Full of culture, lights, gastronomy, panoramas, parks, museums and an endless number of incredible places to visit, Santiago surprises you with its corners and neighborhoods, traditional icons of the capital, which invite you to discover the history and architecture of these sectors that are often hidden in the maps, but that you will undoubtedly love. So put on your sneakers and go out to visit the main corners of Santiago,but which neighborhoods of Santiago to visit?
Barrio Bellavista: Located between the San Cristobal hill and the Mapocho River. It is a neighborhood that shines for its art during the day, and of carrete and bohemia at night. Here you can find the houses of various intellectuals and artists of the capital, such as the renowned house museum "La Chascona", of the poet Pablo Neruda. On weekends, you can "window shop" in the Pío Nono street market, and then rest or have lunch in a restaurant in Patio Bellavista. You can access the San Cristobal hill and reach the top through its funicular or cable car. A mandatory stop is the impressive view of the Andes Mountains at the Cordillera Viewpoint, located in the El Hundimiento sector of the Metropolitan Park of Santiago, where the Chile Brand corporeal awaits you to capture a photograph with one of the best panoramic views from the hill.
Barrio Lastarria: Undoubtedly, a neighborhood with history and very touristic. Lastarria awaits you with its varied cultural activities, festivals and artistic shows. A neighborhood full of life, energy and interesting architecture. Visit the cinema El Biografo, a movie theater opened in 1987, with red velvet seats that will transport you to the mid-twentieth century. Visit the Museo de Artes Visuales, which has a private collection of contemporary art, and on your way out, enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes located in the Plaza Mulato Gil de Castro. Lastarria Street is full of restaurants of different styles and prices, ideal for lunch or dinner. You can't miss the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, which hosts exhibitions, concerts and plays, and has become an urban center that attracts skaters and dancers on weekends.
Downtown Santiago: The center of Santiago has an endless number of corners and historical places that you can visit. Museums, the Central Market, the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Santa Lucia hill, among many other corners of Santiago. For lovers of good food and interested in tasting exquisite flavors, textures and typical Chilean food, we recommend visiting La Vega, highlighted among the best markets in the world. You can visit the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and also the La Moneda Cultural Center, a meeting place in front of the south facade of La Moneda Palace that has exhibitions, activities, workshops and a film library with screenings of old and modern Chilean films. Be sure to visit the Municipal Theater of Santiago, a building that dates from 1873 and is the main exponent of opera, ballet and symphony concerts in the city.
Barrio Yungay: A very old neighborhood of the capital, known for its homonymous square with its homage to the Roto Chileno, a character inspired by the Chileans who participated in the Battle of Yungay in 1939. Theaters, museums, churches, artistic workshops, cafes, libraries and an endless number of corners full of history and culture inhabit this urban center. The Church of Los Capuchinos, built between 1853 and 1861 with the Florentine design of Eusebio Chelli, is a must-see in this corner of Santiago. Among its rich and diverse cultural offerings are the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the Museum of Sound and the Workshop Museum. A gastronomic classic is the Peluquería Francesa.
Barrio Brasil: With more than 100 years of history, this corner of Santiago full of stately homes, cobblestone streets and old trees, make it a must-see of Santiago's heritage. The neoclassical, neo-Gothic and art nouveau architecture stands out. Visit the iconic Plaza Brasil, full of colorful sculptures, and two blocks away the Basilica del Salvador, a Catholic temple dating from 1932. Be captivated by the great cultural and nightlife that takes over the streets of San Pablo, Brazil, Cumming and Alameda, in the heart of the capital.
Barrio Huemul: A neighborhood full of history, built as a model population of the city in 1910. There you can visit the buildings of the place, the branch of the Caja de Ahorros and the Huemul Theater. The latter, similar to a small Municipal Theater with capacity for 200 people. In this neighborhood you can also find the house where the poet Gabriela Mistral lived in 1922. It also highlights the Santa Lucrecia parish, with beautiful architecture and a swimming pool. Declared a Typical Zone in 2016 and its theater a National Monument, to walk through this neighborhood is to be transported to the early twentieth century, since even today its facades and charm are still preserved.
Barrio El Golf: Also known as the financial and business district of Santiago, in this eclectic neighborhood you will find everything from offices and commerce to family life. The backbone is Isidora Goyenechea Avenue, which features restaurants, cafes, hotels and luxury clothing and design stores, and leads to a park in front of the Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles church. On Sundays, several stalls selling antiques are set up in Plaza Perú. In the cultural field, there is the Interactive Museum Las Condes and the Municipal Theater Las Condes.
Barrio Italia: When you talk about antiques, the first thing that comes to mind is the well-known Barrio Italia. In this old neighborhood coexist furniture restoration and antique dealers with design stores, bookstores, shoe stores, plants and decoration, and also one of the best gastronomic menus in the city. On weekends, the terraces along Italia Street are filled with families and groups of friends.
