Where To Stay In Santiago de Chile: 5 Best Areas & Places

Do you fancy strolling sandy beaches or skiing the slopes of the Andes? No other city in the world offers you this opportunity, but one, Santiago de Chile. Santiago not only allows you to spend a day at the beach and snowy slopes, but you can do it all in the same 24-hour period.

Santiago is a gem, but one that is less visited than its South American neighbors. In 2019, Santiago received just 4.32 million tourists. If you want a low-key holiday in which you are not fighting other tourists to get around the city, then Santiago is an ideal vacation destination.

The city is rife with European, colonial-era architecture. It is filled with classy shops, cafes, and vibrant bars. Parks are abundant, giving you the chance to exercise or just chill out after a day of exploration.

If Santiago de Chile sounds like the ideal place to spend a holiday, you won’t want to miss any of these areas. So, book your stay today.

In this travel guide:

Providencia

Providencia is labeled as the hippest place to stay in Santiago. It is the ideal place if food is your thing. The middle-class area of the city is flush with entertainment options and restaurants.

After enjoying the food options of Providencia, you can cycle, walk, or jog around Cerro San Cristobal. The hill provides views of the city, making it possible to watch incredible sunsets at the end of the day.

Families have plenty of entertainment options to choose from in Providencia. Cinemas, shopping, and the 62-story tall Gran Torre Santiago, which is part of the Costanera Complex. Gran Torre Santiago has an observation deck on the 61st and 62nd floor. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Providencia’s location offers a variety of accommodation possibilities. The good news is Providencia is near downtown Santiago, but it has less traffic than the central part of the capital.

Don’t miss Sculpture Park near the Mapocho River or the Torre Telefonica Chile. The latter is a building that resembles a 1990s-era telephone.

Best place to stay in Providencia

Meridiano Sur Petit Hotel. Sta Beatriz 256, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

Santiago Centro

Santiago Centro is the city center and offers up an abundant amount of history. Compared to Providencia, Santiago Centro is a little busier with people – locals and tourists alike.

History buffs will love exploring the area’s colonial-era buildings. Exploring the neighborhood gives you the chance to spot the unique, historic buildings.

Some of the must-see attractions include the Colonial Museum, National Historical Museum, Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, and the Palacio de la Moneda. The Colonial Museum is ideal for anyone that wants to see the impact of European settlement on the South American nation.

History buffs shouldn’t miss the Cerro Santa Lucia. Santiago was founded on the very same hill in 1541. Like in Providencia, Santiago Centro is flush with foodie hangouts.

Although Chile is a South American country that gets less attention than Argentina and Brazil, it is a great destination with its very own culture, foods, and history. In many ways, it is a less-visited country in South America, making it even more desirable to visit than other nations on the continent.

Best place to stay in Santiago Centro

Hotel Panamericano. Address: Teatinos 320 , Downtown Santiago, 4323315 Santiago, Chile.

Lastarria

Lastarria is an area of Santiago de Chile within an area. The neighborhood is situated in the Santiago Centro area and known as a bohemian spot of the capital. The architecture was inspired by Europe.

It feels less South American and far more like Spain, France, Italy, and the other European nations that influenced the capital.

The area is home to El Biográfo, which is a cinema dedicated to independent films, a wholly unique place to visit. The Museum of Fine Art and the Cultural Center of Gabriel Mistral are also located in Lastarria.

Staying in Lastarria means you can reach other parts of Santiago rather easily. The metro is a quick way to get around Santiago and the Lastarria station is at your doorstep when staying in the area.

Lastarria is a cool place to stay in. However, the area is not a “mainstream” place to visit or rent accommodation. Compared to other parts of the city, it isn’t a tourist section of Santiago. Regardless, of being less touristy, it is an ideal place to base your visit to Santiago.

Best place to stay in Lastarria

Hotel Cumbres Lastarria. Address: José Victorino Lastarria 299, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

Las Condes

Families have some great options for accommodation and attractions when visiting Santiago. Perhaps the best family choice is Las Condes, an exclusive neighborhood with high-end accommodations.

You will also find luxury shopping, restaurants, and leisure locations. If shopping is your vice, then you can shop until you drop at the stores around Las Condes.

If you fancy a ski holiday in Chile, Las Condes provides easy access to the Andes. Access to the rest of the city is possible via the metro system, so you won’t have any problems reaching the history of Santiago Centro.

There are parks available for fitness fanatics. Parque Bicentenario is one of the most popular spots for locals to get exercise or relax on a sunny day. For more outdoor fun, walk around the open-air museum of La Pastora.

Best place to stay in Las Condes

Novotel Santiago Las Condes. Address: Alonso de Córdova, 5199, Las Condes, 7560873 Santiago, Chile.

Bellavista

Nightlife is on the menu in Bellavista. If late nights out at clubs, pubs, and bars are your thing, then book accommodation in Bellavista. The area has a young atmosphere and going out during the night allows you to experience the vibrant neighborhood.

