Chile, one of the most beautiful countries in South America, is full of natural attractions. Here, I present 18 wonderful locations!
Chile is located between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, stretching extensively in a north-south direction. On the mainland, it borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. In the south, it extends to the southernmost point of the American continent, where it briefly reaches the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern side of the Strait of Magellan.
Table of Contents
Best places in Chile
Torres del Paine National Park
Located in the southern part of the country, the park is characterized by plateaus, high mountains, glaciers, and turquoise alpine lakes.
The park is named after the famous Torres del Paine (Paine Towers), granite peaks that rise over 2,800 meters. The pristine nature is home to guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, and many other species.
In 2013, the national park was chosen as the eighth wonder of the world in an online vote with over 5 million votes.
Valparaíso
The coastal city is often referred to as „Valpo”. In 2003, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing its unique architecture and cultural significance.
A network of winding streets and stairways snakes through the city among 42 hills, while the characteristic funicular elevators help locals and tourists ascend to higher elevations.
Valparaíso is also known as an art center, with its streets adorned with impressive murals and graffiti. The city was home to Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, whose former residence, La Sebastiana, is now a popular museum.
Easter Island
Located in Oceania, south of the Beagle Channel, the island is part of Polynesia but belongs to Chile. 40% of its area is part of Rapa Nui National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
It is mainly famous for the approximately 900 remaining monumental stone statues. The moai statues are massive monoliths depicting human figures, carved from volcanic rock, mainly tuff. Their height generally ranges between 4-10 meters, but the largest completed moai is nearly 10 meters tall and weighs about 82 tons.
The exact function and meaning of the statues are still subjects of debate among scientists, but they are believed to represent ancestors or important tribal leaders.
Santiago de Chile
Chile’s capital and largest city. Its history dates back to 1541 when it was founded by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia.
Due to its location at the foot of the Andes, the city offers a wonderful panorama. Cerro San Cristóbal is a hill in the city center from which an unparalleled view can be enjoyed by visitors.
The central area is the Plaza de Armas, where the Cathedral, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office building are located. A prominent building is La Moneda Palace, Chile’s presidential palace. In front of the impressive Neoclassical building, the changing of the guard can be viewed twice daily.
Santiago attractions, museums, weather
Maipo Valley
A valley located about a 45-minute drive from Santiago, known for its renowned wine-producing region.
Situated at the foot of the Andes along the Maipo River, the area’s Mediterranean climate and unique geographical conditions create ideal conditions for grape cultivation. It is especially famous for its red wines, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. Additionally, Carmenere, Merlot, and Syrah grapes are also grown here.
Many renowned wineries are located here, such as Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Cousiño Macul, and Undurraga. Due to its proximity to the capital, it is an ideal destination for a day trip.
San Pedro de Atacama
A small town located in the heart of one of the world’s largest deserts, popular for its barren landscapes.
Its center exudes a special atmosphere with its charming narrow streets and traditional mud-built houses. It is also famous for its night sky, as the clear air and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for astronomical observations.
Ancient Inca and Atacameño ruins, as well as scattered oases and salt flats surrounding the town, offer rich cultural and natural attractions.
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
A nature reserve near San Pedro de Atacama featuring landscapes reminiscent of the lunar surface.
Its name comes from the area’s unique shapes and colors, which resemble the moon’s surface. The region has been shaped by wind and water over millennia, creating various rock formations, caves, and sand dunes.
One of its most popular attractions is the sunset, when the sun’s low-angle light paints the landscape in reddish-orange hues. Tourists can truly feel as if they are on another planet here.
El Tatio Geyser Field
Another important attraction in the Atacama Desert, located at an elevation of about 4,320 meters above sea level.
This is one of the highest geyser fields in the world and the second largest globally, after Yellowstone. Many companies organize tours here, making it very popular among tourists.
It consists of more than 80 geysers and hot springs, which are most spectacular at sunrise. As the temperature rapidly rises, the steam and water sprays emitted by the geysers shine in the sunlight.
Chiloé Island
Located off the southern coast of Chile, Chiloé is the country’s second-largest island, famous for its unique culture, architecture, and natural beauty.
