Top 10 Must See Destinations in Chile Ultimate Travel Guide 2025

Located in southern Africa, Chile is a vast country that offers some of the most diverse landscapes on the continent. From the scenery of Patagonia to the supernatural of the Atacama Desert, Chile is waiting for you to experience. Let us start this article with the capital of Chile, Santiago.

10.Santiago

Santiago

Santiago is a huge city located in the center of the country. It was founded in 1541 AD and today it is the largest city in the country where about 40% of the population lives.

One of the main attractions of Santiago is the Gran Torre Costanera. It is the tallest building in South America with a height of 984 feet and was completed in 2013.

One of the fun things you can do in Santiago is to go to the Cerro San Cristobal, the hill that rises above the capital, and take a gondola to get to the top.

An interesting place. El Yeso Dam is about a 2 hour drive from Santiago de Compostela and is a huge reservoir in the Andes Mountains.

 

Short Overview

ThingInformation
CitySantiago
LocationCenter of Chile
FoundedYear 1541
PopulationLargest city in Chile; about 40% of people in the country live here
Famous PlaceGran Torre Costanera – Tallest building in South America (984 feet)
Fun ActivityRide a gondola up Cerro San Cristobal for great views
Nearby PlaceEl Yeso Dam – Big water reservoir in the Andes, about 2 hours away by car

9.Eastet island

Eastet island

One of the most unique places in Chile is Eastet Island which is known as Rapanui Key. Eastet Island is located at a distance of 3000 kilometers from the coast of Chile which makes it one of the most unspoiled places on earth.

It takes just a 5:30 hour flight from Santiago. It is now believed that the island was settled by colonists from French Polonisia around 1200 AD.

What makes this island so mysterious and famous are the Moai statues here. There are about 900 Moai statues on this island. The tallest Moai is more than 10 meters tall and weighs more than 80 tons.

Girls were used to carry Moai to the island. There is an interesting place on the island named Rano kau. It is a huge volcanic crater located in the south-east part of the island. This place is very mesmerizing in the sentence.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
NameEaster Island (also called Rapa Nui)
Where3,000 km away from the coast of Chile
Flight TimeAbout 5 hours and 30 minutes from Santiago
First PeopleCame from French Polynesia around the year 1200
Famous ForMoai statues – big stone heads (about 900 on the island)
Biggest MoaiOver 10 meters tall and weighs more than 80 tons
Cool PlaceRano Kau – a large volcanic crater in the southeast part of the island
Why SpecialVery quiet and natural – one of the most untouched places in the world

8.Atacama desert

Atacama desert

The Atacama desert is the driest place on earth. There are some places where it is believed that it has not rained for 400 years. There are some options to reach the Atacama desert.

You can land at Colama Airport and go to the city of San Pedro Atacama which has a lot of attractions. One of the most popular place in Atacama is the Valley of the Moon which has many geographical formations that look amazing especially at sunrise or sunset.

Another interesting place is named Piedras Rojas which is located about 2 hours away from San Pedro Sea. Because it is a very calm water source.

It has unique rocks and the height here is more than 12000 feet which is very amazing. Atacama desert is a Krishna place whose name is. Lauca National Park is located in the northernmost part of Chile.

To reach here you can take a flight from Ara city and then drive for about 3 hours from there. Located at an altitude of about 15000 feet, there are a few districts and the scenery is very unique.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
Place NameAtacama Desert
Special FactDriest place on Earth – some places had no rain for 400 years
How to GoFly to Calama Airport, then go to San Pedro de Atacama
Main TownSan Pedro de Atacama – many things to see
Famous PlaceValley of the Moon – looks beautiful at sunrise or sunset
Another PlacePiedras Rojas – calm water, red rocks, 2 hours from San Pedro
HeightOver 12,000 feet
More to SeeLauca National Park – in the far north of Chile
How to Go ThereFly to Arica, then drive 3 hours
Park HeightAbout 15,000 feet – very high and beautiful views

7.Ojaos del salado

7.Ojaos del salado

You will visit Ojaos del Salado, one of the most extreme places in the Atacama desert, which has a height of 615 feet. Ojaos del Salado is the highest volcano on Earth and also the highest point in Chile.

Climbing the volcano is possible and it takes 8 to 15 days to reach the mountain peak due to the harsh weather and climate. To reach there you can land at Coppappo Airport and it takes about 3 hours.

I really like the area around the volcano. The scenery is amazing and the areas are at high altitudes. There are lots of wildlife like flamingos and llamas. Apart from the desert, the coastline of Atacama and northern Chile is very beautiful.

