Santiago skyline with Andes mountains in background Atacama Desert salt flats at sunset Vineyard rows in Chile Maipo Valley with Andes backdrop Valparaiso harbor and port area with colorful buildings

Best 10 Days in Chile — Without Photography

Santiago → Valparaíso → San Pedro de Atacama

10 days · 3 cities · 18 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of art & culture, food & wine, and history. Mostly low-effort and walkable, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes 4 must-see landmarks across Santiago and Valparaíso and San Pedro de Atacama.

Highlights: Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción Walking Tour, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour, Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch, La Moneda Palace & Cultural Center, Maipo Valley Wine Tour

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

18+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Santiago · From $70/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$1,019 total · $102/day
See budget →
Top picks
Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour, Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch, La Moneda Palace & Cultural Center
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Santiago

Santiago 10 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Santiago View on map
Morning Plaza de Armas Santiago with historic colonial buildings
Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour$~3 hrs

Explore Santiago's colonial heart with its cathedral, museums, and bustling plazas

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
Afternoon Fresh seafood stalls inside Santiago Mercado Central
Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch$~2 hrs

Taste fresh Chilean seafood at the ornate cast-iron market

$18 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; liveliest at lunch 11 AM-2 PM 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning La Moneda Palace neoclassical facade in Santiago Chile
La Moneda Palace & Cultural Center$~2h 30m

Visit Chile's presidential palace and its underground cultural galleries

$4 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6:30 PM; free admission before noon 📍 Map
Afternoon Pre-Columbian art exhibition in a Santiago museum
Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art$~2h 30m

Discover 4,500 years of indigenous art from across the Americas

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round indoor; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM; closed Mon 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning Vineyard rows in Chile Maipo Valley with Andes backdrop
Maipo Valley Wine Tour$$~5 hrs

Taste world-class Carménère and Cabernet at vineyards below the Andes

$75 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest Feb-Apr; Concha y Toro from $25 solo, full valley tours $75-90 📍 Map
Afternoon Fresh fruit and produce at a Chilean market stall
Santiago Street Food & Market Tour$~3 hrs

Taste sopaipillas, completos, and churrascos at local markets and street stalls

$50 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning Hands preparing Chilean empanadas in a cooking class
Chilean Cooking Class$$~4 hrs

Learn to make empanadas, pastel de choclo, and Chilean pebre from a local chef

$60 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round indoor 📍 Map
Afternoon Cerro Santa Lucia hilltop garden and fountain in Santiago
Barrio Lastarria & Cerro Santa Lucía$~3 hrs

Stroll the arty Lastarria quarter and climb the hilltop fortress garden

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning
Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM), La Granja$~3 hrs

Explore 300+ hands-on science and technology exhibits at Chile's most-visited interactive museum

$9 Year-round; Wednesdays half-price; closed Mondays 📍 Map
Afternoon Chilean pisco sour cocktail with lime garnish
Pisco Sour Tasting & Bar Tour$$~3 hrs

Sample Chile's national cocktail at the city's best pisco bars

$50 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Santiago → Valparaíso
2h ~$10 Comfortable bus from Santiago to Valparaíso (1.5h)

Valparaíso

Valparaíso 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 6 Mon, Jul 6 Full Valparaíso View on map
Morning Casablanca Valley vineyard with rolling green hills
Casablanca Valley Wine Tour$$~5 hrs

Taste crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir at Pacific-cooled vineyards

$65 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest Feb-Apr 📍 Map
Afternoon Valparaiso harbor and port area with colorful buildings
Port Area & Plaza Sotomayor$~2 hrs

Explore Valparaíso's historic waterfront and naval heritage quarter

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

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Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 7 Tue, Jul 7 Moderate Valparaíso View on map
Morning
Free Day in Valparaíso$~6 hrs

Wander Valparaíso's cerros discovering hidden street art, ride the historic funiculars, or day-trip to Viña del Mar

Best Oct-Mar
Afternoon Colorful hillside houses and stairways of Valparaíso
Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción Walking Tour$~4 hrs

Wander colorful hilltop streets filled with street art, cafés, and ocean views

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 8 Wed, Jul 8 Full San Pedro de Atacama View on map
Morning Natural thermal pools with mineral-rich turquoise water
Puritama Hot Springs$$~3 hrs

Soak in natural thermal pools in a desert canyon

$22 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round 📍 Map
Afternoon Stars and Milky Way visible through a telescope eyepiece at night
Space Obs Private Observatory Night Tour$$~3 hrs

Observe galaxies, nebulae, and Saturn's rings through powerful telescopes at the Atacama's oldest public observatory

$55 Verified Mar 2026 Best dry season Mar-Oct; cancelled on full moon nights 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama

Village Center / Calle Caracoles

wifibreakfastterracebicycle rental
Travelers book: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge $250-500/nightHotel Kimal $60-100/nightHostal Mamatierra $25-45/night
Book Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama from $65/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 9 Thu, Jul 9 Moderate San Pedro de Atacama
Morning Adobe buildings and whitewashed church in San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama Village & Church$~2 hrs

Explore the adobe village center and its 17th-century whitewashed church

$3 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round 📍 Map
Afternoon
Free Day in San Pedro de Atacama$~6 hrs

Night-sky stargazing, a soak at Puritama Hot Springs, or a self-guided salt flat cycling tour

Best Mar-Oct
🏨 Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama

Village Center / Calle Caracoles

wifibreakfastterracebicycle rental
Travelers book: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge $250-500/nightHotel Kimal $60-100/nightHostal Mamatierra $25-45/night
Book Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama from $65/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 10 Fri, Jul 10 San Pedro de Atacama
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from San Pedro de Atacama!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $472–$708

Trip Budget Estimate

$1,019 estimated total per person
$102 per day
Lodging $590
Activities $419
Transport $10

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Chile

$500 – $3,500 per person for 10 days

Budget: $50/day — Hostels, local meals, buses Mid-range: $120/day — Hotels, restaurants, domestic flights Luxury: $350/day — Luxury lodges, wine tours, private transfers

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Chile.

🧳 Practical Info for Chile

📄 Visa
Visa-free for US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens for up to 90 days. Tourist card issued on arrival.
💵 Tipping
10% tip customary at restaurants. Not expected in casual settings.
💱 Currency
Chilean Peso (CLP). Cards accepted in cities; carry cash for markets and rural Patagonia.
🔌 Power
220V, Type C/L plugs. US/CA travelers need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
📶 Connectivity
SIM cards at airports (Entel, Claro, WOM). Good coverage in cities; limited in Patagonia and Atacama interior.
🚨 Emergency
131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police)

✈️ Getting Around Chile

✈️ Flight

LATAM and Sky Airline connect Santiago to Atacama, Patagonia, and Easter Island. Book early for $40-120 fares.

🚌 Bus

Long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) are comfortable and affordable for routes like Santiago to Valparaiso.

🚗 Car

Car rental recommended for Patagonia's Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 10 days enough for Chile?

10 days covers Santiago, Valparaíso, and either Patagonia or the Atacama Desert. For both, plan 14+ days.

What is the best time to visit Chile?

October-March (summer) for Patagonia and general travel. Atacama is year-round. June-August for skiing in the Andes.

How much does a week in Chile cost?

Budget: $50-80/day. Mid-range: $100-180/day. Luxury: $350+/day. Santiago is affordable; Patagonia is significantly more expensive.

Do I need a visa for Chile?

US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. A tourist card (PDI) is issued on arrival.

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