Exploring a new city is often best done on foot, guided by stories, architecture, and the traces of history left behind. In the heart of Chile, the Municipality of Santiago invites locals and visitors alike to uncover the capital’s rich heritage through a series of free walking tours offered every day of the week. These tours, organized by the Subdirectorate of Tourism, showcase not only iconic landmarks but also hidden gems, creating a full portrait of Santiago’s cultural, architectural, and social history.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to explore Chile’s capital or a long-time resident curious about your own city, these tours provide an accessible, engaging, and insightful way to connect with Santiago. Best of all, they are entirely free and do not require prior registration.
General Information
The tours run Monday through Sunday at 10:00 a.m., with specialized routes available on specific days and times. Participants should simply arrive at the designated meeting points—usually in front of the Tourism Office at Plaza de Armas, though certain tours begin at other culturally significant spots.
It’s important to note that no tours will be conducted on the following dates in 2025: January 1; April 18, 19, and 20; May 1; September 18, 19, 20, and 21; November 16; and December 25.
For schools and organizations, customized group tours are also available upon request.
Weekly Tour Options
1. Santiago Step by Step (Santiago Paso a Paso)
- When: Monday at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Tourism Office, Plaza de Armas
This introductory tour serves as a gateway into Santiago’s historic center, the place where the city was founded. Participants begin in the lively Plaza de Armas, the symbolic heart of the capital. From there, the group enters the Metropolitan Cathedral, an architectural and spiritual landmark, before continuing past the former National Congress, the Palace of Justice, and the Plaza de la Constitución. The walk concludes with views of the exterior of La Moneda Palace, Chile’s presidential seat.
2. Promenades and Galleries Route (Ruta Paseos y Galerías)
- When: Monday at 3:00 p.m.
- Meeting Point: Tourism Office, Plaza de Armas
This route highlights the character of Santiago’s downtown, focusing on its pedestrian promenades and historic arcades. These passages have long been spaces for commerce, social interaction, and cultural exchange. Today, they remain vibrant centers filled with cafés, small shops, and stories that echo Santiago’s evolution as a cosmopolitan city. Participants are invited to immerse themselves in a blend of history, gastronomy, and daily life.
3. Route of Churches (Ruta de Iglesias)
- When: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. (Not offered during September 2025)
- Meeting Point: Tourism Office, Plaza de Armas
Religion has shaped much of Santiago’s cultural heritage, and this tour traces the legacy of the religious orders that arrived in the 16th century. The route includes the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica de la Merced, the Church of San Agustín, and the Church of San Francisco—the latter being one of the city’s oldest and most cherished structures. Visitors discover both architectural beauty and the sacred treasures housed within these spaces.
4. Popular Santiago (Santiago Popular)
- When: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Tourism Office, Plaza de Armas
This tour takes participants to the northern area of Santiago, showcasing spaces that embody the city’s daily life and traditions. Highlights include the Church of Santo Domingo, the bustling Mercado Central—famous for fresh seafood and local cuisine—and the Cultural Center Estación Mapocho, once a railway station and now a hub for the arts.
5. Discovering Barrio Lastarria (Barrio Lastarria)
- When: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral (GAM), Alameda entrance, beneath the wicker fish sculpture
Barrio Lastarria is one of Santiago’s most charming and bohemian districts, and this tour offers a taste of its cultural atmosphere. The walk begins at the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, continues past the Casa Taller Luciano Kulczewski, and explores the leafy Parque Forestal. The journey concludes in front of the National Museum of Fine Arts, one of Chile’s most important cultural institutions. Along the way, visitors experience the district’s mix of history, art, and creativity.
6. Alameda de las Delicias
- When: Fridays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Terraza Neptuno Baja, Alameda access, Santa Lucía Metro Station (Line 1)
This route explores Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, better known as “La Alameda.” Originally developed by Bernardo O’Higgins in the early 19th century, the avenue has grown into the city’s main east-west axis. Participants discover architectural icons such as the Church of San Francisco, the University of Chile, and the exclusive Club de la Unión. The tour provides a historical and cultural narrative of Santiago’s growth along this central thoroughfare.
7. Yungay Neighborhood Tour (Barrio Yungay)
- When: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Outside Quinta Normal Metro Station, Line 5
Barrio Yungay is Santiago’s largest heritage neighborhood and a symbol of community and cultural resilience. This tour guides visitors through patrimonial passages, the Museum of Education, the Museum of Sound, and the beautifully restored Church of San Saturnino in Plaza Yungay. With its mix of tradition and revival, Yungay showcases the city’s past while highlighting its living culture.
8. Walking the Santa Lucía Hill (Cerro Santa Lucía)
- When: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
- Meeting Point: Terraza Neptuno Alta, Alameda access, Santa Lucía Metro Station (Line 1)
Few places combine nature and history as seamlessly as Cerro Santa Lucía. Once the site where Santiago was founded, the hill is now a beloved green space full of terraces, fountains, and gardens. The tour highlights the Neptuno Terrace, Caupolicán Terrace, and other iconic corners that make Santa Lucía an essential stop for anyone exploring the capital.
Why Join These Tours?
What makes these tours truly special is their accessibility and diversity. Since no prior registration is required, anyone can join at the scheduled times. The variety of routes ensures that there is something for every interest: history buffs can dive into the colonial roots of Santiago, architecture enthusiasts can admire iconic buildings, food lovers can explore bustling markets, and art aficionados can lose themselves in creative districts like Lastarria.
Moreover, the guides provide more than just factual information. They offer stories, anecdotes, and interpretations that bring the city to life, turning each walk into an engaging journey through time.
The Municipality of Santiago has created a remarkable program that makes cultural and historical knowledge accessible to all. By offering free, guided heritage tours, the city opens its doors to both visitors and residents, encouraging exploration and connection. Whether it’s your first walk through Plaza de Armas or your hundredth climb up Cerro Santa Lucía, these tours reveal Santiago as a city that is constantly renewing itself while honoring its past.
So, if you find yourself in Santiago in 2025, set your alarm for 10:00 a.m., put on comfortable shoes, and join one of these unforgettable journeys. The city’s stories are waiting to be discovered—step by step.
