Best places to visit in Chile

From the otherworldly Atacama Desert in the north to the lush forests and towering glaciers of the south, Chile offers an extraordinary mix of landscapes and experiences. This uniquely shaped country is rich in culture, history, nature, world-class vineyards, and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Chile’s best places range from vibrant cities to dramatic desert terrain, each offering something unforgettable. We’ve rounded up some of Chile’s best places to visit to help you make the most of your journey through this captivating destination.

The best places to visit in Chile

Santiago

Santiago, Chile’s vibrant capital, is a dynamic urban hub set in a valley framed by the majestic Andes Mountains. In winter, the snow-capped peaks offer stunning panoramic views, while in summer, the streets come alive with lush, green trees. As one of Chile’s best places to visit, Santiago is divided into distinctive “barrios” (districts), each with its own unique charm.

The colorful, colonial Barrio Bellavista is known for its vivid street art and lively local restaurants that spill onto the sidewalks. Be sure to visit ‘La Chascona,’ one of the captivating former homes of famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Its whimsical architecture mirrors his creative spirit. For something more off the beaten path, Barrio Italia offers quaint streets, cozy cafés, and intriguing indoor arcades perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

Santiago also houses some of Chile’s most important museums, including the National Museum of History and the powerful Museum of Memory and Human Rights, which honors the victims of the Pinochet regime. In the evenings, explore the city’s thriving nightlife. The historic Barrio Lastarria is home to “Bocanáriz,” one of the country’s best wine bars, featuring nearly 400 Chilean wines. Next door, “Chipe Libre” serves up the iconic, and hotly contested, Pisco Sour, a tart and frothy cocktail that’s a must-try.

Valparaíso

Just two hours from Santiago, Valparaíso is one of Chile’s best places for art, culture, and character. This vibrant, chaotic, and colorful port city has inspired generations of writers and artists with its winding alleyways, bold street art, and clattering funiculars. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, it’s no surprise that Pablo Neruda chose this bohemian enclave for one of his beloved homes, La Sebastiana.

Every corner of Valparaíso offers something new: cozy cafés tucked into unexpected places, dramatic murals that transform the streets into an open-air gallery, and historic cable cars ferrying people up the steep “Cerros” (hills). Don’t miss Cerro Alegre, known for its iconic street art, or Cerro Concepción, home to the beautiful Lutheran Church of La Santa Cruz.

Valparaíso’s art scene is unmatched, with contemporary spaces like Casa E and Latin American collections at Sala de Arte Wentenche. Street art thrives in Cerro Bellavista, where even the most talented graffiti artists are commissioned for their work. The city is widely recognized as one of South America’s street art capitals. At sunset, head to the top of a hill and watch as the patchwork of colorful homes and rolling hills glow and shift with the light—a picture-perfect way to end your day in this artistic and unforgettable destination.

Valle del Elqui

The Elqui Valley is undoubtedly one of Chile’s best places for wine and pisco lovers, as well as a world-renowned destination for unforgettable stargazing. This sun-soaked region offers the perfect blend of flavor and scenery. Don’t miss a visit to local pisco distilleries like the family-run Pisquería Aba or the iconic Destilería Pisco Mistral. For wine tasting, head to Cavas del Valle Winery or the charming, family-owned Viña Falernia, both known for their flavorful varietals grown in the high-altitude desert climate.

With virtually no light pollution, the Elqui Valley is considered one of the top places on Earth to witness the night sky in all its brilliance. Be sure to visit renowned observatories such as the Mamalluca Tourism Observatory or the Pangue Observatory for a guided celestial experience. For those seeking adventure, exploring the valley on horseback or by bicycle is a fantastic way to take in the sweeping panoramic views, rugged terrain, and tranquil beauty of this extraordinary region.

Read more: How to uncork South America for a wine adventure

Easter Island

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of Chile’s best places to uncover ancient mysteries and immerse yourself in a truly unique cultural experience. This remote volcanic island, located over 2,000 miles off Chile’s mainland, is most famous for its iconic monolithic statues, the mysterious moai. The island earned its modern name when Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen arrived on Easter Sunday in 1722. Today, it’s home to 887 moai statues, each standing an average of 13 feet tall and carved from solidified volcanic ash. These colossal figures were built by the Rapa Nui people between roughly 1250 and 1500 AD, and scholars believe that moving them across the rugged terrain required teams of 50 to 150 people using wooden sleds and rollers.

