Santiago walking tour: Old city, Plaza de Armas, Bellavista

The Cathedral dates from 1748 and sits in the middle of everything.

A walking tour of Santiago's historic center, departing daily at 9:00 AM and running three hours, takes you from Palacio de la Moneda through Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and into the Lastarria and Bellavista neighborhoods. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and points out the Stock Exchange Building (1893), the Court of Justice, the former Congress, and Santa Lucia Hills along the way. Bottled water is included; the tour ends at the gastronomic center in Bellavista.

Step-by-step itinerary

Walking tour of Old Santiago

• Meet at Palacio de la Moneda
• Visit Stock Exchange Building
• Walk along Bandera Avenue
• See Court Justices building
• Explore Ex Congress National
• Visit Plaza de Armas
• Tour the Cathedral
• View City Hall of Santiago
• Walk Santa Lucia Hills
• Explore Lastarria Neighborhood
• Visit Forest Park
• See Pablo Neruda’s house
• End at Bellavista Neighborhood

The Experience

The tour starts at Palacio de la Moneda at 9:00 AM and moves through downtown Santiago on foot. You'll walk Bandera Avenue, the main boulevard, and reach Plaza de Armas—the city's central square—where the Cathedral stands. The Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in Chile and dates to 1748; nearby are the Post Mail Building and the Museum of Natural History. From there the route continues through the Court of Justice and the site of the former National Congress, both landmarks in the city's political history.

Santa Lucia Hills sits along the walk and has free entrance Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). The tour then moves into Lastarria, one of Santiago's older residential neighborhoods, before ending in Bellavista, known as the city's gastronomic center. The whole route is walkable at a moderate pace over the three hours, and a live guide in your chosen language narrates the stops and the history as you move through them. Bottled water is provided throughout.

What’s included

• The tour includes a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• bottled water throughout the three hours.
• and access to all outdoor stops including Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Building, and Santa Lucia Hills (when open).

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by THE EMPIRE VASQUE TOUR

Is this one for you?Book the 9:00 AM departure to cover Santiago's colonial landmarks—Palacio de la Moneda, Plaza de Armas, and the Cathedral—in one morning while your guide navigates the route and pacing.

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Top questions

What time does the Santiago walking tour start and how long does it take?

The tour departs daily at 9:00 AM and runs until 12:00 PM, covering three hours of walking through the historic center.

Which neighborhoods does the walking tour pass through?

The tour moves through downtown Santiago, Lastarria and Bellavista, ending at the gastronomic center in Bellavista where the walk concludes.

Is the Cathedral included in the tour, and how old is it?

Yes, the Cathedral is a main stop on the tour. It dates to 1748 and is the largest Catholic church in Chile, located in Plaza de Armas.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide is available in English, Spanish or Portuguese, and you choose your language when you book.

Does the tour include entry to Santa Lucia Hills?

Santa Lucia Hills is a stop on the route and has free entrance Tuesday through Sunday; the site is closed Mondays. Entry is included in the tour when it is open.

What is included in the tour price?

Bottled water is included throughout the three-hour walk. Entry to Pablo Neruda's house and San Cristobal Hills are not included and cost extra.