When I first looked at Chile on map, it looked impossible. It is this incredibly long, thin strip of land that hugs the edge of South America. It looks like a shoelace.
I wondered how one country could hold so much variety. But when I arrived, I realized that is exactly what makes Chile special.
In the north, I walked across the driest desert on Earth. In the south, I stood in front of ancient blue glaciers. And in the middle, I explored vibrant cities and lush vineyards.
Planning a trip here can feel overwhelming because the distances are huge. You are basically choosing between fire and ice.
To help you plan your own adventure, I have put together my personal list of the top 10 things to do in Chile. These are the experiences that made me fall in love with this wild and beautiful land.
1. Explore the Views and History in Santiago
My journey began in the capital. Many people skip the city to rush to nature, but I think that is a mistake. There are so many things to do in santiago that give you a real feel for the country.
I started my day at the Plaza de Armas. This is the historic heart of the city. I grabbed a coffee and just watched the mix of painters, musicians, and businessmen rushing by.
For the best view, I headed to the Sky Costanera. It is the tallest building in South America. Standing on the observation deck, I saw the sprawling city framed by the massive Andes mountains. It is one of the top attractions santiago has to offer.
I also hiked up San Cristobal Hill. You can take a cable car if you are feeling lazy, which I did on the way down. At the top, there is a huge statue of the Virgin Mary and a view that stretches forever.
If you are looking for things to see in santiago chile, do not miss the neighborhood of Bellavista. It is colorful, full of street art, and has a great nightlife scene. It was the perfect introduction to Chilean culture.
2. Get Bohemian in Valparaíso
Just a short bus ride from the capital is Valparaíso. If Santiago is the business brain of Chile, Valparaíso is its artistic soul.
The city is built on steep hills that tumble down into the Pacific Ocean. I spent my days here just getting lost. The streets are a maze of staircases and hidden alleys.
Every wall seems to be covered in street art. It is not vandalism here. It is a celebrated form of expression. I took endless photos of the murals.
To save my legs, I rode the famous funiculars. These are old, creaking elevators that pull you up the steep hills. They are cheap and offer amazing views of the colorful houses and the port below.
I visited one of Pablo Neruda’s houses, La Sebastiana. It sits high on a hill with a stunning view of the ocean. Seeing where the famous poet lived and wrote helped me understand the romantic vibe of the city.
3. Stargazing in the Atacama Desert
I flew north to Calama and took a bus to San Pedro de Atacama. This is the driest desert in the world. The landscape here does not look like Earth. It looks like Mars.
One of the absolute best things to do here is stargazing. Because it is so high and so dry, there is almost no light pollution.
I took a tour one night and I have never seen a sky like that. You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye. It felt like I could reach up and touch the stars.
During the day, I visited the Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley. I went at sunset. Watching the sun go down over the jagged rock formations and sand dunes was magical. The colors shift from gold to pink to purple.
Make sure to bring lip balm and drink lots of water. The air is incredibly dry, but the beauty is worth the chapped lips.
4. Taste Carmenere in the Maipo Valley
You cannot visit Chile without trying the wine. The country is famous for its vineyards. I decided to visit the Maipo Valley because it is close to Santiago.
I am not a wine expert, but I learned a lot here. Chile is famous for Carmenere. This is a grape that went extinct in Europe but survived here.
I rode a bike between the vineyards. It was sunny and warm, with the smell of grapes in the air. I stopped at a few different wineries for tastings.
Sitting in a garden, sipping a glass of rich red wine while looking at the Andes mountains, was pure relaxation.
It is a great day trip if you are looking for to do santiago options that get you out of the city for a bit.
5. Hiking the W Trek in Patagonia
This was the highlight of my trip. I headed south to patagonia chile. This region is wild and untamed. My goal was Torres del Paine National Park.
I did the W Trek, which is a multi-day hike. It is challenging, but you do not need to be a pro athlete to do it.
The scenery changes every hour. I walked past turquoise lakes, through emerald forests, and alongside massive grey glaciers.
