The Best Day Trips from Santiago, Chile
In Santiago Was Just the Beginning of My Chile Trip, I shared how Chile’s capital exceeded my expectations and became one of my favorite cities in South America. One of the biggest reasons was how easy it was to explore beyond the city itself. Here are the five day trips I’d recommend adding to your Santiago itinerary.
Before arriving in Chile, I knew six days would only scratch the surface. Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, the Lake District, and Easter Island would all have to wait for another trip. What I didn’t expect was that even after spending nearly a week based in Santiago, including two unforgettable day trips, I left wishing I had another week to explore central Chile..
Whether you’re interested in colorful coastal cities, world-class wine regions, dramatic Andean landscapes, or even skiing in the mountains, Santiago makes an excellent base for exploring central Chile. Here are the five day trips I’d recommend adding to your itinerary.
Valparaíso & Viña del Mar
Best for: First-time visitors, colorful architecture, street art, and experiencing Chile’s Pacific coast.
Distance: Approximately 1.5–2 hours by car or guided tour
Getting There: Frequent guided tours depart from Santiago daily, or you can travel independently by bus to either city before using local transportation between them.
If you’re only taking one day trip from Santiago, this would probably be my recommendation. Although neighboring Valparaíso and Viña del Mar sit just minutes apart, they offer completely different experiences. Valparaíso is famous for its colorful hillsides, vibrant street art, historic funiculars, and UNESCO-listed historic center, while Viña del Mar is known for its beaches, waterfront promenade, parks, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
I loved seeing both cities together because they highlighted two very different sides of Chile’s coastline. Exploring Valparaíso with a guide also gave me a much deeper appreciation for its history as one of South America’s most important port cities and helped me understand the stories behind the neighborhoods I was walking through.
Travel Breakdown Tip: If you only have time for one excursion from Santiago, I’d seriously consider this one. Visiting both cities in a single day offers one of the best introductions to Chile beyond the capital.
Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso
Best for: Mountain scenery, photography, and experiencing the Andes.
Distance: Approximately 2 hours by car or guided tour
Getting There: Guided tours are the easiest option, as public transportation to Embalse El Yeso is limited and many tours include scenic stops and lunch or a picnic.
If dramatic mountain scenery is what you’re looking for, this was easily one of the highlights of my time in Chile. Cajón del Maipo winds through the Andes before reaching Embalse El Yeso, a brilliant turquoise reservoir surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. It’s one of those places that looks almost too beautiful to be real.
Beyond the scenery, what I appreciated most was how relaxing the day felt. The drive through the mountains was just as memorable as the destination itself, and ending the excursion with a riverside picnic featuring local Chilean wine made the experience even more enjoyable.
Travel Breakdown Tip: Mountain weather can change quickly, so dress in layers even during the warmer months. Tours often leave early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic heading into the Andes.
Casablanca Valley
Best for: Wine lovers, couples, and a relaxing day surrounded by vineyards.
Distance: Approximately 1 hour by car
Getting There: Numerous guided wine tours depart daily from Santiago, or you can rent a car and visit several wineries independently.
Located between Santiago and the Pacific coast, Casablanca Valley is one of Chile’s best-known wine regions and makes for an easy escape from the city. The valley is particularly famous for its cool-climate white wines, although many wineries also produce excellent reds while offering tastings, vineyard tours, and leisurely lunches overlooking the vines.
Although I chose to spend my limited time exploring the coast and the Andes, this is the excursion I’d prioritize on my next visit to Santiago. It offers a completely different pace than the other day trips on this list and would pair especially well with a longer stay in the capital.
Travel Breakdown Tip: Many wineries require advance reservations, particularly during weekends and the busy summer season. Booking a guided tour allows you to visit multiple vineyards without worrying about transportation.
Portillo & Laguna del Inca
Best for: Scenic drives, mountain landscapes, and one of Chile’s most iconic viewpoints.
Distance: Approximately 2.5 hours by car or guided tour
Getting There: Guided tours are the easiest option, although confident drivers can also rent a car when weather conditions permit.
If your goal is to experience some of the most spectacular scenery near Santiago, Portillo and Laguna del Inca deserve a spot near the top of your list. The drive climbs high into the Andes before reaching Chile’s oldest ski resort and the striking emerald waters of Laguna del Inca, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.
Unlike Cajón del Maipo, which focuses on a mountain valley and reservoir, Portillo is all about the journey into the high Andes. The winding road, dramatic viewpoints, and legendary yellow hotel overlooking the lake make this one of the country’s most photographed landscapes.
Travel Breakdown Tip: Tours are offered year-round, but winter conditions can occasionally affect road access. Check weather forecasts before booking if you’re traveling during the snow season.
Valle Nevado & Farellones
Best for: Snow, mountain scenery, and experiencing the Andes without traveling far from Santiago.
Distance: Approximately 1.5–2 hours by car or guided tour
Getting There: Guided tours are the easiest option, especially during winter when mountain roads can be busy and snow chains may be required. Rental cars are possible in good weather, but driving conditions can change quickly.
If you’re visiting Santiago during the winter months, a day in the Andes offers a completely different side of Chile. The neighboring mountain resorts of Valle Nevado and Farellones are the most popular options, attracting skiers, snowboarders, and visitors simply looking to experience the snow. Even if you have no interest in winter sports, the drive through the Andes and panoramic mountain views make the journey worthwhile.
During the summer, the resorts take on a different character. While skiing disappears, the mountain scenery remains just as impressive, with hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and crisp alpine air replacing snow-covered slopes. If you’ve never experienced the Andes before, it’s an easy way to spend a day surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes without venturing too far from Santiago.
This is another excursion that’s high on my list for a future visit to Chile. After seeing the Andes at Embalse El Yeso, I’d love to experience them from a completely different perspective and see how the mountains change with the seasons.
Travel Breakdown Tip: If you’re hoping to see snow, plan your visit between June and September. Outside of winter, you’ll still enjoy spectacular mountain scenery, but the experience shifts from skiing and snow play to hiking and sightseeing.
Final Thoughts
One of the things I appreciated most about Santiago was that it never felt like I had to choose between exploring the city and experiencing the rest of central Chile. In just six days, I was able to enjoy one of my new favorite capital cities in South America while also taking two completely different day trips—one to the colorful Pacific coast and another into the heart of the Andes.
After experiencing Valparaíso & Viña del Mar and Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso, I can confidently recommend both excursions. At the same time, researching this article only reinforced how much more there is to see. Casablanca Valley, Portillo & Laguna del Inca, and Valle Nevado & Farellones have all earned a place on my future Chile itinerary.
And honestly, I wouldn’t just return for the three I missed. I’d happily revisit both of the day trips I already took. That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give Santiago as a travel base, it gave me enough unforgettable experiences to make me want to come back and do it all over again.
Whether you have three days or a full week in Chile’s capital, adding even one excursion beyond the city will give you a much broader appreciation for everything central Chile has to offer.
Next Up: Where to Go in Chile: The Best Regions for Your Trip
Chile is far too diverse to experience in a single itinerary. Next, I’ll break down the country’s major travel regions and help you decide which ones belong on your trip.
Continue Exploring
- Santiago Was Just the Beginning of My Chile Trip — See why Santiago surprised me and became much more than simply the starting point for exploring Chile.
- Where to Go in Chile: The Best Regions for Your Trip — Look beyond Santiago and compare the different regions of Chile, from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia.