Chile Travel - Off the beaten track in Santiago

Boasting an incredible setting surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and home to a exciting cultural life, Santiago de Chile is one of the most attractive capitals in the world. If you are traveling to Chile, make sure to stop for a few days in this city. Santiago has countless attractions with some of the most beautiful museums in South America, as well as myriads restaurants, bars and shops. If you are looking to stray away from tourists and add a little touch of authenticity to your trip, read this guide to some amazing off the beaten path activities in Santiago.

Like most cities in Chile, Santiago is home to a vibrant central market, located in the spectacular Mapocho Train Station. This gigantic market bursting with life is truly the heart of the city. Here you will find numerous varieties of fish and fruits, but it is also a great place to watch people as they go about their business and observe the Chilean way of life.

If you are looking for a real thrill and are not afraid of heights, head to the Club de Planeadores de Santiago, from where you can hop on a ride on a glider and fly over Santiago, enjoying the spectacular views of the entire city and surrounding mountains. Just ask the members of the club to take them with you, and they will generally gladly do so for a small amount of money. If you are lucky, you might even get the chance to take over the controls for a while!

If you prefer keeping your feet on the ground but want to enjoy great views of the city, just climb up to the top of Cerro Santa Lucia, which is a great view point in town. Although the steps are a bit worn out and the climb may be a bit strenuous, the reward is worth the effort! Enjoy a unique panorama of this original city which combines modern skyscrapers with traditional architecture.

For history buffs willing to immerse themselves into the city’s wonderful past, a tour to Villa Grimaldi and the Peace Park is a must-do. Originally owned by a wealthy Chilean family, the property was transformed in a center of detention and torture under the Pinochet’s dictatorship, in the 1970s. The place was restored and opened to the public in 1997.

Finally, for sports addicts, the recent and interesting Soccer Museum, the Museo Colo-Colo, offers fascinating insights into one of Chile’s favorite sports. This is a great way to learn about the country’s favorite teams and understand Chilean’s passion for soccer.

This guide to Santiago’s off the beaten path sights was written by a Chile travel expert at Chile For Less, specialist in customized Chile vacation packages. Start planning your exciting Chile vacations now.

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