Chile attractions

Framed by the crashing waves of the Pacific and the imposing Rano Raraku volcano, Ahu Tongariki is perhaps the most photogenic of the moai (monolithic human figures) on Easter Island. With 15 statues, it’s the largest ceremonial site in Rapa Nui National Park and a must-visit for history buffs and photographers.

With its parched desert plains and wind-sculpted topography, it’s easy to see how Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) earned its name. The sharp sandstone peaks, glittering salt deposits, and crater-like depressions make for some dramatic photographs, and watching the sunset over the valley is an unforgettable experience.

Threaded with staircases and punctuated by plazas, the 230-foot-high (70-meter-high) Santa Lucía Hill is a landmark of downtown Santiago. Climb the 200+ stairs to the Torre Mirador viewpoint for panoramic views over the city and Andes beyond, catch the ceremonial cannon fire at noon, and people watch in the colorfully tiled Pedro de Valdivia Plaza.

Plumes of steam from more than 60 geysers and hundreds of fumaroles erupt several feet into the air at the geyser field of El Tatio, high in the Andes in northern Chile. El Tatio isn’t the largest geyser field in the world, but with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, it’s perhaps the most picturesque.

Ascensor El Peral is one of Valparaíso’s 16 funiculars, which were collectively declared a Chilean historical monument. This recently restored elevator whisks you to the summit of Cerro Alegre, or “Happy Hill,” a neighborhood with a vibe that matches its name. The entire route is 180 feet (55 meters), so it’s not long from the bottom until you’re at the top.

The epic massifs at Torres del Paine National Park (Parque Nacional Torres del Paine) draw visitors to an area of unspoiled beauty in the wilderness of Chilean Patagonia. But while the granite towers are a well-known symbol of the park, the landscape offers many additional natural wonders to admire; glittering lakes, glaciers, and ancient forests sit beneath the snow-capped spires of the Cordillera del Paine.

The seven statues that make up Ahu Akivi are the only moai (monolithic human figures) on Easter Island that face the Pacific Ocean—the backdrop makes for stunning photographs. Legend has it that the seven identical moai of Ahu Akivi were built in honor of the seven explorers sent to discover the island by founder Hotu Matu'a.

The Lastarria neighborhood’s cobblestone streets and European architecture create a Bohemian vibe. This district offers antique stores and indie boutiques, as well as the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre. Wander around the green oasis of Parque Forestal; enjoy international cuisine; or get your art fix at the Museum of Visual Arts.

Bohemian Bellavista—sandwiched between San Cristóbal Hill and the Mapocho River—is one of Santiago’s most walkable neighborhoods, known for varied nightlife, some of the city’s most colorful street art, and numerous boutiques. A particular Bellavista highlight is La Chascona House-Museum, Pablo Neruda’s former residence.

Located in downtown Santiago, the Central Market (Mercado Central is a great place for visitors to get a peek into the hustle and bustle of local life. Its wrought iron interior houses fruit and vegetable vendors, a fish market, and multiple restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious, authentic, and affordable meal.

El Yeso Dam (Embalse El Yeso), which was built in 1964, created a turquoise reservoir that can hold more than 253 million cubic meters of water. Though just a couple hours outside of Santiago, the snow-capped mountains that surround the site are more reminiscent of rural Patagonia than of the bustling metropolis.

Constructed in 1910 at the height of Latin America's frilly neoclassical-meets-art-nouveau architectural wave, the graceful Palacio de Bellas Artes still strikes an imposing figure amidst modern Santiago's cold skyscrapers. Its ornate stone facade and permanent artistic merit make it the perfect home for the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), with its paintings, sculptures, and drawings dating from the colonial period to present day.

Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana) is considered one of the finest examples of religious architecture in South America. This is the cathedral’s fifth incarnation (not including numerous additional touch-ups) since a church was first dedicated on this spot in 1561. The structure has dominated the west side of the Plaza de Armas for centuries and serves as the heart of the city.

Occupying an entire city block on the northern end of La Moneda Palace, the Plaza de la Constitucion is a central hub for political life in the city. One of its biggest draws is La Moneda Cultural Center, where you can check out exhibits ranging from design to Chilean cinema.

At the Santa Rita Winery (Viña Santa Rita) in the scenic foothills of Alto Jahuel, you can explore Chile’s winemaking tradition dating back hundreds of years. Wander through old world vines, sample full-bodied Chilean wines, and tuck into a meal at the winery’s fine dining or casual restaurants.