One of its most distinctive features is the wooden churches, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. These churches were built in the 18th and 19th centuries and are masterpieces of local wood construction. Chiloé is also known for its colorful houses built on stilts (palafitos), especially visible in the capital, Castro.
The island’s inhabitants, the Chilotes, have a unique identity shaped by the blending of the Spanish conquerors’ culture and the local Mapuche peoples.
Punta Arenas
Located at the southeastern tip of Chile on the northern shore of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is considered the southernmost inhabited city in the world.
It is an important port in South America and a popular starting point for expeditions to Patagonia or Antarctica. The nearby Magdalena Island is home to a large penguin colony, one of the most popular attractions.
Due to its geographical location, Punta Arenas has a rich history. A prominent building is the Sara Braun Palace, which houses the Magellan Regional Museum. The museum showcases the region’s history and culture, including the life of the local indigenous peoples, the discovery of the Strait of Magellan, the settlers’ daily lives, and the development of the wool industry.
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
Chile’s oldest national park, located at the foot of the Andes, near the cities of Osorno, Puerto Varas, and Ensenada.
One of its most iconic attractions is the Osorno Volcano, with its symmetrical cone and snow-capped peak dominating the landscape. The park also includes Lake Llanquihue, Chile’s second-largest lake, offering stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes.
The Petrohué Waterfalls are a popular tourist destination, where the rushing water flows over basalt rock formations with the Osorno Volcano rising in the background.
Viña del Mar
A popular resort city often called the „Garden City” because of its beautiful parks, green spaces, and flower gardens.
Its long, sandy beaches attract many visitors. One of the most visited beaches is Reñaca, known for its lively atmosphere and vibrant nightlife.
Viña del Mar is also a renowned cultural center with numerous museums and art galleries. The most famous of these is the Fonck Museum, which houses pre-Columbian artifacts and exhibits on the culture of Easter Island.
Valle Nevado
One of Chile’s largest and most famous ski resorts, located about 60 kilometers east of the capital, Santiago, in the heights of the Andes.
The ski area is situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters and is often referred to as the „powder snow paradise of the Andes” due to the excellent quality of its snow. The resort offers not only skiing and snowboarding but also other winter sports, such as snowshoeing and helicopter skiing.
La Serena
One of Chile’s oldest and most beautiful cities, known for its colonial-style architecture, long sandy beaches, and rich history and culture.
The city center dates back to the 16th century and is filled with historic buildings, lovely stone churches, and charming cobblestone streets. One of the most famous landmarks is the La Serena Cathedral.
The most beautiful part of the surrounding area is the Elqui Valley, known for its production of pisco, a local grape brandy, and for astronomical observations. The region is home to several observatories due to its clear skies and low light pollution.
Puerto Natales
A small Patagonian town located near Torres del Paine National Park. It is set in a picturesque environment surrounded by snow-capped mountains, fjords, and glaciers.
It is an ideal location for nature lovers, offering a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Boat tours depart from the town’s harbor to the surrounding fjords and glaciers, allowing visitors to explore Patagonia’s untouched natural beauty up close.
Villarrica Volcano
One of the country’s most active and famous volcanoes, standing at 2,847 meters high and offering a spectacular view as it towers over the surrounding landscape.
The volcano is extremely popular among tourists, especially hikers and climbers. The more adventurous can climb to the summit to peer into the crater. The nearby towns of Pucón and Villarrica are ideal starting points for exploring the area.
Antofagasta
Located in the Atacama Desert, but its coastal location makes it an important hub.
The city’s history is closely linked to mining: it experienced significant growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the discovery of saltpeter and copper mining.
In the city center is the old customs house (Antigua Aduana), which dates back to the 19th century and now functions as a museum. Nearby, La Portada, a stunning natural rock arch in the ocean, is one of the most famous natural formations in the region. Additionally, Plaza Colón and the Roman Catholic San José Cathedral are important historical and cultural landmarks.
Arica
A city located near the Peruvian border, known for its pleasant weather and a popular destination.
At its center is the famous Morro de Arica, a rock hill that offers a spectacular view of the city and the ocean. The hill is also an important historical site, as one of the key battles of the Chilean-Peruvian War took place here. The monument at the summit commemorates this event.
The city is known for its beautiful, long sandy beaches, with Playa El Laucho and Playa Chinchorro being the most popular.