Best Santiago Tours & Things to Do in Chile

Santiago's activity scene is dominated by cultural experiences, which make up 62% of the options we compare across booking platforms. City tours are by far the most common format, accounting for 50% of listings, followed by wine tasting tours at 29%. Beyond that, you'll find hiking trips, food tours, and adventure activities. The most-compared headline experiences are the Santiago City Tour, Valparaiso City Tour, Cajón del Maipo Day Trip, and wine tours through the Maipo and Casablanca valleys. In total, we compare 599 activities across booking platforms, so there's substantial choice whether you're after history, food, nature, or a mix.

Across the options we compare, prices range widely from $39 to $484, with most falling between $80 and $270. Popular experiences like the Santiago City Tour start from around $35, while wine tours and day trips to Cajón del Maipo typically run $30–$60. Longer, multi-activity experiences tend toward the higher end of that range. The flexibility is real: whether you're looking for a budget-friendly city walk or a full-day private wine tour, there's something at almost every price point.

A guide is included in 68% of the options we compare, making it the most common inclusion. About a quarter come with meals, wine tasting, or hotel pickup and drop-off. Walking is the most common way to explore, used in 32% of tours, followed by car-based tours at 25% and private vehicle options at 14%. This mix means you can choose between intimate walking tours of the city's neighborhoods, comfortable car-based wine tours, or a combination depending on what suits your pace and interests.

Yes, private tours are a significant option: 47% of the activities we compare are private tours, which is notably high and gives you flexibility if you're traveling with a group or want a personalized itinerary. Booking is low-risk across the board: 82% of options offer free cancellation, and 90% provide instant confirmation, so you can lock in your plans immediately without worrying about losing money if your schedule changes.

Art experiences stand out as a value sweet spot, averaging 4.9 stars at $134, which sits right at the typical price range yet matches the overall average rating of 4.9 stars across 54,265 combined reviews. This means you're getting the same high quality as pricier experiences without paying a premium. Given the exceptionally positive review sentiment across Santiago activities, you're unlikely to go wrong wherever you book, but art-focused tours offer that rare combination of excellent ratings and fair pricing.

Booking ahead isn't usually urgent: only a small handful of experiences (around 2%) are flagged as likely to sell out. That said, 90% of options offer instant confirmation, so there's no downside to securing your spot early if you've found something you love. Tours are offered in 8 languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Russian, so language barriers are minimal whether you're traveling solo or with a group.

About 25% of the activities we compare are tagged as eco-friendly, giving you a solid range of sustainable choices if that matters to you. Family-friendly options are more limited (only 1% are tagged that way), so if you're traveling with children, it's worth checking the specific tour description and reviews to confirm it suits your family's pace and interests. The high overall rating of 4.9 stars suggests most experiences are well-run and enjoyable across different traveler types.

Lastarria offers culture and bohemian vibes, Providencia has upscale dining and shopping, while Bellavista features nightlife and street art. Each neighborhood suits different traveler preferences.

Buy a Bip card for metro, buses, and trains. The metro is fast and affordable. Download the MobilidadSantiago app for real-time transit information and route planning.

Maipo and Casablanca valleys are closest, about 45-60 minutes away. Book organized tours or rent a car. Many wineries offer tastings and vineyard tours with advance reservations.