Description:
Perched at the foot of the Andes, Santiago strives to be a modern city. Its skyscrapers and telecommunications networks attest to this, but to get to know it fully you have to explore the beautiful and recently restored colonial neighbourhoods. The city was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia making it the oldest city in Chile, but has been reconstructed several times due to the many earthquakes from the past. There are many attractions for tourists to see in this city, like the stately buildings of Plaza de Armas, which should be your first stop on your tour of the city. This is the centre point of the city featuring colonial architecture through the Catedral Metropolitana, Palacio de la Real Audiencia (Now the Museo Historico) and the Correo Central. If you have the time and energy, take a walking tour from here. If you are in the mood for some funky cafes or hitting up a dance club, head to Bellavista for its colourful streets, unique architecture, or for a bite to eat at one of the bustling restaurants. If you just want to relax, get some exercise or breathe in some fresh air, head to the large urban Parque Metropolitano, one of the biggest urban parks in the world.