Today I want to introduce you to the nicest day trips from Santiago — you’ll notice you can easily stay in the city for 10+ days and not run out of things to do.
The capital of Chile is a stunning and vibrant city. But not everyone knows Santiago is also surrounded by fantastic must-sees, from quaint towns like Valparaíso to the dazzling views of the Maipo Canyon.
Table of Contents
Best day trips from Santiago
1. Valparaíso
Valparaíso, affectionately Valpo, is Chile’s third-largest city. Nestled around a wide bay, it’s split between a lower town around the port and an upper town spread across dozens of steep hills.
Thanks to its unique topography and the bright colors the majority of its houses are painted, Valpo boasts an instantly recognizable cityscape. Having been a lot richer up to a century ago, it has a striking aura of bygone wealth that makes it all the more fascinating.
Valparaíso’s suggestive ambiance and affordability relative to Santiago have drawn artists from all over Chile and throughout the globe. When you wander through its winding, cobbled streets uphill, you’ll get to stop by countless art galleries and studios and lovely bistros.
The “Jewel of the Pacific” is dotted with funiculars that you can ride from the port toward the Upper Town. You’ll take in the commanding views of the bay on your way to La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s famous Valparaíso house.
2. Viña del Mar
Viña is Valparaíso’s modern, glamorous twin to the north of the bay. Chile’s most popular seaside resort has sprawling beaches and waterfront parks and early 20th-century landmarks like the Wulff Castle, the Municipal Casino, and the Vergara Palace.
The city is also known for the golden Dunes of Concon, located on the northern edge of town. In other news, the stretch between Acapulco Beach and the Casino is home to numerous restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that will welcome you after a relaxing day by the sea.
As one of Chile’s cultural capitals. Viña del Mar plays host to several high-profile events year-round, among which are the International Song Festival (the biggest in Latin America) and the Viña del Mar Film Festival.
Since Viña is adjacent to Valpo, you can visit the two cities in a single day if you’re really pressed for time. Yet both require at least a full day to be enjoyed properly.
3. Maipo Valley
The upper Maipo River, as you’ll see on the next day trip suggestion, is surrounded by dramatic, snow-capped summits.
Its lower section, in turn, is one of the most fertile areas nationwide. With its ideal Mediterranean climate, the Maipo Valley has become the no. 1 winemaking hub in Chile.
Tucked between the Andes to the east and the much smaller Coastal Range to the west, the valley features both family-owned vineyards and huge, export-oriented wineries where you’re guaranteed to taste some of the most prized wines in Latin America.
The best departure points for a wine-soaked tour of the region are Puente Alto and Maipú on the outskirts of Santiago.
While you can ride the subway to either borough, you’ll make the most of the area if you rent a car to explore it on your own or book a guided tour of the finest wineries.
4. Cajón del Maipo
Cajón is a local term for a canyon. In this rugged area to the southeast of Santiago, the Maipo River is squeezed between imposing cliffs that offer breathtaking panoramas.
A 34-mile drive separates downtown Santiago from the village of San José del Maipo, where you can make a pit stop before continuing your journey through the meandering gorge.
Along the way, you’ll pass by waterfalls, hamlets, and overlooks. One of the must-sees in the area is El Yeso Dam, which is a flawless background for a picture thanks to the snowy peaks encircling it.
You can camp near the river overnight to enjoy the canyon to the fullest and maybe go picnicking in the morning.
A bunch of hiking trails and the Valle de Colina hot springs will be waiting for you uphill. Rafting downriver is another marvelous option for adventurous travelers.
5. Isla Negra
In Isla Negra, one of Pablo Neruda’s favorite spots, the poet built a ship-shaped house and was eventually buried there.
Though its name means “black island” in Spanish, Isla Negra is actually a jagged stretch of coastline in the town of El Quisco within greater Valparaíso.
At this hidden gem of the Chilean coast, you can lounge on the beach with the locals and watch an awe-inspiring sunset by the rocky shore.
Before you leave, don’t miss the sculpture park by Cantalao Beach. Then, if you keep driving southward, you’ll come across ever wilder beaches all the way to Santo Domingo and its black sand beach.
A predominantly residential community, Isla Negra is short on dining options. Still, you can always hit cozy cafés like Calú to munch on mouthwatering empanadas.
6. Farellones
Farellones is a remote location tucked between the mountains to the east of Santiago. In the area, you’ll find the most popular ski resorts in the nation, such as Valle Nevado, Colorado, and Farellones itself.
In addition to that, Farellones boasts enormous archeological value because it was once crossed by a major Inca road. Tons of artifacts have been retrieved in the area, including a mommy from the 15th century.
