Here is our guide to Santiago and Valparaiso on a budget. Santiago is a city surrounded by mountains, and for us nature lovers, that's exactly what we like to see in a city! Our main reason for our stop in Santiago was our trip to Rapa Nui. It is one of only a few airports in the world you can fly their direct from, only leaving a couple times a week. We didn't just want Santiago to be a place to break up the journey we wanted to make sure we had time to explore the city, so factored in a few days here.
Accommodation
We stayed in Hostal Forestal during our 2 stops in Santiago, Chile. A great, clean hostel with extremely helpful staff. It was very conveniently located within walking distance to an array of attractions and restaurants.
Transport
Most of the time we walked everywhere but we did use the subway a handful of times, it's convenient, reliable and cheap. We also used a pre booked bus and a few pre booked taxis by our hostel, these were also well priced.
Highlights
Walking Tour of Santiago
We opted to go for a walking tour with Tips4Tours, and we couldn't recommend them enough, and everyone knows walking tours are a great way to see and learn about the city. We chose the Santiago highlights walk. Meet at Bellas Artes and look out for someone dressed as 'Where's Wally'.
You‘ll make your way to Plaza de Armas, home to the stunning Metropolitan Cathedral. Then into La Moneda. The guide was super knowledgable, and taught us a lot about the history, in a respectful and well balanced unbiased way.
Time to jump on the metro, to GAM the cultural centre, there‘s lots of sculptures and art everywhere you look. Finish up in Lastarria a busy, popular area full of restaurants and a fab atmosphere.
The Tour is offered in different languages. They also offer a few different route options!
Hike or get the funicular up San Cristobal Hill, from here you can catch a further cable car. This is where you’ll find the best views over the city, and is well worth the trip up.
For an alternative view point, visit the observation desk of Sky Costonera, South Americ’s tallest building.
Wander the vibrant streets of Bella Vista, it is also one of the best areas to find great restaurant. Patio Bellavista is also worth a visit but a bit more pricy!
Valparaiso
Whilst you’re in Santiago, don’t miss out on Valparaiso, whether you make it a stop or a day trip. It is about 2 hours from the capital, situated on the coast. You can get there by subway and bus. Plus, it’s one of the worlds most colourful cities!
Once you arrive at the bus station follow the coastline to the heart of Valparaiso. It is a bustling port town with a maritime history.
It is a steep coastal town, but don’t worry you can save your legs and ride the historic funiculars up the hills for about 25p.
This will lead you up to the areas where street art is everywhere you look, and what Valparaiso is known for.
We did another Tour here with tips4tours, they’ll explain the history of the street art, started as a result of economic decline, many left the area and poet Neruda arrived, with plans to revive the city. This saw most of the walls covered in art, before Chile was brought under military rule.
Street art became illegal, yet many defied this law, and used art as a way to express their beliefs, some of which then ‘disappeared’. Valparaiso has many alleys and corners making it easy to hide and continue in secret.
Today, the local government supports street art and new murals regularly pop up. Many compete to cover most areas and create most impressive art. It is truly an open air gallery with some seriously impressive pieces. Some owners will appoint the most famous artist to paint their walls. Your can learn much more on the tour.
Another highlight of the tour, the best and most chocolatety alfajores we tried! The tour will take you to a hidden shop, where they’ll make the tour group shout a certain phrase in Spanish and the owner will then bring out some FREE alfajores to try, they’re worth buying more!
Places to eat
The areas of;
Barrio bellavista
Patio bellavista
Lastarria
Specific places;
Ramen Kintaro
New Horizon
Mist ice cream (featured in our best Ice creams from around the world)
Helladrio emporio de rosa (featured in our best Ice creams from around the world)
Socks and Sandals