Fernwayer’s Santiago Tours

All Chilean adventures start and end in Santiago. But time is of the essence when you’re bound for this vast, skinny country—with a typical itinerary carrying you south to the mesmerizing glaciers of Patagonia and sweeping north to the surreal valleys of the Atacama Desert. This hunger for the wilderness often compresses Santiago to a quick layover, with travelers missing out on getting to know its soul.

Curated by passionate local experts, our private tours in Santiago de Chile inspire you to get to know the capital more than the average traveler. Our approach takes you behind the scenes of vibrant neighborhoods—where you’ll learn about everyday life and fall into the rhythm of the city—and into the homes of Santiaguinos for a meaningful experience with those who call Santiago home.

A textile entrepreneur guides you through artisanal markets and art museums, kindling conversation and connection. An architect juxtaposes the oldest parts of the city with its modern face. A professional chef facilitates exchanges with market vendors before schooling you on the art of Chilean food and wine at his private residence overlooking the Andes. A cultural historian recreates the poetry of Pablo Neruda through a lyrical cooking experience.

Our tours address the legacy of Santiago but maintain a sharp focus on the city as it exists today. You will visit notable landmarks and learn of their past, but also come to understand what sites such as Plaza de Armas and Moneda Palace mean to locals. Let a textile engineer share how modern makers are honoring Indigenous customs while experimenting with innovation. Rather than peering at the Andes from the comfort of your hotel, embark on a journey to the foothills where you’ll encounter winemakers and llama farmers. 

Explore our essential Santiago de Chile tours below and browse all Santiago experiences here.

The Human Edit

Need help planning your trip? A Fernwayer curator takes your preferences and designs a custom travel itinerary that works. This is human-led travel planning — by someone who understands the art of travel itinerary design — built around your dates and preferences. Each personalized itinerary uses Fernwayer experiences as anchors and complements them with recommendations for flights, hotels, restaurants, and self-explore ideas.

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Art & History Tours

Looking to connect with artists in Chile? Our art tours in Santiago, Chile, provide an intimate experience with local creatives specializing in textiles, mosaics, and beyond. Venture to Puente Alto, the “Mosaic Capital of South America” where your eyes will rest on the largest mural installation of its kind in the region. Sit down over coffee with a prolific textile entrepreneur and unravel the legacy of loom weaving and textile creation in Chile or savor an afternoon treat of “once” with a multi-faceted artist in her cozy studio. You can also visit cultural centers and artisan markets at the side of our Experience Makers who will explain the significance of any mementos that catch your eye.

Food & Wine Tours

Taste the authenticity of Chilean cuisine with our tantalizing food tours in Santiago, Chile. Discover the city’s oldest markets and interact with vendors with a local guide at your side—once you’ve learned the secrets of purchasing “palta”, you’re halfway to being Chilean. Dine on the freshest ceviche and sip fine wines with a view of the Andes in the apartment of a prolific chef and charismatic host in the trendy El Golf neighborhood. But leave room and time to sit in the home of a passionate gourmand who recreates the poetry of Pablo Neruda through cooking the writer’s signature dish, Caldillo de Congrio.

Day Trips from Santiago

Experience the nation’s mountains, coasts, and vineyards on a private day trip from Santiago, Chile. For travelers short on time, a one-day excursion to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar exposes you to the spirit of bohemia where sandy beaches are lashed by the wild Pacific Ocean and looked over by priceless works of art and palaces. You’ll pause at charming coves where artisanal fishermen reel in the morning’s catch and return via the vineyard-studded Casablanca Valley. Sitting in the belly of the Andes—known here as the Cordillera—Santiago is guaranteed to kindle mountain wanderlust. Consider enhancing your stay by tapping on a few days in Los Andes from where you can immerse yourself in culture, landscapes, and wine.

