Santiago: City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill & Bellavista Stops

Santiago’s contrasts from La Moneda to Bellavista, old streets to modern glass

You’ll feel Santiago shift beneath your feet: climb Santa Lucia Hill for city views, touch history at Plaza de Armas and La Moneda, browse lapis lazuli with locals, then watch glass towers rise in “Sanhattan.” Includes hotel pickup and a friendly guide who brings every stop to life.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transfer from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle plus a guided tour through historic Santiago landmarks like Santa Lucia Hill and Plaza de Armas before heading into modern districts such as “Sanhattan” and colorful Bellavista—all led by a local expert who shares stories at every stop.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Santiago's historic and modern sites

• Visit Presidential Palace La Moneda
• Explore Plaza de Armas main square
• Visit lapis lazuli shop
• Walk Paseo Bandera
• Climb Santa Lucia Hill
• Tour modern Sanhattan district

The Experience

We jumped out of the van right in front of Santa Lucia Hill — I’d seen photos but didn’t expect the air to smell so green, almost peppery from the eucalyptus. Our guide, Camila, waved us over and started telling stories about how this spot was basically where Santiago began. The stairs were a bit uneven (watch your step if you’re clumsy like me), but the view at the top — city on one side, Andes peeking through smog on the other — made me just stand there for a minute. Someone nearby was selling mote con huesillo and honestly I regret not grabbing one.

Afterwards we wandered through Plaza de Armas. There was a guy sketching people for coins near the Cathedral’s steps; Camila pointed out bullet holes from past protests on La Moneda’s walls. It felt weirdly intimate, seeing those marks up close instead of just reading about them. We ducked into a lapis lazuli shop — blue stones everywhere, cool under my fingers. The owner explained (in Spanish first, then slower for us) how Chile and Afghanistan are the only places you find real lapis. Li laughed when I tried to say “azul profundo” in Spanish — probably butchered it.

By afternoon we were driving through “Sanhattan.” Glass towers everywhere, sunlight bouncing off metal so bright it made me squint. It’s wild how you can go from colonial plazas to this in twenty minutes. We finished in Bellavista; street art everywhere, music drifting out of bars even though it wasn’t quite evening yet. I still think about that view from Santa Lucia Hill sometimes — there’s something about seeing old and new smashed together like that.

Top questions

How long does the Santiago city tour last?

The tour covers several neighborhoods and main sights within one day.

Is hotel pickup included for this Santiago city tour?

Yes, round trip transfer is included with your booking.

What are some highlights on this Santiago city tour?

You’ll visit Santa Lucia Hill, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, Bellavista neighborhood, and see modern “Sanhattan.”

Is this tour suitable for families or people with strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Will we have a local guide during the Santiago city tour?

Yes, a knowledgeable local guide leads the experience throughout.

Does this Santiago day trip include entry fees?

The guided experience includes access to all mentioned stops; no extra entry fees are required.

Is lunch provided on this Santiago city tour?

No lunch is included; you may have free time to grab snacks or drinks along the way.