Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Chile is a nation of spectacular contrasts and breathtaking natural beauty that inspires all of us. There are multiple places to visit in Chile which promise fun and excitement. These places range from witnessing Patagonia’s untamed wilderness and the ruby-red scenery of the Atacama morph. Whether you want to explore the vineyards of the Colchagua Valley in hot air balloons or tour the diverse neighbourhoods of Santiago, the experience you gain is unforgettable. A luxury Chile itinerary may include the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, Aysén Region, Torres del Paine, and Chilean Lake District.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Chile
Here is a list of the top 10 places to visit in Chile during your next vacation in western South America.
1. Santiago
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Chile’s attractive capital, Santiago, is a huge, busy metropolis. This place is an ideal basis for adventures surrounded by the snow-smeared peaks of the Andes Mountains with white-thorned Vachellia Caven bursting with vivid yellow blooms. The iconic statue of Cerro San Cristobal can be found here and is accessible via a winding stone route. Santiago is home to the highest building in South America, the Sky Costanera, with a huge viewing platform at 300m height. At night, the city lights of Santiago enchant all tourists.
Best Time To Visit: May to August
Major Attractions: Santa Lucía Hill, San Cristóbal Hill, Sky Costanera, Bicentenario Park and Plaza de Armas
2. Torres Del Paine
Photo: Noam Shany / Wikimedia Commons
Torres del Paine National Park, where wide frozen fields intersect snow-capped mountains, has towering granite spires. This is one of the nicest spots to visit in Chile, with its breathtaking expanse of wildness. Visitors go off the usual road to track pumas and llama-like guanacos, while keeping a lookout for the endangered Andean deer. You’ll ride horses through incredible scenes of ice, huge peaks and lush valleys covered with the vibrant red blossoms of Chilean fire trees.
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Activities: Horse-riding, biking, kayaking, ice hiking and trekking
3. Patagonia National Park
Photo: Jaymenna78734 / Wikimedia Commons
Patagonia National Park, one of the farthest and most pristine regions on Earth, boasts beautiful sights. It has tracks untrodden by the public, gigantic snow-capped mountains, a myriad of lakes varied in colour, and a wealth of wildlife. The breeze is fresh and pollution-free. Patagonia National Park offers breathtaking scenery. It is the ultimate location for those seeking pure secluded wilderness, magnificent landscapes, world-class trekking, and exceptional food. This park is renowned for its peaks.
Best Time To Visit: December to February
Major Attractions: Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Huemul Nature Reserve, Patagonian Ice Field and Mount Fitz Roy
4. Easter Island
Photo: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons
Easter Island, situated in the Polynesian Islands of the Pacific, is a popular destination for adventurers of all types. This island, called Rapa Nui by the native inhabitants, has a stunning natural landscape and a fascinatingly rich cultural history. The island has multiple national parks known for their stone idols. These statues, known as moai, are must-sees and provide a fantastic introduction to Rapa Nui culture. Immerse yourself in the island’s cultural identity through dances, shows, and food, and discover the wide network of caverns, volcanoes, pink sand beaches, and grasslands.
Best Time To Visit: October to December
Major Attractions: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Anakena Beach, Ahu Nau Nau, Ahu Akivi, Rano Kau and Orogono
5. Atacama Desert
Photo: Wescottm / Wikimedia Commons
The Atacama Desert is located in northern Chile and to the west of the Andes. The Atacama Desert is recognized as the world’s driest desert and provides an amazing, Martian-like backdrop for travellers travelling throughout the region. Trekking across the dry Atacama desert weather will offer you views of the landscape’s diversity, from salt marshes and wetlands to geysers and volcanoes. Also, visit one of northern Chile’s renowned observatories to see millions of stars brighten the sky.
Best Time To Visit: April to June and October to December
Major Attractions: Rainbow Valley, Cordillera de la Sal, Salar de Atacama, Valle de la Luna and Lagoons of Baltinache
6. La Serena
Photo: Nanosmile / Wikimedia Commons
La Serena, founded by the explorers between 1543 and 1544, is the country’s second-oldest city and the capital of northern Chile’s Coquimbo region. It follows the boundary of this region, where the Pacific Ocean meets the arid cliffs of the southern Atacama Desert. La Serena is visited during the peak of summer. Dozens of domestic travellers rush in to cool down on the breezy beaches, visit the Isla Damas’ dive hotspots, and enjoy pisco sours on the promenade. There is an important archaeological museum which displays Pre-Hispanic Pottery artefacts.
Best Time To Visit: September to November
Major Attractions: Cathedral La Serena, Recova Market, El Faro Beach, Japanese Gardens, Elqui Valley and Punta Choros
7. Valparaíso
Photo: Valparaíso Querido / Wikimedia Commons
Valparaíso, situated on the coast in the heart of Chile, is a unique and wonderful place to visit. Valparaíso, also called “The Jewel of the Pacific,” is a hilly port city. Valparaíso, once a powerful harbour, is now an architectural marvel with colourful buildings, different styles, and a maze-like layout on the surrounding hills. Explore local beaches, including Viña del Mar and Reñaca. There are several water activities available along the coast, including scuba diving and kayaking. The houses here are beautifully coloured.
Best Time To Visit: March to May
Major Attractions: Explore the streets, Playa Amarilla or Playa La Boca, Las Deliciosas and Casablanca wine valley
8. Southern Chile
Photo: Till Niermann / Wikimedia Commons
Chile’s southern area continues to offer spectacular natural splendour. This geographic region is home to massive volcanoes as well as beautiful lakes and rivers. The Mapuche culture thrives in the breathtaking scenery of this region. The Mapuche are a vital part of the area, offering a unique culture and exceptional food that should not be missed. Tourists can ski on some of Chile’s best mountains, fish in magnificent rivers and lakes, relax in natural spas or climb through the tough terrain of nature reserves.
Best Time To Visit: September to March
Major Attractions: The Chiloé Archipelago, The Aysén Region and Torres Del Paine
9. Lake District
Photo: T Douglas-Walker / Wikimedia Commons
Chilean Lake District is a 200-mile (322-kilometer) section that is pure bliss from beginning to end. There are Gleaming waterways flanked by swaths of pine woodland and verdant pastures dotted with cow herds. Two of the snow-capped volcanoes, Volcano Mocho-Choshuenco and Volcano Villarrica attract a lot of tourists. Visitors can also climb to the summit of Osorno Volcano. The Lake District is often visited from both Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. This place promises a unique experience.
Best Time To Visit: September and October
Major Attractions: Lake Windermere, Ullswater Lake, Lake District National Park, Rydal Mount & Gardens, Derwentwater and Hilltop
10. Patagonia
Photo: Deensel / Wikimedia Commons
Patagonia is among the world’s most popular adventure locations, because of its breathtaking landscape. Patagonia includes a few of the most spectacular mountains in the world. Patagonia has a diverse range of lakes, steppes, fjords, lagoons, woodlands, and glaciers. There is amazing fauna like condors, red foxes, and pumas inhabiting its pristine habitat. While exploring the untouched countryside, learn about the gaucho tradition and see the pioneer communities scattered around the region.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
Major Attractions: Marble Cave, Salto Grande, Plaza Munoz Gamero, Magellan Strait and Tierra del Fuego
Chile, with one of the world’s most diversified landscapes, has recently become a popular holiday destination, especially for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. This short nation on South America’s west coast offers amazing sightseeing options, including the tall Andes, countless beaches, lush temperate forests, historic volcanoes, and dramatic coastlines like Cape Horn. Plan a trip with TripXL and explore the best places to visit in Chile
Cover Photo: Olga Stalska / Unsplash
