This is a guest post from Megan at Bohemian Trails
Sometimes it’s the most underestimated cities and towns that leave the biggest impression on us as a traveler.
While Chile is a top destination in South America for many, it was never on my “must see” list. When the opportunity to travel there this past summer arose, I flew to Santiago with an open mind, but without any set expectations.
As it turned out, Chile quickly became one of my favorite South American countries and even though I visited during their cold winter, I managed to make the most of my trip.
What most surprised me about Chile is how ideal this country is for what I like to call the “Multi-Interest Traveler”.
This is a person who appreciates the arts just as much as they do a day surfing at the beach or a trek through the mountains.
Here are five cities I highly recommend visiting in Chile.
1. Santiago for Big City Living
Most of my Chile trip was spent living like a local in Santiago. There is so much to do here, I hardly know where to begin.
For one thing, the architecture alone will leave you fascinated for days. One of my favorite things to do in Santiago was explore the different neighborhoods.
El Golf resembles Miami, while Brasil is as Bohemian as you can get. I lived in the Lastarria barrio which was perfect for my bohemian interests and big city living.
Both the Museo de Artes Visuales Museo Arqueológico de Santiago are located here and Museo de Bellas Artes and Parque Forestal are a short walk away.
My favorite view of Santiago is from the top of the Santa Lucia hill. Entry is free and it proved the perfect place for me to gather my thoughts and write.
2. Valparaiso for Street Art
Don’t even get me started on Valparaiso. I’m so in love with this city that I seriously contemplated moving here simply because I found it so inspiring.
During the winter, I was able to get a truly local experience. There are hardly any tourists around but there is a lot of Street Art.
After speaking with a local resident, I learned that this street art in considered a hobby of many young people in Valpo. The high quality of these artworks barely resembled a hobby; I was hooked.
3. Reñaca for Surfing
I’ve personally never gone surfing although it was a childhood dream of mine to become a pro surfer. Regardless of skill, Reñaca and Viña del Mar are two beaches that are popular among surfers.
Viña del Mar tends to be a bit crowded during high season. Reñaca is mainly a residential neighborhood a short bus ride away from Viña del Mar.
Despite the cold waters, there was a surfing class going on and I was tempted to jump in and join myself. During the warm weather, locals and travelers enjoy the beach for tanning, swimming and outdoor sports.
While you are there, make sure to check out the local seafood cuisine. It was some of the best I had in all of Chile.
4. Santa Cruz for Wine Tasting
Part of my time in Chile was unfortunately spent being sick. I think it was a combination of things but mainly due to the fact that I was going from 90 degree weather to much colder temperatures.
Instead of spending a day skiing like my boyfriend and I planned, we opted for a more cultural experience – wine tasting.
A local friend who we met in Santiago offered to drive us about two hours south to Santa Cruz for lunch and wine tasting at Viu Manent Winery.
I used to horseback ride as a kid so I thoroughly enjoyed our horse carriage ride through the fields almost as much as the wine itself. Our lunch was held a few minutes drive away at the famous Hotel Santa Cruz.
You had me at wine
5. Cerro Providencia for Nature
If you are craving a little nature and these other cities haven’t quite done it for you, head straight to Cerro Providencia and trek through the mountains.
It’s located just east of Santiago, making it easily accessible for the city dweller. The climb is popular due to it not being terribly challenging but it does offer quite a spectacular view.
Chile’s geography reminded me a lot of California, so if this mountain doesn’t quite do it for you, there are plenty of other nature walks and outdoors hiking you can do in other Chilean cities.
Have you been to Chile before? Can you add to this list?
Bio: Megan Eileen McDonough is the Founder of Bohemian Trails, an online travel magazine covering global art, culture and off the beaten path destinations for the avant-garde traveler. Her travels have taken her to Europe, South America, Mexico and Egypt and she currently lives in New York City. Follow Bohemian Trails on Facebook and Tweet Megan @BohemianTrails.
My ex had family from Chile so I was always intrigued by this country. An area near Santiago, Vina del Mar, is supposed to be beautiful! This place is on my radar and I hope to visit there one day.
Vina del Mar is beautiful! I was there in winter and it was practically deserted which was nice. In the summer it’s a great beach hangout and perfect for surfing
Mmm … I’m planning on going to Chile to learn Salsa and Spanish. I had no idea Chile was such a diverse place though. Guess I’ll add surfing and wine tasting to the list 🙂
Fun to see Chile featured! Although I have to wonder at a hill being counted as a top 5 city 🙂 I definitely agree with Santa Cruz though and obviously think Santiago’s ok considering I’ve lived here for more than 5 years.
Thanks Emily! Glad you liked it. I’m sure there are tons of more places in Chile to feature but I’m going by my personal experience and where I’ve traveled in the country 🙂
Hey Emily,
I’ve been reading your blog a lot too, to get me psyched up for our move to Santiago!!!
Great article, considering we’re in our prime stages of getting ready to move to Santiago, Chile!
So all the goodness I can read about it, I’m all over it 🙂
Wow – so exciting Marina! Have a blast
Valparaiso looks like my kinda place! I love cities that have awesome street art, it makes me fall in love with the place (also fountains & water features help, too). The detail in the photo here is breathtaking.
You will love it Tom! My photo doesn’t even begin to capture the creativity there
Great post! I am in love with the view from the Santa Lucia hill in Santiago. Those snow-covered mountain tops in the background are wonderful.
Glad you liked it Jane!
Great article. This def does intrigue me to travel to Chile for my next destination!
Great post!!!!! Love me some Chile.
Valdivia! Valdivia! Valdivia! So far my favorite city in Chile.
I live in Valparaiso, so I have to say it is among my favorites. But my most favorite town in Chile is San Pedro de Atacama – there are so many different things to do, with each desert landscape more breathtaking than the last – flamingos! Mountain lakes! Valley of the Moon! oh, i could go on. And the living is definitely bohemian. The town might be too small and the desert might be too dry for some, but I find it heavenly and can’t wait to go back for a third time.
Chile is such a diverse place! The wine tasting in Santa Cruz would be my favorite. Love the photo -“You had me at wine.”
I was in Chile for almost a month and was amazed at how much it had to offer! From how modern Santiago was to the extreme and lonely beauty of Patagonia. I definitely was captivated by the street art in Valparaiso (way too many photo’s of walls).
I can definitely recommend anywhere in Patagonia and Pucon. Seeing a perfect, active cone of a volcano (in Pucon) is pretty unreal.
Great selection, my favourite from those 5 is Valparaiso! Love the vibe of the city and all the clours!