Chile’s capital region is a masterclass in contrasts. In one direction, glass towers glint over historic plazas and lively barrios; in the other, the Andes peel open into glacier-fed reservoirs and condor country. In just 6 days, you can taste benchmark Cabernet, browse contemporary murals, and soak in hot springs beneath alpine stars.

Santiago grew from a 1541 Spanish outpost into a cosmopolitan hub with excellent museums, inventive cuisine, and a serious coffee scene. Neighborhoods like Lastarria and Yungay reward slow wandering, while Cerro San Cristóbal and Sky Costanera offer sweeping city-and-mountain views. Food lovers will find everything from empanadas de pino to tasting menus that riff on Patagonian and Atacama ingredients.

Just southeast, the Cajón del Maipo canyon is Santiago’s wild backyard—a day hiker’s paradise with turquoise Embalse El Yeso and rustic mountain villages. Practical notes: tap water is drinkable; the Metro is efficient (load a Tarjeta Bip!); keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas; and in winter (Jun–Aug), mountain roads can close after storms—always check conditions before heading into the Andes.

Santiago

Dynamic, modern, and framed by snow-capped peaks, Santiago rewards curiosity. Start downtown for history—Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace—then move to artsy Lastarria, mural-rich Bellavista, and revived Yungay. Museum standouts include the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino and the powerful Museo de la Memoria.

• Top sights: Cerro San Cristóbal (funicular and panoramic views), Cerro Santa Lucía’s romantic terraces, Sky Costanera’s 360° lookout, and the riverside Parque Bicentenario.
• Eat & drink: Pair local varietals at Bocanáriz; explore Chile’s pisco map at Chipe Libre; share classic platos at Bar Liguria; splurge at Boragó or Ambrosía Bistró.
• Fun fact: Cousiño Macul is one of the world’s few historic vineyards still operating inside a major city.

Where to stay: Browse characterful apartments in Lastarria or Bellas Artes on VRBO Santiago or compare hotels from boutique to business-class on Hotels.com Santiago. Lastarria and Providencia are ideal for pedestrians; Vitacura is polished and quiet.

How to get there: Fly into SCL (Arturo Merino Benítez). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to central Santiago takes ~25–40 minutes by app taxi (Uber/Cabify) or 45–60 minutes by airport bus + Metro.

Day 1: Arrival, Lastarria stroll, and a view

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through Barrio Lastarria, browsing bookstalls and design boutiques. Coffee and a medialuna at Colmado Coffee & Bakery or a flat white at Café Forastero.

Evening: Climb the short paths of Cerro Santa Lucía for sunset over the Andes. Dinner at Bocanáriz (flight of Chilean wines with small plates) or Chipe Libre (pisco tasting, locos, and chupe). Nightcap at Bar La Providencia or a gelato at Emporio La Rosa.

Day 2: Santiago essentials—history, hills, and Bellavista

Morning: Join a guided city overview to maximize context and time.

Suggested tour: Private Santiago City Half Day Tour (4 hours: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Cerro San Cristóbal).

Grab breakfast before pickup—try Café de la Candelaria for pastries or a sopaipilla topped with pebre at a corner stand.

Afternoon: Explore Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (allow 1.5–2 hours; adult tickets ~CLP 9,000–10,000) and stroll the Área Fundacional. Late lunch at Bar Liguria (Manuel Montt)—order the plateada with puré picante or a chacarero sandwich.

Evening: Cross the river to Barrio Bellavista for murals and live music. Casual dinner at Galindo (pastel de choclo, cazuela) or contemporary Chilean at Ambrosía Bistró. If skies are clear, head up Sky Costanera for 360° city lights (plan ~CLP 18,000–22,000; buy on-site or earlier in the day).

Day 3: Maipo Valley wine day

Today is all about vineyards south of the city—storied Cabernet in sunlit estates, guided tastings, and a leisurely lunch.

Suggested tour: Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.

Expect a full-day outing with tastings at a mix of boutique and heritage producers; typical total time 8–9 hours, with hotel pickup. You’ll learn why Maipo’s sun and mountain breezes make Cabernet and Carmenere shine.

Back in the city, keep dinner light: seafood empanadas from a neighborhood panadería, or shared ceviches at La Mar in Vitacura.

Day 4: Markets, cooking class, and modern Santiago

Morning: Breakfast at Café Cultura or strong espresso at Original Green Roasters. Browse seasonal produce and santiaguino life at La Vega Central and the flower aisles of Mercado de Abastos Tirso de Molina—try fresh jugo de chirimoya and sopaipillas with pebre.

