Santiago Shore Excursion: Full-Day Private City Tour

Your private guide and driver will be waiting for you at the San Antonio or Valparaíso cruise terminal, holding a sign with your name.

Our first stop is the Bellavista district, known for its street art, cafés, and relaxed atmosphere. From here, we take the funicular up to San Cristóbal Hill. San Cristóbal Hill is one of the main viewpoints in Santiago. It is also an important religious place for many locals. At the top, you will see the large Virgin Mary statue, where people come to pray and reflect.
From the top, you can see the whole city and the Andes mountains in the distance. It is one of the best places in Santiago to take photos. We go down by funicular or cable car (if it is operating; tickets are not included).

After descending from San Cristóbal Hill, we stop for lunch break. We will choose the restaurant on the day of the tour depending on timing, traffic, and your preferences.

After lunch, we continue to Santiago’s historic center. We visit Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago and its original main square. Here you’ll see the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Mapuche monument honoring Chile’s indigenous heritage, and the façades of the Central Post Office, the Municipality of Santiago, and the National History Museum. The square is lively and authentic, with locals and street artists bringing daily life to the colonial setting.
We then continue to the Civic District to see Chile’s presidential La Moneda Palace set against Constitution Square. This neoclassical building is an important symbol of Chile’s political history. From here, we walk through some of Santiago’s oldest downtown streets, including Calle Nueva York, where early financial institutions shaped the city’s commercial life.
Next, we go up Santa Lucía Hill, where Santiago was founded in 1541. As we walk along its paths, we reach the old fortress viewpoint with wide views over the city.
If time allows, we also explore Barrio Lastarria, known for its cobblestone streets, small galleries, and artistic atmosphere.

After the historic center, we drive through the east side of Santiago. You’ll see modern buildings and the more residential, where many upper-class families live.
If time and traffic allow, we may also pass through the business district known locally as “Sanhattan,” with its glass towers and office buildings.
At the end of the tour, we drop you off at your hotel in Santiago, so you can check in and relax after the day.

Your day begins at your hotel in Santiago at a time coordinated with your cruise schedule. Your private guide and driver will meet you in the lobby, and your luggage will be safely stored in the vehicle as we head to the historic center.

We start our excursion in the Civic District, see Chile’s presidential La Moneda Palace set against the open space of Constitution Square. This neoclassical landmark is not only the political heart of the country but also a key symbol in Chile’s modern history.
From here, we walk through some of Santiago’s oldest downtown streets, including the elegant Calle Nueva York, where early financial institutions shaped the city’s commercial life. As we move through the civic district, your guide will connect past and present, from colonial foundations to Santiago’s transformation into a contemporary capital.

Next, we visit Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago and its original main square.
Here you’ll visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, admire the Mapuche monument honoring Chile’s indigenous heritage, and observe the façades of the Central Post Office, the Municipality of Santiago, and the National History Museum.
The square is lively and authentic. Street artists, locals, and daily city life create a dynamic contrast with the colonial architecture around you.

Next, we go up Santa Lucía Hill, where Santiago was founded in 1541. As we walk along its terraced paths, we reach the old fortress viewpoint, which gives us wide views of the city and the Andes mountains.
Just beyond the hill lies Barrio Lastarria, one of Santiago’s most character-filled neighborhoods. Its cobblestone streets, small galleries, independent cafés, and artistic atmosphere reveal a more intimate and creative side of the capital. We take a coffee break here after going to the Port of Valparaiso or Santiago

After exploring the city we depart from Santiago to San Antonio (or Valparaiso) port, which takes approximately 1.5 -2 hours, and arrival is coordinated with your cruise check-in window.