Sights Overview

Pedro de Valdivia wasn't very creative when he mapped out the streets of Santiago. He stuck to the same simple grid pattern you'll find in almost all of the colonial towns along the coast. The city didn't grow much larger before the meandering Río Mapocho impeded these plans. You may be surprised, however, at how orderly the city remains. It's difficult to get lost wandering around downtown.

Running through the center is the city's major thoroughfare, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, better known as the Alameda (the street is named for Chile's first president). East of Plaza Baquedano, the Alameda turns into Avenida Providencia, where you'll find an upscale shopping district. After this it becomes Avenida Apoquindo, full of high-rise apartment blocks, and farther along it turns into Avenida Las Condes.

Much of the city, especially communities such as Bellavista and Providencia, is best explored on foot. The subway is probably the quickest, cleanest, and most economical way to shuttle between neighborhoods. To travel to more distant neighborhoods, or to get anywhere in the evening after the subway closes, you'll probably want to hail a taxi.