Santiago walking tour: Historic center, La Moneda, Plaza de Armas

Three hours, five neighborhoods, one guide: the core of Santiago on foot

A three-hour walking tour of Santiago's historic center with a professional guide in English or Spanish, covering Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Santa Lucia Hill, and Barrio Lastarria. The guide offers recommendations for local restaurants, craft beers, wines and piscos throughout the route. Minimum age is 16. Suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Plaza de Armas15m
2. Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art10m
3. La Moneda Palace15m
4. Santa Lucia Hill15m
5. Barrio Lastarria20m

Explore Santiago's historic center

• Visit Plaza de Armas main square
• See National Congress and Compania de Jesus Church
• Tour Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
• View La Moneda Palace and presidential statues
• Walk through old Financial District
• Photograph beautiful Parisian-style neighborhood
• Visit oldest church in Santiago
• See the opera house
• View centenary gift monument
• Climb Santa Lucia Hill for city views
• Explore Barrio Lastarria bars and restaurants

The experience

The tour starts at Plaza de Armas, the main square full of colonial and 19th-century architecture, then moves through the old financial district and past the sites where the National Congress once met. You walk to La Moneda Palace through Plaza de la Constitución, seeing the presidential statues and historic buildings that frame the seat of government. The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art sits along the route: a private collection housed in a building that served as the customs headquarters, national library and old courthouse, holding art from the native peoples of the Americas.

Santa Lucia Hill comes next, the oldest landmark in the city with views across Santiago. From there the route descends into Barrio Lastarria, a neighborhood of galleries, cultural venues, bars and restaurants where the guide points out where to eat and drink well: typical food, craft beers, wines and local piscos. The architecture here echoes Paris and London, with tree-lined streets and colonial facades. You also pass the oldest church in Santiago, which dates to colonial times, and the opera house, a centenary gift to Chile.

Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them, and the pace suits all fitness levels. The guide is trained to offer a rich experience, weaving history and local knowledge into the stops rather than rushing through them.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• walking access to Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, Santa Lucia Hill, and Barrio Lastarria.
• local recommendations for restaurants and bars throughout the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 16:00

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Urbantours Chile

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided walk through Santiago's historic center with restaurant and bar recommendations built in, rather than piecing together your own stops.

Traveler reviews

4.94★★★★★★★★★★

781 verified traveler reviews

5 ★745

4 ★29

3 ★5

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, and why is it on this tour?

The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art holds art from the native peoples of the Americas and occupies a historic building that once served as the customs headquarters, national library and old courthouse. It sits along the walking route and is included as a key stop in Santiago's cultural history.

Does this tour include entry to any museums or paid attractions?

The tour passes the museum and other landmarks, but entry fees to paid sites are not included in the price. Your guide will point out where to visit and can recommend which stops are worth your time.

What neighborhoods do you walk through on this tour?

You walk through the historic center, the old financial district, and Barrio Lastarria. The route also includes Santa Lucia Hill and passes the oldest church in Santiago and the opera house.

Can I get food and drink recommendations during the tour?

Yes. The guide offers recommendations throughout the walk for restaurants with typical Chilean food and bars with craft beers, wines and piscos, especially in Barrio Lastarria where many are located.

What is the minimum age to join this tour?

The minimum age is 16. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it involves walking through the city center and climbing Santa Lucia Hill.