Santiago Neighborhood Guide

Barrio Italia

Once a hub for Italian immigrants and their furniture workshops, this bohemian neighborhood in Providencia is now awash with art galleries, craft stalls, and antique shops. This is one of the best parts of Santiago for experiencing coffee culture and “once” (a social meal over bread, pastries, and hot beverages) at boutique cafés spilling onto leafy patios. Barrio Italia is a joy to visit during the day and at night, with its fusion cuisine and community-driven spirit that balances modern interests with historic character. Recommended experience: The Makers of Barrio Italia

Lastarria

One of Santiago’s most atmospheric and beloved barrios, Lastarria (part of the central commune) blends art, history, modern culture, and nightlife. Idling through these cobbled streets reveals bookshops, wine bars, and contemporary restaurants, while street performers and artisan markets add a unique energy. The neighborhood’s neoclassical architecture, lush Santa Lucía Hill, proximity to the Museum of Fine Arts, and cultural venues make it a favorite for both locals and visitors seeking an artistic, intellectual vibe. Lastarria is home to a selection of boutique guest houses and the city's iconic luxury hotel, The Singular Santiago.

Barrio Yungay

As one of Santiago’s oldest neighborhoods, Barrio Yungay is a treasure trove of heritage architecture. It’s known for its historic mansions and leafy plazas which host frequent concerts and performances at weekends. Local street art celebrates Chilean culture and social movements, while community centers like Matucana 100 and local eateries make it a center of authentic, grassroots creativity. Barrio Yungay stages the Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos), which is a sobering yet unmissable destination for learning about Pinochet’s military dictatorship.

Santiago Centro

The central administrative district, known interchangeably as Santiago Commune, Santiago Centro, or Downtown Santiago, orbits around the Plaza de Armas. This monumental square is the arena of such major tourist attractions as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museum of National History, and the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Its eastern edge merges with the Bellas Artes barrio, home to the National Museum of Fine Arts and Forestal Park. The historic center is a must-see while in Santiago. However, we advise avoiding this area at night and prioritizing accommodation in Providencia or Las Condes. Recommended experience: A Historian's Santiago

Ñuñoa

This vibrant commune south of Providencia blends historic charm with a youthful, creative energy. It’s a large area, with Plaza Ñuñoa being the focal point for locals and tourists. This enclave is a hub for cafés, bars, and restaurants which are particularly lively at night, and there is a supply of theaters in the vicinity. Ñuñoa is where you’ll find the Julio Martínez Pradanos National Stadium, the home field for both the national soccer team and Universidad de Chile’s first-division club. We’d recommend spending an evening enjoying the food, drink, and music scene in Ñuñoa.

Barrio El Golf

Named for the Los Leones Golf Club, this westernmost corner of Las Condes is home to such hotels as the Ritz-Carlton, W Santiago, and InterContinental. This is one of the most contemporary parts of Santiago—anchored around the financial district known as Sanhattan. Amid this glassy forest of high-rises, the Costanera Center looms over the streets, offering high-end shopping, dining, and lodging. Visit its observatory, the Sky Costanera, for 360-degree views of the Andes mountains from the summit of Latin America’s tallest skyscraper. Recommended experience: A Taste of Chile

Where should I base myself? Providencia is our natural recommendation for where to stay in Santiago. This central comuna has a track record for safety, while its leafy streets lined with Brutalist apartment blocks are a joy to explore on foot during downtime. Metro Line 1 runs west to east through Providencia, offering seamless connections to the historic center. Most hotels are clustered around Manuel Montt, Pedro de Valdivia, and Los Leones stations. The easternmost district of Las Condes is another option if you’re seeking a comfortable, five-star experience. Choose accommodation in Barrio El Golf to reduce transit time from sights and Santiago International Airport—venturing too far east can make you feel somewhat cut off.

How do I move around effortlessly? Santiago’s barrios, particularly those covered in our neighborhood guide, are walkable. You can hail Uber/Cabify rides to transition between districts and neighborhoods. Services are regular, reliable, and safe to use—more so than local taxis which are not recommended to foreign travelers. The Metro de Santiago has seven lines in total, with Line 1 (red) connecting the tourist and commercial spots from west to east. The metro is safe to use and spares the risk of Santiago’s ever-present traffic jams. We advise taking extra caution with your belongings during peak hours due to the risk of pickpocketing, and relying only on Uber/Cabify for travel after dark.

How do I get to my hotel in Santiago? Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) is located in the Pudahuel commune, west of Santiago. We advise organizing a private transfer in advance and having the driver collect you from arrivals. Otherwise, you can arrange a licensed taxi at the official kiosks located between baggage claim and the arrivals hall. The staff will liaise with a driver and have them collect you from the concourse—payment is usually taken by credit card in the car upon arrival at your hotel. Be aware of scam taxi drivers at Santiago Airport and only book through the official kiosk.

