Santiago walking tour 2

We kicked things off at Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of the city. Founded back in 1541, this square has been the centre of everything—politics, religion, and daily life—for centuries.
From there, we wandered through what feels like layers of Santiago—old colonial buildings, European-inspired streets, and modern city life all mixed together.
One of the highlights was seeing the changing of the guard at La Moneda Palace, the presidential palace. Pretty special moment, especially when you realise this building has been at the centre of Chile’s political history for generations. Our guide also gave us a really interesting rundown on Chilean politics—past and present—including the dictatorship era, migration, and how outside influences (European in particular) have shaped the city. It definitely added depth to what we were seeing around us.
We walked through the quirky little districts known as Paris, London and New York—very touristy, but also a great example of how European influence left its mark on Santiago’s architecture and layout.
Along the way, we saw:
• The old financial district and stunning heritage buildings
• Some impressive churches and government buildings
• The beautiful old stock exchange building (Bolsa de Comercio)
And of course… plenty of walking! About 6km all up over 3 hours.
The tour wrapped up at Cerro Santa Lucía, which is actually the hill where Santiago was first founded in 1541.
All up, this was one of those tours that really helps you understand a place—not just see it. History, politics, culture… all brought together in a way that made the city feel alive.
Another great day in Santiago 👌Læs mere