Parks and the outdoors in Santiago

Parks and the outdoors in Santiago

1. EatProvidencia

   Café Literario Parque Bustamante

   A combination library-café (hence, "literary café") located in the park, free Wi-Fi.

   Mon-Fri 09:00-19:45, Sat Sun 10:00-19:45

2. 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

3. SeeSanhattan and East

   Parque Bicentenario

   A beautiful park, still under construction. Large extension of grass, children games, dog games, a very nice pond with black neck swans. There is also a restaurant, a café (Le fournil) and Vitacura's city hall. Trails for walking and biking.

4. 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.

5. SeeBellavista and North

   Parque Metropolitano

   This vast park is home to Cerro San Cristóbal. At 722 ha, it's one of the world's largest urban parks. From the top there is a beautiful view over the city and, on a clear day, the Andes. The summit can be reached by funicular (1500 pesos one way, 2000 pesos return; cheaper for children and seniors, more expensive on weekends and holidays), cable car, or a hike (45-90mins). In the park there is also a Japanese garden, the national zoo, and two swimming pools. Pope John Paul II visited its summit in 1987.

6. DoProvidencia

   Parque Metropolitano de Santiago

   Cerro San Cristóbal

   One of the city's landmarks, this hill has walking paths, gardens, viewpoints and the Metropolitan zoo.

   free

7. 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 pm·5000CLP$

8. SeeSanhattan and East

   Parque Padre Hurtado

   (ex Intercomunal de La Reina)

   One of the largest activity parks in Chile, popular among young adults and families on the weekend. Large green expanses, a lake with boats, barbecue grills and there are often unofficial cultural and sports events taking place.

   Tue-Sun·Parking 3500 pesos, using the barbecue equipment 3500 pesos

9. SeeSanhattan and East

   Parque por la Paz Villa Grimaldi

   The site of Villa Grimaldi, infamous as a torture center during the Pinochet dictatorship, has now been turned into a memorial park. In 2004 it was listed as a national monument.

10. 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.

11. Do

    Paso de Uspallata

    Rent a car for 1 or 2 days from Santiago and go visit the beautiful Uspallata Pass with Monumento del Cristo Redentor, the Aconcagua Provincial Park for some hiking, the impressive El Puente del Inca or even laid-back Mendoza and its vineyards. The pass road itself is gravel road and a detour from the tunnel which most people use between Chile and Argentina. The views from the pass into Chile and Argentina are breathtaking, and the drive itself is exciting (not just along the gravel road). If you rent the car at around 16:00 and start in the morning near Los Andes or even closer to the pass, it might be better due to lesser clouds in the morning. Note, the border crossing into Argentina, which is 10 km or so behind the actual border, can take 2–6 hr with cars queuing for many kilometers before the tunnel underneath the pass. Since you actually do not want to take the tunnel, you should find a way to pass the waiting cars, maybe with the help of a local border police car. The gravel road to the pass starts about 100 m before the tunnel. If you just go to the Uspallata Pass and return to Chile without entering Argentina, do not tell the customs office on the way back that you went to see the Christ statue—it seems that the statue is on the Argentinian side. On the way back, you will be checked by customs for not allowed goods and food, even if you did not cross into Argentina—so, best to leave everything (even the wine) in Chile before you go to the pass.

    US$30 per day car rental fee

12. 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.

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