Planning your trip and wondering which things to do in Santiago are actually worth your time? This guide keeps it simple. From mountain escapes and coastal day trips to cable cars, wine tastings and city walks, these are the experiences that show you the real Santiago without the guesswork. Pick a few, mix and match, and build a trip that’s easy, scenic and surprisingly varied for a single city.
Just outside Santiago, Cajon del Maipo is where the city suddenly drops away and the Andes take over. You get bright blue water at Embalse El Yeso, crisp mountain air and those huge silent landscapes that make every photo look like a travel poster. It is perfect if you want a nature break without a long hike, or if you just want to see Chile’s mountains in the easiest possible way. Visiting is simple: most tours last around 10 hours, include hotel pick-up in central areas of Santiago and offer guides in English, Portuguese and Spanish, with stops for viewpoints and a relaxed picnic by the lake.
If you want the same stunning Cajon del Maipo scenery but with a slightly shorter day, this alternative tour is a great fit. It runs for about eight hours, includes hotel pick-up in Santiago Centro and takes you to Embalse El Yeso with a guide who speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese. The route also passes the Tinoco Tunnel and ends with a simple picnic by the water. It is an easy, efficient way to enjoy the Andes if you prefer a quicker trip without losing any of the views.
A trip to the coast is one of the best escapes from Santiago, and Valparaiso and Vina del Mar give you two completely different vibes in one day. Valparaiso is all color, street art and hillside chaos, with narrow alleys and viewpoints that make every corner feel like a postcard. Then you switch gears in Vina del Mar, a calmer beach city with long promenades, palm trees and a breezy resort feel. This tour keeps things easy: around ten hours total, hotel pick-up in the main districts, a guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese and stops in Casablanca for a quick look at the local wine scene. It is the perfect mix of culture, coast and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
This alternative tour to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar is ideal if you want the same colorful coast experience but in a smaller group with a more relaxed pace. It covers the classic street art hills of Valparaiso, the seaside promenades of Vina del Mar and a scenic stop in the Casablanca Valley, all in about ten hours. Pickup is available across the main Santiago districts, guides switch easily between English, Portuguese and Spanish, and the small-group setup keeps everything quieter and easier to follow. Perfect if you prefer a more personal coastal day trip without losing any of the highlights.
This small-group version of the Valparaiso and Vina del Mar trip focuses on a slower, more curated experience. You explore Valparaiso’s UNESCO-listed hills, wander the beaches and gardens of Vina del Mar and stop for a wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, all within a relaxed ten-hour schedule. Pickup works smoothly across central hotels and Airbnbs, and the guide leads the day in English, Spanish or Portuguese. It is a great choice if you want the coastal highlights without the big-bus feel.
One of the easiest ways to get a full view of the city is by taking the Santiago Cable Car, gliding above the parks and rooftops with the Andes sitting right behind everything. It is a simple, fun way to explore the city at your own pace, especially when paired with the hop-on hop-off bus that stops at major landmarks, malls and the base stations of both the Teleferico and the Funicular. With a full day to use the ticket, audio guides in multiple languages and the freedom to jump on and off whenever you want, it is perfect if you want a relaxed, scenic overview of Santiago without rushing around.
This guided version of the Santiago Cable Car experience adds a lot more context as you explore Bellavista on foot, ride the historic Funicular up San Cristobal Hill and finish with panoramic views from the Cable Car. It is a shorter, two-and-a-half-hour option that skips ticket lines, keeps the group small and includes a guide who can explain the neighbourhood, the hill and the skyline in English, Portuguese or Spanish. A great choice if you want the classic San Cristobal views but prefer a quicker, more structured visit.
High in the Andes, Portillo and Laguna del Inca feel like a completely different world from Santiago — quiet mountains, a bright blue lake and wide open spaces with almost no one around. This full-day trip takes you along the famous Los Caracoles road, stops at viewpoints, visits the historic Portillo Hotel and ends at Laguna del Inca, where the reflections on the water look unreal on clear days. The tour runs for about ten hours, includes hotel pick-up in central Santiago and is guided in Spanish or Portuguese. It is perfect if you want dramatic mountain scenery without hiking and love discovering places most visitors to Chile never see.
The Maipo Valley is Chile’s classic wine region, and this tour gives you a full day of relaxed tastings in beautiful vineyards just outside Santiago. You visit four different wineries, try a mix of reds, whites, cheese and even pisco, all while walking through sunlit vines and quiet countryside. The day runs about ten hours, includes hotel pick-up in the main Santiago districts and is guided in English or Spanish, with small groups that keep everything easy and personal. It is perfect if you love wine, want to learn a bit about Chilean grapes or just want a slow, scenic day surrounded by vineyards.
Exploring the historic center of Santiago on foot is one of the best ways to understand the city. This guided walk takes you through landmarks like La Moneda, Plaza de Armas and the surrounding colonial streets, with a small group and a guide who brings the stories to life in English, Spanish or Portuguese. It lasts around three hours, moves at an easy pace and also touches the Bellavista area, giving you a complete mix of history, architecture and everyday city culture. Perfect if you want a simple, informative introduction to Santiago without rushing.
If you want a true Andes adventure, the Volcan San Jose hike delivers big views without needing to be a hardcore mountaineer. This full-day trip takes you deep into Cajon del Maipo for an 8-kilometer trek surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, rock formations and a 5,800-meter active volcano towering in front of you. The route is scenic rather than technical, the group is small and the guide leads in English, Spanish or Portuguese. With early hotel pick-up across Santiago and around ten hours total, it is an amazing option if you want a real mountain experience close to the city.
One of Chile’s most famous wine names, Concha y Toro, offers a smooth, easy half-day escape from Santiago. This tour walks you through elegant gardens, historic cellars and the atmospheric Casillero del Diablo area, pairing the stories with tastings of their signature wines. It lasts about four hours, includes transport from Santiago and is guided in Spanish, English or Portuguese. Perfect if you want a classic Chilean winery experience without committing to a full-day trip.
With still, bright-blue water surrounded by snow-covered peaks, the Inca Lagoon is one of the most dramatic landscapes near Santiago. This full-day trip takes you into the Andes for quiet views, easy walking and plenty of photo stops, followed by a relaxed wine tasting at a vineyard in the San Esteban area. It runs about ten hours, includes hotel pick-up across central Santiago and is guided in English, Portuguese or Spanish. A great choice if you want big mountain scenery and a little wine in one simple day trip.
Santiago has far more variety than most travelers expect, and these experiences make it easy to see the best parts without overthinking your itinerary. Whether you want mountains, culture, wine, coastline or a relaxed overview of the city, there is always something close by and simple to plan. Choose what fits your style, book a day or two in advance, and you will have no trouble filling your days with unforgettable moments. Enjoy your time in Santiago because it is a city that rewards curiosity.