One of the town’s most famous landmarks is in fact an ancient stone house of unknown origins which hikers and mountaineers often use as a shelter.
Farellones has a top-notch hotel infrastructure, so you should consider staying overnight to discover all of the attractions there. In case you don’t feel like driving, you can book a transfer service to pick you up and drop you off following a day amid scenic views and ski tracks.
7. Pomaire
Less than 4,000 people live in Pomaire, which stands midway between Santiago and Valparaíso. That means the town can make a strategic stop as you head to or leave the coast rather than a full-on day-trip destination.
Pomaire isn’t distinguished for its grand architecture or mesmerizing landscapes. Besides the quiet main plaza, there’s indeed not much to it.
It does excel, however, in two things: pottery and authentic cuisine. Here you’ll have the chance to load up on piggy banks, clay cooking pots, and all sorts of decor items to bring home as keepsakes or gifts for your loved ones.
What’s more, you’ll get to try gigantic empanadas and the creamiest corn cake in homey and budget-friendly places like Quinta Los Naranjos and Restaurant San Antonio.
8. Sewell
Chile is responsible for over a third of the global output of copper and has been the leading exporter of the mineral for decades.
The mining village of Sewell, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006, is a monument to the country’s historic importance in the sector.
Built in 1904 on a snowy ridge of the Andes, Sewell stands at 7,020 feet of altitude. Though the now ghost town was partially demolished in the 1980s, its main buildings have been preserved.
Mining operations are still ongoing in the Sewell region, which was dubbed “the city of staircases” for its lack of streets.
Find out about the unusual history of Sewell by taking a tour of the village with a local guide. It’s 90 miles away from the capital but totally worth the drive.
9. Tunquén
Tunquén is one of the most secluded and gorgeous stretches of coastline in central Chile and perhaps the whole country.
The immense beach is lined by cliffs on both sides and is home to the mouth of a creek that serves as a sanctuary for several bird species.
Upon parking your car, you’ll need to walk for about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the sand, which is definitely worth it. You’ll have the beach practically to yourself.
Don’t forget to walk to Tunquén’s southern end to view its cave. If you can afford the climb, head to the top of the bluff to soak up the commanding views of the surroundings.
Bring some snacks along, as the beach lacks any structure whatsoever — which is of course an essential part of its charm.
10. Río Clarillo National Park
Río Clarillo is a tributary of the Maipo River around which a 32,000-acre natural reservation was established 40 years ago. The park is visited by hundreds of thousands of Chileans, but only by a few hundred foreigners.
Admittedly, there are many other sights in and around Santiago that you should see before reaching Río Clarillo. That said, the park is a wonderful place to escape from the capital’s hectic pace, especially given it’s a mere 33 miles from the historic core.
Here you can picnic and hike while spotting foxes, wild felines, and grisons, as well as take a refreshing dip in the park’s natural pools.
Plus, there’s a skydiving center a mile downstream from the parking lot in case you’re looking for an extra thrill.
11. Cordillera Yerba Loca
Like Río Clarillo, Yerba Loca is an idyllic refuge just 30 miles to the northeast of Santiago. Set up alone the Yerba Loca creek it makes a great stop if you’re bound for Farellones for a weekend getaway.
Here you can visit the botanical garden, stroll amid conifers, camp, and hike all the way to the glaciers at the foothills of Mount La Paloma and Mount El Altar.
Yerba Loca’s infrastructure is simpler than Río Clarillo’s, which is also why it’s sought after by trekkers. The campground is superb, though, and each campsite features a grill for a delicious cookout with your family, friends, or significant other.
12. Casablanca Valley
Valle de Casablanca is a Chilean designation of origin for the winemaking region centered on the town of the same name.
Here you can savor excellent wines, both red (especially Syrah and Pinot Noir) and white (particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc).
In wineries like Casa Valle Viñamar and Casas del Bosque, you’ll get to pair your wine with a charcuterie board or a full meal depending on how hungry you are.
Like Pomaire, Casablanca stands off the road that leads from Santiago to Valparaíso. If you have the time, you can spend the morning hunting for pottery, grab a few glasses of wine after lunch, then head off to sleep in Valparaíso.
Alternatively, keep driving southward to reach the San Antonio Valley, another renowned winemaking region.
Wrap-Up
Santiago is one of my favorite cities in South America, precisely because it’s jam-packed with beautiful attractions all around it.
The coolest thing is Chile is equipped with first-rate infrastructure to welcome visitors from all over the planet, which will help turn your trip into a dreamy experience.
Don’t forget to check out this 10-day Chile itinerary if you need any help planning that trip!