What are the best hotels in Santiago? The Singular Santiago, located in Lastarria, stands out for its design-led rooms, fine dining, and luxurious rooftop pool. Otherwise, most major hotel brands are present in Santiago. The Ritz-Carlton and W Santiago are fine bases in El Golf for unparalleled comfort and hospitality, while the Mandarin Oriental touts the city’s largest pool. Providencia’s accommodation scene orbits around four and five-star boutique hotels, including Hotel NH Ciudad, Solace Hotel, and Hotel Ocaranza.

Is Santiago safe? While it’s not a dangerous city, pickpocketing and muggings are increasingly common in Santiago. We recommend only traveling with a small, discreet bag and keeping any valuables out of sight. Avoid checking your phone on the street as this makes you an easy target for motorcycle snatch-and-grabs and ladrones (Chile’s skilled thieves). Be especially careful when paying for items with cash, as a wallet heaving with bills will catch attention. If you rent a car during your stay, always keep your doors locked, close the windows while stationary, and be mindful of scams targeting motorists.

Will I need to speak Spanish? Few Chileans speak English (around 10 percent of the population in total). Major hotels and attractions in Santiago employ English-speaking staff, and museums typically offer audioguides in multiple languages. Restaurants in Santiago are a mixed bag, but there will usually be an English-speaking staff member around. Uber/Cabify drivers rarely speak English. If you do speak Spanish, bear in mind that Chilean Spanish is very different from Castilian Spanish. Chileans speak incredibly fast, using Chilenismos (Chilean slang), adding “po” for emphasis, and rounding off most nouns with “ito/ita”.

How far ahead do I need to book restaurants? If you have your heart set on specific restaurants, book a table a couple of weeks in advance—this is essential in January/February for popular places. Most restaurants take bookings via Instagram or WhatsApp, and your hotel will be able to help further. 

When should I visit to avoid crowds? Chile’s high season falls in the Southern Hemisphere summer months: December, January, and February. Most travelers spend a day or two in Santiago between visiting Patagonia, the Carretera Australl, and the Atacama Desert. The winter months—particularly August—see an uptick in Santiago as the ski resorts attract adventure sports enthusiasts from neighboring countries. While the city never feels overly inundated with travelers, Santiago does retain a buzzing atmosphere year-round due to its high population of residents. 

What is the climate like in Santiago? Santiago experiences cold winters, with the Andes blanketed in snow between July and August. This season does impact the air quality as the frigid temperatures and absence of wind causes thermal inversion and heavy smog. The shoulder seasons of spring (Septemer-November) and fall (March-May) bring pleasant conditions and cleaner air, with sporadic rainfall that rarely lasts more than a day at a time. Summers are bone-dry with typical temperatures ranging between 82°F and 90°F, although heatwaves can push this above 95°F. Unlike coastal areas, the heat is dry rather than humid.

How can I pay for items? Credit/debit card is the preferred means of payment at restaurants, cafes, and shops in Santiago. Most street artisans even carry portable credit card machines. However, some street vendors only accept cash which means it is useful to carry a clutch of small notes in case something catches your eye. When making a card purchase in Santiago, you will usually need to specify whether paying by credit card (tarjeta de credito) or debit card (tarjeta de debito). Casas de cambio will exchange major currencies for Chilean Pesos. Bear in mind that ATMs carry high fees (around $10 USD per withdrawal).

Should I leave a tip? Paying servers an optional gratuity of 10 percent is the custom in Santiago. When settling the bill, you will be asked if you wish to pay the “propina”—it can be added to the card payment. Housekeeping staff would appreciate a token of appreciation, but it’s not mandatory, nor is tipping Uber drivers. As an all-inclusive marketplace, tipping is never expected on Fernwayer’s wallet-free experiences in Santiago.

Should I worry about earthquakes? Due to Chile’s position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, earthquakes are common in Santiago. Most are classified as temblors (small earthquakes), with terremotos (big earthquakes) being rare. Chile is subject to robust building codes, which means tremors are buffered and the risk of damage is incredibly low—you might not even feel one.