You have a variety of restaurants as well in Bellavista. Foodies can enjoy local cuisine along with international fare in the neighborhood. Bellavista is a location for the city’s LGBT community and has a bar dedicated to the community.

Art galleries, museums, and theaters can also be found in the artsy, bohemian neighborhood. It is a great spot for culture vultures who want to get to know the people. Like the other areas in the city, Bellavista is well-connected to the other popular parts of Santiago.

You can reach the popular Cerro San Cristobal, the Chilean National Zoo, and a large park to explore. The 4.8-hectare zoo is home to thousands of animals with some of those being endangered species. No matter which area you choose in Santiago, it is a great tourist attraction for families.

Best place to stay in Bellavista

Tinto Boutique Hotel. Address: Calle, Antonia López de Bello 040, Santiago, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

Where travel critics stay in Santiago de Chile

Want to know where travel critics from publishers like The New York Times, Frommer’s, Fodor’s and Lonely Planet stay in Santiago de Chile? Check out our overview of all recommended hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Santiago de Chile.

Budget

Hostal Rio Amazonas.

“A great choice for those looking for the social life of a hostel without having to share a room. This long-running guesthouse in a mock-Tudor mansion has bright rooms.” — Lonely Planet.

Address: Vicuña Mackenna 47, Santiago, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

Mid-range

Hotel Magnolia.

“This 42-room property opened in October 2016 to rave reviews. It ingeniously intertwines old and new as chequered tiles, marble staircases and reconstructed stained-glass windows appear alongside ultramodern light fixtures, geometric furnishings and vertigo-inducing glass floors.” — The Guardian.

Address: Huérfanos 539, Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

Luxury

Hotel The Singular.

“A boutique bolthole in the heart of Santiago’s hippest district. Singular Santiago is a clubbable mix of cozy interior design topped off with a show-stopping rooftop pool and bar. This is the super-stylish city sibling of the wild and remote Singular Patagonia.” — Telegraph.

Address: Merced 294, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile.

FAQ: Santiago de Chile hotel tips

Looking for the best budget, boutique, or luxury hotel in Santiago de Chile? Or maybe you’re a backpacker looking for an excellent hostel? Want to know which Santiago de Chile hotel serves a great breakfast? Here are the answers to all those and other questions about where to stay in Santiago de Chile.

Best time to visit Santiago

The best time to visit Santiago is during the summer months (December to March). During this period, Santiago bathes in warm, sunny weather with average temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 35 °C (68 to 95 °F).

This is an ideal time for outdoor activities such as exploring the city’s stunning parks, embarking on wine tours, or venturing out to nearby coastal towns like Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.

Summer also coincides with a host of cultural events and festivals that transform the city into a lively hub of activity.

If you are a winter sports enthusiast, you should go during the winter months (June to August). The nearby Andes mountains transform into a winter wonderland, offering world-class skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

However, it’s worth noting that while the mountains experience snowfall, in the city itself winter is typically mild with temperatures averaging around 8 °C to 15 °C (46 – 49 °F).

Best things to do in Santiago de Chile

There are numerous things to do in Santiago de Chile and surrounding areas, including day trips, attractions, museums, sightseeing tours and many other activities. Here’s our list of 3 things you should definitely do when you’re in Santiago de Chile:

Full-Day Tour of Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar from Santiago

Revel in the vibrant color and culture of Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar on a full-day tour of the coastal cities from Santiago. Price: $99. More info.

Welcome to Santiago: Private Tour with a Local

Get a welcome to Santiago from a friendly and passionate local and discover the city like a resident. Learn the secrets about where to buy groceries, how to get around and much more. Price: $30. More info.

Full-Day Wine Tour from Santiago with Sommelier Guide

Visit the Maipo Valley Wine Region with a certified sommelier on a full-day wine tasting tour from Santiago. You’ll stop at three or four wineries for tastings, sampling locally-produced bottles as you learn about Chile’s winemaking heritage. Price: $170. More info.

More things to do in Santiago de Chile

Deciding where to stay in Santiago de Chile

As a closing note, let’s summarize this travel guide. We covered the best areas of Santiago de Chile so you can decide which part of town you want to stay in.

Top 5 areas to stay in Santiago de Chile

• Centro
• Lastarria
• Bellavista
• Las Condes
• Providencia

As you have seen in this article, there are plenty of things to explore, and deciding where to stay in Santiago de Chile is important. Whether you stay in Centro, Lastarria, Bellavista, Las Condes or Providencia, all those neighborhoods are in good locations.

The atmosphere of the area, whether you travel for leisure or business, whether you travel with your family or friends, and proximity to the attractions you prefer to visit should probably be the deciding factors. Whatever your preference is, you’ll have a great stay in Santiago de Chile.

Santiago overview

More Santiago tips

See our other guides about the best places to stay in Santiago de Chile:

Hotels in Santiago de Chile

Hostels in Santiago de Chile

Boutique hotels in Santiago de Chile

Luxury hotels in Santiago de Chile

Cheap hotels in Santiago de Chile

Sustainable hotels in Santiago de Chile