12 BEST Day Trips from Santiago, Chile that You Don’t Want to Miss

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Santiago is arguably, one of the best major cities out there. There is so much to explore in Santiago from the Barrio Lastarria neighborhood to Cerro San Cristobal. Oh, and don’t forget its amazing food scene! It is truly one of the most epic places in Chile that I’ve seen! 

But one of the greatest things about visiting Santiago is that it’s conveniently located close to some of the best sights in the country. I’ve toured around Chile multiple times and there’s just something special about Santiago. Whether you’re looking to escape the city and get outdoors, head to the coast to check out some of Chile’s adorable beach towns, or visit the booming winery scene, there are plenty of day trips to add to your Santiago itinerary. 

To help you narrow down your options, I’ve put together the 12 best day trips from Santiago, Chile. While you might not have time to do all of them, I’m sure you’ll find a few that will make your time in Santiago even more memorable!

Day Trips from Santiago

1. Valparaíso

• Distance from Santiago: 116 kilometers (72 miles)
• Time needed: 10-12 hours
• What you need: Car or tour

Valparaiso is easily one of Latin America’s trendiest cities. It is a vibrant coastal town known for its colorful cliff-top homes. However, it’s vibrant not just because of these brightly painted buildings, but the culture, nightlife, and overall vibe! This city has a huge art scene, drawing in art enthusiasts and creators alike. 

There are murals around every corner, plus vendors selling their locally made pieces, and music coming at you from all directions. Valparaiso (often called “valpo” by locals) is known as the place where history meets art. A lot of the art on the streets or in museums has been there for hundreds of years or is created to depict the rich history of Valpo. It is a haven for backpackers looking for that Chilean flavor we hear so much about.

It is also a great place to check out the coast and visit the nearby city of Viña del Mar (which is next on our list). The two cities are only 10 minutes apart, so you can easily combine them in one day. 

Since Valparaiso is 1.5 hours from Santiago, the easiest way to get there is probably by taking a tour. This full-day tour truly hits the highlights of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, making stops to see its stunning street art, multiple art museums, and fantastic viewpoints of the city. It is led by a local guide who has a deep knowledge of the city’s history, which is incredibly old, so you truly learn a lot throughout this tour. A lot of the stops we walked by have a striking significance or representation that we wouldn’t have known without our guide!

There are also these funky outdoor elevators called “funiculars” that you get to ride in! Since Valparaiso is so hilly, these funiculars help locals get around without having to trek up hills every day. Taking a ride in one of these is a classic Valpo activity.

One of my favorite stops was towards the end at Casablanca Valley for wine tasting! Obviously, Chile is world-famous for its wine, so this tour was truly made complete by stopping off for a glass to end the day. 

This tour includes roundtrip transportation from Santiago, riding the funicular, wine tasting, and your wonderful local guide! It doesn’t include lunch, but you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try some local cuisine in Valparaiso. This 10-hour experience is available daily for $99 USD and only accommodates up to 15 people, so be sure to reserve your spot before it fills up! 

Related Read: If Valpo captures your heart, check out our recommendations on where to stay in Valparaiso to spend a couple of days exploring the city.

2. Viña del Mar

• Distance from Santiago: 119 kilometers (74 miles)
• Time needed: 10-12 hours
• What you need: Bus or tour

Just up the road from Valpo is the calmer, quieter, yet incredibly scenic town of Viña del Mar. The town’s name means “Vineyard of the Sea” and is often called “La Ciudad de Jardín” which is “the Garden City,” and it certainly looks that way! This city comes right to the water’s edge and has some of the best beaches in Chile, which is definitely more of its focus than in Valparaiso. 

The town is full of cute shops, you can spend hours just walking around, admiring the architecture, art, and local scene. Similar to Valpo, there is a huge emphasis on art, so you’ll never be bored as there are beautiful murals everywhere you turn. I highly suggest spending some time in the museums to learn more about the area. Finally, while you’re here you have to try a few different types of empanadas, as this is a Chilean staple! 

