Vibrant street art murals in Valparaíso Atacama Desert salt flats at sunset Cajón del Maipo Andean canyon landscape near Santiago Colorful hillside houses of Valparaíso

Best 7 Days in Chile

Santiago → Valparaíso → San Pedro de Atacama

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

A mix of photography and art & culture. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes 9 must-see landmarks across Santiago and Valparaíso and San Pedro de Atacama.

Highlights: Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción Walking Tour, El Tatio Geysers Sunrise Tour, Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride, Salar de Atacama & Altiplanic Lagoons, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

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

📅 Planning for a specific season?

We have season-optimized versions of this itinerary:

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Santiago · From $70/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$618 total · $88/day
See budget →
Top picks
Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour, Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)
See itinerary →

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

Santiago

Santiago 7 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Santiago View on map
Morning Santiago panoramic view from Cerro San Cristóbal with Andes backdrop
Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride$~3 hrs

Ride the historic funicular to the summit for panoramic views of Santiago and the Andes

$3 Verified Mar 2026 Clearest views Oct-Mar; funicular closed first Monday of each month 📍 Map
Afternoon Plaza de Armas Santiago with historic colonial buildings
Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour$~3 hrs

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

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 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 $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning
Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)$~3 hrs

Wander Santiago's bohemian quarter and visit Pablo Neruda's whimsical home

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/summer; La Chascona open Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM 📍 Map
Afternoon Fresh seafood stalls inside Santiago Mercado Central
Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch$~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 $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning La Moneda Palace neoclassical facade in Santiago Chile
La Moneda Palace & Cultural Center$~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 Cajón del Maipo Andean canyon landscape near Santiago
Cajón del Maipo Day Trip$$~8 hrs

Hike through an Andean river canyon with hot springs and glaciers just outside Santiago

$55 Verified Mar 2026 Best Oct-Mar; some trails closed in winter; Embalse El Yeso accessible 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 2 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Full Valparaíso View on map
Morning 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
Afternoon
La Sebastiana (Neruda's Valparaíso House)$~2 hrs

Tour Pablo Neruda's hillside house with panoramic harbor views

$10 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM; audio guide included 📍 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

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama 3 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Full San Pedro de Atacama
Full Day El Tatio geysers steam columns at sunrise in Atacama
El Tatio Geysers Sunrise Tour$$~8 hrs

Watch 80 geysers erupt at dawn in the world's highest geyser field

$60 Verified Mar 2026 Best dry season, coldest at dawn Jun-Aug 📍 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 6 Mon, Jul 6 Light San Pedro de Atacama
Full Day Atacama salt flat with flamingos and Andean volcanoes
Salar de Atacama & Altiplanic Lagoons$$~8 hrs

See flamingos on vast salt flats and mirror-like high-altitude lagoons

$55 Verified Mar 2026 Best dry season 📍 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 7 Tue, Jul 7 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: $316–$474

Trip Budget Estimate

$618 estimated total per person
$88 per day
Lodging $395
Activities $213
Transport $10

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

Typical range for Chile

$350 – $2,450 per person for 7 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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