Santiago

Santiago, the capital of Chile, is a dynamic, cosmopolitan and increasingly stylish city set in a valley and spectacularly ringed, on a clear day, by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. It blends grand historic plazas and neoclassical buildings with gleaming modern towers, leafy parks and buzzing, distinct neighbourhoods like bohemian Bellavista and hip Lastarria, offering excellent food, wine, museums and a hilltop view over the whole city to the mountains.

History

People first reached the Santiago basin around the 10th millennium BC, and by about AD 800 farming villages along the Mapocho grew maize, potatoes and beans; the Picunche villages came under Inca rule in the late 15th century, with a settlement in what is now central Santiago and the sanctuary on El Plomo. Pedro de Valdivia reached the Mapocho valley on 13 December 1540 and founded Santiago del Nuevo Extremo on 12 February 1541 beside the hill of Huelén, which he renamed Santa Lucía; the master builder Pedro de Gamboa laid out the grid of eight blocks by ten with the Plaza Mayor at its centre, flanked by the cathedral, the jail and the governor's house (Wikipedia, Santiago).

The main sights

• The Plaza de Armas - the historic central square and cathedral.
• Cerro San Cristobal - the hilltop park with sweeping city and Andes views.
• Bellavista and Lastarria - the bohemian and stylish neighbourhoods.
• The markets and museums - the Central Market and the fine museums.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather and clearest air, when the Andes backdrop is at its most spectacular; summer is hot and the winter can trap smog in the valley. It is a great base for the nearby wine valleys, coast and mountains.

Good to know

The city's mountain-ringed setting means smog can build up and obscure the Andes, especially in winter, so a clear day makes all the difference to the views. Like any big city, it has areas that call for caution, so keep valuables safe. It is more a comfortable, liveable base and a springboard to the surroundings than a city of blockbuster sights.

Nearby

The Maipo wine valley, Valparaiso, the coast and the Andes ski resorts are close.

Key facts