Are you sold to the urban beauty of Santiago? Have you decided to spend longer than the few days visitors usually allow it? Well done, this is a great decision! The capital can certainly keep your head spinning for a week or more, with its cultural events, restaurants and street life. But if you fancy a day off in a different environment, browse this article for 13 easy day trip ideas from Santiago de Chile.

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Bahá’í Temple

The Bahá’í Temple is a place of worship dedicated to a Persian religion that promotes unity and equality. Its beautiful dome, in the shape of a lotus flower, is free and open to everyone. There is a peace here, a serenity, that contrast vividly with the hustle and bustle of the city.

Set on a grassy hill only a walk or bike ride to the east of Santiago, the temple offers one of the best views on the capital. The location, very close but surrounded by nature, is perfect if you have a late start and want to keep it slow and easy. Please behave respectfully and follow their guidelines.

Need a tour to visit the Bahá’í Temple?
We recommend this Bahá’í Temple wine & reflection tour on GetYourGuide.

 

What to do there:
  • visit the temple and its gardens
  • meditate
How to get there:Take a bus that goes to Avenida Grecia – the journey takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the traffic and your point of departure. By car, it can take up to 1 hour if you’re leaving from the city centre. Alternatively, rent a bike and enjoy the way back down!
Distance from Santiago:17 km (10.5 miles)
Modern temple under a blue sky, very close to Santiago for a day trip
Bahá’í Temple, on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile (photo by Nico)

 

Valparaíso

We love, absolutely love Valparaíso, one of South America’s most vibrant, artsy and alternative towns. The “city of 1000 colours” seems to slide down the hills into the Pacific ocean, offering many unexpected viewpoints upon the horizon.

Although its historic harbour is a UNESCO site, the rest of the city buzzes with life and art. Precious private collections live alongside reclaimed factories covered in street art, live music on small leafy squares and sea lions chilling on the abandoned pier. Plus a lot of cool eating and going-out places.

All this makes up “Valpo”. And although it can certainly be visited as a day trip from Santiago, we highly recommend to spend several days soaking in its unique, colourful vibe.

Need a tour to Valparaiso?
We recommend this Heritage walking tour of Valparaiso on Viator.

 

What to do there:So many things! Have a look at our travel guide for Valparaíso.
How to get there:Buses leave every 10-20 minutes from the bus terminal Pajaritos and take 2 hours to reach Valpo’s bus terminal, which is right next to the town centre. By car, follow Route 68 for a 90-minute drive.
Distance from Santiago:145 km (90 miles)

valparaiso chile streetart


 

Viña del Mar

Nearby Viña del Mar is literally attached to Valparaíso along the coast; you could go from one to the other without noticing it. Richer, cleaner, with many restaurants, malls and casinos, it presents a stark contrast with its neighbour.

We recommend its long and clean beaches, the botanic gardens and the spectacle of the fishermen (and -women) on the Vergara pier at night. Avenida Libertad, the main street, is lined with many small shops and eating places. The waterfront is populated with strollers and street sellers, especially in the evenings.

Need a tour to Viña del Mar?
We recommend this Viña del Mar and the Pacific coast tour on GetYourGuide.

 

What to do there:
  • Sunbathe at El Sol beach and have a walk on the seaside
  • Visit the Botanic Gardens
  • Relax at the Quinta Vergara city park
  • Take a photo of the flower clock that is very famous (for obscure reasons)
How to get there:Just like for Valparaíso, there are frequent buses leaving Santiago’s Pajaritos bus terminal to Viña del Mar. By car, it’s there again a roughly 90-minute drive on  Route 68.
Distance from Santiago:136 km (84.5 miles)
Vina del mar beach evening
Evening view on Viña del Mar’s beach. Behind, the fishing pier and Valparaíso in the background.

Have you seen everything in the capital yet?
Check our Santiago travel guide, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.


 

Laguna Verde Beach

The beaches around Viña del Mar are popular getaways for Santiaguinos (residents of Santiago) and Porteños (residents of Valparaíso) alike. Having said that, we preferred the more quiet and local beaches in the south, for example Laguna Verde.

This small-town beach is only 30 minutes south of Valparaíso and feels immensely relaxing after the tumult of the city. It’s not a wild adventure either, just a smooth escape for a one-day trip from Santiago. The water is a bit chilly, even in the summertime; but that’s the case everywhere in that region anyway.

What to do there:
  • chill at the beach
  • eat a humita at one of the local restaurants
  • have a stroll along the El Sauce estuary
How to get there:You’ll first need to reach Valparaíso. Then take the local bus number 520 to Laguna Verde – Playa Ancha (you can board it from opposite Plaza O’Higgins, along Calle Pedro Montt or Calle Blanco). Make sure you have the top-up card of the city’s transport system. By car, take Route 68 then 60 for about 1,5 hour.
Distance from Santiago:155 km (96 miles)

 

House of Pablo Neruda in Isla Negra

Out of the three houses the Nobel Prize winner in Literature had in Chile, this was his favourite. So much so that he’s buried here together with his wife. The tranquillity of this small coastal town, and particularly the sound of the waves, were a great inspiration to the poet.

