The Best Day Tours from Santiago, Chile

Escape the city and explore Chile’s best-kept secrets—these best day tours from Santiago, Chile take you from Andean peaks to coastal poetry and world-class wine, all in a single day.

Updated: more destination options for 2025

Chile is a land of staggering beauty, stretching from the sun-scorched Atacama Desert in the north to the icy spires of Torres del Paine in the far south. Adventure-seekers and culture lovers alike will find no shortage of things to do.

But beyond the headline destinations, Chile also hides a trove of lesser-known treasures—places that fly under the radar of most international travelers. The best part? Many of these gems are tucked into the Central Region, just a short and scenic ride from Santiago. If you’re on the hunt for unforgettable day trips from Santiago, Chile, you’re exactly where you need to be.

Day trips from Santiago are surprisingly effortless—and incredibly rewarding. The city is perfectly positioned between mountains and coast, making it the ultimate launchpad for a range of unforgettable adventures.

I lived in Chile, in Santiago, for 6 years, which gave me plenty of opportunities to explore the areas immediately around Chile’s capital. Chile is one of those rare places where you can watch the sunrise over snow-capped peaks and end your day with your toes in the sand. That said, to truly savor each experience, it’s worth dedicating a full day to both mountain and sea.

Here are the best day tours from Santiago, Chile, whether that’s for you to visit independently or head out on an organised tour.

*This post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book using them at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with free, quality content.

How to Do a Day Tour from Santiago

A quick word to the wise: public transportation outside Chile’s major cities leaves a lot to be desired. There are no trains, and buses, when they run at all—tend to be infrequent and limited in reach.

Chile, like much of South America, is very much a car-centric country. That means many of the most rewarding, under-the-radar destinations—those dreamy vineyards, coastal villages, or mountain enclaves—are tucked away in places you simply can’t reach without your own wheels.

The most practical (and enjoyable) ways to explore beyond Santiago are either by renting a car or joining an organized tour. On a recent trip, I had the chance to discover some hidden gems in the Central Valley through a mix of self-guided adventures and guided day trips.

Since I didn’t own a car when living in Chile (I later relied on my partner’s car), I often relied on rentals to chase down those off-the-beaten-path locales. But tours can be just as valuable, especially when you want to kick back, soak in the views, and let someone else do the navigating. This is particularly so for wine tours and visiting vineyards.

Either way, having a solid plan for how to get around is key to unlocking the very best of central Chile.

Best Day Tours from Santiago, Chile

Cajon del Maipo

After way too much time sitting at my desk in the city centre, I yearned for high mountain passes, glacial views, and to get my hiking boots back on. I had always heard about one of the best places to go hiking near Santiago, Cajon del Maipo, specifically the El Morado Monument.

This is an easy/medium hike through the El Morado Valley and up to the San Francisco Glacier. Cajon del Maipo is just a short drive from the city of Santiago, and there are many places to stop off along the way, such as rock formations, local towns, and waterfalls. It’s one of the best day tours from Santiago, Chile, but you’ll need to start early.

We continued to El Morado and began the 6-hour hike to the San Francisco Glacier. It was a glorious day with mountain flowers blooming along the path at first, which got more and more rocky as we got to the top. The trail was deserted, and the scenery was serene and almost eerie.

Getting close to the glacier was extraordinary, and it was hard to comprehend one of nature’s marvels right in front of me. I was longing to be in the mountains again, and I finally got my fix. 

Casablanca Wine Valley, Valparaiso & Concon

Continuing on with exploring the variety of Chile’s landscapes, I signed up for this tour- a Full Day Tour Valparaiso – Vina del Mar and Casablanca Valley from Santiago.

First, a wine tour at one of my favourite vineyards in the Casablanca Valley, followed by some culture and Chilean food in Valparaiso, and finally, to finish the day off, sunset from the largest sand dunes in Chile. I was down. 

Even if you’re not much of a wine drinker, exploring the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley is a real treat as they are simply beautiful properties, surrounded by green vines (in spring and summer) as far as the eye can see and never-ending blue skies.

I’d heard about Casas del Bosque for a while, but never actually visited as it’s almost impossible to get to by public transport. The vineyard was stunning, to say the least, and we even got to visit the upper part of the vineyard for the most amazing views over the valley.

The tour was also really interesting and taught me a lot about the wine-making process.

Note: Make sure to check which vineyard the tour visits as sometimes this can change depending on the time of year etc.

 After the vineyard, we made our way to Valparaiso, a bohemian port town known for its street art, hills and funiculars. We walked through the coolest little neighbourhoods, Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion, eying the skilled street art, the amazing port views, and riding the hundred-year-old funiculars.

