Chile is a country that attracts more and more travelers due to its diverse landscapes and rich culture. To give you some ideas and help you prepare your itinerary, we have compiled the sights in Chile as well as the essential activities to do.
You just have to choose from the list according to your preferences and create a personalized itinerary to make your trip unforgettable.
Santiago
No trip to Chile can avoid the capital Santiago. In this huge, bustling city there is always something new to discover. Start by sampling local delicacies at the central market or the city's many restaurants and stroll the streets of the historic district.
Visit the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the house of Pablo Neruda and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Head to the surrounding hills for breathtaking views of the center and relax after a busy day in Forestal Park to recharge your batteries.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, the second largest city in Chile, is a port city that is a great place to live. The hills Concepcion and Alegre are the most touristic places, because they have a very special charm with their small colorful houses. There is also the Matriz church, Sotomayor square and another magnificent house of Pablo Neruda: Sebastiana.
If you love art, especially street art, you will be pleased to know that Valparaiso is filled with very successful mural frescoes. This city definitely deserves a stay, even if only for a short time.
The Atacama Desert and the Valley of the Moon
It is one of the most famous sights of Chile, as this unique desert is full of great natural sites. It is located in the north of the country, on the border with Peru and Bolivia (including the famous Salar of Uyuni). The easiest way is to go to San Pedro de Atacama and make a trip from this city.
To completely disconnect, go to Moon Valley, where the climate is so dry that nothing grows. The dunes and ocher rocks give the impression that you are no longer on earth at all and are completely cut off from the real world. But that is not all!
You can also admire the Atacama Salar, a beautiful salt lake where you can see flamingos and the reflected mountains.
Visit the geothermal field of El Tatio geysers
Another must-see in the Atacama region is the El Tatio Nature Park. This sight in Chile is located more than 4000 meters above sea level in the Cordillera of the Andes and is framed by two volcanoes.
For this reason, geothermal activity is very strong and the many geysers spew boiling water at regular intervals. It is even possible to relax in natural hot springs amidst the incredible scenery of this park.
Chiloe Island
Chiloe Island is a large Chilean island in the southwest coast near the city of Puerto Montt. Its special feature are small colored houses on stilts called palafitos. They are typical for this region and offer a nice change to the breathtaking natural landscapes.
In addition, there are hundreds of churches on this island, sixteen of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They were built around the 17. Built of wood in the seventeenth century by Spanish Jesuit missionaries to convert the local population. Since then they have been preserved, and their extraordinary architecture makes them remarkable places of visit and pilgrimage.
Trip to Easter Island
As you may know, Easter Island belongs to Chile, although it has more than 3.000 kilometers from the coast. This place of ancestral legends is a must for all explorers who have always dreamed of coming face to face with the Moai statues.
On this island at the end of the world there are only 6.000 inhabitants, mysterious megaliths and natural parks, all surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. In other words, it is a paradise whose preservation is of vital importance.
In addition, the considerable heritage of Easter Island is protected by UNESCO and the local authorities. If you are still hesitating, tell yourself that this could be your only opportunity and that it would be a real shame to miss one of the greatest secrets of mankind.
Torres del Paine National Park
This is one of the most beautiful national parks of Chile in the south of the country in Patagonia. If you like hiking, this is a unique opportunity to discover glaciers, rocky peaks and mountain lakes.
There are two main routes that take between 4 and 10 days, depending on your physical condition. And you don't even have to carry camping equipment and food supplies, since the hiking trails are interspersed with shelters and grocery stores. This hike through Torres del Paine is truly magnificent and is on par with the glaciers of the Alps or New Zealand !
Drink Chilean wine in the Maipo Valley
When traveling, you have to be able to enjoy small moments of pleasure and enjoy local products. It is therefore natural that the Maipo Valley is on your route to spend an idyllic short vacation and discover the wine arome.
The various vineyards of the region offer hiking and biking tours with tastings of the best wines. Moreover, the Maipo Valley is located only a few kilometers from the capital Santiago. So there is no reason not to plan this trip.
Explore the region of Arica
Radically changing the landscape, with this arid region in the north of the country, on the border with Peru. The port city enjoys a microclimate that makes it a place with almost no rainfall. The temperature is stable throughout the year, about 19 ° C. It is a very pleasant place to live, which has been flourishing for a long time thanks to commerce.
Arica itself is a pretty town with beaches, but it is also interesting to visit the Azapa Valley. A true oasis in the middle of the desert, they grow delicious fruits and vegetables there. In addition, you can visit the archaeological museum with remarkable collections of Inca objects.
Discover Laguna Verde in the Copiapo region
This sight in Chile is one of the most beautiful natural creations. The Green Lagoon is a high mountain lake whose excessive salinity prevents the development of all life in it. It is also this feature that gives it its special color.
For a breathtaking view of Laguna Verde, it is best to climb one of the many volcanoes that surround the valley. But beware, they rise to over 6.000 meters high, which can be difficult to bear. However, you won't regret the climb for a second when you discover the lunar landscape with the turquoise lake in its center.
Along the Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is a mythical route in southern Chile that connects the small villages of Patagonia with the cities of Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins. The road is quite narrow and stops at several places to make way for ferries. This adds even more charm to the Carretera Austral.
Whether by car, bike, hitchhiking or walking, crossing t is worth a detour and always has nice surprises in store. It's a bit like the end of the world, just before Tierra del Fuego and a multitude of incredible landscapes along the way: Fjords, ocean, Andean cordilleras, volcanoes, plains, lakes, snow-capped peaks … Prepare the cameras!
Visit the marble cathedral by canoe
An excursion we can't resist. Who can say no to a canoe ride on crystal clear water? Paddling under an excavated rock that glows in bluish colors depending on the lake's tides?
This is exactly what awaits you, the brave visitor who wants to explore this natural cathedral as well as its twin, the chapel and the marble cave. Guaranteed thrills and extraordinary souvenir photos.
Climb the Villarica Volcano
You will need nerves for this climb! Villarica volcano is still active and regularly spews more or less ash and lava. It can break out at any time and is therefore closely monitored by the scientific community.
Adventurers who like to live dangerously, however, have the opportunity to explore the volcano and its 2.climb 800 meters above sea level. On the program of this hiking day there are steep mountain ridges, eternal snow, beautiful landscapes and craters where the magma gushes. If you don't like hiking, helicopter rides and even skiing are also offered.
See humpback whales passing through the Detroit of Magellan
The strait that has connected America with Tierra del Fuego for centuries was first crossed by Fernand de Magellan in 1520. It is still navigable and the best way to discover its wonders is, of course, on a boat.
Embark on a cruise through the fjords and rushing waters of the strait and visit the islands of Marta and Magdalena, home to penguin colonies. With a little luck you may even see humpback whales. They come to this part of the world from September to April and can be seen from the deck of tourist boats.