Chile attractions

Founded by German colonists in 1853, the Chilean port city of Puerto Montt serves as the gateway to the Andes Mountains and Patagonia fjords. The city's architecture, culture, and cuisine are strongly influenced by its German past. The region’s lakes, mountains, and volcanoes offer endless activities for the outdoor adventure traveler.

The world’s largest prehistoric anthropomorphic geoglyph is in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The 390-foot (119-meter) Atacama Giant is believed to represent a deity and to have been created sometime between AD 1000 and 1400 by pre-Columbian Indigenous peoples. Today, the Atacama Giant is a popular tourist attraction.

Built at the turn of the 21st century, the Third Millennium Cross (Cruz del Tercer Milenio) stands 272 feet (83 meters) above the Chilean city of Coquimbo. Perched on El Vigía Hill, the cross is believed to be South America’s tallest Christian monument—it’s even bigger than Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue.

Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa (San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum) is an essential stop for history enthusiasts visiting the Arica region. The museum is home to some of the world’s oldest mummies, and excellent displays of local culture and archaeology. A visit to this museum provides insight into the area's rich history, including its Indigenous cultures.

Looming over the city, this 19th-century battle site is Arica’s most distinguishing feature. A one-time Peruvian stronghold, El Morro was captured by Chilean troops in 1880 during the War of the Pacific. Now a Chilean National Landmark, El Morro draws visitors with a combination of history and sightseeing.

A small cove surrounded by hills south of Hanga Roa that means “hidden bay” in Rapanui, Hanga Piko has long been inhabited by the residents of Easter Island. Today, it’s the main cargo port for the island and the center of its traditional fishing industry. It’s also home to a cave and an ahu ceremonial platform with one moai statue.

The third-largest island in the Chiloé archipelago, Lemuy features rolling hills, dense forests, and rugged coastline that offer peaceful backdrops to off-the-beaten-path adventures. Whether you want to explore rural villages, admire historic churches, or simply chill out on the beach, Lemuy Island is well worth the trip.

Nestled between Viña del Mar’s Sol and Acapulco beaches, Vergara Pier (Muelle Vergara) was built at the end of the 19th century to accommodate the cargo boats unloading goods from ships in the port of Valparaíso. Long dormant, it has been renovated and transformed into a promenade and tourist attraction.

San Pedro de Atacama’s most notable building is the Church of San Pedro de Atacama, which keeps watch over the town’s busy Plaza de Armas. Built in 1744, it’s a remarkable example of a Spanish colonial church, built using traditional adobe bricks and surrounded by a crenellated wall, all painted white.

One of Chiloé’s 16 UNESCO-listed churches, the Church of San Francisco (Iglesia San Francisco de Castro) is a neo-Gothic gem designed by the Italian architect Eduardo Provasoli and built by local carpenters. Painted a sunny yellow with violet trim, the pleasing structure is a highlight of Castro’s Plaza de Armas.

Loma Larga Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned vineyard that does things differently. The winery is celebrated for its cool-climate reds in an area focusing on white wine. They were also the first winery in the Casablanca Valley to grow Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Malbec grapes.

Perched on a cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Fuerte San Antonio (San Antonio Fort) was built by the Spanish in the mid-18th century to defend Chiloé Island and its surrounding waters. Today, it’s a tourist attraction offering sweeping ocean views and a glimpse into Chilean history.

While rainforests usually conjure images of high humidity and tropical temperatures, Parque Aiken del Sur is one of one of the world’s coldest jungles. This protected reserve features more than 617 acres (250 hectares) of walking trails, which lead you through dense forests to rivers and waterfalls, which flow with water from melted glaciers.

San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, better known as Chiu Chiu, is a small oasis town in the Atacama Desert, just north of Calama. This quiet little town offers a more peaceful escape compared to the traveler hot spot of San Pedro de Atacama and easy access to the desert and Upper Loa Andean mountain range.

The Villarrica Volcanic Caves, sometimes called the House of Devil, snake hundreds of yards into the side of the Villarrica Volcano, Chile’s most active volcano. Take a trek into the caves, which are the hardened remains of historic lava flows, and enjoy the mountaintop scenery.

