Santiago del Nuevo Extremo, a walk through the capital's living history

Santiago to the Extreme

1. Meeting point and entrance to the Metropolitan Park We meet at Pedro de Valdivia and Providencia and set off on foot toward the entrance to Santiago's Metropolitan Park. From here we begin the climb toward San Cristóbal Hill. Optional: a visit to the Japanese Garden, one of the park's most special corners. 2. Cable car and San Cristóbal Hill We take Santiago's cable car up along the hillside for one of the best panoramic views of the city. We reach the summit of San Cristóbal Hill, where we pause to take in Santiago from above. And, of course, a Chilean classic follows: mote con huesillo. 3. Funicular ride down and the Bellavista neighborhood We descend the hill on Santiago's funicular and enter the traditional Bellavista neighborhood. We walk through its streets, architecture and iconic corners, passing the outside of La Chascona, Pablo Neruda's house, and getting a feel for the neighborhood's bohemian, artistic identity. From Bellavista we continue on toward Parque Forestal. 4. Parque Forestal and the Lastarria district We cross Parque Forestal and reach the Lastarria district, one of the most interesting neighborhoods in contemporary Santiago. We stroll past its cafés, bookshops, architecture and cultural spaces, a bridge between traditional Santiago and the city of today. 5. Huelén Hill / Santa Lucía From Lastarria we head to Huelén Hill, known today as Santa Lucía Hill. This small hill is one of the essential places for understanding the history of Santiago. We walk its paths, terraces and lookouts, uncovering the different historical layers found here. Among them, the history of astronomical observation in Santiago and the site of the old National Astronomical Observatory. 6. Bellas Artes: the first vituperio We descend once more toward downtown and arrive at the Bellas Artes neighborhood. Here we make our first food stop, at a Spanish restaurant: a small vituperio to share a cañita, a tortilla and a few tapas. A moment to rest, talk and gather strength before continuing toward the historic heart of Santiago. 7. Plaza de Armas: pre-Hispanic, colonial and present-day Santiago We keep walking toward Plaza de Armas, the city's historic center. Here we stop to uncover the different layers of Santiago: from its pre-Hispanic roots and the indigenous presence of old, to the colonial founding and the square's transformation into the city's political, religious and social heart. 8. Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art From Plaza de Armas we head to the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, home to an extraordinary collection that reveals the cultural diversity of the peoples who inhabited the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans. An essential stop that links present-day Santiago with the continent's deep history. 9. El Rápido: a Santiago classic After the visit, we stop at a true classic of downtown Santiago: El Rápido. Here we can try a consomé or a few empanaditas, a simple experience that feels truly local. 10. Constitution Square and La Moneda We continue on toward La Moneda Palace and Constitution Square. We walk around the palace and the La Moneda Cultural Center, getting closer to Chile's political and contemporary history in one of the city's most important spaces. 11. Van ride to the Italia neighborhood From downtown we take our private van to the Italia neighborhood. The change of scenery is part of the experience: we leave the historic center behind and head to one of the most creative, food-driven and cultural neighborhoods in Santiago today. 12. Italia neighborhood: wines of Chile We wrap up our tour at La Cava, in the Italia neighborhood, with a tasting of Chilean wines. A moment to share, talk and close out the day around Chilean wine culture and cuisine. 13. Return Once the tasting wraps up, our van takes us back to the original meeting point, at Pedro de Valdivia and Providencia.