Santiago downtown: Cerro Santa Lucía, Barrio Lastarria and Plaza de Armas

The city tour through Santiago began at the foot of Santa Lucía Hill. A green hill with more than a thousand trees of different species and common places to look at the capital. Tourists, grandparents, children and couples enjoyed a different afternoon watching our beloved city of Santiago.

When Santiago did not exist, and it was hardly an agricultural valley in the middle of enormous mountains, Pedro de Valdivia climbed the hill and from here he decided to found the most important city of Chile. Even before 1541 (when Santiago was founded) the Mapuche called it "Cerro Huelén" which means melancholy, sadness and pain and was a sacred place for them.

But the Spaniards called it Santa Lucia and from that time it was considered a viewpoint to observe the city, to take care of possible warriors and to conquer new territories.

Santiago began to rise. A great city was born at the foot of the Andes mountain range and began to build the historic neighborhoods that we know to this day.

Barrio Lastarria

It corresponds to a neighborhood located at the foot of Santa Lucía hill that includes the sectors of Plaza Italia, Alameda and Forest Park. It is one of the most crowded places of Santiago, a pole of tourist attraction, artistic and gastronomic.

Since 1997, it has been declared a typical Chilean zone and countless efforts have been made to maintain colonial facades, bars and cafes.

Historic center of Santiago

If you are visiting Santiago, venture into the streets of the historic center and walk to the Plaza de Armas, which is where the cathedral, Correos de Chile and the municipality of Santiago. Lunch in a restaurant is a good panorama for any time of the year. There are various activities such as chess games, exhibitions and artistic dances in which anyone can participate. The center of Santiago is a meeting place, where commerce opens its doors for all tourists.

Do not forget to visit La Moneda Palace, which is the current headquarters of the Chilean government. Although your access is restricted, you can take a tour where you will explain in detail the history of Chile.