Viña del Mar is about 1.5 hours from Santiago. You can get there by bus, I always recommend Turbus and it should only be about $10 USD each way, which is a super affordable option!

However, if you’re like me and prefer to have all of the planning and details worked out for you, this full-day tour is your best bet. This tour is the same one we mentioned for Valparaiso and it does such a great job of giving you a taste of both cities! You’ll be picked up from your Santiago hotel and whisked toward the coast!

You’ll get to check out both Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, starting with a stop at the Francisco Fonck History Museum. This museum is fascinating because it contains artifacts from the elusive Easter Island and it’s a great way to learn about the history of the area as a whole! You’ll walk down Avenida Peru which follows the coastline and see the famous Wulff Castle, a gorgeous castle right on the edge of the ocean. The tour continues to Valpo, where you’ll follow the art mural trail, take a ride in the funicular and finish off with wine tasting before heading back to Santiago after a long, but awesome day of exploring.  

This full-day experience can be reserved for $99 USD and includes roundtrip transportation from Santiago, wine tasting, and entrance fees. It doesn’t include lunch, so bring cash and I highly recommend trying as many empanadas as you can! You can reserve this Viña del Mar and Valparaiso experience online here. 

3. Pomaíre and Isla Negra 

• Distance from Santiago: 110 kilometers (68 miles)
• Time needed: 8 hours
• What you need: Tour

If you’re looking to visit some places in Chile that are a bit off the beaten path, Pomaire and Isla Negra are our go-to spots. Only 50 minutes outside of Santiago, Pomaire is well known for its handcrafted pottery. In fact, this city produces almost all of the pottery and clay goods in all of Chile, so you have to pick up a souvenir here as it’s the best you’ll find. This is also home to the 1-kilo (2.2 lb) empanada – I’m not kidding when I say you can actually eat your weight in empanadas here!

Pomaire is pretty small, so you’ll only need a few hours to explore it. Pairing a visit to Isla Negra is a common route, as it’s only another 50 minutes down the road. Isla Negra sits right on the coast and is where one of the late poet Pablo Neruda’s three homes is located. Visiting here gives you a look at the heritage of the poet and the town, which is a unique insight apart from major touristy areas. 

You can easily visit Pomaire and Isla Negra through this full-day tour. It also includes stops at Casablanca Valley for wine tasting and San Alfonso del Mar, another seaside resort town. You’ll spend the day stopping by these quaint towns to see the local culture, visit museums, and the stunning beaches – of course!

For $95 USD per person, this tour includes hotel pick up and drop off from Santiago, an air-conditioned van, entrance to the museums, wine tasting fees, and your amazing guide who will be filling you in on Chile’s history along the way. This tour is available from Wednesday-Sunday and is scheduled to last all day for an immersive look at places that aren’t as touristy, but still amazing in my book. This tour often sells out, so reserve your spot online here!

4. Valle Nevado

• Distance from Santiago: 64 kilometers (40 miles)
• Time needed: 10-12 hours
• What you need: Car or tour

Many people know the Andes Mountains for their amazing hiking scene, but did you know they are also an ideal skiing and snowboarding location? Maybe it was just more magical knowing it was in the Andes Mountains, but this was actually some of the best skiing I’ve ever encountered, and being from Canada, I’ve done a lot of skiing!

Valle Nevado Ski Resort is an international-level ski resort that attracts winter adventurers from across the world with its 3,000-meter (10,000-foot) elevation. That makes it one of the highest ski resorts in the world!

It’s only about 90 minutes from Santiago, however, the road is rather narrow, curvy, and can get slippery during the winter. So if you’re not an expert winter driver, I’d shy away from driving yourself if possible. Luckily, there are some great tours out there that drive you from Santiago, so you don’t have to have the added stress on your fun day! This shuttle to Valle Nevado meets at a convenient location in Santiago and is only $45 USD to drive you there and back. 

Once you get to Valle Nevado, you can spend the whole day on the slopes! A day pass can be purchased online in advance (note that the website is only in Spanish!) or you can buy a lift ticket when you arrive as well. Day passes are around $70 USD with an additional $5 USD for the refillable lift card you’ll use. If you need to rent skis and gear, that is an extra cost on top of the lift ticket. 

