Plaza de Armas Tours
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The site on which the city was founded back in 1541, Plaza de Armas is both the heart of Santiago de Chile’s historic district and the epicenter of the modern city. The leafy, palm-fringed plaza is surrounded by grand monuments and architectural landmarks, and it’s abuzz with activity at all hours of the day and night.
The Basics
Whether you choose to explore the capital on a walking tour, cycle between the sights on a bike tour, or customize your own itinerary on a private tour, a Santiago city tour isn’t complete without a stop at the Plaza de Armas. Santiago tours often combine a half-day tour of the historic center with a cable car ride to the top of San Cristóbal Hill, a tour of the atmospheric Bellavista neighborhood, or wine tasting in the nearby Maipo Valley. If you prefer to explore at your own pace, hop-on hop-off bus tours also connect the Plaza de Armas with other Santiago attractions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plaza de Armas is a must for all first-time visitors to Santiago.
- There are a number of cafés and restaurants around the square, but for budget options, try the surrounding streets.
- As in all large cities, keep an eye on your belongings—pickpockets are common around the square.
- The Plaza de Armas hosts various festivals, events, and markets throughout the year, including Santiago’s Independence Day celebrations.
- Santiago’s main tourist office is located at the north end of the square.
How to Get to There
Most of Santiago’s central attractions and hotels are within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas, and the towering spires of the plaza’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago (Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago) are hard to miss. Numerous buses stop on and around the square, while the closest metro station is Plaza de Armas on the L5 green line.
When to Get There
The Plaza de Armas is busy at any time of day or night, and if you’re staying in the city, you’ll likely pass through at several times during your stay. For crowd-free photos of the square’s buildings, an early morning visit is the best chance, while weekend afternoons are the liveliest time, with live musicians and street performers providing entertainment.
Plaza de Armas Landmarks
The magnificent 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago stands proud at the northwestern edge of the square, opposite which is the Central Post Office (Edificio del Correo Central), housed in the stunning former Presidential Palace. Next door is another national monument, the neoclassical Town Hall, while just off the main square, the colonnaded facade of the 20th-century Palace of Justice (Palacio de los Tribunales de Justicia de Santiago) is another photo-worthy sight.
Address: Plaza de Armas, Santiago Centro, Santiago de Chile, Chile
Admission: Free
42 Tours & Activities to Experience
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SPECIAL OFFER
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$57.75 USD
Santiago Walking Tour: Food Tastings and Markets Including Lunch
- Bring an empty stomach and an open mind for this 4-hour food walking tour and get ready to eat your way around Santiago! Immerse yourself in local life as you browse the Mercado Central and La Vega markets, stroll around the lively Plaza de Armas and ride the cable car to the top of San Cristóbal Hill. Stop to refuel along the way with tastings of local favorites like ‘humitas’ and seafood empanadas, sip a classic pisco sour, then tuck into a scrumptious lunch at a local restaurant in Bellevista.
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$59.00 USD
Santiago Center Cultural Bike Tour
- Pedal your way around Santiago on this 3-hour small-group bike tour of the historic capital. Follow your guide past city landmarks like La Moneda Palace, the Palace of Justice and Santiago Cathedral; cruise through the lively Plaza de Armas and peek into the famous Central Market. Learn more about Santiago’s fascinating history as you glide down the Bulnes promenade, then escape the busy city streets for a tranquil ride through the Parque Forestal.
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$55.00 USD
Santiago Sightseeing Classic City Tour
- Learn about the cultural history of Santiago on this 3-hour city sightseeing tour, led by an informative local guide. See the main attractions of the Chilean capital, including the Plaza de Armas, La Moneda and the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, and view the city from above at Cerro San Cristobal. Hear live commentary on board, with round-trip hotel transport provided.
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$79.90 USD
Small-Group Maipo Vineyards Full-Day Experience with Optional Lunch
- Cousiño MaculCreate the ultimate Chilean wine experience thanks to this 8-hour excursion featuring your choice of stops at two or three wineries and a 4-course lunch upgrade option. Choose between visits to Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Aquitania, and Cousiño Macul Wineries, enjoying tours and tastings at each venue.
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$38.00 USD
Santiago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- See the spectacular sights of Santiago from the unique perspective of an open-top double-decker bus on this hop-on hop-off tour of the Chilean capital. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility of this comprehensive tour and disembark the bus whenever an attraction captures your attention. Listen to informative audio commentary as you approach legendary landmarks like Plaza de Armas, Mercado Central and Bellas Artes and enjoy a regular service from each stop you embark at.
