Where to Stay in Santiago, Chile? 9 Top Places to Stay in Santiago

Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
Jonathan Davis
• 12 min read

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A city with tall buildings and trees and a distant view of snowcapped mountains
Santiago has many popular tourist neighborhoods, each offering their own unique charm

The Chilean capital of Santiago, often called Santiago de Chile, is a bustling city with a population of over five million. Located in a valley between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, sprawling and historical Santiago provides travelers with plenty of things to do and see.

But as with traveling to any big city, your vacation experience will depend on which neighborhood you choose to stay in. From the convenient and moderately-priced Santiago Centro to the luxurious Lastarria and business-oriented Las Condes, Santiago offers tourists a wide selection of districts and accommodation types.

Budget travelers often flock to Barrio Brasil, while those wanting a more local vibe opt for Barrio Italia. No matter what type of traveler you are, you'll find one of Santiago's unique neighborhoods well-suited to your vacation plans and needs.

If you're ready to learn more about where to stay in Santiago, Chile, keep reading this detailed guide covering Santiago's nine most popular tourist neighborhoods.

🛏️ Best budget hotel: Hostel Boutique Merced 88
🏨 Best mid-range hotel: Pullman Santiago Vitacura
🏖 Best family-friendly hotel: Hotel Sommelier LOFT
💕 Best romantic hotel: Pullman Santiago Vitacura
🛎️ Best luxury hotel: Pullman Santiago Vitacura

9 Best Places to Stay in Santiago, Chile

  1. Best Areas to Stay in Santiago, Chile
    1. Lastarria
    2. Providencia
    3. Las Condes
    4. Barrio Italia
    5. Bellavista
    6. Santiago Centro
    7. Barrio Brasil
    8. Bellas Artes
    9. Recoleta
  2. Where to Stay in Santiago, Chile
    1. Where to stay in Santiago with family?
    2. Where to stay in Santiago for first-timers?
    3. Where to stay in Santiago for sightseeing?
    4. Where to stay in Santiago for nightlife?
    5. Where to stay in Santiago on a budget?

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Best Areas to Stay in Santiago, Chile

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A large building next to the street with a bus and cars under the clear blue sky
Lastarria is an upscale neighborhood located near the city's top attractions

Lastarria

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Lastarria is an upscale neighborhood in the heart of Santiago. Known for its cobblestone streets and colonial buildings, it's similar to the adjacent Bellas Artes area yet distinguishably less artsy and more refined. Lastarria is a great place to stay for upscale travelers: you'll primarily find high-end hotels with a few mid-priced options as well.

Situated near Santiago Centro, just east of Bellas Artes, Lastarria is within walking distance to Plaza de Armas and many other renowned Santiago attractions. The neighborhood also offers easy access to metro lines one and five.

Along with being near the neighborhoods with the city's popular attractions, there's plenty to do within Lastarria. Trek up Cerro Santa Lucía for great views of Santiago, or grab a coffee at one of the many quaint shops on the way to check out Iglesia de la Veracruz.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Lastarria

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Lastarria

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Lastarria

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Lastarria

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Lastarria

A red cable car over trees with buildings, a skyscraper, and mountains next to it
Reaching the Santiago Cable Car to go up Cerro San Cristóbal is easy from Providencia

Providencia

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Located east of Santiago Centro, Providencia is an extensive residential area comprising several smaller neighborhoods, including Barrio Italia. Sprawling and non-touristy, Providencia is the best neighborhood to stay in Santiago, Chile, to experience a quieter, more local side of the city.

In Providencia, you can visit Sky Constanera, a scenic observation deck atop the tallest building in South America. Or you can take the Santiago Cable Car up Cerro San Cristóbal for great views without so much height. The pretty Jardín Japonés is in this neighborhood as well.

Because of its size, Providencia has many accommodations ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury boutique hotels. Properties are scattered throughout the district, although most are located in the north near the Mapocho River and metro line one.

While none bisect the district, there are a variety of metro lines around Providencia's border, providing access to nearly all parts of the city.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Providencia

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Providencia

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Providencia

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Providencia

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Providencia

A city with tall buildings and scattered trees framed by mountains and blue sky
Dubbed "Sanhattan," Las Condes is Santiago's vibrant business and financial center

Las Condes

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Las Condes is the business and financial hub of Santiago. The neighborhood is nicknamed "Sanhattan" as a nod to Manhattan in New York because of its tall office buildings and skyscrapers. It's business-oriented, but travelers will find many luxury hotels and shopping malls with high-end designer brands.

