Our trip to Chile wouldn't have been complete without a visit to the capital, so towards
the end of our stay we decided to visit Santiago.
We had 4 days to discover what the city was all about, so we set out to visit the main
attractions, sample Chilean food, and explore various neighborhoods on foot.
We may not have been able to see it all, but the following is our experience in the city.
For anyone planning a similar trip, here's a look at 20 things to do in Santiago de Chile
on your visit:
So today we are visiting Santa Lucia hill.
This is actually an extinct volcano right in the middle of the city.
It is 69 meters tall and we're going to go check it out.
Santa Lucia is an urban park smack dab in the middle of Santiago and it’s a popular
hangout in the afternoons and weekends.
The hike is a pleasant one with lots to see, including fountains, spiraling staircases,
defensive forts, sprawling gardens, and cool lookout points.
Lastarria is a neighbourhood located just east of Santa Lucia hill and it was once the
bohemian hub of the city.Today it is very popular with tourists as it offers an outdoors
flea market, an international mix of cafes and restaurants, and live music.
And now we're going to take you to what we think is the best ice cream shop in town.
It is called Emporio La Rosa.
Lots of great selections and we've been coming here almost every single day we've been in
Santiago.
So that says something.
A little bit more than we'd like to admit.
Yes.
Let's go in.
Sam, you got your favorite flavor.
Want to show us?
Yes, dulce de leche, right here.
Dulce de leche.
Let's take the first bite.
I mean they gave such a generous portion here that not only do we get a cone but we also
get a cup as well.
So it doesn't melt and overflow.
I really like that idea.
They should do that in more places around the world.
Okay.
Are you having a moment there?
That is divine.
You know what, you know what really makes this dulce de leche flavor so good.
Especially at this place is that it is a little bit salty.
Normally it is just really really sweet but there is this kind of little tinge of salt
that just makes it awesome.
That is unusual.
Love it.
So I got some ice cream as well of course.
So this is actually raspberries and mint.
So, I'm not a huge fan of mint but I really like raspberry.
Now that is an interesting combo.
I've never had that before.
What can you taste more?
The raspberry or the mint?
Definitely the raspberry?
Yeah.
Not too much mint?
The mint is a very subtle aftertaste.
It just makes it a little bit more refreshing.
So yeah, I'm a fan of this one.
I'd recommend it.
For panoramic views of the city, ride the funicular to the top of San Cristobal Hill.
You can catch the funicular at Pio Nono station, and either pay to stop halfway up the hill
at the zoo, or ride all the way to the summit.
Keep in mind that the lines tend to be a bit longer on weekends, especially as you approach
sunset.
Okay, so we rode the funicular and we made it to the top of San Cristobal Hill.
And you get some pretty cool spectacular views.
You can see the Andes and they look like they're within reach.
I know, it almost makes me want to go climb them but I'm a little too lazy.
I think we'll go get food instead.
Another time.
So it is time for a little afternoon snack in Santiago.
Today we're at a restaurant called Galindo and we're going to be trying a dish that is
called Chorrillana.
And this is a lot like a Canadian poutine.
Now if you're not too familiar with Canadian poutine that is kind of like when you get
some French Fries with gravy and cheese and other ingredients over top.
So this is going to be similar but with a Chilean twist so we're waiting for the food
to arrive now.
Well as you can see the food has arrived and the funny part is this is listed as an appetizer
or a starter for one person.
If you have a look at that, that is enough to feed two grown people.
I think Sam and I are going to struggle with this.
It is our main.
For two.
Definitely.
Alright Sam, so it is time to give us the tour of the plate.
Yes, so before I tuck into this tasty little treat I'm going to explain what we've got
here.
So we have tenderloin, onion and scrambled egg on top of those french fries.
It is actually a little bit different from the first time we tried Chorrillana because
that had a fried egg on top and also sausage.
Yes.
But this has a lot more meat.
This is a very generous portion.
So dig right in hungry boy.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Yeah.
Enjoying that?
Oh, yeah.
Wow, those are like really tasty onions.
You can tell they've been marinated in something.
I think they're caramelized.
Yeah, caramelized onions I think.
And the french fries are a golden perfection.
It is just going to be an awesome filling carb loaded delicious little treat.
So we've had this dish a few times since we've arrived in Santiago and no two Chorrillanas
are the same.
This one is different, I mean it has no sausage or hot dogs and that was our first experience
trying Chorrillanas.
And also this one has scrambled eggs instead of fried egg on top.
So it is kind of nice that you can always find a bit of variety when you go to a different
restaurant.
And I think I am ready for my first bite.
Got a little bit of everything in there.
Mmmm.
Wow.
That meat is tender isn't it?
It is tender.
It is tenderloin, so it should be tender.
It should be tender.
Wow.
That is nice.
In a way it is kind of nice that they only have the beef and there is no sausage because
like this is a really good cut of meat.
It is very juicy so the flavors really come through.
You don't have too many competing tastes.
Yeah, you don't need a whole lot of ingredients with this dish.
Not when it is done well.
Plaza de Armas is the heart of Santiago’s historic centre and it’s not a bad place
to do some people watching.
There are lots of benches under the cover of palm trees, and the place is buzzing with
activity no matter the time of day.
Hi, pup.
You're getting a massage.
Are you enjoying your massage.
You have a nice smile pup.
The Metropolitan Cathedral is located in the historic centre of Santiago overlooking the
square.