An ancient volcano-turned quarry, Rano Raraku was the source material for around 95 percent of Easter Island’s moai statues. Abandoned in the 18th century, the site contains nearly 400 moai, including the massive El Gigante at 71 feet (21 meters). The moai here are in different states: some unfinished, some half buried, some still attached to the walls, and some broken.

Part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, and its most easily accessible entry point, Chaxa Lagoon (Laguna Chaxa is situated in the middle of the Salar de Atacama. Its spectacularly beautiful setting is the best place in Chile to see flamingos; you can see three of the five known species (James, Chilean, and Andean at this salt lake.

This glacial lake in the south of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego National Park entices outdoor enthusiasts with its fishing spots, Patagonian forest hikes, and shoreline campsites. Crossing the border into Chile, where it becomes Lago Errazuriz, the area is also a convenient launch point for wider Andean adventure.

Located on the northeastern coast of Easter Island, where it’s believed that King Hotu Matu’a first set foot on Easter Island, Anakena is one of only two sand beaches on the island. Boasting coconut palms and calm waters, it’s an idyllic spot to enjoy the island’s unique beauty. Nearby are two ceremonial platforms, known as ahus, with moai statues.

Hailed as Valparaiso's most picturesque passage—and nicknamed the Balcony of Valparaiso—Paseo 21 de Mayo winds through street-art smothered neighborhoods and the colorful houses of Cerro Playa Ancha. Its elevated location also gives you sweeping panoramas of Valparaiso's UNESCO-listed historical center and the ocean beyond it.

Dating back to 1925, the Chilean National Library (Biblioteca Nacional de Chile) is notable both for its massive collection of books and its gorgeous French neoclassical design. It's spread out over two floors and features beautiful marble interiors and elegant sculptures among the seemingly endless collection of tomes.

Perched on a narrow ridge on the edge of the Rano Kau crater, Orongo Ceremonial Village was the ritual center of the tangata manu, or birdman, cult. Home to remnants of stone houses that were used in the annual birdman ceremony and thousands of petroglyphs, it also offers views of the ocean and offshore islets called motus.

With close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and a unique mix of clay and sandy soils, the Casablanca Valley is one of Chile’s top wine-producing regions, despite its relatively new arrival on the scene. The first vines were planted in the mid-1980s—more than 100 years later than some of the country’s other notable wine areas.

The snow-capped cone of Osorno Volcano is one of Chile’s most recognizable landmarks. Towering over Lake Todos Los Santos and Lake Llanquihue in the Andean mountain range, Osorno is the starting point of Chilean Patagonia and is a magnet for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts who come here to ski, hike, and trek.

One of the former homes of celebrated Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana is a fantastic place to get a peek into the poet's life, while taking in views of vibrant Valparaiso. Here, you'll find all sorts of Neruda-related ephemera and audio guides are available to help you make sense of it all.

Tucked within Cajón del Maipo, a narrow river valley snaking its way up to the Andes just outside Santiago, lies Termas Valle de Colina. These mineral hot springs at the base of the San José Volcano comprise eight different milky blue pools set to different temperatures for comfortable (and supposedly restorative) soaking.

Milodon Cave (Cueva del Milodón is a Chilean Natural Monument and site of paleontological interest. It was here that, in 1896, German explorer Eberhard Hermann found the fur and bones of a Mylodon, an extinct huge ground sloth. With a small museum and displays, the site pays homage to its former inhabitant.

Located just outside Hanga Roa, Tahai is one of the oldest and most popular ceremonial complexes on Easter Island. It features three ceremonial platforms (ahu) with moai statues, as well as the remains of an ancient village with traditional boathouses (hare paenga). It also offers one of the best sunset views on the island.

Forestal Park (Parque Forestal), the natural green lung of Santiago, provides a peaceful break from the frenetic bustle of Chile’s capital city. Stretching from Central Market to Plaza Italia, this area offers walking paths shaded by leafy trees and two popular museums: the MAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo) and Palacio de Bellas Artes.

If you’ve ever wanted to swim in the desert or experience the buoyancy of the Dead Sea, a visit to the Cejar Lagoon should be high on your to-do list. A desert sinkhole at the heart of the Atacama, the lagoon is famed for its salt-rich waters.