Santiago: City Bike Tour, La Moneda & Lastarria with Ice Cream

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/5

Duration3h

GroupUp to 16

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Bike Santiago’s parks & plazas with stories, politics, and sweet stops

You’ll ride through Santiago’s green parks with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Pause at La Moneda Palace to hear real history, taste fresh ice cream or coffee near Gabriela Mistral Center, and end among Lastarria’s bars and street art. You’ll leave feeling like you actually belonged here for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santiago's main sights by bike

Depart from Recoleta office
Begin Highlights bike tour
Pedal through central green parks
Visit Forestal Park and learn about local dogs
Stop at Plaza Italia (Plaza Baquedano)
Visit La Moneda Presidential Palace exterior
Learn history at Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center
Discover the lively Lastarria neighborhood
End tour at office

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the sound of tires crunching over fallen leaves in Forestal Park — that and the way our guide, Felipe, waved at every dog like he knew them personally. There are so many friendly dogs in Santiago (quiltros, he called them), just lounging in the sun or trotting alongside couples on benches. I didn’t expect to feel so much part of the city so quickly — maybe it’s something about being on a bike instead of behind glass. The air smelled faintly of eucalyptus and street food as we pedaled past families and students sprawled out on the grass.

We stopped outside La Moneda Palace, and Felipe lowered his voice when he talked about what happened there during the coup — you could almost feel the weight of history pressing against the clean white walls. Someone asked a question about protests (I was glad they did; I was curious too), and he told us how Plaza Italia (which locals call Plaza Baquedano) is still where people gather when they need to be heard. That felt important. There were school kids laughing nearby, kicking a football around like none of that ever happened — or maybe because it did.

I’m not usually into cultural centers but sitting outside the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center with an espresso (or ice cream if you want — I went for mango sorbet) just felt right after all that pedaling. Felipe pointed out some graffiti art and tried to translate one of the poems for us; I probably butchered my attempt at reading it aloud but he just grinned. The light was starting to go soft by then, bouncing off the buildings in Barrio Lastarria where everyone seemed to be heading for drinks or food. Honestly, I almost stayed for another round with some folks from our group — but my legs were already jelly.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes use of a bicycle and helmet (as per Chilean law), bottled water to keep you cool while riding through Santiago’s parks and plazas, your choice of handcrafted ice cream or coffee/espresso break near Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, plus guidance from a bilingual local expert from start to finish—just show up ready to pedal.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by La Bicicleta Verde Green Bike Tour Company