A family-friendly destination that’s both entertaining and educational, the Aquamundo Aquarium is one of the biggest in Chile, with more than 1,000 species of reptiles, birds, and fish. Exhibits often showcase local sea creatures, such as the poisonous Easter Island balloon fish and the Central Coast red shark.

Surrounded by the Atacama Desert, one of the most arid regions in the world, Humedal del Rio Lluta is a vitally important wetland. The Municipal Natural Reserve and federally-designated Natural Sanctuary is an important resource for about 130 bird species and a top destination for nature lovers.

Among the oldest Dominican churches in Santiago, this historic structure in the city center is notable for both its architecture and its interiors. It was built in 1747 (though other churches have stood here in the past) and was declared a national monument in 1951.

Just outside Santiago lies Yerba Loca Sanctuary(Parque Yerba Loca), a diverse natural reserve in the heart of the Chilean Andes, replete with glacial ravines, rocky peaks, and wildflower-covered meadows. Known for La Paloma Glacier, the looming peaks of Los Piches and El Altar, and the densely wooded forests of Villa Paulina valley, Yerba Loca Sanctuary is a popular day-trip destination.

Nature lovers in search of some of Chile's most prized birds love the natural wonder of Tres Puentes Wetland (Humedal Tres Puentes). More than 60 species of birds—including the Chiloé wigeon, white-tufted grebe, and the bubblegum-pink Chilean flamingo—reside in this unexpected gem located on the northern outskirts of Punta Arenas.

Home to South America´s longest ski run—which comes in at a whopping 8 miles (12 kilometers)—there’s much more to Termas de Chillan than hot springs. The resort offers a myriad of snow-centered activities, which include everything from dog sledding and skiing, alongside relaxing hot springs that prove perfect for travelers tired from a day of skiing.

In the heart of Santiago's O'Higgins Park, Fantasilandia is a sprawling amusement park filled with a wide range of rides, from kid-friendly mini trains to thrilling roller coasters geared toward older kids and adults. The park also has loads of carnival-style games where you can test your dexterity and win prizes.

Founded by Jesuit missionary Father Gustavo Le Paige, the R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum houses one of the region’s principal collections of pre-Colombian artifacts. With around 1,000 items on display, it provides insight into the history and cultural heritage of the Atacama Desert.

Among Santiago’s most recognized buildings, La Parroquia San Vicente Ferrer was on Chile’s 2,000 peso banknote for over a decade. Construction on the church and the adjacent convent that now houses the handicraft market began in 1809, and the well-preserved complex retains much of its original Spanish charm to this day. It still draws parishioners and visitors alike with its whitewashed exteriors, though many people just stop for a quick photo before heading to Los Dominicos Handicraft Village next door.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Gracia de Nercón (Church of Nercón) is one of the 16 Churches of Chiloé that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as a Chilean National Monument. This church stands out for its unique features, which include a sculpture of St. Michael with a demon at his feet, carved from a single piece of wood.

Playa La Lisera (La Lisera Beach) is a tranquil oasis just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of downtown Arica. This crescent-shaped beach is known for its calm waters and soft golden sands, which makes it an ideal destination to spend a laid-back day amidst the natural beauty of northern Chile’s coastline.

In the heart of the south Chilean city, Concepcion Independence Square (Plaza de la Independencia) is at the core of Chilean history. It was here, on January 1, 1818, that Bernardo O’Higgins declared Chile’s independence from Spanish rule. The square is an unmissable stop on a tour of Concepcion.

Among Chile's youngest wine regions, the San Antonio Valley is growing in popularity and is particularly celebrated for its pinot noir and sauvignon blanc. This cool-weather region is blessed by crisp winds from the Pacific Ocean, which helps create the perfect conditions for grapes to ripen slowly.

The highest point in the city, Monumento Natural Cerro Ñielol (Cerro Nielol Natural Monument) draws visitors with its panoramic views over Temuco. Set among 221 acres (89 hectares) of native forest, Cerro Ñielol is a popular hiking spot and a peaceful oasis in the city.