Afternoon: Dive into Chilean flavors hands-on.

Suggested class: 4h Cooking Class in Santiago with 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

Master pebre, pastel de choclo, and pisco sours while learning the stories behind staple ingredients like merkén and mote.

Evening: Golden hour in Parque Bicentenario, then dinner at De Patio (inventive tasting menus) or La Burguesía if you’re craving an elevated burger and local craft beer. For wine lovers, end at Baco with a glass of Itata País.

San Jose de Maipo (Cajón del Maipo)

San José de Maipo is the gateway to the Andes: a string of rustic hamlets, pine forests, and stone churches straddling the Maipo River. It’s where santiaguinos go to breathe—hike to turquoise reservoirs, soak in hot springs, and linger over hearty mountain fare.

• Top experiences: Embalse El Yeso, Baños Colina hot springs (seasonal access), el Morado valley hikes, and stargazing far from city lights.
• Eat & drink: Mountain comfort at Casa Bosque (storybook timber dining), chocolate and coffee at La Casa de Chocolate in San Alfonso, and river-view lunches at El Santuario del Río.
• Good to know: Weather changes fast; pack layers, sun protection, and check road conditions, especially in winter and early spring.

Where to stay: Search cozy cabins and hot tub-ready lodges on VRBO San Jose de Maipo or browse hotels and rustic inns on Hotels.com San Jose de Maipo.

Getting there from Santiago: Drive 1.5–2 hours from central Santiago via Vespucio Sur to Route G-25 (expect tolls). Without a car, take Metro Line 4 to Las Mercedes or Plaza de Puente Alto, then a regional bus or colectivo to San José de Maipo (about 70–90 minutes; ~CLP 1,500–3,000). Private drivers are common; ask your hotel to arrange.

Day 5: Into the Andes—Embalse El Yeso and canyon vistas

Full-day mountain escape with glacier-fed lakes, soaring cliffs, and a picnic with Andean air. Roads can be rough; a guided tour is stress-free.

Suggested tour: Cajon del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso with Picnic

Expect early pickup, photo stops, light hiking, and a wine-and-cheese spread near the reservoir. In winter, itineraries may adjust based on snow.

Back at your lodge, refuel on pastel de jaiba or chargrilled meats at Casa Bosque, and finish with canela-spiced navegado (mulled wine) by the fire.

Day 6: Hot springs, village life, and departure

Morning: If conditions allow (usually spring–fall), drive to Baños Colina for terraced hot springs with mountain views; alternatively, choose easier-access Termas Valle de Colina area or a shorter walk in El Morado Natural Monument (permit and weather-dependent). Coffee and kuchen afterward at La Casa de Chocolate in San Alfonso.

Afternoon: Lunch riverside at El Santuario del Río (try the pastel de choclo or trout). Return to SCL for your flight—allow ~2 hours’ drive plus airport time. If you prefer one last toast close to the city, consider a sunset tasting and dinner at a nearby Maipo estate: Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner.

Head straight to the airport afterward.

Optional Swap: Coastal color in Valparaíso

If you’d rather trade a mountain day for the sea, consider a private excursion to the street-art hills of Valparaíso and the gardens of Viña del Mar (about 1.5–2 hours each way). Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: Private Sightseeing City Tour

pairs murals, funiculars, and coastal cuisine in one day.

Practical Planning Notes

• Flights: Compare international and domestic options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Money: Cards widely accepted; carry small cash for markets, colectivos, and tolls.
• When to go: Sept–Nov and Mar–May bring mild temps and clear mountain views; Jun–Aug is ski season but watch for road closures in Cajón del Maipo.
• Wine alternatives: In-city tastings at Cousiño Macul “Premium Wine Tour”

  

  or the historic Undurraga Vineyard.

  

Where to sleep each night: Days 1–4 in Santiago (Lastarria/Providencia for walkability); Days 5–6 in San José de Maipo (cabin or lodge). If you prefer one base, keep all nights in Santiago and visit Cajón del Maipo on a day tour.

In six days you’ll trace Chile’s story from colonial arcades to modern architecture, taste its terroir in the Maipo, and breathe the thin, clean air of the high Andes. This Santiago Metropolitan itinerary balances culture, cuisine, and nature—leaving just enough unplanned moments to make the city your own.