Skiing season runs from June to September (sometimes October) as these are the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere. If you’re from the Northern Hemisphere, skiing in July might sound a little weird at first, but this is actually the most popular month to go! Weekends get pretty busy, as well as winter break in mid-July and Independence Day in September, so avoid those times if you can. 

A day trip to Valle Nevado is an absolute must if you’re a skier! And if not, there are other great activities you can do like ride the gondola, or go for a hike in the summer. 

5. Cajón del Maipo

• Distance from Santiago: 49 kilometers (30 miles)
• Time needed: 10 hours
• What you need: Car or tour

If you want to get outside while staying in Santiago, a day trip to Cajon del Maipo is your place to do it! Cajon del Maipo is an incredible mountain reserve with the Rio Maipo running right through it. Because of the glaciers and environment, the water in the gorge is amazingly blue! It is an outdoor lovers’ paradise, full of great hiking, climbing, rafting, and swimming. 

Cajon del Maipo is the whole mountain reserve itself. The most notable site to see is El Morado National Monument, a striking peak in the Andes Mountain Range that sits in Cajon del Maipo. You can hike to El Morado lookout point for some incredible views or if you’re up for a serious challenge you can even climb El Morado. The San Francisco Glacier is another noteworthy viewpoint! 

What makes Cajon del Maipo even more appealing is that it’s so close to Santiago. In just an hour you can escape the bustling city life and reach plenty of outdoor activities, which is often difficult to do in major cities! You can easily reach Cajon del Maipo if you have a rental car, or you can take this full-day tour, as we did, and have the local guide take care of all the planning for you. 

This sightseeing tour will take off from Santiago in the morning, after picking you up from your hotel. There are many scenic stops to see gushing waterfalls and impressively large glaciers, even before you reach Cajon del Maipo, so it really breaks up the drive. We stopped at the Yeso Reservoir to get a look at its iconic blue water and had a Chilean picnic with empanadas and local wine! The views plus the food and wine made for an unforgettable afternoon. 

We also checked out the small town outside of Cajon del Maipo for some locally made ice cream and chocolates on the way home, as if this day couldn’t get any sweeter. 

This 10-hour tour includes roundtrip transportation, lunch, and your guide for $99 USD! It is an ideal way to see Cajon del Maipo if you only have a day and are looking for an experience full of incredible views and tasty food. You can reserve this epic sightseeing tour in advance and make sure to before it fills up!

6. Portillo Inca Lagoon

• Distance from Santiago: 147 kilometers (91 miles)
• Time needed: 10 hours
• What you need: Tour

Chile is not short on natural beauty, and the Inca Lagoon in Portillo is high on the list of scenic day trips! This lake is fascinating because the color changes from an emerald green to deep blue as the seasons change, it’s stunning no matter when you visit. Portillo is a ski resort during the summer, and full of great hiking trails during the summer.

Visiting the lake is obviously incredible, but the drive there is full of surprises too. The road here is famously known as Los Caracoles (the snails) and has 29 hairpin sharp curves! It made my stomach drop when I saw them all lined up next to each other, and I recommend skipping this day trip if you’re prone to motion sickness. Along this drive, you’ll also spot the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua, and stop to take in the views and snap a photo.

We have another great tour from Santiago that will let you explore Portillo Inca Lagoon and surrounding areas, plus there’s a wine tasting included – what could be better? Over your 10-hour tour, you’ll stop at beautiful lookouts along the way, take on the curvy Los Caracoles, and explore Portillo Ski Resort. From the ski resort, you can get incredible aerial views of the Inca Lagoon and enjoy their restaurant at the top. With an hour stop at San Esteban Vineyard to sample the best wine in Chile, plus incredible mountain views the entire day, this tour boasts all of Chile’s glory!

