Top Attractions

Top Attractions

Outdoor Adventures

Jagged mountain peaks ring the capital, a reminder of all the outdoor activities available just outside the city limits. In the Cajón del Maipú, a half-hour drive from the center of the city, you can leave behind the hustle and bustle of Santiago for horseback riding, hiking, and white-water rafting.

Great Crafts Markets

Fine woolen items, expertly carved figurines, lapis lazuli jewelry, and other handicrafts from across the country are bountiful in Santiago. Trendy boutiques line the streets of Providencia and Vitacura, and luxury department stores in modern shopping malls lure dedicated shoppers to Las Condes.

Spectacular Skiing

Between May and October, the slopes outside Santiago are covered with the finely packed powder that dedicated downhill skiers dream about. To top it off, some of the country's top resorts, such as La Parva, Valle Nevado, and Portillo, are all an easy drive from the capital. Many locals head out for a morning of skiing and are back in the city in plenty of time for dinner.

World-Class Wineries

Santiago nestles in the Maipo Valley, the country's oldest wine-growing district. Some of Chile's largest and best wineries -- Concha y Toro, Undurraga, and Santa Rita -- are within an hour's drive of the city. November to March is the best time to visit if you want to see the wine-making process. The vendimia, or annual harvest, takes place in late February and early March.