Chile may be notorious for being a long and highly narrow country, but don’t let that fool you because there are so many things to see, do, experience, and discover in this vast country, more than you would first imagine. If you have come from Brazil, Peru, or even Argentina, you might think that Chile needs much less time to discover because it is not ‘that’ big. However, this fantastic destination has around 6,000km/3728miles of Pacific coastline alone, which will keep you busy.
If you are short on time, one of the best things to do is to connect with a local ‘Destination Expert’ who will have inside knowledge about what you really should not miss out on. If you have a bit more time, it is great to get local knowledge and do a little research into some of the main things there are to see while you are there.
Let’s make that bit easy by delving right into Chile’s ten best attractions, which are not to be missed.
Yes, Chile has one of the world’s most diverse landscapes, and as you will see from the array of incredible attractions it offers, you will probably want to add some more time to your original plan. Here are just some of the most stunning places on earth that can be discovered in Chile.
Torres Del Paine National Park:
If you begin planning a trip to Chile, you’ve already been convinced to visit Patagonia and its wonderful National Park of Torres Del Paine, so of course, this is one of the major attractions in the country.
This area spans an area of 1800kmsq. It was established in 1959 and is world-famous for its striking landscape of steep mountains, bright blue glaciers, stunning icebergs, and opportunities for fantastic wildlife spotting.
If you are up for the challenge, Paine Big Circuit is an incredible adventure to undertake in the region.
Atacama Desert:
This is a desert you have most likely heard of, and of course, anyone who has traveled to Chile will have talked about it with a huge smile. Setting foot here is like arriving on another planet, and seeing this incredible desert plateau, which lies to the west of the Andes Mountains, is an experience that will stay with you forever.
A visit to the driest, non-polar desert in the world has to be at the top of your bucket list when traveling in Chile, and tours such as the ‘Discovery Atacama Desert’ are a terrific way to explore this incredible place.
Easter Island:
One of the world’s most talked-about islands is Easter Island, which belongs to Chile, and is situated 3540km/2200miles off the Chilean West coast, making it the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian triangle. It is worth noting that although it belongs to Chile, you will need to take a 5–6-hour flight from Santiago to reach here, so planning and flexibility are a must, especially when there are limited flights per week, which can be canceled due to high winds.
Awaiting you on the island are 1000 famous monumental statues, called moai, created by the Rapa Nui people, and in 1995 this phenomenal site became a UNESCO world heritage area. Here is an Easter Island trip to inspire you.
Cape Horn:
Located at the southern tip of Chile, in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, you will find a place where two oceans meet – the Atlantic and the Pacific, and what a sight this is. Notorious for being so wild and rough that many seafarers lost their lives attempting to make it around the cape, it has become a significant attraction in Chile.
Santiago:
The country’s capital is a major attraction in itself and won’t be missed during a Chilean trip, but there are so many things to see and do here that you might need longer than planned. Expect to discover plenty of historical landmarks, visit many museums, admire the landscape of the surrounding snowcapped mountains, and plenty of shopping and entertainment.
Valle Nevado:
If you are an avid skier, you will love this region of Chile, which is renowned for its slopes. It is the largest ski resort in the southern hemisphere. It is located in the El Plomo foothills of the Andes mountains and near Santiago, so planning a ski holiday within a holiday is practical here in Chile.
Valparaiso:
An absolute must-see attraction is the coastal city of Valparaiso, which will blow you away with its super photogenic, colorful clifftop houses and steep funiculars. Here, you can take a walking tour of the city, try some local foods, and take in the epic vibes that this spot oozes.
If you come at the right time of the year, you can enjoy some downtime on the area’s beautiful beaches, a pisco sour in the sun, or even a hike up the steep hills around the city, which provide incredible vistas out over the ocean. This spot will imprint in your memories for years to come and is hard to compare with anywhere else. There is, of course, a lot of heritage to be discovered here, especially being heavily influenced by European immigrants over the years, so be prepared to spend some time in the various museums here or chat to locals about life in Valparaiso. It is fascinating.
Cochamo Valley:
Known as the ‘Yosemite’ of Chile, this U-shaped valley lies in the Andes and is a haven for climbers who love the challenge of taking on the valley’s several 1000m/3300ft walls. The scenery here will blow you away, so allow some extra time here to explore, do some hiking and enjoy the night skies, which are world-famous for being an astronomer’s dream.
Valle de la Luna:
The Valley of the Moon is just 13km/8miles west of the Atacama Desert, so chances are you will visit both of these sights while in the region, but if you weren’t sure if it was worth it or not, we could tell you that it most certainly is. As you can imagine, it is called the Valley of the Moon for a reason, and you will see precisely why when you first set eyes on this otherworldly landscape resembling the moon.
Be prepared for rugged mountains, incredible red rock formations, bike trails, and dunes, all of which will captivate you.
Chilean Lake District:
You will be amazed by all of the landscapes you will uncover in Chile, and here is just another to add to the list – Chile´s Lake District. This fantastic spot is located in the Southern part of the long country and should not be missed if you make it down to this region. As you might have guessed, the area is famous for its many lakes and is an ideal spot for hiking, horse riding, skiing, dog sledding, relaxing in thermal hot springs, and trekking volcanoes. The place is so diverse that you could easily spend days and days here just ticking each activity off the list.
