Free tours in Santiago

• City corridors. You don’t truly experience a city when you stand still. So, when you have a tour, you will walk through the city center, bohemian neighborhoods, and the hills, which make everything fall into place. 
• Bohemian clusters. The Lastarria neighborhood resembles small European communities, complete with cafes. And Bellavista, known for its mural-covered walls, is not far away from it. 
• Vertical perspectives. Guides have access to the best routes up to Cerro Santa Lucía and Cerro San Cristóbal. They are great for taking photos. 
• Urban companions. Most of the street dogs, or kiltros, in the area get fed, have names, and are treated like real little friends. 
• Authentic navigation. A competent guide will help avoid overpriced tourist destinations and provide information about areas such as La Vega where locals shop and dine.

Santiago as a City of Slopes, Corridors, and Barrios

Civic Santiago: The Neoclassical Heart and Political Memory

The starting point for many walking tours in Santiago related to the city of Civic Santiago (the political heart and memory) is Plaza de Armas — the central square that has existed since the city’s founding in the 1500s. A few blocks southwest of Plaza de Armas lies La Moneda Palace. This building serves as the official seat and workplace of the Chilean presidency and was the site of the historic 1973 presidential palace bombardment during the military coup. 

Hill Santiago: The Vertical Perspective of the Andes

The two big hills (Cerro Santa Lucía and Cerro San Cristóbal) are essentially what give Santiago its unique shape. They both have lots of things to show; for example, Cerro Santa Lucía has water fountains, walking stairs, beautiful gardens, and is the exact location where the founders settled down in the early days. Cerro San Cristóbal is the larger of the two, rising nearly 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) above the city, with an enormous Virgin Mary statue atop it that offers panoramic views of all of Santiago as well as views of snow-covered mountains in good weather.

Bohemian Santiago: The Creative Pulse of Lastarria and Bellavista

As soon as you cross the Mapocho River over to Bellavista, everything changes. Bellavista becomes lively, full of street art on almost every building, sidewalk cafes with patrons, and at least one musician performing on a corner nearly each evening. In the heart of all this creativity is La Chascona — an unusual little home that the great poet Pablo Neruda had built for his partner, Matilde Urrutia. This has been converted into a museum, and the items that fill its walls include some of Neruda’s eclectic collection of artifacts.

The "Kiltro" Identity: Why Street Dogs Define Santiago's Heart

The Kiltro identity is an example of how local street dogs define the heart of the city. In Chile, mixed-breed street dogs are called kiltros (from the Mapuche language), and the locals treat them as if they were members of the community. During the 2019 protest marches, some of the kiltros showed up and received nicknames on social media. This example is one of many that local storyteller guides enjoy sharing as examples of what defines this lifestyle.

Choosing Your Santiago Mood: Custom Walking Storylines

Not everyone wants the same experience when having a free tour in Santiago, so the routes usually vary depending on what you are into.

• For first-time visitors. Usually the full range of experiences available — downtown, the gardens of Cerro Santa Lucía, and an opportunity to sample the artistic community of Santiago. 
• For art & mural lovers. The walk will take you through the neighborhoods of Bellavista and Lastarria, where the tour guide will point out landmarks and tell you interesting stories. 
• For panoramic explorers. If you just want good panoramic views of the city, the walk will head straight up into the hills to view the Andean Skyline lit by the setting sun.

Why Santiago Works Better as a "Corridor City" Than a Monument City

This is not an urban checklist city. You can’t identify 5 landmark sites and state that you have visited Santiago. This is because the true beauty of Santiago lies in the transition from one location to another — you walk out of a formal old plaza, and twenty minutes later you are standing in front of a wall covered top to bottom in some local paint. The basis for a walking tour in Santiago is this exact type of shift, which helps explain how Santiago developed into its current configuration, wedged in between the Mapocho River and the Andes Mountains.

The Real Contrast of Santiago: Civic Weight vs. Creative Energy

There is an actual contrast in this city. On one hand, you have La Moneda Palace with its gray stone walls full of heavy history. On the other hand, you have artists a few blocks away painting anything they want on any available wall. It is that blend (formal government buildings on one end, vibrant murals of Chilean Muralism on the other) that gives Santiago so much of its atmosphere. 

Practical Rhythm: Managing Hills, Terrain, and Local Pacing

A couple of basic things to keep in mind as we get going. 

• Terrain awareness. The cobblestone roads on the older side of town can be a bit rough. You will also encounter a couple of large hills (Cerro Santa Lucía and Cerro San Cristóbal), so make sure your shoes are made to withstand this type of terrain. 
• Tourist trap prevention. Our local guides will help you find authentic food, such as those found at La Vega, and avoid those that catered to tourists at an inflated price.
• Age suitability. All of the walks are accessible to almost everyone. However, if hiking is involved, check the specifics since some hills may be steeper than others.

Why Santiago Stands Apart: The Poetic Metropolis of the Andes

Santiago may feel like you are walking down a modern, bustling city street, and the next block will give you a feeling as if you have stepped into a small mountain village. Booking your tour through the FREETOUR.com platform connects you with guides who work on a tip-based model, and they use language flag badges, and you can complete it via your smartphone. Free walking tours in Santiago provide a combination of everything that makes the city worthy of visiting.