metres up the Gran Torre) on a clear day.
- Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos is free and sobering, but it closes Mondays, so plan Tuesday through Sunday.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.
