The list of things to do in Chile is long – like the country itself. Stretching over 4,000km from the driest desert on Earth to the glaciers of Patagonia, Chile offers up serious variety.
You’ll cross wine valleys, climb smoking volcanoes, hike through silent forests and look up at skies so clear they don’t seem real. One day you’re sandboarding in the north – the next, you're sailing past blue ice in the far south.
Here are the standout experiences – the ones worth building your trip around.
This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Chile — your essential guide for traveling in Chile.
Santiago is more than just a starting point – it’s a city worth exploring in its own right. Set roughly in the centre of Chile, the capital offers a mix of modern views, historic museums and some of the best seafood you'll eat on the trip.
Santiago’s international airport (SCL) is the main gateway into Chile – with direct flights from Europe, the US, and across South America. From the airport, it's a 30-45 minute drive into the city.
September to November (spring) and March to May (autumn) are the best times to visit – mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Summer (December-February) is hotter and busier, especially in January.
Teleférico Santiago © Pablo Rogat/Shutterstock
The further north you go, the drier it gets. Eventually, the greenery gives way to rust-red rock, salt flats and dust-blown plains – welcome to the Atacama. This is one of the driest deserts on Earth, and one of the best places to visit in Chile.
The Atacama’s centrepiece is Valle de la Luna – a cracked landscape of gypsum, salt and clay that looks more like Mars than Earth. There’s no vegetation, no wildlife, and barely a sound. Time your visit for sunset or a full moon, when the salt crystals catch the light and the whole place glows.
Come nightfall, the sky turns into a theatre. Northern Chile is one of the best stargazing spots in the world, and Cerro Mamalluca Observatory lets you get closer with powerful telescopes and expert guides. Even without gear, the sheer number of visible stars is staggering.
Base yourself in San Pedro de Atacama – a dusty, low-rise town that’s the main jumping-off point for desert adventures. It’s touristy, but charming, and has everything you need: hostels, restaurants, tour outfits and gear rental.
Fly from Santiago to Calama – the nearest airport to San Pedro de Atacama – then travel overland (about 90 minutes by bus or transfer). Long-distance buses also connect Santiago with San Pedro, but it’s a 20+ hour journey.
Northern Chile is a year-round destination. April to October brings cooler days and crisp, cloud-free nights – perfect for stargazing. December to February is warmer and slightly more humid, especially in higher altitudes, but the Atacama itself remains mostly dry.
Atacama Desert, Chile © Vaclav Sebek/Shutterstock
Just 18km from the Peruvian border, Arica sits where the desert meets the sea – all sun, surf and salty air. Nicknamed “the city of eternal spring,” it rarely sees rain, which makes it a year-round spot for beach lovers and sun-chasers.
But Arica is more than its coastline. The town played a major role in the silver trade routes from Bolivia’s Potosí mines, and remnants of its past still stand. One of the most striking is the Cathedral of San Marcos – a small, cast-iron church designed by Gustave Eiffel, yes, that Eiffel.
Outside the city, Lauca National Park takes things up a notch – literally. It’s all high-altitude grasslands, snow-dusted volcanoes and herds of alpacas and vicuñas grazing in peace. You’ll find few crowds and big-sky scenery worth the long drive.
For something truly ancient, head to the Museo Arqueológico San Miguel de Azapa. It houses the Chinchorro mummies – some dating back over 7,000 years – making them the oldest intentionally preserved bodies in the world.
When you’re ready to cool off, Arica’s beaches deliver. The water’s warm, the surf’s decent, and there’s space to stretch out without fighting for towel room. Several of them rank among the best beaches in Chile – not for glamour, but for their easygoing vibe and near-constant sunshine.
Fly from Santiago to Arica’s Chacalluta Airport – it’s a 3-hour flight. The airport is just outside the city, with taxis and buses connecting you to the centre. Long-distance buses from Iquique and other northern cities are also an option, but it’s a long ride from the capital.
Anytime. Arica’s nickname isn’t for nothing – the climate is warm and dry year-round, with barely a cloud in the sky. It gets busier in January and February, so book ahead if you’re visiting in peak summer.
