Shopping in Santiago, Chile: Souvenirs, Local Crafts & Antiques (Updated 2026)

If you’ve ever come home with a souvenir and wondered, “Why did I buy this?”, Santiago might surprise you. Shopping here can feel like a real part of your trip, not just a quick stop at a tourist shop.
Santiago is the best place in Chile for shopping because everything is close. You’ll find artisan markets, flea markets, small design streets, and neighborhoods where you can walk, have coffee, and browse.
You don’t need a special shopping tour. If you’re already planning a full-day city tour in Santiago, it’s easy to add a couple of good shopping stops, especially near La Moneda, Cerro Santa Lucía, or craft markets like Los Dominicos, if you have time.

Chile has the usual souvenirs, but the best finds are the ones you won’t see everywhere else. A classic Chilean souvenir is lapis lazuli jewelry. If you want something you’ll actually wear, look for simple silver pieces with a deep blue stone. The best lapis has a natural look, often with tiny gold-colored pyrite flecks. If the color looks too perfect or flat, it might be low quality or not genuine. Don’t hesitate to compare the same item in different shops before you buy.
Chile is known for its copper, so you’ll see copper items in many shops: small bowls, décor pieces, and simple jewelry. The best copper souvenirs are small, well-made, and easy to pack. If you buy something larger, consider your luggage weight and how you’ll carry it home.
If you want something tied to local culture, look for Mapuche-inspired silver jewelry and crafts. These often have traditional shapes and patterns, making them meaningful gifts with a story rather than just souvenirs from Chile. For something special and delicate, look for crin de Rari: tiny handmade items made from woven horsehair. They’re light, unique, and easy to carry. People remember these gifts because they don’t look like typical tourist souvenirs.
If you like home décor, Chilean mimbre wicker from Chimbarongo is a great choice. Some pieces are big, but you can also find baskets and smaller items that are easy to pack.
If you want something practical and high-quality, alpaca textiles like scarves, shawls, ponchos, and sweaters are a great pick. If you see vicuña for a low price, be cautious. Real vicuña is rare and expensive, so check the label and the shop.

Los Dominicos: easy craft shopping without stress

If you want an artisan market where you can browse at your own pace and compare quality, Los Dominicos is a top choice. It feels like a small craft village, with many makers and shops in one spot. It’s a great place for jewelry, stones, textiles, ceramics, and easy-to-carry gifts.
It’s also a good stop if you want to avoid souvenirs that feel cheap. You’ll usually find better-made items here, especially if you take your time and look before buying.

Santa Lucía: quick souvenir shopping in the center

If you’re already exploring the city center, the artisan stalls near Cerro Santa Lucía are a convenient stop. It’s easy to combine with the historic center, and you can find lots of Chilean items in one walk: small gifts, crafts, leather, copper, and sometimes nice jewelry.
This is perfect if you want souvenirs but don’t want to spend hours shopping.

La Moneda area: culture + a smart shopping moment

The area around La Moneda is often included in city tours. It’s a good spot to add a bit of shopping since you’re already there for the history and architecture. Depending on your plans, you can mix culture and shopping without needing a separate tour.

Persa Bio-Bío (Franklin): antiques, vintage, and treasure hunting

If you love flea markets, Persa Bio-Bío is the most exciting place in Santiago for antiques and vintage finds. You can discover old books, postcards, home items, furniture, cameras, posters, and records. Some are amazing, some are odd, and many are both.
It can get crowded and busy, so it’s not for everyone. But if you enjoy searching for treasures, this is the place to find something with real character. If you visit, use normal big-city caution: keep your phone and wallet safe and avoid carrying valuables you don’t need.

Lastarria: browse slowly, coffee first, shopping second

Barrio Lastarria is a great place to walk if you don’t want to focus on markets. It’s close to the historic center and has a calm, cultural vibe: small galleries, cafés, cozy bookshops, and boutique browsing. Shopping here feels like an organic part of your day, not the main goal.

Barrio Italia: antiques and design with a more curated feel

If you like antiques but want a cleaner, more curated setting than a flea market, Barrio Italia is a great choice. You’ll find design studios, décor shops, vintage items, and antique stores in old houses now used as businesses. It’s a good place to find gifts for the home, especially if you like stylish objects as well as traditional crafts.

You don’t need a separate shopping tour to do this right.
If you’re already on a full-day city tour in Santiago, it’s easy to add a stop or two based on your interests. For example, you can visit the historic center and La Moneda first, then make a quick artisan stop near Santa Lucía, or end the day at Los Dominicos if you want more time for crafts. The main thing is not to try to do everything, since Santiago’s traffic can affect your schedule.
That’s why this works well as part of a private tour. You can decide on the day if you want to focus more on the city or on shopping. Santiago Private Full Day Tour

If you’re buying stones or jewelry, compare quality in a few different places. If you want something meaningful, ask the seller who made it and where it comes from. Good shops can usually tell you.
If you’re shopping for antiques or vintage items, use common sense. If something looks like a protected cultural artifact, don’t buy it. Keep receipts for expensive purchases. If a place feels too crowded or chaotic, just move on. Santiago has plenty of other options.
Most importantly, don’t rush. The best souvenirs are usually the ones you pick out slowly.