Chile stretches like a ribbon along the Pacific—desert to glacier—with Santiago at its cultural core and Valparaíso spilling color down to the sea. This 7-day itinerary focuses on central Chile to keep travel time light while packing in big experiences: historic squares, wine valleys, street art, funiculars, and a taste of the Andes.

Founded in 1541, Santiago balances colonial landmarks with modern barrios, leafy parks, and a food scene that riffs on coastal seafood and Andean produce. A 1.5–2-hour ride away, Valparaíso’s cerros (hills) are stitched with murals, stairways, and century-old ascensores, while neighboring Viña del Mar offers sandy beaches and resort vibes.

Practical notes: Santiago’s tap water is generally safe; tipping around 10% is customary. Summer (Dec–Mar) is sunny and dry; winter (Jun–Aug) is cooler and ideal for day trips into the Andes. Book international flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com, and bring layers for coastal winds and mountain evenings.

Santiago

Santiago is a city of contrasts: grand plazas and cutting-edge galleries, cable cars over urban parks, and cafes tucked into 19th‑century passages. Neighborhoods to know are Lastarria (culture and wine bars), Bellavista (murals and nightlife), Barrio Italia (design shops and roasters), and Providencia/El Golf (green streets and excellent dining).

• Top sights: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, Cerro San Cristóbal funicular/cable car, Museum of Memory, Gabriela Mistral Center (GAM), and Mercado Central.
• Eat & drink: Try pastel de choclo, king crab at Mercado Central, and a pisco sour at a specialist bar. For Chilean wine, plan a day in Maipo; for mountains, Cajón del Maipo is a scenic classic.

Where to stay (Santiago):

• Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago (El Golf; rooftop pool and strong concierge team).
• Upper-mid: Hotel Plaza El Bosque Ebro (Las Condes; suites with kitchenettes, walkable to restaurants).
• Budget/social: Hostal Providencia (near Lastarria; private rooms and dorms).
• Browse more: VRBO in Santiago | Hotels.com Santiago

Getting in: Fly into SCL; search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to center is ~30–45 minutes by taxi/ride-hail; airport buses also run frequently.

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Lastarria stroll and city views

Afternoon: Land and check in. Shake off the flight with a gentle wander through Barrio Lastarria—peek into the crafts market by the Museo de Artes Visuales and the bookstalls along José Victorino Lastarria. Coffee at Colmado Coffee & Bakery (great cold brew and alfajores).

Evening: Ride the cable car/funicular combo up Cerro San Cristóbal for sunset over the Andes; an easy way to orient. A convenient pass is the Cable Car, Funicular and Sightseeing Bus in Santiago one day—use it to hop around if you’re energized.

Dinner at Bocanáriz (smart wine flights keyed to Chile’s valleys) or Chipe Libre (pisco library and coastal ceviches) in Lastarria.

Day 2: Historic Santiago, markets, and museums

Morning: Get your bearings on a guided circuit like the Santiago: Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour with Chauffeur and Guide for context on Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and La Moneda.

If you prefer a small-group format, consider the Discover Santiago Half Day Guided Tour.

Afternoon: Lunch under the wrought-iron canopy of Mercado Central—classic spots include Donde Augusto for king crab or caldillo de congrio (fish stew). Walk the Museum of Memory & Human Rights for powerful recent history, then recharge with gelato at Emporio La Rosa near Parque Forestal.

Evening: Dinner in Providencia: Aquí Está Coco (seafood institution; try the chupe de centolla) or Liguria (buzzy, tile-lined tavern plates with a Chilean twist). Nightcap in Bellavista at Patio Bellavista or at a quiet wine bar on Constitución.

Day 3: Maipo Valley wine day

All day: Sample Chile’s flagship Cabernet and elegant Carménère on the Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago. Expect guided tastings and a rural pause in Isla de Maipo just ~40 minutes from the capital—great terroir storytelling and a mix of red/white varietals thanks to the valley’s climate.

Return to town for dinner at Galindo in Bellavista (homey cazuelas, pastel de choclo) or sleek seafood at La Mar in Vitacura.

Day 4: Andes afternoon—Cajón del Maipo

Morning: Slow start: breakfast in Barrio Italia at a local roaster (try a flat white and medialunas) and browse design boutiques along Avenida Italia. If you skipped city views earlier, ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for daytime panoramas.

Afternoon & Evening: Join a sunset-and-soak adventure into the mountains on Santiago: Cajón del Maipo, Hot Springs, Waterfall & Chilean BBQ. It departs mid‑afternoon to catch golden light on the peaks, with time to warm up in hot springs before a barbecue under the stars—bring layers and a swimsuit.

Valparaíso & Viña del Mar

Valparaíso is a living canvas—steep stairways, corrugated houses painted in sherbet hues, and street art around every corner. Old funiculars still link the port to hillside neighborhoods like Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, where cafes spill onto terraces with sea views. Next door, Viña del Mar adds beaches, gardens, and a breezy seaside promenade.