Arica, Chile © Inga Locmele/Shutterstock
South of Santiago, the scenery shifts again – green hills, deep-blue lakes and perfectly conical volcanoes start to dominate. This is the Chilean Lake District, a region shaped by fire and water, and one of the best places to get outdoors in Chile.
Pucón is the main hub – a lively town backed by Villarrica Volcano and surrounded by lakes and national parks. It’s the starting point for just about every activity you can think of: hiking, rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking and, for the bold, a full-day climb to the top of the volcano itself.
To the west, the Río Petrohué draws in whitewater fans. The river winds through forest and lava fields, with rapids that range from beginner-friendly to full throttle. Off the water, cycling is a great way to explore – quiet roads loop past waterfalls and lakes that mirror the snow-capped peaks.
After all the action, the Lake District also knows how to slow things down. Natural hot springs – known locally as termas – are scattered across the region, perfect for a post-hike soak with a view.
Fly from Santiago to Temuco – it’s just under 2 hours. From there, it’s a 90-minute drive to Pucón. Buses also run regularly from Santiago, with overnight options available.
December to March is peak season – warm weather, full trail access and the best conditions for rafting and hiking. Autumn (April-May) brings fewer crowds and golden foliage, while winter offers snow sports in the surrounding mountains.
Puerto Varas, Chile © Jose Luis Stephens/Shutterstock
Chiloé feels like it belongs to a different Chile – wetter, foggier, more remote. Just off the mainland, this island is a patchwork of rolling hills, small fishing villages and dense forest. The weather can shift by the hour, but that’s part of the charm.
Much of Chiloé’s appeal lies in its isolation. The two national parks – Chiloé and Tantauco – offer windswept beaches, thick temperate rainforest and walking trails where you might not see another person all day. Birdlife is rich, and on a lucky day, you might even spot a pudú – the world’s smallest deer. If you’re looking to add something quieter and more contemplative to your Chile itinerary, this is the place.
Castro, the island’s main town, is home to one of Chiloé’s standout sights – the Iglesia San Francisco. This bold wooden church is built from native timber and sheet metal, painted bright yellow and lavender, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside 15 others like it on the island.
Fly from Santiago to Castro (with a stop in Puerto Montt) or take a direct flight to Puerto Montt and continue overland and by ferry. Buses also run from mainland Chile to Chiloé via the ferry at Pargua.
Chiloé is wet year-round, but summer (December to March) offers the best weather – relatively warm, with less rain and local festivals in full swing. If you're coming for the Festival Costumbrista, aim for early to mid-February.
One of the sixteen wooden churches of Chiloé © Shutterstock
Northern Patagonia feels like the edge of something – raw, remote, and overwhelmingly green. This is a place of fjords, forests, volcanoes and rivers, strung together by the legendary Carretera Austral – a gravel road that winds through 1,200km of dramatic scenery from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins. This is easily one of Chile's best road trips.
One of the biggest draws here is Pumalín Park – a vast private nature reserve turned national park, originally protected by conservationist Douglas Tompkins. The southern section is filled with marked hiking trails through dense forest and past waterfalls. The northern part is harder to reach – boat access only – but offers pure wilderness.
Along the way, you’ll pass through Chaitén – a ghost town in recovery since the 2008 eruption of the volcano that looms behind it. The surrounding area is still scarred and surreal. Further south, Futaleufú is a magnet for serious white-water rafters – its turquoise rapids are some of the fiercest in South America.
Driving the Carretera Austral is a journey in itself. Landslides, ferries, unpaved stretches – this isn’t a Sunday drive. But the rewards are big: hanging glaciers, empty trails, and the kind of silence you only get in places where not much else exists. Don’t skip Caleta Tortel – a wooden village built entirely on stilted boardwalks, sitting quietly where the road meets the sea.
Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt or Balmaceda, depending on your route. From there, hire a car and drive sections of the Carretera Austral – ferries and fuel stops are limited, so plan ahead. Buses connect some towns, but moving independently gives you far more flexibility.
