When thinking of Santiago, Pablo Neruda and pisco sours may be the first things that come to mind, but dive a little deeper and you’ll find a city with a lot more to offer. Scale Cerro San Cristóbal first thing in the morning for a photo-op of the entire city. When you get back down, stop at Colmado Cafe for a coffee and some baked goods. Spend the rest of your morning exploring the sprawling labyrinth of food carts and fruit stands at La Vega Central, Santiago’s main wholesale market. Once you’ve loaded up on snacks, find your way to the city’s cultural hub. In Lastarria, the Museo de Artes Visuales hosts modern exhibitions while Centro Gabriela Mistral regularly puts on musical and theatrical performances. In between museum outings, grab lunch on the go from Fuente Alemana. Their lomito, (a huge pork sandwich), is a local favourite. For a peek into the life of the legendary literary figure, Pablo Neruda, visit his former house, La Chascona.
Late dinners and long nights are compulsory in Chile, so spend your early evenings chilling out or power napping in Parque Metropolitano. Ready to start your night? Venture out to La Vinocracia and you’ll find a relaxed, residential wine bar that boasts an impressive list crafted by South America’s first Master Sommelier. The tasting menu at Restaurante 040 showcases local ingredients in a fine dining environment. For the foodie version of a history lesson, Peumayén Ancestral Food serves up the ancestral food of the Mapuche and Aymara indigenous peoples of Chile. Whether it’s all those pisco sours or the energy of the city, Santiago is sure to leave you buzzing.
