Santiago city tour: Cerro Santa Lucía to Costanera Center

Walk through Santiago's founding hill, colonial heart, and modern skyline in one morning

A private Santiago city tour with professional guide and driver covers the capital's main landmarks in 3–4 hours: Cerro Santa Lucía, where the city was founded in 1541; La Moneda Palace, the presidential seat; Barrio Lastarria's galleries and cafés; Plaza de Armas and its colonial architecture; Mercado Central's seafood stalls; Bellavista's street art; and the Costanera Center, Latin America's tallest building. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Santa Lucia Hill30m · entry included
2. Barrio Lastarriapassing by
3. La Moneda Palace35m · entry included
4. Plaza de Armas40m · entry included
5. Santiago Central Market25m · entry included
6. Bellavistapassing by
7. Costanera Centerpassing by

Explore Santiago's main highlights

• Visit Cerro Santa Lucía hill
• Walk through Barrio Lastarria
• Tour Palacio de La Moneda
• Explore Plaza de Armas square
• Visit Mercado Central market
• Drive through Barrio Bellavista
• Pass by Sanhattan financial district

The experience

The tour starts at Cerro Santa Lucía, the historical hill where Santiago was founded. You walk through its gardens and fountains, taking in a panoramic view of downtown from the viewpoints while the guide explains the colonial past. From there, the route moves through Barrio Lastarria, a neighborhood of art galleries, restored architecture, and cafés that show the city's creative side, then to La Moneda Palace: Chile's presidential palace and a neoclassical landmark tied to key moments in the country's history.

The next stops are Plaza de Armas, the main square ringed by the Cathedral, City Hall, and Central Post Office, and Mercado Central a few blocks away. The market is where you see traditional stalls and local vendors selling seafood and regional products, a window into everyday Chilean life. The tour then passes through Barrio Bellavista from the bus, where you spot murals and the lively restaurant scene, before finishing at the Costanera Center and Santiago's modern financial district: a contrast to the colonial landmarks at the start.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels. The guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese depending on your choice at booking. Bottled water is provided throughout. The minimum booking is two people.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• private transportation with a professional driver.
• hotel pickup and drop-off for selected hotels.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (22 to 55 years) · Senior (56 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 21 years) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Anclatourchile

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Choose the language at booking so the commentary is clear throughout. The 3–4 hour length fits a morning or afternoon without consuming a full day, making it suitable whether this is your first stop in Chile or a final tour before heading north, south, or to Easter Island.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 21 years); Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What is Cerro Santa Lucía and why does the tour start there?

Cerro Santa Lucía is the historical hill where Santiago was founded in 1541. The tour begins there so you can walk through its gardens and fountains, see the panoramic views of downtown, and learn about the city's colonial origins from your guide.

What can I see and do at Mercado Central?

Mercado Central is a lively market famous for seafood and local products. You'll walk through traditional stalls and see local vendors at work, getting a glimpse of how Chileans shop for daily food and the market's role in the city's life.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is not included in the tour. You have the option to eat at one of the cafés in Barrio Lastarria or at a restaurant in Mercado Central if you want a meal during the 3–4 hour tour.

How does the tour handle Barrio Bellavista? Do you get out of the vehicle there?

Barrio Bellavista is a drive-through stop where you view the colorful street art and lively atmosphere from the bus, so you see the murals and get a sense of the neighborhood's character without a walking stop.

What is the Costanera Center and why is it on the tour?

The Costanera Center is the tallest building in Latin America and the largest shopping mall in Chile, located in Santiago's modern financial district. It appears on the tour as a symbol of the city's contrast between its historic colonial landmarks and its contemporary growth.