December to March is ideal – drier roads, clearer skies and open mountain passes. Outside of summer, weather gets rougher and infrastructure more limited. If you're driving, come prepared for anything – including washed-out roads.
Pumalin national park, Patagonia Michinmahiuda volcano, Chile © Shutterstock
Southern Patagonia feels like the end of the Earth – and in many ways, it is. This is a land of gauchos, endless plains and weather that changes by the minute. Guanacos and ñandú roam the scrubland, and the sky seems impossibly wide.
Start in Punta Arenas – the region’s largest city and the southernmost in Chile with any real size. Once a major stop for ships rounding Cape Horn, it still holds a rough-edged charm. Warm up with a bowl of local king crab and wander the cemetery, which is oddly grand and beautifully kept.
From there, the wilderness only deepens. Torres del Paine National Park is the crown jewel – a place of jagged granite towers, turquoise lakes, and glaciers that creak and groan in the stillness. Hiking here ranges from short loops to the full W or O circuits, and the views are never less than spectacular. If you’re narrowing down the essential things to do in Chile, this should be high on the list.
Then there’s Tierra del Fuego – colder, lonelier and often swept by fierce winds. It's the last inhabited stretch before Antarctica, split between Chile and Argentina. Bleak? At times. But there’s a strange pull to it – the silence, the storms, the sense of standing at the very edge of the map.
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas – around 3.5 hours. Buses run to Puerto Natales (gateway to Torres del Paine), and ferries connect the mainland to Tierra del Fuego. Rental cars give you more flexibility, but distances are long and services are sparse.
December to March is the best window – longer days, better weather and most services open. That said, Patagonia is always unpredictable, so pack for wind, rain and sudden cold no matter the season.
Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile @ Shutterstock
Wine has deep roots in Chile. The first vines arrived with the Spanish in the 16th century, and over time, the country’s long, fertile valleys and Mediterranean climate turned it into one of the world’s top producers.
The Colchagua Valley is the go-to region for reds. Just a few hours south of Santiago, its dry climate and hot days make it ideal for growing Carmenère – Chile’s signature grape – along with Syrah, Cabernet and Malbec. Wineries here range from high-end estates with polished tastings to smaller, family-run spots where things are more low-key.
Closer to the coast, Casablanca Valley leans cooler – and that’s good news for white wine lovers. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are standouts here, with vineyards tucked between rolling hills and ocean breezes. The tasting rooms tend to be relaxed, often paired with good food and open views.
Chile’s wine regions are varied and scenic – from Elqui in the north to Bío-Bío in the south. Whether you follow a dedicated wine route or just stop off while road-tripping, this is one of those things to do in Chile that fits easily into any itinerary.
Colchagua Valley is around two to three hours south of Santiago by car or bus. Casablanca Valley is just an hour west of the capital – easy to combine with a trip to Valparaíso or the coast. Many wineries require advance booking, especially smaller or high-end ones.
Harvest season (March-May) is a great time to visit – the vines are full, the weather’s still warm, and many wineries host special events. Spring (September–November) is also pleasant, with fewer crowds and green vines just coming into season.
Visiting chile's wine regions is one of the best things to do in Chile © Shutterstock
Valparaíso is chaotic, colorful and unlike anywhere else in Chile. Draped over steep hills above the Pacific, this working port city is a maze of stairways, funiculars and crumbling facades – the kind of place that rewards aimless wandering and patience.
There are so many things to do in Valparaiso. The city is an open-air gallery. Head to Cerro Bellavista to walk the Museo a Cielo Abierto – a hillside of murals painted directly on homes and walls, many by some of Chile’s leading artists. It’s more than just photogenic – it’s deeply woven into the city’s identity.
For a dose of history and local flavor, grab a drink at Bar Cinzano. This old-school tavern has been around since 1896 and still hosts live tango and Chilean folk music. The tables are worn, the vibe is old-Valparaíso, and the crowd’s always lively.
