Santiago Flights And Sights

Chile's capital is a dynamic, modern city where colonial mansions sit among soaring skyscrapers, folk art becomes fashion and Latin and European cultures intertwine. The city is reinventing itself, with arts, nightlife, and restaurant scenes that have never been better, making this thriving and sophisticated metropolis into the civic, cultural, and historical nucleus of the country. Enjoy it all while gazing up at the peaks of snow-dusted Andes range surrounding the city's extremities.

Things to Do

A turbulent political past makes for impassioned art. Explore the mind of Chile's best-loved poet at La Chascona, a museum located in Pablo Neruda's former home in Bellavista. Then head to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino near the Plaza des Armas for a vivid glimpse of indigenous life and culture before the Spanish arrived. In a city that never seems to stop for long, park yourself on a bench on the Plaza and watch the world go by.

Shopping

Buy alpaca knits, copperware and other handicrafts from the local artisans at Los Graneros del Alba, east of Las Condes. Chilean wine is gaining a lot of kudos, so stock up on varietals such as a smooth, easy-drinking Carmenère at The Wine House in Las Condes. Last, head to the Patio Bellavista, a permanent craft market of arts, wool goods, jewelry and woodwork, centered around a cobblestone patio in Bellavista.

Nightlife and Entertainment

At night, head to Providencia for lively bars, Ñuñoa for cheap beers, or bohemian Bellavista's cafe-bars and live music venues. The neoclassical Municipal Theatre, Santiago's main venue for classical music, opera and ballet, oozes charm with its sumptuous marble, red velvet and crystal interior. If you are curious or speak Spanish, try the city's well-regarded, vibrant theater scene. Wherever you go, you'll never be far from the signature drink, pisco sour -- a Chilean pisco brandy and sour mix.

Restaurants and Dining

For a quick snack or lunch, grab a bowl of ceviche while taking in the cacophony of the Mercado Central, Santiago's colorful food market. The finest dining and most innovative chefs are found in affluent suburbs of Las Condes and Vitacura. Downtown, dine late at night like the locals on traditional Chilean meals with a modern flair, such as beef marinated in cilantro or conger eel with barnacle sauce at Confitería Torres, the oldest restaurant in Santiago.

With many convenient American Airlines flights to Santiago, it's easy to visit the capital of Chile and discover its many intriguing facets. Founded in the 16th century, it's a city steeped in history, but it also has a distinctively modern, cosmopolitan flair. From exploring its historical downtown to sampling Chilean wines, there is a multitude of things to do in Santiago that will keep you enthralled.

First on our list of activities in Santiago is exploring downtown by foot. There are several pedestrian malls that make it easy to walk, window shop and discover. Along Paseo Huerfanos you can find Cerro Santa Lucia, a park built atop a rocky hill that affords panoramic views of the city below. Continue north and near the Parque Forestal you'll find the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, or National Museum of Fine Art. It's housed in the Palace of the Fine Arts, which was constructed in 1910 to commemorate the first centennial of Chile's independence. Its permanent collection includes the work of more than 2,000 Chilean artists along with a collection by European and Dutch artists. Just behind it, you'll find the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, or Museum of Contemporary Art, where you can view thousands of modern pieces by a diverse range of artists, both Chilean as well as international.

Don't finish your walking tour without visiting the Iglesia de San Francisco. It's one of our favorite things to do in Santiago. The church is considered the oldest monument in Chile, dating to the Colonial era, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its iconic bell tower has become a symbol of Santiago.

The city is also full of parks, which allow you to relax and enjoy the views and atmosphere. And when it comes to gastronomy, Santiago is hard to beat. Its many restaurants feature everything from empanadas to seafood. But don't leave without trying another must on our list of activities in Santiago: sampling Chilean wines! Some of the country's best vineyards can be found just outside Santiago in the Maipo Valley. The region's cabernet sauvignon is especially exquisite.

For a great overview of the city, try the Private Tour: Santiago City Sightseeing, a private guided tour that lasts about three-and-a-half hours. Afterward, it's easy to see why Santiago has become one of South America's hottest new destinations. Fly to Santiago with American Airlines and discover its allure for yourself.