Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park, with its iconic granite Towers, is one of the most popular destinations in Patagonia – a paradise for hikers and outdoor adventure activities.…
Discover MoreDeep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Deep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Chile's capital is vast yet intimate and a key gateway to Patagonia. If you have time in the city we'd recommend the walking tours, biking routes, museums, restaurants and more. You have sun-kissed vineyards on your doorstep and also the chance to visit the colourful Valparaíso.
Santiago offers a variety of walking tours, from free options that cover historical highlights to private tours that delve into specific neighbourhoods or themes.
Whether you're interested in learning about Chilean history or getting a taste of local culture, a walking tour is a great way to explore the capital city.
Colonial buildings of Santiago de Chile
Santiago is ringed by the Andes Mountains, offering a variety of hiking and biking trails for all skill levels.
Hikers can enjoy trails that range from easy walks in urban parks to challenging climbs up mountain peaks. Some of the most popular hiking trails in Santiago include:
San Cristobal Hill: The most famous route in the capital, with different trails to the top offering scenic views of the city.
Cerro Manquehue: A more challenging hike that rewards with stunning views of the Andes.
Maipo Alto Wine Route: Combine a hike with wine tasting in the Maipo Valley.
Bikers also have a variety of options, from family-friendly paths to challenging mountain bike trails. Here are a couple of popular choices:
Panul Park: The last native forest located in the urban area of Santiago, perfect for mountain bikers.
Avenida Andrés Bello: Every Sunday morning, a section of this avenue is closed to traffic for cyclists, creating a safe and scenic route to explore the city.
A variety of local companies offer day hikes, biking trips, and walking city tours in and around Santiago. We have lots of these day trips, to find one that suits you please contact us.
Santiago skyline
From casual cafes serving steaming empanadas to innovative restaurants pushing culinary boundaries with everything from seafood through to vegan dishes, Santiago's dining scene offers something to tempt every taste bud. Check out our restaurant recommendations for your time in Santiago.
There is also fantastic evening entertainment available to suit all tastes. Catch a performance at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, the city's grand opera house, or enjoy a concert at the Teatro Nescafé de las Artes. We'd also recommend combining a delicious meal with a night of entertainment at a restaurant that offers live music, traditional folklore shows or dance performances—you can even get up and join the dancers if you wish!
Santiago is the gateway to Chilean Patagonia's mountain peaks, glacial valleys, and coastal fjords.
Although it's a sprawling city, the centre is quite compact with many of the historic buildings, bars and restaurants nestled together in just a few neighbourhoods.
On our Hotels in Santiago page, we offer a little description of each neighbourhood so you can see which area suits you best. We also take you through our favourite establishments for a range of budgets.
4.7 out of 5
The perfect solution for a brief stop in Chile’s stunning capital city. Whether en route to Patagonia or returning home—our stop-off program will ensure you get a taster for the city and a night’s rest at a hotel perfectly suited…
4.3 out of 5
Get to know Santiago’s fascinating history, culture and scenery before a spot of wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley and a visit to Valparaiso—the colourful port city. This trip gives you three experiences in one and is an ideal add-on…
Chile's lively, bustling historic port city is famous for its eclectic mix of UNESCO protected architecture, its multi-coloured houses, turn of the century funiculars that still transport people up to the surrounding hills, world-class street art and delicious fresh seafood. Visit the house of the Noble Prize winner Pablo Neruda or spend a day visiting the vineyards of the near by Casablanca Valley.
Our tour guide was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable and personable. I enjoyed getting to know the area with Jim. I especially loved how personalized and private everything felt. The wineries were wonderful and the lunch at Casa Blanca was amazing. Read the full review
Travelled: March 2023
Megan Hillyard - USA
We liked our hotel and location, and Marcello was an excellent guide. We closed our trip with an afternoon in Valparaiso, which was much more interesting. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2023
Nate Link - USA
We had a very good guide who touched on all the important and practical travel issues such as currency, water, safety etc. He also gave us a good understanding of present day Santiago, and a bit of its history. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2022
Teresa Chow - USA
We had a great city tour, saw a lot and learned about the political climate. Read the full review
Travelled: December 2019
Karen Belding - United States Of America
The hotel was very good and in a great location. Our guide was great – so knowledgable about the city and the country, and so good at answering all our questions. I highly recommend him. We learned so much. His recommendations for dinner and sights were also good. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2019
Mary Lou Bell - United States Of America
Santiago is a big city, but Swoop did a great job putting us up in the right part of town. We spent a day and half walking the area, city markets, and climbing the hills, and a half day in the wine country. Hotel was perfect and had an awesome rooftop bar/restaurant. Pickup at the airport with a driver and English speaking guide was a great way to start our trip. She gave us the layout of the land and expedited our check in process. Read the full review
Travelled: February 2019
Brian McIntyre - United States Of America
Review:
Torres del Paine National Park, with its iconic granite Towers, is one of the most popular destinations in Patagonia – a paradise for hikers and outdoor adventure activities.…
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Discover MoreIf you're visiting Argentine Patagonia you're likely to pass through the bustling city of Buenos Aires. Here you'll find Swoop's suggestions for the best things to see and do as …
Discover MoreRemote, beautiful and with one of the most famous road-trip roads in the world, Aysen is a destination for those seeking the best of Patagonia without the crowds.
Discover MoreWe'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Get in touch today to talk about your dreams for your trip. Whether it’s a 2-week or 2-month adventure, you’re travelling independently or in a big group, you want to see Patagonia in comfort or discover challenging hikes, we’d love to help.
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