To see the city from a new angle, take a ride on the Ascensor Polanco – one of the last remaining vertical lifts in the city. You enter through a long tunnel, ride up inside a tower, and emerge on a catwalk above the rooftops. It’s a quick trip, but one of the quirkiest ways to take in the city.
Valparaíso is about two hours west of Santiago by bus or car. Buses leave frequently from Santiago’s main terminals and arrive near the port. Once there, walking or riding the city’s funiculars is the best way to get around the hills.
September to April is the best stretch – warm days, little rain and open galleries. Summer (December-February) is busier, especially during festivals, but the city doesn’t shut down in winter – just bring a jacket and expect a little drizzle.
Valparaíso is a beautiful city in Chile © Shutterstock
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is Chile’s most remote outpost – a speck of volcanic land adrift in the Pacific Ocean, nearly 3,700km from the mainland. It’s best known for its haunting moai statues, carved by a lost Polynesian civilisation, but there’s more here than just stone faces.
Start with Ahu Tahai – a coastal platform with five moai standing with their backs to the sea. It's one of the most photographed spots on the island, and for good reason. Come at sunset, when the figures are silhouetted against a fiery sky and the Pacific turns dark and glassy.
There are around a thousand moai scattered across the island, each one carved from volcanic rock with sharp chins, long noses and heavy brows. Some are toppled, some upright, and many remain half-buried or half-finished – still resting in the quarries of Rano Raraku.
In Hanga Roa – the island’s only town – you’ll find a small but lively crafts market where local artists sell wood carvings, woven goods and Polynesian-influenced art. It’s one of the few places to pick up souvenirs that feel genuinely connected to place.
Beyond the statues, the island offers hiking trails, volcanic craters, sea cliffs and surf breaks – all with barely another soul around. Just don’t expect fast Wi-Fi or nightlife – this is a place for unplugging.
Flights run from Santiago to Hanga Roa (Mataveri Airport) – around six hours each way. There are no boats or ferries from mainland Chile. Once on the island, you can rent a car, bike or simply walk between many of the sites.
April to June and October to December offer mild weather and fewer tourists. January and February are warmer and busier, coinciding with the Tapati Rapa Nui festival – a celebration of Polynesian culture with dance, art and traditional competitions.
Ahu Nau Nau, Anakena Beach, Easter Island, Rapa Nui, Chile @ Shutterstock
Far out in the Pacific, the Juan Fernández Islands are remote, rugged, and full of life you won’t find anywhere else.
This is one of the best hikes in Chile, made famous as the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, the archipelago is one of Chile’s most isolated corners.
The largest island, Isla Robinson Crusoe, is the only one with a permanent population. Its main village, San Juan Bautista, is a sleepy lobster town tucked beneath steep cliffs covered in thick green forest. There’s not much in the way of roads or crowds – just trails, wildlife and the roar of the ocean.
The hiking here is some of the wildest in the country. Sendero Salsipuedes – literally “get out if you can” – is a steep, switchback-heavy trail that cuts through pine and eucalyptus forest. You’ll climb past endemic plant species, sweeping viewpoints and maybe even spot the Juan Fernández firecrown – a rare hummingbird found only here.
Near the coast, Fuerte Santa Bárbara is a small Spanish-era fort built to defend the island from pirates in the 1700s. These days, it’s more of a quiet lookout point than a military post, but it makes a good destination for a half-day walk with a side of history.
Flights to Isla Robinson Crusoe leave from Santiago but are infrequent and weather-dependent – usually small propeller planes that land on a tiny airstrip. From there, you’ll need a boat to reach San Juan Bautista. Ferries also run from Valparaíso, but take over a day and can be rough.
October to April is the best time – warmer temperatures and more reliable sea conditions. Even then, services are minimal and the islands see few tourists. Plan ahead and bring supplies, especially if hiking off-grid.
Robinson Crusoe Island Juan Fernández Chile San Juan Bautista Cumberland Bay © Sarah Spiess/Shutterstock
On the Chilean side of the vast General Carrera Lake, wind and water have carved something extraordinary – the Capillas de Mármol, or Marble Caves. These smooth, swirling formations are best explored by kayak or small boat.