Despite being Santiago's business center, Las Condes is located in the city's northeast section, far from the most famous sights and tourist areas. Is it, however, closest to the Andes Mountains, and you'll find great hiking and other outdoor activities at Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón. Plus, metro line one offers a direct route to Santiago Centro.

But most people aren't staying in Las Condes for the outdoors. Instead, the neighborhood is popular with business travelers and tourists intent on settling in at one of the neighborhood's high-end luxury properties. Prices here are high, typically more expensive than anywhere else in Santiago, except perhaps Lastarria.

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Las Condes

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Las Condes

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Las Condes

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Las Condes

Barrio Italia

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Taking up a small section of the southwest end of Providencia, the compact neighborhood of Barrio Italia provides a convenient location outside of Santiago's most visited spots. Barrio Italia is the best area to stay in Santiago de Chile if you want a hip, local vibe without the tourists you'll find in Bellavista or Barrio Brasil.

Barrio Italia is a very laid-back, walkable community. It's small but has lots of unique shops and great local restaurants. As a compact, primarily residential area, there aren't too many hotels in Barrio Italia. There are a few, though, most being reasonably-priced hostels and inns.

You won't find any tourist sites here, which is what most travelers enjoy about the neighborhood. However, there's still convenient access to metro line five, making getting to the attractions of Santiago Centro a breeze.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio Italia

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio Italia

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Barrio Italia

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Barrio Italia

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Barrio Italia

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Buildings with murals on the walls in blue and gray surrounded by trees
La Chascona, home of poet Pablo Neruda, can be found in Bellavista

Bellavista

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Home to Santiago's hottest nightlife, Bellavista is an upbeat, trendy area with affordable accommodations and buildings lined with colorful murals and street art. Located north of Bellas Artes and Lastarria, across the Mapocho River, Bellavista is just a brief walk from the most popular attractions in Santiago Centro.

Compared to the posher neighborhoods across the river, you'll find much more reasonably priced places to stay in Bellavista. Offerings in the neighborhood primarily consist of hostels and low-priced hotels. However, a few pricier boutique options are spattered here and there.

Most visitors staying in Bellavista do so because they want to be near the best bars and nightclubs in Santiago. While beautiful and relaxed during the day, Bellavista comes to life once the sun goes down.

But even if you're coming here to party, wake up early enough to check out La Chascona. Visiting this attraction, which was the home of poet Pablo Neruda, is one of the best things to do in Santiago!

🛏️ Budget-friendly place to stay in and nearby Bellavista

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

🏖 Family-friendly accommodations in and nearby Bellavista

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Bellavista

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

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A stone cathedral with two towers next to a square with people and palm trees
Santiago Centro has many famous attractions, including Santiago Cathedral

Santiago Centro

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Occupying the oldest part of historic Santiago along the Mapocho River, Santiago Centro is a large district comprised of several smaller neighborhoods, including Barrio Brasil. But most travelers talking about Santiago Centro focus on the central historical area around Plaza de Armas.

Santiago Centro is well-maintained, with plenty of idyllic streets brimming with colonial architecture. Most of Santiago's famous tourist sites are in and around the area. The central historical area is also serviced by metro lines one, three, and five. This makes it the best place to stay in Santiago, Chile, for first-time visitors.

Accommodations in Santiago Centro are mostly mid-priced hotels with some slightly cheaper and pricier options. Most hotels here are located in the north of the district, near often-visited attractions like Palacio de La Moneda, Museo Histórico Nacional, and Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile, which sits on the west end of Plaza de Armas.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Santiago

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Santiago

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Santiago

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Santiago

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Santiago

Barrio Brasil

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A small neighborhood within the western part of Santiago Centro, just outside the central historic area, Barrio Brasil is hip and trendy. It's also where you'll find some of the cheapest hotels in Santiago.

In fact, Barrio Brasil is the best place to stay for budget accommodations. The majority of accommodations here are low-cost hostels, among the most affordable in the city. Still, some fancier (and costlier) boutiques are mixed in.

It's also conveniently located between the historical center and the abundance of museums at Parque Quinta Normal, including Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. The neighborhood additionally offers access to metro lines one and five.