Since Neruda loved boats and trains, this house-museum is arranged as such, with narrow corridors and a wide array of collectible items. This visit allows the best glimpse into the private life of one of the most acclaimed Chilean writers.

The winding roads of Isla Negra, lined with coastal houses from the 1960’s offer a pretty stroll to complete your day trip.

Need a tour to Isla Negra?
We recommend this Isla Negra, Pomaire & Vineyard Tour from Santiago on GetYourGuide.

Do you like literature? Check out our favourite novels from South America!

What to do there:
  • visit Pablo Neruda’s favourite house
  • have a stroll in a quiet coastal town
  • feel inspired by the song of the waves
How to get there:Buses frequently depart from Pajaritos Terminal in Santiago and reach Isla Negra in 2 hours. By car, it’s 1.5 hour on Route 68, then F-90.
Distance from Santiago:130 km (80.7 miles)
Pablo Neruda's house seen from the beach
Pablo Neruda’s house seen from the beach. (photo: Rodrigo FernándezCC BY-SA 4.0)

 

Maipo Canyon

Many Santiaguinos love going on a day trip from Santiago to the “Cajón del Maipo”, which lies in the Andes. They enjoy the stunning landscape of mountains, volcanoes, forest, and river; but they also find there many activities for the whole family: swimming, rafting, ziplining, hiking, horse riding, etc.

In winter (June–August), when snow covers the mountains, it’s even possible to ski. There are accommodations and camping places in case you want to spend more than a day in these wonderful surroundings.

Note: At that altitude, it can get really hot in the sun and at the same time quite cold in the shade. Better bring both sunscreen and a wind jacket.

Need a tour to the Maipo Canyon?
We recommend this Cajón del Maipo and Volcán San José Hike from Santiago on GetYourGuide.

 

What to do there:
  • Hot springs, El Yeso Dam, San José volcano, hiking, horse riding, skiing, etc.
How to get there:Bus 72 goes directly to the Maipo Canyon from Bellavista de la Florida, Las Mercedes, and Plaza de Puente Alto. By car, it’s a bit more than 1 hour to reach the closest hamlet called El Melocotón.
Distance from Santiago:95 km (59 miles)

 

Las Docas Beach

We loved spending a night wild camping on the beach of Las Docas! It’s a beloved activity among Santiago’s youth, so you certainly won’t be alone. But a night stroll with the sound of the waves, the shadows of the tents, a couple of dying fires and the voices of people… it’s quite fascinating!

There is a parking fee but no fee to camp. There are a few shops on the way and one on the beach, but they are a bit pricey so bring your own stuff from town. The beach isn’t very large, but you’ll notice another part behind the rocks on the right, where few people go.

Note: The last kilometres to the beach are steep, curvy and narrow, and with no asphalt, so be careful and better use a GPS.

What to do there:
  • Fire cook, wild camp and your usual beach fun!
  • Collect seaweed (“cochayuyo“) to cook some Chilean recipes
How to get there:There is no public transportation to get to the beach. By car, it takes about 2 hours along Route 68, then 60 and F-98.
Distance from Santiago:162 km (100 miles)
Las Docas beach things to do near valparaiso
Our little corner of paradise on Las Docas beach, one of the best places near Valparaíso.

Read more: Wild camping on other shores, in Argentina’s Patagonia


 

Concón

If Pichilemu is known as Chile’s surf capital, you don’t need to go that far for the perfect waves. Concón, only 20 km north of Valparaíso, is a reputed surf spot. If you’re a beginner, no worries; there’s a handful of schools to help you put your feet on the board…and keep them there!

If you’ve made it until here, have a look at the free Ecological Park La Isla, at the estuary of the Aconcagua River. Time it well to watch the sunset at the sand dunes just outside of town, to the south.

 

What to do there:
  • surfing
  • bird watching at the estuary
  • sandboarding and sunset at the dunes
How to get there:Buses leave every 45 minutes from the San Borja terminal in Santiago, and the journey takes 2 hours. It’s about 100 minutes by car, starting on the usual Route 68.
Distance from Santiago:129 km (80 miles)

Let’s travel further North: The many reasons to visit Valle del Elqui


 

Quintay fishing village

50 km south of Valparaíso lies the gentle village of Quintay. It’s a fishing village, formerly a whaling station and now a pretty alcove where days are slow and long. This is one of the best day trips if you want to take a breather away from the chaotic city.

We also recommend the place if you want to snorkel, there’s an operator at the small beach. Note that the main beach –Playa Grande– is in another part of town, 3 km more to the north.

What to do there:
  • chill at the beach
  • enjoy the slow-paced village life
  • snorkel
How to get there:Buses leaving from Santiago in the direction of Valparaíso don’t go all the way to Quintay. You’ll have to get out at the town of Lago Peñuelas, on Route 68, and do the remaining 24 km (15 mi) by taxi or hitchhiking.
Distance from Santiago:153 km (95 miles)
Playa-Grande-Quintay-top-things-to-do-near-valparaiso-chile
Playa Grande in Quintay. Photo: Pixabay.