The caves are sculpted into a peninsula of solid marble, streaked with blues, greens and greys that shift with the water and light. They’re not huge, but the atmosphere is something else – quiet, echoey, and almost unreal.
Tours leave from Puerto Río Tranquilo, a small lakeside village backed by snowy peaks. While you're here, it's worth taking in the vast expanse of Lago General Carrera itself – Chile’s second-largest lake and one of Patagonia’s most dramatic bodies of water.
Fly from Santiago to Balmaceda, then drive south to Puerto Río Tranquilo – around five hours along the Carretera Austral. Tours to the caves can be booked on arrival, weather permitting.
December to March is the best time – the lake is calmer, skies are clearer, and boat access is more consistent. Avoid winter unless you're used to rough road conditions and limited services.
General Carrera, Patagonia, Chile @ Shutterstock
Antofagasta might not top most travel lists, but it offers a fascinating glimpse into Chile’s industrial past. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Desert, this city was built on saltpeter and mining – and still hums with port-town energy.
One of its more unusual highlights is the series of historic funicular railways, originally built to carry workers between steep hills and the sea. The restored Funicular de La Portada offers sweeping views over craggy cliffs, the city sprawl and rusted rail yards that hint at a grittier age.
Just outside the city, La Portada Natural Monument is a dramatic stone arch rising from the ocean – a natural sculpture framed by surf and seabirds, with desert terrain unfurling just inland. It’s a quiet reminder of how nature and industry coexist on this stretch of coast.
Direct flights from Santiago take just over 2 hours. Antofagasta also connects by long-distance bus to other northern hubs like Calama and Iquique.
Year-round – the desert climate means little rain and lots of sun. Summer is hottest, but even winter is mild. Bring layers – the coastal wind can bite.
Ruinas de Huanchaca, Antofagasta, Chile @ Shutterstock
If you’ve ever wanted to see a penguin up close – and not in a zoo – Isla Magdalena is your spot. This windswept island in the Strait of Magellan is home to over 100,000 Magellanic penguins during breeding season, offering a rare chance to walk among them in the wild.
You’ll follow a marked path through the colony, where the penguins nest in burrows, waddle across your path and occasionally stop to size you up. It’s not a petting zoo – this is their island – but it’s one of the few places where humans and penguins share space without fences or barriers.
The island also hosts cormorants and sea lions, and the boat ride often includes dolphin sightings. Bring warm layers and prepare for rough seas – the weather here changes fast.
Tours run from Punta Arenas between October and March, with small boats making the crossing in around 90 minutes. Booking in advance is essential during high season.
Best time is October to March – during the penguin breeding season. Outside these months, tours don’t run, and most birds head to sea. Morning trips often offer calmer seas.
Magellanic penguins, Magdalena Island, Patagonia, Chile @ Shutterstock
Tucked between the Andean foothills and the Pacific, the Elqui Valley is a place of strange calm – all sunlit vineyards, adobe villages and clear night skies. It’s best known for two things: astronomy and pisco, and experiencing both here feels more like a ritual than a pastime.
The valley's dry air and high elevation make it one of the best places on Earth for stargazing. Visit one of the many observatories – like Mamalluca or Alfa Aldea – for nighttime tours that reveal Saturn’s rings or the swirl of the Milky Way.
By day, explore pisco distilleries and sip Chile’s signature spirit straight from the source. Towns like Vicuña and Pisco Elqui offer tasting rooms, sleepy plazas and mountain views from every corner.
It’s an easy escape from the bustle of Santiago or La Serena – a place to slow down, breathe deep and look up.
Fly or take a bus to La Serena, then drive or bus inland to Vicuña (around 1 hour). Renting a car gives more flexibility to explore vineyards and observatories spread across the valley.
March to May and September to November offer the best weather – warm days, cool nights and fewer tourists. Skies are clearest in the winter months (June–August) for stargazing.
Milky Way, Elqui Valley, Chile @ Shutterstock
written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 06.06.2025
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