Plaza Brasil is the heart of Barrio Brasil. It's a lively outdoor space where you can usually catch live musicians and a variety of street performers. The local scene is young, artistic, and full of culture.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio Brasil

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio Brasil

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Barrio Brasil

💕 Romantic places to stay in and nearby Barrio Brasil

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Barrio Brasil

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A museum with long posters outside and some trees under the clear blue sky
Bellas Artes is home to numerous attractions like the National Museum of Fine Arts

Bellas Artes

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Bellas Artes is just east of Santiago Centro, sandwiched between the central historical area and Lastarria. This area is a cobblestone-lined arts district with a fantastic location and reasonably priced hotels.

Short-term apartment rentals are also available. Notably, Bellas Artes is one of the best neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile, for an upscale or romantic vacation without the prices of nearby Lastarria.

Best of all, the most popular attractions in Santiago Centro are within walking distance of the neighborhood. And no matter where you are in the district, you're within a few minutes walk of metro lines one and five. Bella Artes is also across the Mapocho River from Bellavista, known for its nightlife.

Despite its compact size, there's a lot to see and do right within Bellas Artes. First and foremost is the area's namesake, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts). But don't skip out on seeing the remains of the 19th-century Castillo Hidalgo or the unforgettable views from Cerro Santa Lucía.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Bellas Artes

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Bellas Artes

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Bellas Artes

💕 Romantic accommodations in and nearby Bellas Artes

🛎️ Luxury accommodations in and nearby Bellas Artes

Recoleta

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Situated north of Centro Santiago, across the Mapocho River, Recoleta is a sprawling residential area running north of the river along metro line two. Most of the hotels are in the south, in and around the Recoleta neighborhood of Bellavista. However, there are a few offerings further north.

The places you find to stay will be reasonably priced and perfect for a budget-friendly vacation away from the busy central area. Bellavista, in the south of Recoleta, is busy at night. But there's also plenty to do during the day, like checking out Pablo Neruda's home, La Chascona, or taking in the view from Cerro San Cristóbal.

If you're staying in the south of Recoleta, the entire city of Santiago is at your fingertips. The neighborhoods of Santiago Centro, Bellas Artes, and Lastarria as within walking distance, just across the river. The Santiago Metro, with numerous stations for line two, connects you to most tourist spots further away.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Recoleta

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Recoleta

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Recoleta

💕 Romantic accommodation in and nearby Recoleta

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Recoleta

Where to Stay in Santiago, Chile

When visiting with family, Santiago Centro is where to stay in Santiago, Chile
Santiago Centro is where to stay in Santiago, Chile when visiting with family

Where to stay in Santiago with family?

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If you're staying in Santiago with family, especially if it's your first visit to the city, the best place to stay will be Santiago Centro. You'll find the most landmarks within walking distance here.

You can also easily access Fantasilandia, a kid-friendly amusement park, from Centro. While accommodations aren't the cheapest, there are plenty of mid-priced options which fit within most budgets.

Providencia, including Barrio Italia, is another excellent option for families. You will get better prices, fewer crowds, and convenient public transportation to anywhere in the city. Plus, kids love riding the Santiago Cable Car up Cerro San Cristóbal in northern Providencia.

Families traveling to Santiago would be wise to avoid staying in Bellavista. Colorful and worth checking out during the day, the neighborhood turns into Santiago's party capital at night. Although clean and safe for families, some spots can be pretty noisy throughout the evening and early morning.

🏖 Child-friendly places to stay in and nearby Santiago

Where to stay in Santiago for first-timers?

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If this is your first visit to the city, choosing where to stay in Santiago de Chile is the most critical decision you will make. For the majority of first-timers, the best spot to stay will be in Santiago Centro, the historical center of town. Most sights are in and around the district, which is excellent for exploring on foot. Especially if you only have a little time in the area.

Both Barrio Brasil and Bellas Artes, on the periphery of the central historical area, are practical alternatives offering slightly different versions of Santiago. Barrio Brasil is a little more artsy and up-and-coming. At the same time, Bellas Artes offers a refined experience with easy access to even more posh Lastarria.