For $119 USD per person, this tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Santiago, wine and empanadas tasting, and your guide, but doesn’t include lunch. I loved having a local guide on this tour because they were able to give such a detailed history and point out interesting viewpoints that made the tour even more enriching. You can reserve this full-day tour online here and get ready for some incredible views and a memorable drive!

7. Casablanca Wine Valley

• Distance from Santiago: 90 kilometers (56 miles)
• Time needed: 9 hours
• What you need: Tour

Chile is one of the top wine-producing countries in the world. It accounts for over 4% of the worldwide wine production with its most popular being bold reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. While the Maipo region is home to reds, you can also find a huge variety of white wines in the Casablanca Wine Valley, which sits right between the coastline and the Andes Mountains.

The Casablanca Valley has tons of vineyards, so many that you certainly won’t be able to hit them all (unless you’re up for a challenge)! While many of the day trips we’ve mentioned include a stop in Casablanca Valley, I’d say it’s worth making a trip all for itself!

I always prefer to book tours when I’m visiting wineries so I can enjoy the wine as much as I want and not have to worry about driving. This full-day tour will take you to four of Casablanca Valley’s best wineries to give you a taste of the region.

What I really love about this tour is that it takes you to wineries that are all so different. We visited a winery that specializes in sparkling wines and I loved Bodegas RE which is a boutique vineyard that walked us through the whole winemaking process! Having a guide was essential in my book because I really enjoy learning about the vineyards, wines, and work that goes into this huge industry. The day finishes with a lunch stop at Tanino Restaurant which has vineyard views and delicious food made with local ingredients. It’s even been named among the top vineyard restaurants in the world!

Casablanca Valley is about an hour from Santiago, so having roundtrip transportation from your hotel is a huge perk. This tour includes 3 tastings, but you’ll be visiting 4 wineries so you can pay for the last one on your own. Lunch isn’t included, but you’ll have an opportunity to purchase that as well! You can reserve this wine tour for $149 USD per person.

Related Read: Right next door in Argentina is another famous wine region! So if you love wine, don’t miss visiting Mendoza and taking a wine tour (or two!).

8. Visit the famous Concha y Toro Vineyard 

• Distance from Santiago: 38 kilometers (23 miles)
• Time needed: 5 hours
• What you need: Car or tour

Concha y Toro Vineyard is the largest wine producer in South America, exporting its product to over 140 countries! They have been in business since 1883 when the local Chilean lawyer, politician, and businessman, Melchor Concha y Toro, brought French wines from the Bordeaux region to Santiago. He had a dream of creating the best winery in Chile – and oh boy, did he deliver.

Legend has it that the devil himself lived in Concha y Toro’s cellar, which is what their popular brand Casillero del Diablo is named after. Over the years, the business has changed hands but the tradition of making amazing wine holds true. I found it fascinating to visit such an old and historic winery – without Concha y Toro Vineyards, I have no idea what Chile’s wine culture would look like!

The vineyard is only 40 minutes south of Santiago, so you can certainly drive yourself there if you have a rental car. However, we opted for a tour so we didn’t have to worry about driving and could get an inside look at the behind-the-scenes process of this huge winery. This half-day tour from Santiago not only provides transport, but also includes an extensive tour of the vineyard, wine tastings, a complimentary glass of wine, and empanadas to snack on! The guides were great at explaining the 25 varieties of vines, showing the wine-making process, and answering all of my questions. 

If you are interested in learning about the inner workings of the largest winery in Chile, this tour is for you! You can reserve this tour for $73 USD. I recommend booking in advance, as its close proximity to Santiago makes visiting Concha y Toro a popular activity. 

9. Go to an Alpaca Farm 

• Distance from Santiago: 167 kilometers (104 miles)
• Time needed:  9 hours
• What you need: Tour

Chile is known for the stunning Andes Mountains, gorgeous coastline, amazing wine, and alpacas. Did that last one surprise you as much as it surprised me? Alpacas have been a part of Chilean daily life for centuries, even today Indigenous people that live in the highlands keep herds of alpacas. They have super soft wool that is used to make blankets, ponchos, and clothes, and a lot of it is exported. 

