6 Must-See Sites in Santiago, Chile

The main city square, Plaza de Armas features various historic buildings, such as Metropolitan Cathedral, Central Post Office Building and Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago. Designed in 1541, the square’s center includes a monument of a woman breaking a native woman’s chains, representing freedom. © Ionut David | Dreamstime.com

San Cristóbal Hill lies in northern Santiago and towers over the city at 850 meters high. This area includes Manuel Foster Observatory, Chilean National Zoo and Santiago Metropolitan Park, the city’s largest public park. The summit is accessible by foot, car, Funicular de Santiago or cable car. © Aleksandar Todorovic | Dreamstime.com

The Museum of Memory and Human Rights honors victims of human rights violations during Augusto Pinochet’s military dictatorship between 1973 and 1990. Inside, visitors witness letters to family members by prisoners, newspaper clippings, survivors’ testimonies and torture devices. © Emma Jones | Dreamstime.com

At Santiago’s Central Market, entertainment, food and handcrafted items abound. In addition to street musicians performing, the market features some of the most diverse offerings of seafood. © Antonio De Azevedo Negrão | Dreamstime.com

The Chilean National Museum of Natural History comprises one of three national museums in the country. Located in Quinta Normal Park, the museum features 12 permanent exhibits, from Chile’s biogeography to Chilean archaeology to cultural anthropology. © Diego Grandi | Dreamstime.com

Sitting in the southeastern part of Santiago Metropolitan Region, Maipo Canyon lies in the Andean Mountain range. With a series of confluent rivers and the Maipo River basin, this narrow valley offers stunning views year-round. El Morado Natural Monument, found within the region, includes the San Francisco glacier. © Toniflap | Dreamstime.com