Despite decades of study, the true purpose of the moai remains uncertain. One theory, proposed by a Harvard Medical School professor, even suggests they were created to symbolically counteract the physical effects of leprosy. Whether built for spiritual, social, or health-related reasons, their meaning continues to fuel historical debate. Today, these enigmatic statues sit amid Easter Island’s windswept landscapes, drawing travelers from around the world. Unfortunately, weathering and erosion pose serious threats to their preservation, with some statues already deteriorating into unrecognizable stone.

Chiloé

Chiloé Island is one of Chile’s best places to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. Known for its rolling green hills, colorful palafitos (houses on stilts), and remarkable wooden churches, this mystical island offers a unique blend of indigenous and European influences unlike anywhere else in the country.

Accessible only by boat or plane, Chiloé feels like a world apart. Its spiritual heart lies in the roughly 70 wooden churches that dot the island, reminders of when Jesuit missionaries arrived in 1608. These missionaries worked alongside local communities to construct places of worship throughout the archipelago. When they were absent, indigenous caretakers preserved the churches, keeping their traditions alive. Several of these historic churches have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Notable examples include: The Church of San Francisco in Castro, The Church of Quinchao and The Church of Rilá.

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine National Park is great for adventure travelers and nature lovers alike. Known for its dramatic landscapes and world-class hiking, this awe-inspiring park was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978 due to its ecological significance and rich biodiversity. With snow-capped peaks, luminous glaciers, turquoise lakes, and winding rivers, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. The park offers two iconic trekking routes: the popular “W Trek,” which typically takes five days, and the more demanding “O Trek,” a 10-day loop that challenges even seasoned hikers. Along the trails, you’ll pass through diverse ecosystems, from windswept pampas to dense forests, each offering unique sights and sounds.

Wildlife enthusiasts will be in their element here. Keep your eyes peeled for rhea, Andean condors, flamingos, and a wide variety of bird species. With some luck, and a bit of patience, you might even spot a puma in its natural habitat. If you’re trekking with a guide, you may also discover pristine mountain streams with crystal-clear water, cold and refreshing enough to drink right from the source. The park’s name, “Torres del Paine,” refers to the striking trio of granite towers that dominate the skyline. A sunrise hike to the base of these towering peaks is a bucket-list experience for many visitors, with golden morning light painting the landscape in surreal hues.

Read more: Family-friendly wildlife experiences in Chile

Atacama Desert

Located in Chile’s Norte Chico region, the Atacama Desert is a great place for travelers seeking otherworldly landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As one of the driest places on Earth, it offers a dramatic, almost surreal environment filled with vibrant natural wonders and geological marvels. The heart of the desert is San Pedro de Atacama, a former copper and quartz mining town that has transformed into a lively hub for adventurers and explorers. From here, you can embark on unforgettable excursions to the Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) and the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), both famous for their lunar-like terrain and ethereal beauty. At sunrise, the Geysers del Tatio shoot steam skyward, creating a magical and otherworldly atmosphere. Meanwhile, Rainbow Valley (Valle Arcoíris) stuns visitors with its striking, multicolored hills created by mineral-rich rock formations.

In addition to its visual wonders, the Atacama is rich in archaeological significance. Its ultra-dry climate has allowed for exceptional mummy preservation—including mummies that date back to around 5000 BC, well before the Egyptian era. Despite the arid conditions, resilient vegetation like cacti and hardy grasses thrive, and on rare occasions, like after the unexpected rainfall in August 2017, the desert bursts into life with a spectacular carpet of wildflowers. The Atacama is also a haven for stargazers, thanks to its high altitude, minimal light pollution, and crystal-clear skies. It’s home to ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array), the world’s largest ground-based telescope, used by scientists from around the globe. For those looking to unwind, the Puritama Hot Springs offer a tranquil escape, eight natural geothermal pools nestled in a scenic canyon setting.

Make it happen

Ready to start your journey through Chile’s best places? Get in touch with our local travel experts, who are always on hand to craft a personalized, tailor-made itinerary just for you, whether you’re looking to explore hidden gems off the beaten path or check off iconic bucket list destinations.