 

Lago Peñuelas National Reserve

This is a beautiful national reserve surrounding a freshwater lake, the one that aliments the taps in Valpo and Viña. It counts with several short and easy trails for everyone to enjoy a day in the nature. It’s a nice place to observe a great many birds of the Chilean countryside; out of the 120 species that have been reported, how many can you spot?

Some parts of the reserve can be accessed only with a park ranger through a guided tour; others can be explored freely. The entrance fee as of August 2022 is 6,200 CLP (6.75€/$6.72).

What to do there:
  • Hike or ride a bike
  • Bird watching
  • Camp
How to get there:Take any bus that goes to Valparaíso or Casablanca and get off at km 87.3 on Route 68. If you tell the bus driver that you’re going to Reserva Nacional Lago Peñuelas, they’ll know where to drop you.
Distance from Santiago:126 km (78.3 miles)

 

A tad closer to Santiago, to the South-East of the city, lies the Río Clarillo National Reserve. It’s set in the mountains and offer therefore a rocky, high altitude landscape. With some luck, you can spot pumas and condors, two of the three sacred animals in the Andes.

 

Vineyard tour and wine tasting

Chilean wines are famous worldwide and many of them are produced in this part of the country. There are 3 wine regions scattered around Santiago:

  • the Aconcagua valley near the town of Los Andes, 80 km to the north of the capital,
  • the Maipo valley near Puente Alto, only 30 km to the south of the city centre;
  • and the Casablanca valley, 80 km to the west, which includes the world’s biggest organic and biodynamic vineyard.

Some of the vineyards can be visited independently, others require a day tour with an agency. It’s a good idea to research well beforehand which vineyards you’re interested in, their opening times and visit price.

Need a wine tour?
We recommend this Maipo Valley Wine Tour starting from Santiago on Viator.

 

What to do there:
  • visit several vineyards
  • taste several wines
  • get tipsy
How to get there:It’s easy to book a wine tour from one of the agencies downtown. But if you want to tour it yourself, just catch an early bus from Terminal Sur to Casablanca or Los Andes, or to the subway to Puente Alto. Once there, negotiate a flat day rate with a taxi driver.
Distance from Santiago:78.2 km (48.6 miles)
chile wine tours are among the best things to do and see near valparaiso
In 2011, there were 339 wineries scattered around Chile. Photo: Pixabay.

 

Valle Nevado and Farellones

Winter sports enthusiasts will love being so close to the majestic Andes mountains. With a simple day trip, you can enjoy time on the slopes around the Farellones ski resort, a real institution for Chileans. It’s set in the beautiful Valle Nevado which, although quite built-up, offers an easily accessible day trip in the mountains.

If there’s no snow at the time of your visit, we still recommend that you take this opportunity to come closer to the Andes. The fascinating peaks are a sight to behold!

Need a tour to Farellones?
We recommend this Valle Nevado and Farellones day trip starting from Santiago, on GetYourGuide.

 

What to do there:
  • Ski and other types of winter sports
  • Hike in the mountains
How to get there:City buses only go as far as Plaza San Enrique, where the capital ends. From there on, you’ll most likely have to take a taxi. That’s why renting a car or booking a tour might be a good idea.
Distance from Santiago:70 km (43.5 miles)

 

Aconcagua mountain

The impressive –and oh-so-beautiful– Mount Aconcagua towers at 6,960.8 meters (22,837 ft). In fact, it’s the highest peak in the Americas. Although the ascent isn’t possible as a single day trip from Santiago de Chile, two rather easy paths allow to get a grasp:

  • a 2-hour flat stroll circles a lake on a moon-like terrain, with panels to learn about the fauna and flora;
  • a 4-hour relaxed hike goes past that lake and deeper into the mountain range to the first base camp. Add a couple of hours to come back downhill.

If you have enough time, we highly recommend the second option, especially since the park entrance ticket is steeper than the trek itself. It’s fairly accessible and offers a proper look at the mountain landscape.

Note: You’ll be crossing a border, so don’t forget your passport. The wait at the control can be long, especially on the way back into Chile.

Need a tour to the Aconcagua?
We recommend this Portillo, Inca Lagoon and Aconcagua Park starting from Santiago on GetYourGuide.

 

What to do there:
  • half-day trek around the Horcones lake
  • half-day trek to the Confluencia base camp
  • hot springs and rock formation at Puente del Inca
How to get there:Take a bus to Mendoza, Argentina and get off at “Puente del Inca“. By car, it’s a majestic 3-hour drive through the Andes mountains on Routes 57 then 60. The easiest way is to book a day tour from Santiago.
Distance from Santiago:170 km (105.6 miles)

Hike Aconcagua provincial park mountain

Start planning: All the info you need to hike the Aconcagua Provincial Park

Have you found in this list your favourite day trip?
Share your experience with us in the comments!


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Who am I?

Anthony fell in love with the world, and more particularly with South America. He wants to offer inspirational guides to the curious backpacker, travel stories to the online generation, and incentives for a more responsible and greener way-of-travel for everyone.

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