Our guide told us all about the city’s history, the culture, and what makes the city so unique today.

After a superb late lunch, we drove up the beautiful, winding coastal road to Concon, a little seaside town just outside of Vina del Mar. Here we enjoyed some blissful beach time watching local kids frolic in the frigid waves. As sunset drew closer we made our way up the top of the Concon sand dunes.

From here, the whole coast is visible- from the high-rise developments to the pockets of sand of the dunes. The dunes are huge and, quite honestly,y this quickly rose to be one of my favourite places to watch the sunset in Chile. That golden-hour light was magical, dancing on the waves and on the sand. What a splendid two days of tours it was, seeing a lot more of what Chile has to offer. 

Prior to my trip with the full day Valparaiso tour, I didn’t really know what to expect from this region of Chile. Sure, I have visited all of Chile’s better-known ‘attractions’ but I had no idea that such pristine beauty exists so close to the capital, and to think we only brushed the surface in these two days. 

If you want to visit Valparaiso and prefer not to take a tour, it’s one of the easiest day trips from Santiago, Chile, which can be done by public transport.

Zapallar

One of the most unexpectedly dreamy places I visited on a day trip from Santiago, Chile? Zapallar—a coastal escape that feels like a secret shared only among in-the-know Chileans and the kind of place that makes you question whether you accidentally wandered into the Mediterranean.

About two and a half hours from the capital, Zapallar is a chic little seaside town draped in bougainvillea and framed by dramatic rocky coastline. Think windswept pines, palatial hillside homes, and a walking path that hugs the edge of the Pacific so closely you can feel the sea spray on your skin.

It’s low-key glamorous in that “no one’s trying too hard” kind of way.

I went on a quiet weekday with a rental car, took the scenic route through the Casablanca Valley (yes, there’s wine there too—don’t tempt me), and arrived just in time for a long seafood lunch at El Chiringuito, the iconic beachfront restaurant perched right on the rocks.

Fresh ceviche, a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc, the sound of waves crashing a few feet away—it was the kind of lunch that resets your nervous system.

Afterwards, I wandered the town’s coastal path, passing locals in sunhats and the occasional artist painting the scene before them. There’s not a ton to do in Zapallar, but that’s the point. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, breathe, and remember that this, right here, is why we travel.

There aren’t a ton of tours to Zapallar because the spot doesn’t see much tourism, but this private tour is a great bet.

Isla Negra & Pomaire

For a day steeped in poetry, coastline, and Chilean tradition, head west to Isla Negra and Pomaire. Start your morning on the wild, unspoiled coast where you can tour Pablo Neruda’s beloved beach house—now a museum overflowing with maritime treasures and literary magic.

It’s not just a house; it’s a window into the eccentric soul of Chile’s most famous poet.

After soaking up the salty air and Neruda’s quirks, make your way inland to Pomaire, a charming village known for its clay pottery and hearty Chilean fare. It’s the perfect place for a late lunch—think pastel de choclo, empanadas the size of your head, and warm village vibes.

You can easily head to Isla Negra and Pomaire with a rental car or opt for this Pomaire and Isla Negra tour.

Colchagua Wine Valley

While most visit the Casablanca Valley from Santiago, the Colchagua Valley is another top and less-visited option from Santiago. Just a couple of hours south of the city, this lush, rolling region is home to some of Chile’s most prestigious wineries—and yes, the carmenère flows freely.

I spent a weekend here (it does warrant more than a day if you have the time) sipping bold reds under the shade of hundred-year-old trees, touring atmospheric barrel rooms, and discovering that “just one glass” is never really a thing in Colchagua.

The vibe is polished yet relaxed, with vineyard lunches that stretch on for hours and views that practically demand you cancel your return trip.

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just here for the scenery and snacks, Colchagua delivers the kind of sensory overload that’s best enjoyed slowly. For the best tours to the region, have a look at this Colchagua Valley Winery Day Trip or this Private Colchagua VIK and Montes Wineries Experience.

Valle Nevado

If you’re visiting Santiago in winter and craving a total change of scenery (and altitude), Valle Nevado is your fast track to the Andes. Just 90 minutes from the city, this world-class ski resort is the ultimate snowy escape—think powdery slopes, sweeping mountain views, and that crisp, alpine air that hits different.

I headed up on a clear July morning, and by noon, I was carving through fresh snow with the Andes sprawling in every direction.

Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just here for the hot chocolate and the chalet vibes, Valle Nevado makes for a magical day in the mountains. Rentals and lift tickets are easy to sort on arrival—or better yet, book a tour that handles it all so you can focus on the fun.

Ready to experience the best day tours from Santiago? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.

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