Chile has endured a long and at times tumultuous history over the years. Although the brutal military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet continues to influence many of the country’s struggles, it is not—or rather should not be—the historical event that defines it most. With a uniquely elongated shape that has created rich biodiversity and an eclectic cultural landscape, Chile is a marvelous destination for lovers of the past. There is a lot of history to unpack on a visit — and here is where your tour should start.
1. Plaza de Armas, Santiago
The historic heart of the Chilean capital, Santiago, is Plaza de Armas, a square that has been a central social and political hub for hundreds of years. Like all “plaza de armas” in South America, it was designed according to principles followed by Spanish conquistadors, initially serving as a military and administrative center where weapons were stored and groups could resupply, hence its name. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the plaza was likewise a central trading and administrative point for the Incas, who built a settlement here.
Around the plaza, you will find several important buildings, like the Central Post Office, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, and the National History Museum housed in the Royal Court of Justice. During colonial times, the square was filled with markets and shops that contributed to the city’s economic development. Even today, Plaza de Armas remains the focal point of public life in Santiago.
2. Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos)
Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox
Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterTo gain a better understanding of the current struggles in Chile, visit the museum dedicated to arguably the most painful and tumultuous chapter of the country’s history: the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.
The MMHR houses powerful and quite harrowing exhibits, including photographs, documents, and testimonies that chronicle the human rights abuses during the two-decade-long regime. There are also torture devices and whatnot, so arguably it is not a place suitable for children — or the faint of heart. Entry is free of charge.
Pinochet’s brutal rule has left a long-lasting legacy in Chilean culture. Learning more about this recent chapter of the country’s history can help you better understand its modern-day struggles.
3. La Moneda Palace (Palacio de La Moneda)
More than a mere presidential house, La Moneda Palace in Santiago is Chile’s most poignant historical symbol. It was right here, on September 11, 1973, that the military coup delivered its final blow to liberal democrat Salvador Allende’s presidency. Amid the storming of the palace by Pinochet’s military forces, President Allende broadcast his farewell speech to Chile on national radio. He then grabbed an AK-47 and went off to defend his country from military overthrow. Allende died that day of two self-inflicted gunshot wounds, although the rumor that Pinochet’s military forces had killed him persisted for decades. His body was eventually exhumed in 2011, and the cause of death was confirmed as suicide.
La Moneda cannot be visited independently, so join a guided tour of the grand halls. Alternatively, admire this monumental beacon of historical significance from the outside gardens and plan your visit to coincide with the very ceremonial changing of the guards.
4. The Pre-Columbian Art Museum (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino)
The Pre-Columbian Art Museum is housed in the former Royal Customs House and features an impressive collection of artifacts from ancient cultures across the Americas. It is an absolutely priceless gem among museums of Indigenous art worldwide and certainly one of the most unmissable museums in Latin America.
The well-laid-out exhibits represent a veritable cache of ancient art, spanning nearly 10,000 years and covering sculptures, textiles, carvings, ceramics, stonework, and more from 100 distinct civilizations. It is one of the best places to visit in Chile if you love history and art, and it is a must for anyone who thinks the Aztec, Maya, and Inca are all there is to know about Indigenous cultures in Latin America.
5. The Bellas Artes Museum
The National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago is the oldest art museum in South America and an excellent example of neoclassical/baroque architecture. It features an enormous dome of 2,400 pieces of glass that drenches the main hall in natural light. The building is a highlight of its own accord, yet the real attraction here is the exhibits: over 5,000 exquisite works of art span Chile’s artistic history from colonial times to the present day.
6. La Chascona (House of Pablo Neruda)
Lovers of Chile’s most famous Nobel-prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda, will not want to miss a visit to La Chascona. Three of the literary giant’s homes have been turned into museums, bonafide shrines that offer insights into his life, work, and influence on Chilean culture. La Chascona is the easiest of Neruda’s homes to visit, as it is located in Santiago proper, in the Bellavista neighborhood.
La Chascona, which translates to “the disheveled woman,” was built in the 1950s and is named after Neruda’s nickname for his wife, Matilde Urrutia. The house is loved for its inimitable architecture and eclectic style, which reflect Neruda’s artistic character.
The Best Places to Visit in Chile: In the North
7. Valparaiso Historic Core
The most popular weekend away destination for Santaguinos, Valparaíso, is an edgy, artsy, and sometimes even grungy seaside town cherished for its vibrant street art, unique landscape, and bohemian feel. The historical port town boasts a long and fascinating history, and its immediate core has been UNESCO-listed since 2003.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, Valparaiso was a small but thriving settlement for the Chango people. Juan de Saavedra created its colonial identity in 1536 and named it after his hometown in Spain. Due to its strategic location on the Pacific coast, Valparaiso’s role as a pivotal trading port grew exponentially over the centuries, eventually becoming Chile’s principal seafaring hub. The city’s importance soared to greater highs during the Gold Rush in California and Australia in the mid-1800s when ships of migrating workers would stop in Valparaiso to refuel and restock. This prosperous period attracted many European immigrants, who influenced the city’s culture, architecture, and economy and led to significant infrastructure projects like railroads and now famous funiculars.