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$33.00 USD
Private Tour: Santiago City Sightseeing
- Explore Santiago’s most significant sights on a comprehensive 3.5-hour private guided tour of the city. Visit legendary landmarks and impressive monuments in stylish transportation with a knowledgeable guide, discovering the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and the neoclassical splendor of Moneda Palace. Choose between either a morning or afternoon tour and continue to explore the sparkling city independently after your tour concludes.
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$104.50 USD
Small Group Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour
- Experience Valparaiso area highlights—from the UNESCO-listed city center to surrounding Casablanca Valley wineries—in just a few hours on this Valparaiso or Port San Antonio pre-cruise excursion. Since you won’t have to worry about arranging transportation among destinations, you can relax while you hear informative commentary from your guide about the Valparaiso area’s most popular attractions.
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$18.50 USD
Small Group Full Day - Viña Del Mar - Valparaiso - Casablanca - Reñaca
- With so many worthy day trip destinations outside Santiago, it can be daunting to pick just one. With this full-day tour you don’t have to. Visit two coastal cities, UNESCO-listed Valparaiso and Viña del Mar with plenty of time to for some wine tasting in Casablanca Valley and sea lion spotting along Reñaca Beach.
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$140.00 USD
Private Tour: Half-Day Santiago Discovery
- Gain a sense of all Santiago has to offer on this 5-hour guided tour. Learn about the military coup at la Moneda, see the catch of the day at the central fish market, tour the Fine Arts Museum, and ride a cable car to San Cristobal Hill. Further highlights include the colorful Bellavista neighborhood, colonial buildings in the historic center, and legendary bar La Piojera.
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$105.00 USD
City Tour and Wine Tour Concha y Toro or Santa Rita
- Be seduced by the bohemian spirit of Santiago on a full-day tour of the Chilean capital including a winery visit. Alongside your guide, you’ll gain fascinating insight into the history of the city as you visit prominent landmarks like Santiago Cathedral, La Moneda Palace and Central Market. Absorb the charm of colorful neighborhood, Bellavista; admire the metropolitan grandeur of the financial district, ‘Sanhattan’, and visit a winery of your choice for a vineyard tour and tasting session. Winery choices include Undurruga, Concha y Toro or Santa Rita.
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$94.90 USD
Small Group Tour: Cajon del Maipo, El yeso Dam included Hotsprings plus Picnic
- Visit the Cajón del Maipo, El Yeso Dam, and mountain hot springs on a full-day tour from Santiago into a dramatic gorge flanked by high peaks. With a picnic lunch and wine served by a gorgeous alpine lake, this tour is a relaxing alternative to more strenuous mountain tours, and all transport is in the comfort of a climate controlled minivan.
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$115.90 USD
Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show
- Experience Santiago after dark during this 4-hour small-group excursion combining nighttime sightseeing, dinner, and ‘Cueca’ dance performance. See the illuminated Chilean capital from the top of San Cristobal Hill, explore the city center after dark, and then dig into a tasty meal at a restaurant accompanied by a performance of Chilean-style ‘Cueca.’
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$50.00 USD
City Tour of Santiago de Chile
- Get acquainted with the treasured landmarks of the Chilean capital on a 4-hour tour of Santiago by luxury coach. From your guide, you’ll receive an interesting introduction to Santiago as you visit landmarks such as Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Cerro Santa Lucia and La Moneda palace. Absorb the bohemian charm of Bellavista neighborhood and opt to explore the city’s financial district, nicknamed ‘Sanhattan’, due to its plethora of skyscrapers. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included in this tour.
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$50.00 USD
Half Day Santiago City Tour
- Orient yourself around Santiago’s major attractions on a 4-hour guided sightseeing tour of the city in a comfortable minivan. Gain local insight into historical and modern sites alike on a small-group excursion to Santiago's must-see spots.
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$41.50 USD
Small-Group Tour of Portillo Ski Center and Inca Lagoon from Santiago
- Get a true alpine high during this 8-hour road trip to the scenic ski area of Portillo from Santiago with a small group. Travel with no more than 8 guests aboard an air-conditioned van as you travel along Los Libertadores Highway through the Aconcagua Valley, eventually reaching this picturesque snow resort with its views of the ‘Laguna del Inca’ (Inca Lagoon).
