Santiago and Central Valley

The country’s capital Santiago, located in the central valley, is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. South America’s most modern metropolis, diverse and cosmopolitan, still offers a colonial atmosphere due to historical buildings, plazas and downtown barrios such as pretty Bellavista.

Close to Santiago on the eastern mountainside, several world-class ski resorts are available during the winter, and on the coast there are numerous attractive cities and charming towns including Vina del Mar with its precious gardens, and the historical port city of Valparaiso. The central region is also known for its vineyards. Chilean wine is recognised internationally and complements the national cuisine of abundant seafood perfectly.