Yet the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, which dramatically shifted new sea routes away from Valparaiso, marked the beginning of the end of the city’s economic growth. Still, the seaside town survived this and other catastrophic events—namely two devastating earthquakes—and has reemerged as Chile’s cultural, architectural, and artistic capital.
8. The Atacama Desert
San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile’s most endearing towns and is the best base to explore the highlights of the Atacama Desert. Renowned as the driest desert on earth outside the polar regions, the Atacama is rich in both natural and human history. Dotting the surreal landscapes are ancient petroglyphs and pre-Columbian archeological ruins (Pukará de Quitor fortress), as well as colonial-era mining ghost towns (Humberstone and Santa Laura) and a bevy of sensational natural wonders. The Atacama is home to the highest geyser field on earth (El Tatio) and the most active volcano in Chile, Licancabur.
The jaw-dropping desert is also one of the world’s best destinations for stargazing and boasts several world-class observatories that offer nighttime tours. The desert’s arid atmosphere, coupled with the fog that shrouds the coast, plunges the landscape into incredible darkness after sunset. You will never see starry skies the way you see them in the Atacama — it is simply magical.
9. Parinacota Town, Lauca National Park
Traversing the northern Chilean altiplano, the Lauca National Park is an internationally protected biosphere showcasing unique biodiversity and historical sites. It is one of the best places to visit in Chile if you enjoy exploring destinations with both natural and historical highlights, and is especially rewarding for bird lovers.
History lovers, on the other hand, should make a beeline for the small town of Parinacota, a colonial gem featuring a 17th-century church designed with a glorious blend of Spanish and Indigenous architectural styles. This entire area has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times — most notably by the Indigenous Aymara, who left a lasting cultural legacy in the ancient terraced fields and farming practices still in use today.
Best Places to Visit in Chile: In the South
10. Chiloé Island
Evolving in relative isolation since pre-Columbian times, Chiloe is a world of its own. The island is renowned for its enchanting wooden churches, 16 of which are UNESCO-listed, and colorful stilt houses called palafitos. The island’s main towns, Castro and Ancud, are incredibly charming and undoubtedly one of the most distinctive historical places to visit in Chile.
Interestingly, the natives of this southern region of Patagonia—a place defined by fjords, lakes, and waterways—were proficient sailors and fishermen long before Europeans arrived. In Chiloe, Indigenous Chonos used to navigate in dugout canoes called dalca. You can see a reconstruction model of a dalca in the Dalcahue Ethnographic Museum. However, you must travel to the Museum of World Cultures in Gothenburg, Sweden, to see the only remaining authentic dalca. This is the best place to visit in Chile if you wish to explore the wilderness of southern Patagonia and include a cultural and historical experience to boot.
11. Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument
Just a few miles out of Puerto Natales is the Milodón Cave, one of the best places to visit in Chile to get a glimpse of the interaction between early humans and their environment. It was in this cave that in 1896 Captain Eberhard discovered ancient cave paintings and the remains of an extinct giant sloth said to be twice the size of man.
The cave is enormous—about 98 feet high, 260 feet wide, and 650 feet long—and is a thrill to visit. You’ll find a rather kitsch 13 ft-tall replica of the Milodón sloth inside the cave and displays of other fossil finds, including a saber-toothed cat and a dwarf horse. Displays also showcase the evidence of human activity dating back to 6000 BCE, found in three caves at the site. You can easily arrange a taxi pick up and drop off from Puerto Natales, but many organized tours to Torres del Paine will usually include a visit.
12. Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Few islands in the world greet visitors with a captivating array of colossal stone statues. Easter Island, some 2,300 miles off the southern coast of Chile, stands out as a unique exception. Floating in a remote corner of the Pacific where East meets West, this intriguing island offers a fascinating blend of Asian influences and South American heritage. History lovers are drawn here by the island’s rich history, culture, and spectacular landscapes, yet they all primarily come to admire the renowned Moai statues and their impressive rock altars.
Officially “discovered” by Dutch explorers on Easter Sunday in 1722—hence its English name—Easter Island was a pivotal destination for Polynesian explorers seeking new lands. Despite its current harsh and barren landscape, the island is said to have boasted a rather lush environment once upon a time. Ancient Polynesian settlers encountered what is believed to have been the world’s largest palm trees, which they used to construct homes, tools, and fishing vessels. Over time, the intense use of these resources led to their extinction, leaving the island almost entirely devoid of trees. By the time Chile annexed the island in 1888, the local indigenous population had already faced severe hardships, including the extinction of significant flora, raids, famines, and devastating epidemics introduced by European colonists.
During your visit, don’t miss the anthropology museum in Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui’s largest town, where you can learn more about the enigmatic statues and the ancient cultures that created them.