The construction you see today dates back to the year 1800, since previous cathedrals
were destroyed in earthquakes.
When it comes to sunsets, Santiago knows how to put on a show.
The best-known spot in town for 360 degree views of the city is Sky Costanera, with an
observatory that is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
Alternatively, you could enjoy the free views from one of the city’s residential skyscrapers
like we did.
Since we were renting an AirBnB apartment for the duration of our stay, we had access
to our building’s rooftop terrace and the views were pretty spectacular.
And a way to cool down here in Santiago is to go and get yourself a Pisco Sour.
This is a really refreshing drink.
Basically, it is a pisco brandy which is a grape brandy and then you combine that with
citrus juice and there is egg white on top.
And if you can see this there is a little bit of a brown kind of caramel color.
It is called bitter.
That is bitter, exactly.
So let's try this out to see if it is good.
Salut!
Yeah, that's real nice.
Very refreshing, very sweet but also quite tart as well.
Santiago’s Central Market is the place to come for the freshest food.
Inside the market you’ll find butchers and fishmongers - it’s okay to skip that part
- but if you continue your exploration, you’ll find rows of restaurants serving up everything
from grilled fish to ceviche.
We really like our ceviche, so we found a place serving exactly that.
(Music Playing)
Parque Forestal is a park that forms a long stretch of greenery along the Mapocho River.
It’s a nice green escape in the middle of the city and we noticed it was really popular
with couples who were just lounging around on the grass.
Palacio de la Moneda is the seat of the President of the Republic of Chile.
This is where you can come to watch the changing of the guard, but keep in mind that it only
happens every other day.
We just missed it!
Just underneath Palacio de La Moneda, you’ll find Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, which
is a cultural centre featuring exhibitions, design shops, and a small selection of cafes.
It’s a nice place to cool down and check out some art if it’s a really hot day out.
So we found this empanada shop.
It is called Zunino and it was packed.
It is probably about one thirty right now so the line really was stretching out of the
establishment but we managed to place our order.
We ordered one cheese empanada and one pino empanada.
What is kind of unique about that place is that is all that they do.
They only have these two varieties.
You either get your pino beef or your cheese.
So it is a very small selection but I think that means they really know how to make a
good empanada.
Alright, and I'm having the cheese one and it is still piping hot.
This looks really cool.
I can tell that the pastry, already before biting into it, is going to be really flaky.
Yeah.
Mmmm.
Is that the cheese one for real?
Or is it beef?
Oh, yeah that is the cheese one.
Oh yeah.
I don't know how you can tell.
And you know what?
This is really good quality one.
Like you can tell just from.
If you can get close up in on the pastry here.
The attention to detail of the pastry like it is just so flaky, lots of layers, buttery
and is just melting right in my mouth and then that gooey cheese.
Oh, that is just a winning combo.
Alright, so I tried the cheese ones.
The cheese one was really tasty.
Now time for Pino.
Mmmm.
Have a look in there.
Juicy.
Look at that.
So, this one has beef, onions and olive.
That I've got the pit in my mouth right now.
Excuse me.
And it also has egg but I haven't bitten into that part yet.
So like it is really nice and juicy inside.
It is still warm.
What surprises me though is the size.
Like when we made our empanada video in San Pedro de Atacama like those were massive empanadas.
They were almost like bigger than like a main course plate.
But these are more snack sized right?
Yeah, I would say they are about half the size of the ones we had in Atacama.
Um, so yeah I kind of like it because I struggled to finish those big ones.
Like the ones we had in Atacama were really good for sharing but this is like a good individual
size.
So it is not going to ruin your lunch or dinner so long as you have it as a snack.
Mmmm...hmmmm.
And the quality?
It is really good.
Look at those onions.
Ooh.
So apparently there is a bit of a craft beer scene here in Santiago.
And Sam, you've just been sampling everything you can.
Yeah, there really is.
Well, it has been really hot in Santiago lately so in all fairness to my defense.
Excuses, excuses.
But this is really good quality craft beer.
Um, a lot of the ones I've been having have actually tasted a little bit like grapefruit,
so I'm interested to see what this one over here tastes like.
Do you remember the name of it?
Schopp.
What kind of chopp?
This is amber.
Amber schopp.
Alright.
And it does have a little bit of a grapefruit taste.
Why does it taste like grapefruit?
I don't know.
That is the way they make craft beer over here.
They've got some kind of secret here in Chile.
It tastes good.
Bellavista is a neighborhood located just northeast of the city centre.
It’s a cultural hub with lots of theatres, cinemas, cafes, museums, and restaurants.
The most famed home in the neighbourhood is La Chascona, the home of the famed Chilean
poet Pablo Neruda.
Unfortunately, no filming or photography is allowed inside the premises.
When it comes to art, you have a few choices.
Just across Parque Forestal, you’ll find the National Fine Arts Museum focusing on
Chilean paintings and sculptures.
And then directly behind this museum, you’ll come across the Museum of Contemporary Art,
which focuses on pieces from the turn of the 19th century.
Last but not least, you can wander around the small neighbourhood of Paris-Londres.
This neighborhood features cobbled streets, restored mansions, and it’s a nice little
walk if you’re in the area.
And that's a wrap for the Chilean capital!
We hope you enjoyed this Santiago travel guide and that it gave you a few ideas of things
to do, places to visit, and Chilean dishes to try in the city.
As always, if you have any suggestion of things travellers should add to their Santiago itinerary,
feel free to share those with us in the comments below.