Although Santiago Centro, especially the area near Plaza de Armas and Palacio de La Moneda, is the most convenient place for first-timers to stay in Santiago, both Barrio Brasil and Bellas Artes are within walking distance of the center. They also offer excellent public transportation options for visiting the rest of the city.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Santiago

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Santiago

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Santiago

A stone structure with stairs leading to it next to palm trees and a blue sky
Sightseers staying in Lastarria are near Cerro Santa Lucía and surrounding landmarks

Where to stay in Santiago for sightseeing?

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Nearly all of the touristic areas of Santiago offer some fantastic sightseeing options. Bellavista has La Chascona, the home of Pablo Neruda, now a museum dedicated to the poet. In Lastarria, you'll find the remaining walls of the 18th-century Castillo Hidalgo. There's also Cerro Santa Lucía, which has the best views in Santiago.

But for travelers looking to see all of the city's sights, Santiago Central is the best place to stay as far as convenience and proximity to landmarks are concerned.

Not only are some of the city's most-visited attractions, like Palacio de La Moneda and the Museo Histórico Nacional, within walking distance, but you also have easy access to numerous metro lines providing quick transportation to most sightseeing opportunities in Santiago.

For nature lovers, the northeastern neighborhood of Las Condes is the closest spot to the Andes. There's no shortage of outdoor sightseeing spots along the trails of Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón. But if you're more interested in sightseeing the area's historic landmarks, Las Condes' relatively remote location can mean a lot of time spent traveling on the metro.

🛏️ Budget-friendly place to stay in and nearby Bellavista

🏨 Well-priced accommodations in and nearby Bellavista

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

Where to stay in Santiago for nightlife?

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If you're searching for where to stay in Santiago for nightlife, the hands-down winner is the neighborhood of Bellavista. The colorfully-painted area is best experienced after dark, with the lights and sounds of the city's most popular bars and nightclubs going into the early morning hours.

For a more low-key backpacker scene, check out Barrio Brasil. It's a hip, artsy neighborhood located to the west of the central historical area of Santiago Centro. You'll find some of Santiago's cheapest accommodations here, along with plenty of local bars and pubs.

Las Condes, the financial district in the northeast corner of Santiago, offers an upscale restaurant and bar scene. There are plenty of wine and cocktail bars offering a more discerning nightlife experience, but don't expect the party to keep going all night.

🛏️ Budget-friendly places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

🛎️ Luxury places to stay in and nearby Bellavista

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Stores and restaurants adorned in different colors under a cloudy sky
Bellavista in Santiago is one of several good areas for budget travelers

Where to stay in Santiago on a budget?

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If you're traveling on a budget, you'll want to check out Barrio Brasil. Just west of the main attractions of Santiago Centro, Barrio Brasil is the best area to stay in Santiago, Chile, for low-cost accommodations.

It's a trendy, up-and-coming neighborhood with hostels and modest hotels that offer some of the lowest rates in the city. Plus, it's within walking distance of the historical Santiago Centro.

For a taste of luxury on a budget, the best place in Santiago to stay will be Bellas Artes. Prices are definitely higher than Barrio Brasil, but they are great value compared to the hotels in nearby ultra-fancy Lastarria.

Bellavista, Santiago's nightlife hub, is another affordable area perfect for budget travelers. It offers modest prices, a great location, and the city's most popular bars and nightclubs.

🛏️ Low-priced accommodations in and nearby Barrio Brasil

🏨 Mid-range places to stay in and nearby Barrio Brasil

In Summary

Santiago offers travelers a wide range of experiences throughout its unique neighborhoods. With the majority of landmarks, the historical Santiago Centro is the best location to stay in Santiago, Chile, for first-timers and sightseers.

For upscale accommodations, both Lastarria, with its cobblestone streets and old-world luxury, and Las Condes, the high-rise business district home to internationally-known five-star hotels, offer different experiences for travelers with a little extra to spend.

Conversely, budget travelers can find great prices on hostels and inns throughout Barrio Brasil. Santiago's primary nightlife district, Bellavista, is another excellent spot, albeit sometimes noisy, to stay without breaking the bank.

Whichever area you choose, you'll make unforgettable memories while getting to know this charming Chilean city!

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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Jonathan Davis

Written by Jonathan Davis

JDavis WRITER Jonathan is a Florida-based travel writer who can't seem to stay in one place for long. With more than two decades of trips under his belt, Jonathan has a wealth of information to share about travel within the United States and abroad.

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