SantiagoCapital
Chile · Country profile
Santiago is the capital of Chile, a vast, modern city of the Andes that spreads its grid across the valley of the Mapocho river with the snow-capped peaks of the cordillera rising to the east and the vineyards of the region crowding its edges. The old streets of the centre, the historic quarter with the cathedral, the government palaces and the markets, anchor a city that otherwise runs on the modern energy of its towers, its malls and its spectacularly efficient metro that is the best in Latin America. The city has grown rich on the copper and the commerce, and its museums, its bars-restaurants scene and its young, creative population give it a confident, contemporary life. Safe, efficient and genuinely livable, Santiago is the economic and the cultural engine of Chile.
About Santiago
Santiago is the capital of Chile. The city's documented population is around 5,400,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +56. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.
The Centre, the Markets and the Wall of the Andes
Santiago is a confident, modern, strikingly well-organised city set against the enormous wall of the Andes, and its strengths are the everyday quality of its life rather than a single monumental sight. The historic centre, the museums and the markets hold the culture, while the districts of the east with their restaurants, their bars and their parks carry the modern energy. The view of the mountains, the snow on the peaks even in the summer, frames the whole city. It is the natural base for the whole country, from the wine valleys and the Pacific coast to the mountains and the far south, and its infrastructure makes it the easiest of the South American capitals to navigate.
The Reversed Seasons, the Metro and the Views of the Hills
The seasons are reversed from the north, so the winter, from June to August, is cold and the summer, from December to February, is dry and warm; the spring and the autumn are the mild sweet spots. The centre and the museums are walkable and the metro is superb, fast, clean and cheap. The currency is the Chilean peso, the cards work everywhere and the Spanish has its own fast, slurred character. The historic centre, the markets and the viewpoints of the city are the essential circuit, and the great parks and the wine valleys of the region lie at its edge. The city is safe and orderly, with the mountains and the coast as the natural escapes of the weekend.
The Santa Lucia, the Museums and the Valleys of the Vine
The metro of the city, the best in Latin America, is the fast, efficient backbone of the whole capital and the easiest way to see it. The historic centre with the cathedral, the government house and the great markets of the city anchors the old heart, and the museums, from the pre-Columbian to the contemporary, hold the culture. The hill of the Santa Lucia with its gardens and its views, and the funicular of the San Cristobal with the immense statue of the hill, give the classic panoramas over the city and the snows. The districts of the east hold the restaurants, the bars and the nightlife, and the coastal towns of the Pacific and the wine valleys of the region are the classic day trips. The city is modern, efficient and framed by one of the great mountain walls of the world.
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- Country
- Chile
- Population
- 5,400,000
- Coordinates
- -33.3930, -70.7858
- Capital
- Santiago
- Region
- South America
- Currency
- Chilean Peso (CLP)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +56
- Country code
- CL
Entry requirements for Chile
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Chile for tourism.
Getting to Santiago
Airports we list for Santiago:
Frequently asked questions
Is Santiago the capital of Chile?
Yes — Santiago is the capital of Chile.
What currency do I need in Santiago?
The local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). Languages spoken in Chile include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Chile?
The international dialling code for Chile is +56.
Which airport should I fly into for Santiago?
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is the airport we list for Santiago.
Do I need a visa to visit Chile?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter Chile visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Santiago? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.