Attractions of Chile

To help inspire or plan your trip to Chile, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Chile which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of Chile-> Chilean Patagonia - Central Chile

Chilean Patagonia - Cities of interest

Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas Punta Arenas is Chile's southernmost city, located just across the Straits of Magellan from Tierra del Fuego. As well as being a stopping off point for exploring Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego, Punta Arenas is an interesting city in its own right. Founded in the 19th century as a penal colony, the town grew rich as an important port on the shipping routes through the southern oceans and as a centre of sheep ranching. There are numerous mansions in the town which are testament to those days and the interior of the Palacio Sara Braun has been kept in its original state. The city's cemetery also has many grandiose crypts and tombstones of its wealthy families as well as showcasing the cultural diversity of the people who moved and lived here. Close to Punta Arenas at Seno Otway and Island of Magdalena are breeding colonies of Magellanic penguins.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is Chile's southernmost city, located just across the Straits of Magellan from Tierra del Fuego. As well as being a stopping off point for exploring Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego, Punta Arenas is an interesting city in its own right. Founded in the 19th century as a penal colony, the town grew rich as an important port on the shipping routes through the southern oceans and as a centre of sheep ranching. There are numerous mansions in the town which are testament to those days and the interior of the Palacio Sara Braun has been kept in its original state. The city's cemetery also has many grandiose crypts and tombstones of its wealthy families as well as showcasing the cultural diversity of the people who moved and lived here. Close to Punta Arenas at Seno Otway and Island of Magdalena are breeding colonies of Magellanic penguins.

Central Chile - Cities of interest

Valparaíso
Valparaíso The historic port city of Valparaiso is Chile's cultural capital, as well as being the seat of the National Assembly and a major military base. Valparaiso reached the height of its prosperity in the 19th century but declined with the opening of the Panama Canal. Today it has a rough and faded charm but retains its romantic and atmospheric character and its cultural importance. The city is located in a natural amphitheatre setting with the bay encircled by a narrow coastal plain and a series of steep hills. Valparaiso is famous for its series of 19th century funicular elevators known as ascensors which link the steep hills with the downtown streets. The hillsides are dotted with numerous churches and colourfully painted houses and mansions, including 'La Sebastiana', the former house of the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Winner, Pablo Neruda. The neighbourhoods of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are some of Valparaiso's most charming areas, with wonderful architecture and great views of the hillsides and bay. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso

Valparaíso

The historic port city of Valparaiso is Chile's cultural capital, as well as being the seat of the National Assembly and a major military base. Valparaiso reached the height of its prosperity in the 19th century but declined with the opening of the Panama Canal. Today it has a rough and faded charm but retains its romantic and atmospheric character and its cultural importance. The city is located in a natural amphitheatre setting with the bay encircled by a narrow coastal plain and a series of steep hills. Valparaiso is famous for its series of 19th century funicular elevators known as ascensors which link the steep hills with the downtown streets. The hillsides are dotted with numerous churches and colourfully painted houses and mansions, including 'La Sebastiana', the former house of the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Winner, Pablo Neruda. The neighbourhoods of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre are some of Valparaiso's most charming areas, with wonderful architecture and great views of the hillsides and bay.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso

Santiago
Santiago Chile's capital is a vast and busy city located underneath the Andes mountains. Its historic buildings of note include the Presidential Palace, the historic main square Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the monastery of San Francisco and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, which houses the National History Museum. On a clear day, the views from Cerro San Cristobal in Parque Metropolitano are excellent - where the Andes peaks tower over the city. The bohemian Bellavista district is a popular spot with many restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as the unusual house of the Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.

Santiago

Chile's capital is a vast and busy city located underneath the Andes mountains. Its historic buildings of note include the Presidential Palace, the historic main square Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the monastery of San Francisco and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, which houses the National History Museum. On a clear day, the views from Cerro San Cristobal in Parque Metropolitano are excellent - where the Andes peaks tower over the city. The bohemian Bellavista district is a popular spot with many restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as the unusual house of the Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda.