Santiago is home to five million people and offers one of the most diverse cultural experiences in South America. Located between the Andes and the coast, Santiago also features the Mapocho River that crosses through the town itself. Like any large city, Santiago can be stressful and chaotic for those tourists not familiar with the area.
Chaos aside, Santiago is a fascinating place to explore and take in the vast structure and wondrous sights. Below are five must-see sights in Santiago.
Igleisa Y Museo de San Francisco
Saint Francis Church and Museum is the oldest monument in Chile, dating back to 1586. This monument is a sight-seeing must which demonstrates the long history of Franciscans in its outer exterior and explores the wondrous Moorish influences in its inside adornments.
San Cristobal Hill
This park is higher than all the other neighbourhoods, standing at 860 meters. It is considered one of the symbols of the city and features sights such as the statue of the Virgin Mary, a zoo containing 170 different animals, swimming pools, gardens and a cable railway for even better views of the city.
Plaza de Armas
Santiago's Plaza de Armas dates from the founding of the city. The city center is a triangular area stretching around the Plaza de Armas. Nearby are some of Santiago's best known sights: Cerro Santa Lucia, Parque Forestal, Parque General Bustamente,intriguing Barrio Bellavista, and north of the Barrio, the Parque Metropolitano which offers scenic views of the city when the air is clear.
Parque Quinta Normal
This beautiful park is 40 hectors of rich forested area. Considered a nature sanctuary, the park also hosts the Science and Technology Museum and the Railway Museum, both must-sees when visiting Santiago.
Plaza de la Constitucion
Located in the city centre, this plaza features the Palacio de la Moreda, which houses the government of Chile. The panoramic area also holds monuments of important statesmen and various cafes and restaurants.
Of course, these are only five of the numerous amazing sights to see in Santiago. Check out even more exploration attractions at seeyourhotel.com where choosing the perfect accommodations is made easy.