The wind here is famous. It can knock you over if you are not careful. But it just adds to the adventure.
The most famous spot is the base of the towers. I woke up before dawn to hike up. Seeing the three granite towers turn red with the sunrise was a moment I will never forget.
If you are wondering things to do in Chile for adventure, this is it. It is crowded in peak season, but the views are worth sharing.
6. Marvel at the Marble Caves
Further south on the General Carrera Lake, I found one of the most surreal places I have ever seen. The Marble Caves, or Capillas de Mármol.
You have to take a boat to get there. The water in the lake is a bright, milky blue. It comes from the glacial melt.
Over thousands of years, the water has carved caves into the solid marble cliffs. The boat driver took us right inside the caves.
The sunlight reflects off the blue water and dances on the white and grey marble walls. It looks like a cathedral made by nature.
It is a bit of a journey to get there, involving a flight and a long drive, but it is completely unique. I have never seen anything else like it in the world.
7. Visit the Mystery of Easter Island
This was a splurge for me, but I had to go. Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, is one of the most remote inhabited places on the planet.
It is famous for the Moai. These are the giant stone head statues. You have seen them in photos, but standing next to them is a different experience. They are huge and imposing.
I rented a car and drove around the island. Seeing the statues scattered across the landscape is haunting. I visited the quarry where they were carved. You can still see half-finished statues still attached to the rock.
The island also has a beautiful beach called Anakena. It has white sand, palm trees, and a row of Moai standing guard. It is the only place where I could swim in the ocean while looking at ancient history.
8. Climb the Villarrica Volcano in Pucón
I traveled to the Lake District to visit the town of Pucón. This is the adventure capital of Chile. The town sits right at the foot of the Villarrica Volcano.
And yes, the volcano is active. You can see smoke coming out of the top during the day and a red glow at night.
I decided to climb it. It is a tough climb because you are walking on snow and ice with crampons. It took hours to get to the top.
But looking down into the crater and seeing actual lava bubbling was insane. The smell of sulfur is strong, and the heat hits your face.
The best part? You do not have to walk down. You slide down the snow on a little plastic sled. It was terrifying and thrilling at the same time.
9. Discover the Myths of Chiloé Island
Chiloé is different from the rest of Chile. It is an island with its own culture and legends. It is misty and green and feels very mysterious.
The architecture here is unique. I stayed in a “palafito,” which is a colorful wooden house built on stilts over the water. When the tide comes in, the water is right under your floor.
I also drove around to see the wooden churches. They are UNESCO World Heritage sites. They are built entirely of wood, without a single nail. The craftsmanship is beautiful.
The food here is amazing too. I tried “Curanto.” It is a feast of shellfish, meat, and potatoes cooked in a hole in the ground covered with giant leaves. It is a heavy meal, but perfect for the rainy weather.
10. See the King Penguins in Tierra del Fuego
I wanted to see penguins, so I went to the very bottom of the continent. From the city of Punta Arenas, I took a tour to a place called Parque Pinguino Rey.
This is the only colony of King Penguins in South America outside of the Falkland Islands. They are the second biggest penguins in the world.
I stood behind a viewing blind and watched them. They are so elegant with their yellow necks. They were just standing there, whistling to each other and waddling around.
It was freezing cold down there, but seeing these majestic birds in the wild was heartwarming. It really felt like I was at the end of the world.
Final Thoughts on My Chilean Adventure
Chile is not just a destination. It is a collection of extreme landscapes. I went from sweating in the desert to shivering on a glacier in the same trip.
The people I met were welcoming and proud of their country. They were always eager to share a glass of wine or a tip on where to go next.
Whether you are looking for the city buzz of things to do in santiago or the silence of patagonia chile, this country has something for you.
My advice is to take your time. Do not try to rush. The distances are long, but the journey between the destinations is part of the fun.
So pack your hiking boots and your sense of wonder. The long strip of land at the bottom of the world is waiting for you.