Going to an alpaca farm is not only a way to learn about Chile’s culture, but it’s also a super fun and unique day trip! The alpacas are so fluffy and quirky, and it’s fascinating to learn a little bit more about these creatures that are so valuable in this part of the world. We loved taking this tour out of Santiago, as we were able to visit the largest privately owned alpaca herd in Chile and visit some cute coastal towns afterward.

This private tour takes you to Quintessence Alpacas where you’ll learn how wool is produced from start to finish and get to spend some time with the alpacas! Then you’ll head to the coast to Cachagua and hopefully spot penguins on Cachagua Island aka Penguin Island. Taking this tour from December to February is your best chance at spotting these cute little birds. The final stop is in Zapallar, a nearby coastal town for lunch. 

This is a fun tour for any age, who doesn’t love seeing alpacas and penguins? It is also a good look into Chilean culture. We also really like that this is a private tour so you won’t feel rushed or have to keep up with a large group. It’s $249 USD per person for two people but drops to $199 USD each if you’re booking for five. This 9-hour tour includes roundtrip transportation and entrance to the alpaca farm but does not include lunch. You can also upgrade to include a boat ride around Cachagua Island to spot more penguins! You can reserve your spot online in advance here.

Related Read: If you’re planning to explore Patagonia and want to see more penguins, make sure to schedule a stop in Punta Arenas to see the penguins there!

10. Concon Dunes 

• Distance from Santiago: 159 kilometers (99 miles)
• Time needed:  12 hours
• What you need: Tour

While a lot of these day trips have been focused on chill sightseeing or relaxing wine sipping, this is for our adventurous types! Concon Dunes are massive sand dunes about 2 hours from Santiago. The city of Concon is a resort town, but the dunes sit on the city’s edge and come right up to a cliff that overlooks the coast. The dunes cover 21 hectares (52 acres) and are 100 meters (328 feet) high. 

People are drawn here for sandboarding – yes, you can actually board down these dunes just like you would sled down a snowy hill! You can rent a board from many rental shops in Concon or if you’re looking for a full day of adventure, you can check out this tour!

You’ll depart from Santiago on this epic full-day tour and pass through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, then stop in Caleta Portales to see a sea lion colony. But it gets even better as you make your way to Playa de Zapallar to board a boat and see penguins on Penguin Island! Zapallar is one of the best beaches in Chile, and you’ll have a chance to explore it by hiking along the Pacific Ocean.

Before you hit the dunes, you will make one more stop at Parapente Aire Libre to watch paragliders take off and soar over the ocean, while you stop for a picnic of wine, empanadas fruit, and pisco sour (my favorite drink in Chile!)! Finally, you’ll make your way to Concon Dunes and spend an hour sliding down these massive sandy hills. 

This is a seriously fun day, full of beautiful scenic viewpoints, cute beach towns, and thrilling adventures like sandboarding or paragliding. It is on the pricey side ($350 USD per person) but includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Santiago, sandboarding gear, a boat ride, lunch, alcoholic beverages, and your guide. Plus, the more people you book for, the more the price drops!

This tour is small, only up to 9 people, which is a good size to have fun and explore with new friends, without getting too large. You can reserve this epic day tour full of some of the best sights in Chile online here!

11. Parque Safari 

• Distance from Santiago: 91 kilometers (56 miles)
• Time needed:  9 hours
• What you need: Tour

It’s not every day you can get up close and personal with lions, giraffes, zebras, and tigers! If you love animals, this is the place to go. 

The Parque Safari is basically an interactive zoo, with the main attraction being a lion safari. You’ll drive through their enclosure (safely inside a caged vehicle) and they will even climb on top of the vehicle! The safari guides have somewhat lured them in with food, but the lions are used to this so they are chill, and it makes for a wild experience! 

While here you can also see feedings and pet other animals, like zebras, ostriches, goats, and giraffes. You can visit the Parque Safari on your own, but I recommend booking a tour as it’s about an hour from Santiago. 

