Famous Places To Visit On Your Trip To Chile

Chile is an incredibly beautiful, diverse country, home to everything from the driest place on Earth to some of the most magnificent glaciers and wild landscapes you can imagine.Taking up half of the western coastline of South America, Chile is a long country with lots to see and do. Deserts, cities, national parks, Chile has it all. If you’re planning a trip to South America, and especially to Patagonia, you’ll probably be expecting to visit at least one place in Chile, but this beautiful country has way more to offer than just its most famous attraction of Torres del Paine National Park.

Here is a list of the best places to visit on your trip to Chile:

* Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia

The granite pillars of Torres del Paine soar for more than 6,500 feet above the Patagonian landscape, dominating the scenery of what’s often referred to as South America’s finest national park, and it’s arguably one of the most spectacular in the world. For those willing to venture to Chile’s southernmost region, you’ll find some of the most incredible scenic hiking opportunities with trails that meander through emerald forests, passing turquoise-hued lakes, roaring rivers, and even a brilliant, blue glacier. The park is also home to flocks of ostrich-like rhea, Andean condor and flamingo.

* Iquique

Sitting in the far north, Iquique will probably be your first stop in Chile if you’re arriving overland from Peru. Iquique is a coastal town set around Playa Cavancha, a wide sandy beach perfect for sunbathing or watersports. Take a surf lesson, try sandboarding on the surrounding dunes, or simply relax and enjoy the chilled outdoor atmosphere.Iquique is also a great place to paraglide.

* San Pedro de Atacama

A small town built around an oasis on a desert plateau, roughly 5,000 people call San Pedro de Atacama home. The traditional way of life and other-worldly landscapes that expands throughout the Atacama Desert draw tourists who come to admire the naturally beautiful surroundings, simple lifestyles, and ancient culture that continues to thrive in the town. San Pedro de Atacama’s 16th century church is its iconic landmark and the Craft Village is the place to stroll through to witness the age-old local art traditions still practiced here. Moon Valley, with its lunar landscape, salt caves, and huge salt dunes moulded by water and wind is undoubtedly a top place to visit in San Pedro de Atacama.

* Valparaiso

Just a 2-hour bus journey from Santiago brings you to the colourful coastal town of Valparaiso. The main thing to do here is to explore the narrow streets and alleyways which are home to some of the best street art in South America. Climb up the winding staircases of Cerro Concepcion and you’ll discover colourful artwork of all styles lining the walls.If you feel like some beach time, grab any local bus from town and make the 20-minute journey to Vina del Mar. There are a few different beaches lining the coast, but Renaca Beach is widely considered to be the best. If you’re after something to eat, make sure to try some seafood empanadas whilst you’re on the coast.

* Easter Island

Lying over 3,219km off Chile’s eastern coast and 2,092km from any other populated piece of land, Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited places in the world and a photographer’s dream land. The volcanoes flow down to meet the beaches and the lush, rolling greenery makes an epic contrast to the untamed Pacific Ocean never lurking too far off in the background. You can also visit Rano Raraku and Ahu Tongariki which boast the most impressive Moai statues. The former is thought to be the production site of the statues (housing over 400) and the latter has some of the largest, set on an incredible cliff-side location.