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11 Cool Day Trips from Santiago, Chile

Views of Valparaiso from above, with colorful buildings atop several hills, pushed up against the coastline.

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If you’ve explored enough of Santiago, but still need things to do, that’s quite all right — there are plenty of day trips from Santiago!

Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, vineyards, or natural wonders, you’ll find plenty to explore within a short driving distance of Santiago.

While there are plenty of things to do in Santiago, the city isn’t necessarily a place you’d like to linger. It’s not one of the more exciting cities in Latin America, and you don’t need more than a day to take in the city’s best sights.

But day trips are where Santiago excels. The Andes are on your doorstep; multiple wine regions are just down the road. And the Pacific Ocean isn’t that far away, either.

Some of these day trips can be done by public transportation, while others are best done by guided day tours or by renting a car.

Let’s take a look at the best day trips from Santiago, Chile!

This post was published in April 2024 and was co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.

Views of Valparaiso from above, with colorful buildings atop several hills, pushed up against the coastline.
There are so many cool views of Valparaíso — in every direction!

Best Day Trips from Santiago

Valparaíso

Valparaíso is a charming port city on the Chilean coast known for its colorful street art and kooky cafes. It’s a spirited place inhabited by students and young progressives with an emphasis on the arts (and ceviche).

I absolutely loved Valparaíso — I don’t think I’ve ever seen a city quite like it!

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaíso is built on around 40 hills. Fortunately for your legs, there are only two or three hills you’ll want to visit.

It’s easy to combine Valparaíso with its neighboring city, Viña del Mar. They’re only about 20 minutes apart.

Valparaíso is my top pick for day trips from Santiago, although I recommend you stay for a night if possible (I really loved my stay at the Hotel Winebox, a gorgeous boutique hotel full of art and incredible views from every angle!).

Best things to do in Valparaíso: One of the best things to do in Valparaíso is to roam the streets looking for art. You’ll want to make a beeline for Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre. I was glad I did this with a guide, and this two-hour walking tour is a great option. 

There are a couple of museums of note, including La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s house, which I loved. A harbor boat ride is…

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