Striped with cobbled narrow paths and staircases, the small historic hilltop park of Cerro Santa Lucia in Lastarria provides a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle, with the distant Andes sketched into the skyline. This historic hill, once a fort, is now a beautifully landscaped park with fountains and winding footpaths; the ideal place for a picnic (with a bottle of Maipo’s incredible cab sav) while you watch the sunset.

Standing in this chequerboard square, founded in 1541, is a little like stepping back in time – it’s ringed by historic buildings, from the stately 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral to the grand 19th-century Central Post Office and the Museum of National History, a neoclassical beauty. Today, the plaza serves as a gathering spot for both locals and travellers, providing a sunny place to relax, people-watch and take in the beautiful architecture.

Maipo Valley, in the foothills of the Andes just an hour south of Santiago by car, is known for its superlative cabernet sauvignon and carménère. The temperate climate helps nurture incredible reds and you can sample the best at the picturesque Viña Concha y Toro estate, one of Latin America’s biggest wine producers, or at the expansive, bougainvillea-draped Viña Santa Rita estate. At the latter, don’t skip the chance to sip the award-winning 24-month aged Casa Real Reserva Especial and make time for a meal at Doña Paula restaurant, where dishes such as Chilean pork ribs and cremoso de mote (a risotto-like boiled wheat side dish) can be enjoyed in an 18th-century building with adobe walls and bamboo ceilings.

Standing sentry in the middle of Santiago’s downtown, La Moneda Palace isn’t just an example of neoclassical architecture, it’s a symbol of Chile's complex political heritage. Though it was the scene of the coup d’etat against then-president Salvador Allende over 50 years ago, a visit to the palace today is a peaceful affair. Plan to arrive at 10am on every second morning, when the changing of the guard procession, replete with horses and horns, takes place.

Santiago’s sprawling local produce market, inside an historic building on the south bank of the Mapocho River, gives visitors a crash course in the country’s flavourful spoils. See culinary rarities (think prickly sea urchins and giant, fleshy abalone known as locos) on your way to the heart of the market where you can dine on delicious Chile curanto (a stew of seafood, meat and potatoes cooked in the earth) while live music brings the entire scene to life around you.

In the arty neighbourhood of Bellavista is La Chascona, the former residence of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. Neruda built La Chascona (‘wild hair’ in Spanish) to honour his lover at the time, Matilde Urrutia, whose defining feature was her curly red hair. The two would later marry, with their shared home of La Chascona, still in an intimate, bric-a-brac-strewn state, now offers visitors an intimate glimpse into their life together. Audio guides are available for rent on-site to help you dive even deeper into the building’s history, as well as into stories behind some of the poet’s lovingly collected personal items.

You’ve been warned: you’ll struggle to leave Patio Bellavista without spending a few pesos. This neighbourhood of colourful houses and energetic bars and restaurants, which borders the Santiago zoo, boasts more than 50 shops spruiking local arts and crafts, from Mapuche woven fabrics to copper jewellery and lapis lazuli ornaments. Still have room in your suitcase? Head to Pueblito Los Dominicos, a village-style market located in the Las Condes neighborhood at the foot of the Andes, about 20 minutes northeast of Santiago proper, where 140 stalls sell artisan products from all over Chile – think Mapuche art, fabrics and Andes-mined minerals.

Around two hours drive east of Santiago is the rugged terrain of Cajon del Maipo, a deep valley offering abundant hiking, rafting and canyoning opportunities amid the Chilean Andes. Spectacular El Yeso Reservoir, the canyon’s scenic centre, is best admired during a hike on the circular 13.5-kilometre trail that skims its craggy edges; a soak in one of nine natural thermal baths in Termas Valle de Collina is a less taxing way to take in the stunning surrounds.

With 28 hairpin bends, the winding road that leads to the pristine alpine lake of Laguna del Inca is not for the faint of heart. For the brave who make the 2.5 hour drive from Santiago, the rewards are many: the mountain scenery that surrounds the lake’s mirror-smooth surface is nothing short of breathtaking. At the very edge of the lagoon is the Hotel Portillo, an iconic ski resort that thrums with visitors during the mid-June to September ski season. You don’t have to ski to enjoy it, though – the property has an in-house cinema, on-site childcare options and an outdoor pool that’s heated to a balmy 30 degrees Celsius and takes in the best panoramas in the valley.

The Sky Costanera is the tallest building in Latin America, so naturally a trip to its apex delivers 360-degree views of Santiago’s surrounding mountains and city skyline from the open-top viewing area. Cerro San Cristóbal, a hilly green space that sits an incredible 880 metres above sea level, is the largest urban park in South America and offers yet another viewpoint. You can reach the top by cable car or funicular but no matter your mode of travel, a traditional Chilean mote con huesillos – a non-alcoholic drink made from cooked wheat, dried peach and syrup – is a must-try once you reach the top.

Which Canada Holiday Is Best for You?