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$72.50 USD
Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago
- Enjoy a performance by ‘Voces de América’ (America’s Voices) and the ‘Thiare’ ballet during this 3.5-hour combination dinner and a show experience in Santiago. Dig into an included three-course dinner of international fare as you enjoy an extravaganza of typical dances from Chile’s northern, central, and southern regions, plus Easter Island.
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$86.00 USD
Santiago Like a Local: Private Walking Tour with Coffee, Markets, Street Food and San Cristobal Hill
- Experience the spectacular sights and sounds of Santiago like a true local on a cultural 6-hour private walking tour. Explore bespoke boutiques, vibrant food markets and intriguing neighborhoods as you stroll around the city with a knowledgeable guide. Savor the sublime flavors of freshly made street food and enjoy a national cocktail in an ambient bar, gaining insight into the country’s intriguing history and colorful culture as you wander.
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NEW TO VIATOR
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$78.90 USD
Full Day Parque Aconcagua Easy trekking plus Inca Lagoon and Inca Pit
- Come and enjoy an unforgettable full day experience getting to know Natural Landscapes and History, in a full day passing the border to Argentina including a light trekking of 2 hours around the Aconcagua Park including entrance. Also visit the Inca Pit and Inca lagoon plus other interest point like the Soldier Jump all this on a small group for a better experience - Between 6:30 and 7:00 Hrs Departure - Stop in Cópec, to buy water, coffee or bathrooms. - Stop at Chacabuco Monument - Stop at Salto del Soldado - Stop at Puente del Inca - Stop at Aconcagua for Light Trekking 2 hours aprox. - Stop for lunch (NO LUNCH INCLUDED) - Stop at Chilean Customs for entry formalities. - Laguna del Inca Portillo stop - Return to Santiago - 19.30 hrs approx. return to the departure points.
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$107.00 USD
Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago
- Enjoy a performance by ‘Voces de América’ (America’s Voices) and the ‘Thiare’ ballet during this 4-hour dinner and a show experience with private transport. Dig into an included three-course dinner of international fare as you enjoy an extravaganza of typical dances from Chile’s northern, central, and southern regions, plus Easter Island.
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$69.90 USD
Small Group Full-Day Tour to Isla Negra, San Alfonso del Mar, and Pomaire
- Explore the landmarks, resorts, and culture of Chile’s central coast on a full-day, small-group tour from Santiago to Isla Negra, San Alfonso del Mar, and Pomaire. Follow in the footsteps of poet Pablo Neruda, take in a glamorous seaside resort, and visit a small community that’s famed for its distinctive pottery. This 8-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off in centrally-located Santiago hotels, and is limited to 8 participants for a small-group, personalized experience.
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$75.00 USD
Private Santiago 3-Hour Walking Tour
- See historic and modern sides of Santiago on this comprehensive 3-hour walking tour. Visit impressive monuments and colonial buildings like the Plaza de Armas, the Mapuche Monument, Post Office, City Hall, and Cathedral. Learn about Chile’s military coup as you visit La Moneda, the government palace. Further highlights include the commercial city center, the fish market, and the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood.
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$115.90 USD
Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show
- Enjoy a night out in Santiago on this 4-hour experience that includes city sights, dinner, and a show. You'll enjoy a meal of Chilean cuisine and be entertained by a folklore performance featuring Chilean dancing or traditions from Easter Island. When booking, you have the option to include drop-off at the end of the night or not.
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$32.50 USD
Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago
- Visit two Chilean ski areas on this 8-hour tour from Santiago. With a guide, you'll be transferred from the city into the Andes Mountains, stopping at Valle Nevado, one of South America's top ski resorts, and Farrellones, a mountain village. Hotel pickup and drop-off provided from select areas of Santiago.
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$86.00 USD
Santiago Nightlife Tour with Food and Drinks
- Experience the electric atmosphere of Santiago after dark on this cocktail-fueled 4.5-hour nightlife tour. Get the inside scoop on the best places to drink, dance and dine as you explore Santiago’s vibrant Bellavista district with a local guide. Hop between bars and nightclubs, where you can master some local moves with a salsa class, sample popular drinks like ‘Piscola’ and munch on typical bar snacks like ‘Sopaipillas con Pebre’. Once the tour is over, stick around to party into the early hours with your newfound drinking buddies!
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