• Top sights: La Sebastiana (Pablo Neruda’s house-museum), Ascensor Reina Victoria and Ascensor Concepción, Paseo Gervasoni, and Viña’s Flower Clock and beaches (Playa Acapulco, Reñaca).
• Eat & drink: Seek out fresh reineta or congrio, plus empanadas de mariscos. If you love wine, tack on Casablanca Valley tastings between Santiago and the coast.

Where to stay (Valparaíso & Viña):

• Boutique (Valparaíso): Casa Higueras (elegant hilltop villa with pool and bay views).
• Good value (Valparaíso): Ibis Valparaíso (central, steps from the port and ascensores), or Hotel Diego de Almagro Valparaiso (harbor views, easy access).
• Resort feel (Viña del Mar): Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center (dramatic on-the-rocks setting) or Hotel San Martin (classic oceanfront).
• Browse more: VRBO Valparaíso | Hotels.com Valparaíso

Getting there: Morning buses from Santiago’s Terminal Alameda/Pajaritos to Valparaíso run every 10–15 minutes; ~1h45–2h, roughly $8–12 USD. No train or flight is practical; rent a car if you want to detour through Casablanca wineries. If you’re combining Chilean regions by air, search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Transfer to Valparaíso, hills and funiculars

Morning: Depart Santiago by bus (aim for a 9:00–10:00 a.m. departure). Drop bags at your hotel in Cerro Alegre/Concepción and start with La Sebastiana (Neruda’s whimsical home; superb bay views) to set the tone.

Afternoon: Walk the mural-studded lanes: Pasaje Gálvez, Templeman, and Paseo Gervasoni. Ride Ascensor Reina Victoria, then break for lunch at Fauna Restaurant (terrace with harbor panoramas; order reineta with citrus) or Pasta e Vino (handmade pasta, local wines).

Evening: Sunset at Paseo Atkinson or the Mirador Gervasoni. Dinner at La Concepción (seasonal seafood and an excellent wine list) or Portofino (classic cliffside dining with lights of the bay). For a nightcap, sample coastal craft beers at a small bar along Almirante Montt.

Prefer a guided coastal circuit from Santiago? Consider the Valparaíso Viña & Casablanca Day Trip from Santiago (Max 7)—a good template for seeing the highlights; if you plan to overnight in Valparaíso, ask the operator in advance about drop-off options.

Day 6: Viña del Mar beaches and Casablanca sips, return to Santiago

Morning: Tram or taxi to Viña del Mar for a seaside breakfast near the Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores). Walk the coastal path past Castillo Wulff to the surfy beaches of Reñaca. Coffee and medialunas at a beachfront café.

Afternoon: Loop back inland to Casablanca Valley for a couple of tastings—this cool-climate zone shines with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. If you prefer a guided format ex-Santiago, tours like Santiago: Viña del Mar, Valparaiso & Casablanca Valley Tour offer a curated route.

By early evening, take the bus back to Santiago (~1h45–2h) for a final night near the airport or in Lastarria/El Golf.

Evening: Farewell dinner: Como Agua Para Chocolate (romantic Bellavista stalwart) or a seafood finale back at Aquí Está Coco. For a smooth departure tomorrow, keep it early.

Day 7: Santiago coffee and last tastes, depart

Morning: Brunch near Parque Forestal (Castillo Forestal does a lovely terrace spread). Pick up edible souvenirs—merquén (smoked chili), native honey, or small-batch Carménère—from a deli in Lastarria or Providencia.

Afternoon: Head to SCL for your flight. If you’ve not booked yet, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Allow extra time for traffic if traveling from the coast the same day.

Where to eat (quick reference):

• Santiago breakfast/coffee: Colmado (Lastarria, specialty coffee), roasters in Barrio Italia; brunch at Castillo Forestal by Parque Forestal.
• Santiago lunch: Mercado Central (Donde Augusto for crab), Galindo (hearty Chilean plates).
• Santiago dinner: Bocanáriz (wine bar), Chipe Libre (pisco + ceviches), Aquí Está Coco (seafood), Liguria (classic tavern fare).
• Valparaíso breakfast/coffee: El Desayunador (brunch favorite in Cerro Alegre), cafés along Almirante Montt and Templeman; terrace coffee at Fauna.
• Valparaíso/Víña lunch or dinner: La Concepción (seafood with views), Portofino (classic bay views), Pasta e Vino (comforting handmade pastas), oceanfront picks in Viña del Mar near Castillo Wulff.

In one compact week, you’ll sip your way through Maipo and Casablanca, ride century-old funiculars above Valparaíso’s port, feel the Andes at golden hour, and savor modern Santiago’s food-and-wine scene. It’s a route designed for minimal transit and maximum flavor—Chile’s capital and coast, poured neat.