A refuge between the sky and the Andes

By Flavia Tomaello, https://flaviatomaello.blog/, Instagram @flavia.tomaello

Santiago de Chile is experiencing a new stage: modern, vibrant and increasingly open to travelers. Between the mountain range and the Pacific, the Chilean capital combines development, art and cosmopolitan energy that make it irresistible for a weekend getaway. It is a city where mirrored skyscrapers coexist with heritage mansions, parks flourish between dynamic avenues and cultural life is reinvented with each season.
Walking through it is discovering a balance between nature and urban planning. The metro—one of the most efficient in South America—allows you to move easily between its 23 communes, and the Mapocho River continues to be its backbone, dividing the city between the sophisticated east and the popular west. Around the Baquedano station, the geographical heart of the city, some of its most charming neighborhoods unfold, with tree-lined squares, cafes and museums that invite you to stop in your step.
The Palacio de La Moneda, with its sober architecture and its historical value, marks the civic center. