The Best Day Trips from Santiago, Chile

Day Trips from Santiago Chile

Get ready to explore the best day trips from Santiago, Chile! Day tripping from Santiago is a fantastic way to spend your vacation. Santiago’s proximity to other lively regions makes it easy to explore multiple other beautiful destinations during your Chile tour. Find out how you can take some days off from the city, to visit some of the best places in Chile, only an hour or two away.

1. Tour of Valparaíso

Distance from Santiago: 1.5 – 2-hour

One of the best day trips from Santiago is an excursion to Valparaíso. Valparaíso is about 70 miles northwest of Santiago and is one of the South Pacific’s most important seaports. See Valparaíso from its many angles, on a guided walking tour of the colorful hills. To start, one of the many funiculars will transport you to higher points of the city. There, you will stroll along cobblestone streets that lie in between walls of vibrant street art. Almost every home, restaurant, or building, has an exterior as colorful as a kaleidoscope.

In addition to the street art, beautiful hanging pots of flowers perfectly accent the walls of various structures. The flowers, draping vines, and bright green grass adds another dimension of beauty to this very old and historic city.

Also, on your tour, you will quickly realize through panoramic views, that Valparaíso rests on the South Pacific Ocean. Once your legs are a little sore from the hill-climbing, consider taking a boat ride around the bay. A boat tour is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. During the ride, learn about how instrumental the seaport was to the country’s trade. If you’re lucky, you might see some adorable sea lions, hopping out of the water onto buoys, where they rest in the warm sun all day long. For more info on Valparaíso, check out our Valparaíso travel guide!

2. Viña del Mar

Close to Valparaíso is the beautiful beach town Viña del Mar. Viña del Mar is a coastal resort city northwest of Santiago and is only a 17-minute drive from Valparaíso. Known as the Garden City, Viña del Mar has much to offer with its manicured boulevards, tropical palm trees, romantic parks, and the long public beach. While you’re in the city, visit the Quinta Vergara Park, home to the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater, the early-20th-century Vergara Palace, and the Artequin Museum.

4. The Casablanca Valley

Distance from Santiago: 1-hour

After your long morning in Valparaíso, stop by the Casablanca Valley for an excellent wine tasting tour. The Casablanca Valley is known for its superb white wine grapes, making for some delicious Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Here, there are plenty of wineries to choose from.

But if you’re interested in sustainability, head to The Emiliana Winery. Emiliana Winery is well-respected for its dedication to producing wine organically and bio-dynamically. Go on a Chile wine tour and learn about the unique techniques they use to produce their wine. Learn about how they use chickens to fight off insects, olive trees to reduce pollution, and how alpacas contribute to their own compost system.

The winery continues to focus on sustaining the planet and giving people the “healthiest” and best-tasting wine they can offer. After your tour around the vineyard, you will begin your wine-tasting inside. The wine-tasting will consist of a variety of white and red wine, each paired with savory cubes of cheese. Hopefully, you find your favorite Chilean wine to bring home and share it with your friends and family. Or maybe a bottle just to treat yourself.

5. Cajon del Mapio and Embalse El Yeso

Distance from Santiago: 2.5 – 3-hours

For a Chile adventure, head to Cajon del Maipo, located in the Andean southeastern portion of Santiago de Chile. Go on a day hike past the dramatic landscapes of Cajon del Maipo. After burning some calories, stop by San Jose to refuel with a hearty breakfast. Once your belly is full, hike along the Maipo River to the gorgeous Embalse el Yeso lagoon. Take in the breath-taking scenery of snow-capped mountains, crystal blue water, and wildlife along the duration of your hike.

Later, head into one of the local restaurants for some tasty Chilean cuisine before making your way back to Santiago. Or opt to spend a few nights at the beautiful Noi Puma lodge and enjoy a few extra days of exploring Chile’s Central Valley Region.

Are you ready to plan your trip to Chile?

Our experienced Travel Consultants are happy to help plan your vacation to Santiago, and any excursions you might want to book. Whether that be the colorful hills of Valparaiso, sipping white wine in Casablanca Valley, or planning a hiking trip to the southeastern Andes. We are here and just waiting to help you. Looking for ideas on exploring the city of Santiago? See our tips here.