This full-day tour includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel and entrance to the park. It also includes your lion safari, which would normally be an additional cost. You’ll have free time to walk around the park and check out the many activities they have available, like a Jurassic Safari or Herbivore Safari for a little bit more! The tour doesn’t include lunch, but you hit one of the several restaurants in the park. 

This is a great experience if you’re traveling with kids, but honestly, it’s pretty fun for adults too! This wild adventure tour can be reserved online for $200 USD per adult and slightly cheaper for children.

12. Santa Rita Winery

• Distance from Santiago: 39 kilometers (24 miles)
• Time needed:  6 hours
• What you need: Car or tour

To finish off our list of amazing day trips from Santiago, we have yet another notable winery! Only 40 minutes south of the city is one of the oldest wineries in the valley, Santa Rita Winery. This winery has been in business for over 140 years and uses the finest grapes from all over Chile to craft its award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and other excellent varietals. 

The estate that is home to Santa Rita is actually much older than the business is, in fact, it was used to house 120 refugee soldiers during the Civil War in 1814. Two of their most popular reserves are named after this, the 120 Reserva Especial and Secret Reserva. Santa Rita is also on a gorgeous 40-hectare property designed by a French landscape gardener and has the historic Hotel Casa Real, a museum, a chapel, and two restaurants. You’ll definitely need a few hours to explore the grounds and try all their tasty wine!

Even though Santa Rita is close to Santiago, we still chose to take a tour so we didn’t have to worry about driving. This half-day tour is an awesome choice, as it includes a guided tour of the grounds so you can learn about the wine-making process and the historic buildings. You’ll get to taste three wines and then have some time to relax and explore on your own, or order another glass of vino! I loved visiting Santa Rita, as the vibe was relaxed and the wine was simply delicious. 

This tour includes transportation from a designated point in Santiago, your wine-tasting fees, a Santa Rita glass to take home, and your guide. It does not include lunch, but you can visit one of the yummy restaurants at the winery. This 6-hour tour is available on Tuesday, Wednesday or Fridays for $82 USD. So to visit a fantastic winery reserved a spot on this popular tour online here!

Where to Stay in Santiago, Chile

With all the amazing things to check out in Santiago and on day trips from the city, it’s worth booking a stay here while you’re in South America. We have recommendations for all price points – whether you’re traveling on a budget or prefer a luxurious hotel. These are our top picks!

Lucia Agustina Hotel Boutique – $

The cute Lucia Agustina Hotel Boutique is tucked into the city center and looks out onto Cerro Santa Lucía – which is literally across the street! It’s only a few minutes from downtown or the trendy Bellavista area. It’s on a relatively quiet street and while the rooms aren’t big, they are still a good size. The staff is really helpful too and you can stay here for under $50 USD a night when you book in advance.

Novapark – $$

Located in the heart of historic Santiago, Novapark puts you within walking distance of many of the main attractions like La Moneda Palace and Cerro Santa Lucía. While you may not be spending a lot of time in the room, it does have air conditioning, free Wifi, and Netflix to relax with after a busy day walking around the city. Standard rooms are around $60 USD and you can book larger rooms with a balcony and king bed for around $90-100 USD on Booking.com.

Mandarin Oriental, Santiago – $$$

Treat yourself to a stay at the elegant Mandarin Oriental, Santiago with luxurious touches like marble bathrooms and suites that open up onto larger terraces overlooking the garden. There’s a stunning lagoon-style swimming pool to cool off in or just enjoy the incredible views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains from a room on the upper floors. Accommodations here start around $200 USD per night and increase for the larger suites. You can check availability and reserve a room on Booking.com.

Thanks for reading!

Well there you have it, 12 of the best day trips from Santiago! There’s a huge variety on this list whether you’re looking to taste amazing wine, see spectacular mountain views or visit some of the prettiest coastal towns in Chile. The hardest part might be narrowing down which day trips you want to do!

If you need more help planning a trip, have a look at our other blogs about Chile and South America! We are full-time travelers and love sharing our tips and tricks to help you have the best experiences on your own travels!

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