Santiago: Metropolitan Cathedral Bell Tower Tour & City Views

Summary

Climb Santiago’s cathedral bell tower for city views and stories

You’ll step into Santiago’s Metropolitan Cathedral with a local guide, climb winding stairs past orange trees and centuries-old bells, then take in panoramic city views from a hidden lookout above Plaza de Armas. Feel history under your hands and catch small moments — like sunlight on rooftops or laughter echoing off stone — that stay with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed inside the Metropolitan Cathedral was the hush — not silence, exactly, but that soft echo of footsteps on old stone. Our guide, Marcela, waved us over by the main altar, her voice low but kind of excited. She pointed out faded marks on the floor where generations had knelt. I caught a whiff of old wood polish mixed with something citrusy as we passed through the Courtyard of the Orange Trees (I guess that’s where it came from). The trees were smaller than I expected, but their color popped against all that grey stone.

We climbed a lot of stairs — my legs were burning by halfway up, but nobody seemed to mind. Marcela kept telling stories about how this was actually the fifth church built here since 1745. She joked about how Chileans love rebuilding things after earthquakes. There’s this moment when you come out near the bells and suddenly it’s bright and windy; you can see right across Plaza de Armas to the post office and museum rooftops. The bells are enormous up close — I touched one and it felt cold and rough under my hand. Someone below started playing music in the square, just faint enough to reach us.

At the top, there’s this lookout spot that honestly surprised me — you get a full sweep of Santiago’s historic center from up there. We all got quiet for a second, just looking out over everything. Marcela pointed out buildings I’d walked past without noticing before, like the National Historical Museum and city hall. The sun hit some windows just right and made them flash gold for a second. Funny how you can be in such an old place and still feel totally present — I still think about that view sometimes when I hear church bells back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tour of Metropolitan Cathedral Santiago

• Meet at Metropolitan Cathedral entrance
• Visit Monument to the Heroes of the Conception
• Explore Courtyard of the Orange trees
• Climb Metropolitan Cathedral bell towers
• Enjoy panoramic view from lookout

Top questions

How do I access the Metropolitan Cathedral tour?

The tour starts at Plaza de Armas #498 in Santiago’s historic center.

Is there an age limit for climbing the bell tower?

Yes, this tour is only for people over 12 years old.

Does this day trip include access to the bell tower?

Yes, entry to the Metropolitan Cathedral bell tower is included.

Are guides available in English during the tour?

Yes, bilingual guides speak both Spanish and English.

What will I see from the lookout at the top?

You’ll get panoramic views of Plaza de Armas and landmarks like city hall, post office, and museum roofs.

Is public transportation nearby for reaching the meeting point?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Plaza de Armas.

How physically demanding is climbing to the viewpoint?

The stairs are manageable for most fitness levels but do require some effort.

What’s included

Your visit includes guided entry to Santiago’s Metropolitan Cathedral with exclusive access up into its historic bell tower for panoramic views over Plaza de Armas; plus a bilingual guide who shares local stories throughout your time inside these walls.