Santiago Neighborhoods
Santiago is best thought of as a collection of distinctive barrios, each with its own personality. While there are 32 of them vying for your attention, the city's most popular attractions pepper the districts skirting the Mapocho River. The capital’s main corridor, Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins (or "La Alameda"), winds through Santiago's central district and forms an east-west channel through downtown, making a great reference point for first-time visitors. Beneath it lies the city’s main metro line, No. 1, which leads to many notable landmarks, like San Francisco Church and the striking Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center (GAM). More affluent areas lie to the northeast of the city center – including Las Condes and Vitacura – which are worth exploring for their upscale shopping, dining and art scenes.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 5 line at the Quinta Normal or Cumming stations or No. 1 line at the Unión Latino Americana and República stations.
Buzzing with activity at all hours, these two neighborhoods on the north side of La Alameda – to the west of Santiago's historic center – attract visitors with their well-priced cafes, well-conserved neoclassical and baroque architecture, vibrant street art and affordable accommodations. Students tend to congregate here, especially on the weekends. During your visit to Yungay, check out the many moving museums, including Museum of Memory and Human Rights. And while you're in Brasil, explore the tiny Concha y Toro district, a heritage-rich area known for its cobbled streets.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 3 and 5 lines at Plaza de Armas station.
Santiago's historic center is brimming with political sights and notable landmarks, making it an excellent jumping-off point for first-time visitors. This neighborhood is anchored by the lively Plaza de Armas, around which you'll find museums (like the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art), government buildings, religious institutions (such as the Metropolitan Cathedral) and shopping areas. Once you've taken in the Plaza de Armas, head southwest to La Moneda Palace. Then, continue south past La Alameda to the quaint París-Londres neighborhood – located at the intersection of París and Londres streets – which charms visitors with its cobbled alleys and tranquil gardens. You'll also want to venture north of the Plaza de Armas to check out the bustling Central Market.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 1 line at Universidad Católica station.
Head east of the Plaza de Armas to reach Lastarria, a popular stop for those seeking optimal photo-ops. The main attractions here are GAM (which hosts theater, dance and art exhibitions), and Santa Lucía Hill, a hilltop park with panoramic views of downtown. Another selling point: the galleries, bookstores, bars and restaurants, which give the compact neighborhood its lively, artsy vibe.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 1 and 5 lines at Baquedano and Bellas Artes stations.
Bellavista is a youthful, bohemian district situated just north of Lastarria. It boasts several theaters and cultural institutions (including La Chascona Museum House) but is best known for its nightclubs and vibrant gay scene (centered around Bombero Nuñez street). Pío Nono is the barrio’s main drag, though the parallel street Constitución has better bars and restaurants. In between, Patio Bellavista offers a cluster of vibrant eateries and boutiques. Visiting by day? Be sure to ride the funicular to the top of San Cristóbal Hill for incredible vistas.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 1, 4, 5 and 6 lines at Santa Isabel, Parque Bustamante, Salvador, Manuel Montt, Pedro de Valdivia, Los Leones and Tobalaba stations.
A lively middle-class neighborhood located east of Santiago's city center and southwest of Las Condes and Vitacura, Providencia draws foodies looking for a memorable meal at a trendy restaurant or drinks from a local bar. Known for its European ambiance, especially in the Italia district, this barrio beckons visitors who want a safe upscale place to stay and easy access to top city attractions, including the Costanera Center, which is home to a variety of shops and Sky Costanera.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 lines at Ñuble, Irarrázaval, Monseñor Eyzaguirre, Ñuñoa, Chile-España, Villa Frei, Plaza Egaña, Simón Bolivar, Principe de Gales and Estadio Nacional stations.
South of Providencia, this laid-back and mostly residential neighborhood features several live music venues and dining establishments, most of which can be found around Plaza Ñuñoa in the heart of the district. Ñuñoa is also where you'll find Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Chile's national stadium. The venue hosts both soccer matches and concerts.
Accessible via Santiago Metro's No. 1 and 4 lines at Francisco Bilbao, Cristóbal Colón, Tobalaba, El Golf, Alcántara, Escuela Militar, Manquehue and Los Dominicos stations.
Venture northeast of Providencia to visit Las Condes, an upmarket residential area known for its sleek high-rises, swanky five-star hotels and relaxing Araucano Park. For the best eats in Las Condes, stick to the El Golf district (near Plaza Perú) or the nearby urban market MUT. Head north of Las Condes and you'll find Vitacura, a venerable commercial and culinary destination with gardens and tree-lined avenues. Within Vitacura, you'll discover an array of luxury hotels, boutiques and galleries, plus sprawling Bicentenario Park. For a refined meal in Vitacura, consider one of the dining establishments at BordeRío, which houses a number of restaurants that dish up everything from Italian to Peruvian cuisine.
Safety
Santiago is a relatively safe city with few instances of violent crime. However, petty crimes like muggings and carjackings are becoming more common. You should be especially wary of pickpockets, who often target public transportation and well-trafficked tourist spots like the Central Market, Santa Lucía Hill, the Plaza de Armas and San Cristóbal Hill. Also be sure to stay alert if you plan on exploring Bellavista or the Yungay and Brasil neighborhoods after dark, since petty thieves tend to frequent these areas.
Political protests are common in large Chilean cities like Santiago. These demonstrations typically occur with little advance notice and may become unsafe at times. They also tend to cause metro service disruptions, road blocks and even early closures at shops, restaurants and banks. To minimize the impact this may have on your vacation, sign up for the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, monitor local media before and during your trip, avoid demonstrations and contact your airline for updates about potential flight delays, especially if you're also traveling to remote Chilean destinations like Easter Island and Chilean Patagonia. Learn more about how to stay safe in Chile by visiting the State Department's website.
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