Santiago (San Antonio), Chile

More about Santiago (San Antonio), Chile Points of Interest

• Maritime Museum -

  Located on top of a hill, this neoclassical mansion and former naval academy offers stunning views of the city and ocean. Walk the museum grounds and explore the history of this city's port.

• Cerros/Funicular -

  Valparaiso's hilly topography and steep grades make good use of funiculars or "ascensores" to climb its 45 hills or "cerros," with each ride promising a more glorious view of the ocean.

• La Sebastiana -

  Built by architect Sebastian Collao, who died before the house was finished, it became the residence of the poet, Pablo Neruda a decade later. Today, it is a colorful museum and center for the arts.

• Viña del Mar -

  One of Chile's most popular cities for tourism, Viña has something for everyone. It is home to Chile's oldest casino, world-class restaurants, palm-lined boulevards, parks and miles of beaches.

• Fonck Museum -

  A 500-year-old stone head from Easter Island greets you at the entrance to the museum named for Francisco Fonck, archaeologist and Viña del Mar native, just hinting at the treasures that lay inside.

• Plaza de Armas -

  Santiago's main square was its civic center when first founded by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Today it's a great place to enjoy a walk in the gardens and listen to music in the square.

• National History Museum -

  Located in the building of the former Palacio de la Real Audiencia, this museum has a wide collection of historical objects from colonial until the modern times.

• Constitution Square -

  Located on this plaza is Palacio de la Moneda where General Pinochet sparked his 17-year reign on September 11, 1973. See the changing of the guard take place surrounded by 12 Chilean flags.