Santiago is the capital of Chile and a city with a very convenient location. If you want to see the main places of the country, then prepare for a lot of connections in Santiago.
Despite its location in a desert area, the city is very green, with lots of parks and public spaces.
Transport in Santiago
To use a subway or buses, buy a Bip! Card at any station. The journey costs depending on the time of day, the most expensive ticket is $1. The official subway website is in Spanish https://www.metro.cl/, although the route planner is simple and can be used by everyone.
Apartments are very popular in Chile. They are relatively inexpensive (~$50), and have a kitchen, a roof pool and other extras. We lived in Departamentos Amoblados Santiago (booking.com), there are many people on a booking.com who rent an apartment in this complex, so check different offers.
Also we lived in Apart Santiago (booking.com), here we did not even see the owner, he left the keys on the reception desk. The apartment is filled up with different figures from the Star Wars, vintage magazines and other interesting things.
Chile is the safest country in South America (info), and Santiago is the safest capital. This is a little unusual after other capitals, where we saw policemen with automatic guns in the center.
What to See in Santiago
The Metropolitan Park and San Cristobal mountain (Parque Metropolitano de Santiago)
The most interesting place in the city. It is a large hill located almost in the center.
We used the funicular and walked along the hill to the viewpoint, which is located here S 33 24.334 W 70 36.604. There's one road (5 km), but it's better to have some map. On the way there are kiosks with ice cream and drinks, toilets and beautiful views. If you have a bicycle, then you can go up by cable car.
The most beautiful view will be at the end. Try to come here in the evening, at sunset. This viewpoint offers the best view of the Providencia business district.
This is the most prestigious residential area. If you walk from the Los Leones metro station to the lower station of the cable car, you will see quite expensive private houses.
Sky Costanera observation deck (Los Leones or Tobalaba metro stations)
Because of the constant seismic hazard in South America, super tall skyscrapers are not popular here. $1 billion Gran Torre Santiago is the first high skyscraper. There is an observation deck on the roof, check schedule and prices on the official website.
Mount Santa Lucia (Santa Lucía or Bellas Artes metro stations)
Another green corner in the center of the city, a pleasant place to walk. The hill was formed 15 million years ago after the eruption of the volcano. In 1820 two forts were built on the mountain and guns were installed, their remains can still be seen. But the main change occurred in 1872, when Santa Lucia was turned into a city park. Here were made walkways, fountains and observation platforms.
A huge public space that runs through the whole city and consists of a dozen different parks. Some are more groomed, some less, in any case it makes sense to stroll.
The city center is chaotic and not as cozy as the Bellavista district. Mostly there are automobile streets, but there are also two large squares. The standard central square is Plaza de Armas. The same as in other capitals of South America, but well-groomed.
And a huge area around the presidential palace Palacio de La Moneda. It was partially destroyed during the bombing in 1973, when the General Augusto Pinochet came to power.
Getting there: by buses of CentroPuerto and TurBus from the airport. They run every 10 minutes to the Pajaritos metro station ($3). Taxi to the center costs $23. Like everywhere in South America, take a taxi on the official counters at the airport.
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