Santiago, a cosmopolitan center in Chile and the capital city, is a fantastic place to base yourself to see many other unique surrounding places. Taking day trips from Santiago to other areas is the perfect addition to a Santiago itinerary. Central Chile is home to some of the best wine regions in the country, and has great hiking trails and gorgeous coastal towns.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Santiago here.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Santiago
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Santiago hotels here! We opted to stay at the Almacruz Hotel and Convention Center and I would stay here again next time. The location was awesome and the hotel was very nice. They even had a wine tasting at the hotel!
Maipo Valley
Drive Time: 30-40 minutes
The Maipo Valley, Chile’s premier wine region, is one of the best day trips from Santiago for wine lovers. It is only a 30 to 40 minute drive (about 20 miles) from the center of Santiago and you can easily hit up 2-3 wineries in a day.
To get here, you will need to hire a driver, rent a car, or opt to take a tour. We opted to do this Maipo Valley tour as it went to two wineries. Overall, I would highly recommend this as it takes care of all the logistics for you.
If you are a wine lover, you will not want to miss Maipo Valley, as it has some of the best Chilean wines and is well known all over the world. Popular winery options include Casillero del Diablo, Concho y Toro, and Santa Rita.
You will want to try the Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Sauvignon Blanc wines as they are the most popular wines made in the region. My favorites include the Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon and the Casillero del Diablo Carmenere. Also, make sure to pack water with you unless you want to buy it at the wineries.
Valparaiso
By Catrina of 24 Hours Layover
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
One of the best day trips from Santiago is to head to the charming town of Valparaiso, located 120km (75 miles) northwest of Santiago.
Valparaiso is absolutely stunning, and its historic quarter is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Renowned for its colorful houses, vibrant street art, and unique hillside architecture, Valparaiso is a must-visit when you are in Santiago. In fact, it is one of the best places in South America to visit!
Valparaiso is famous for its ascensores – historic funiculars that transport people up and down the steep hills of the city. Riding these funiculars provides panoramic views of Valparaiso and is an experience in itself! Valparaiso is also Chile’s cultural and artistic hub. Its bohemian atmosphere and artistic vibe has attracted many artists, writers, and musicians over the years.
The two hills of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre in Valparaíso are really popular among tourists. They are known for their charming narrow streets, art shops, cafes, and stunning viewpoints, and are a must-visit.
One tip for visiting Valparaiso is to definitely wear comfortable shoes! Valparaiso is a hilly city with steep streets and staircases, so it’s best to wear comfortable footwear to explore on foot.
Valparaiso is also known for its fresh seafood. Try local dishes like ceviche, empanadas de mariscos (seafood empanadas), and Chilean-style fish stews.
It will take you around 1.5 hours to reach Valparaiso from Santiago if you’re driving by car, or 2 hours on the direct bus. If you rent a car, the route is very straightforward, but the bus is more affordable if you are on a budget!
Several bus companies operate regular services between Santiago and Valparaiso, with frequent departures throughout the day.
Viña del Mar
By Chanelle of Chasing Chanelle
Drive Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Although Santiago is nestled amidst the mountains, it is also possible to enjoy a day at the beach near the city! There are several coastal destinations within easy reach of the capital, and beautiful Viña del Mar is one of them. It makes for one of the most amazing day trips from Santiago.
Known as the “Garden City”, Viña del Mar is Chile’s largest beach resort and is the most popular destination in Chile for local vacationers.
At around 90 miles from Santiago, you can get there in just under two hours by car. Or, if you prefer not to drive, there is a bus which departs Santiago hourly. Alternatively, you can also book a visit to Viña del Mar as part of a tour.
Once you get to Viña del Mar, it’s the perfect place to relax in the sun, enjoy some delicious local seafood, and browse interesting shops and market stalls. The city has a long stretch of sandy beach and a lively promenade which comes alive with open-air markets, performers, and street vendors.
Asides from the waterfront, some key attractions to visit include the Flower Clock – a functioning garden clock made from red flowers and Swiss machinery; the idyllic Wulff Castle, which was built in 1096 by a German philanthropist; the Botanical Garden, which is likely where the Garden City gets its name from; and the Francisco Fonck Museum of History and Archeology, to learn more about Chilean culture.
And once you are done exploring, there are also plenty of dining and entertainment options to experience. The city is full of excellent restaurants, bars, clubs, and ice cream parlors, as well as a casino. So you won’t run out of things to keep you busy!
If you are up to it, you can visit both Valparaiso and Viña del Mar on the same day. If you want to go on a guided tour, check out these two options: Valparaiso and Vina del Mar or Valparaiso and Vina del Mar tour.
Portillo Inca Lagoon
By Raksha of Solo Passport
Drive Time: 2 hours
Situated at the southern end of the Laguna Del Inca Lake in the Valparaiso region, Portillo Inca Lagoon is a beautiful ski resort with spectacular views of the lake. With a background of the Andes Mountains, the Laguna Del Inca Lake is known for its changing colors from emerald green to deep blue.
The resort is just around 93 miles from the capital city of Santiago, and by road, the journey is just around 2 hours. You can easily visit the resort as one of the perfect day trips from Santiago. There are shuttles that run between the resort and the city thrice a week. And the resort also arranges for the pickups and drops.
As Portillo Inca Lagoon is a ski resort, it is extremely popular during the winter season for its 35 ski runs and 14 lifts. It also has the highest ski lift at 10,000 feet. These ski runs cater for beginners and experienced skiers. If you are a beginner, you can take ski lessons at the resort. The best season is between June and October, and it attracts tourists from all around the world during the season.
The resort also has an in-house restaurant that serves Chilean and traditional cuisine. This restaurant has amazing views of the lake and the mountains. Even if you are not into skiing, you can visit the resort to have a romantic lunch or dinner to enjoy the delicious food with stunning views. Definitely do try their seafood.
Casablanca Valley
By Kenny of Knycx Journeying
Drive Time: 1 hour
Being the capital city of Chile, Santiago is situated in the most populated region of the country and there are many options for awesome day trips when you are having a layover in Santiago. For wine lovers, head to the wineries in the surroundings, and Casablanca Valley is merely an hour’s drive away from Santiago’s city center.
Casablanca Valley is a fertile region that made the production of top-quality wines possible, blessed by the warm sea breezes from the Pacific Ocean, plenty of sunlight, and temperate weather. It is the one of the best day trips from Santiago for wine lovers.
Today, Chile is the fourth largest wine exporter in the world. Visit one and a few of the many vineyards and wineries for a wine-tasting tour – the valley is famous for its white wine production from a wide variety of Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc.
Some of the wineries feature stunning architecture and museums, showcasing the art and history of wine production in the last century. Afterward, have a pleasant stroll on the trails and take in the breathtaking view of the region.
To make the day trip more fruitful, top the experience by pairing the liquor with the delicious local cuisine at one of the sophisticated fine-dining restaurants in the valley.
Other Day Trips from Santiago
There are so many spectacular day trips from Santiago. Other ones not listed above include Cajon del Maipo/Maipo Canyon and Hot Springs, Valle Nevado, and the Colchagua Valley. If you have even more time, add on time in places like Patagonia or Buenos Aires with your Chile trip.