The contrast of the dry mountains against the ocean is very unique. You have a few towns along the coast like Antofagasta. I think the sand dunes around Aquim have a great view of the area.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
NameOjos del Salado
What It IsHighest volcano in the world and highest point in Chile
Height22,615 feet (6,891 meters)
How to GoFly to Copiapó Airport, then drive for 3 hours
Climb TimeTakes 8 to 15 days to reach the top
What You SeeHigh mountains, great views, flamingos and llamas
Extra PlaceAtacama Desert coast and north Chile
Special ViewDry mountains next to the ocean
Town to VisitAntofagasta – city by the sea
Nice SpotSand dunes near Iquique – beautiful views

6.Chiles lake district

Chiles lake district

The Lake District in southern Chile, above Patagonia, offers some of the most beautiful sights in the country, filled with ancient rivers, snow-capped volcanoes, and amazing lakes. One of my favorite places to visit is the Congo National Park.

It will take about 2 hours drive for you to reach Tamuco I think Tamuco is one of the most beautiful and unique place in Chile. The biggest feature of the park is the llaima volcano

It is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile and stands at a height of 10,253 ft. It has erupted several times in the past century, the most recent being in 2009.

My favorite feature of this area are the Araucaria trees known as the Monkey Puzzle which I think is one of the strangest and most unusual feet in the world.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
PlaceLake District (Southern Chile)
ParkConguillío National Park
How to Go2-hour drive from Temuco
Main CityTemuco
Main FeatureLlaima Volcano – active volcano
Height of Volcano10,253 feet (3,120 meters)
Last EruptionLast eruption was in 2009
Special TreesAraucaria trees (Monkey Puzzle trees) – very unique trees

5.Carretera Austral

Carretera Austral

Drive on the Carretera Austral in South America. This route starts in Puerto Mo and goes through rural Patagonia and ends in Villa. According to Google Maps, it’s a drive of less than 26 hours and you’ll pass through some of the most amazing places in Chile.

Keep in mind that many parts of the road are unpaved but there are hundreds of places to visit. Along the way, you will find the Queulat national park, which is about 11 hours away from Porto and features a hanging glacier.

The walk is truly one of the most amazing hikes I have ever seen. The next day we went inside the national park. The fee was $55 for a three day pass.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
RouteCarretera Austral (Southern Chile)
StartPuerto Montt
EndVilla O’Higgins
Drive TimeLess than 26 hours
Road TypeSome parts are unpaved
Main AttractionQueulat National Park (Hanging Glacier)
HikingAmazing hike in Queulat National Park
Entry Fee$55 for a 3-day pass
Distance to QueulatAbout 11 hours from Puerto Montt

4.Base las Torres ।Hike

Base las Torres 2।Hike

This is one of the hikes in Patagonia It is about 12.5 miles round trip trek with about 3000 feet elevation gain You start the trip at 8:00 a.m. And I definitely recommend starting this trip before 11:00 a.m.

Because the last road to the lake closes by 3:00 and it will take you almost four hours to reach there. Earlier there was a flat pond on the slope of the crater mountain till when we reached the top of it, we got a beautiful view of the valley.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
Hike Length12.5 miles round trip
Elevation3,000 feet
Start TimeStart before 11:00 a.m. (recommended at 8:00 a.m.)
Road ClosingLast road to the lake closes by 3:00 p.m.
Time to ReachTakes about 4 hours to reach the lake
ViewBeautiful view of the valley from the top of the mountain
Pumas of patagonia

We can get to see the rarest animal of Patagonia, pumas. The special thing about this area of Chile is that it is one of the best place to see pumas

If you’re lucky, you might spot one in the tourist-populated Dauphiné National Park, but I did an exchange with Leon Amara, which is just outside the tourist border on a private line. Pumas’ main prey are guanacos, which are large llamas.

Short Overview

ThingInformation
AnimalPumas (rare in Patagonia)
Best PlacePatagonia (one of the best places to see pumas)
Where to SeeDauphiné National Park (if lucky)
Private SpotLeon Amara (outside tourist areas, private land)
Pumas’ PreyGuanacos (large llamas)

1.Fjords patagonia

Fjords patagonia

If you look at Patagonia from space you can see a vast uninhabited region towards Chile and it is home to some of the most incredible and untouched scenery on Earth

The only way to reach the fords is by boat. The fords of Patagonia are as raw and beautiful as they come.

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