Historic places in Santiago

19 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Santiago.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

EatWest and South
Boulevard Lavaud
In Barrio Yungay, Boulevard Lavaud is more than a coffee and restaurant, is part of Santiago history. Better known as La Peluqueria Francesa, is part restaurant, part antique store and part hair salon
Mon-Thu 09:00–01:00, Fri Sat 09:00–03:00, Sun 11:00–17:00onion soup 3500 pesos, Coq au vin 7500 pesos, Duck a l'orange 9500 pesos
EatSanhattan and East
Café Dante
A meeting point for friends, with a lot of history and nice service.
SeeCentral
Casa Colorada
This colonial building functioned as the seat of the first Chilean leader after independence. It was closed for 14 years due to earthquake damage but has opened once again in 2024. It holds a museum of Santiago's history.
Free
SeeBellavista and North
Cementerio General de Santiago
About two million Chileans rest in peace at the country's largest and oldest cemetery, including many important historical figures like Manuel Rodriguez, Violeta Parra, Andres Bello, Maria Luisa Bombal and most presidents of Chile. It's also an open air museum of burial mausoleums in Egyptian, Greek, Gothic, Moorish and almost any other thinkable styles.
SeeSanhattan and East
Centro Artesanal Los Dominicos
Designed to resemble a traditional Chilean town, its narrow dirt streets and adobe houses with thatched roofs host workshops where artisans create and sell their crafts directly to visitors. The center features cultural events, live performances, and local cuisine. It also houses the Las Condes Wax Museum. Declared a National Monument in 1983, the site preserves the colonial history of the area.
Open now · closes 7 pmFree
SeeCentral
Cerro Santa Lucia
A park with fountains and stairs leading up to a fort and viewpoint the top. The summit has a great view of all but the skyscraper-obscured city center. Charles Darwin visited this peak at one point in his travels; his words are immortalized in a plaque at the summit.
Free; registration at entrance required
SeeSanhattan and East
Estadio Nacional 'Julio Martínez Prádanos'
Estadio Nacional de Chile
This is the site of sports events (both football and others), concerts, and social events including the yearly Teletón charity event. A National Historical Landmark opened in 1938, the World Cup finals were played here in 1962. A decade later, people opposing the dictatorship, were interned here.
Open now · closes 9:30 pmFree
DoCentral
La Moneda Cultural Center
Museum located underneath the Presidential Palace, the Cultural Center has rotating art and cultural exhibitions all year. Local crafts and souvenirs are available at middle-high prices in the local gift shop. A café is also within the facilities. Note that most exhibitions are not free of charge, however, prices are very affordable.
Open now · closes 7:30 pmFree until 12:00
SeeCentral
La Moneda Presidential Palace
Next to the Alameda there is the governmental palace, an Italian neoclassical palace surrounded by more modern buildings with ministries. The squares around them are lined by statues and under one of the squares is an interesting cultural center. Guided one-hour tours are free, but require a reservation of at least seven days in advance (Spanish only).
SeeCentral
Museo Histórico Nacional de Chile
The national museum showcases both the history and prehistory of today's Chile. There are several temporary themed exhibitions.
Free
SeeWest and South
Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio
This museum is all about historical Chilean aircraft. It's also a venue for aviation-related events.
SeeCentral
Palacio Cousiño
19th century palace owned by a wealthy Spanish-Portuguese family. The architecture is a mix of Spanish and French styles with inspiration taken from the Versailles palace.
Mon-Fri 09:30-13:30 14:30-17:00, Sat-Sun 09:30-13:304000 pesos. Students with ISIC 3000 pesos. Guided tour only. No pictures inside
SeeCentral
Parque Forestal
A long park that runs parallel to the Mapocho River, also site of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) and Modern Art Museum. Also known as the green lung of downtown, it's a popular place for cultural and recreational events and activities and the border between the historic center and Barrio Lastarria.
SeeSanhattan and East
Parque Observatorio Cerro Calán
Cerro Calán has been envisioned as an intercommunal park since the early urban development of Las Condes. Originally part of the Hacienda Apoquindo, the area was primarily farmland until the 1950s, when it was divided for urbanization. Known historically as 'Qala' or 'Colón,' meaning "completely bare" in Quechua, the hill was designated for green spaces and later transferred to the University of Chile for the establishment of its National Astronomical Observatory (OAN). Despite early intentions to create a public park, administrative and financial challenges delayed its development. In 2019, a new agreement between the University of Chile and the Municipality of Las Condes initiated the opening of 45 hectares of Cerro Calán for recreational, educational, and environmental purposes. Visitors can also explore the university's astronomical observatory on the hill. For group visits, complete the entrance form: Entrance Forms.
Open now · closes 8 pm5000CLP$
SeeWest and South
Parque Quinta Normal
One of the city's largest and most traditional parks, with many museums located in and around it. These include the National Museum of Natural History of Chile, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Railway Museum of Chile. Its surroundings are also the Artequín Museum, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the Matucana 100 Cultural Center, and Library of Santiago.
SeeWest and South
Paseo de la Historieta
In San Miguel, next to Gran Avenida there's a park with statues with figures from Chilean history as they appear in the comic book series Condorito.
SeeCentral
Plaza De Armas
The capital's main plaza, also the site of the national cathedral and main post office. It's few blocks from the traditional Central Market and has its own Metro Station. During the last years, Plaza de Armas has been used as a meeting and recreation place for the community of Peruvian immigrants. This has led to lots of cheap international calling centers, traditional Peruvian restaurants and Peruvian spice and food stores, being an interesting place to walk during day hours.
SeeCentral
Teatro Municipal
Historical performance venue, including international dance and opera, worth a visit even if just from its outside.
SeeCentral
Metropolitan Cathedral
Catedral Metropolitana
One of the city's major landmarks, next to Plaza de Armas.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Santiago (CC BY-SA 4.0).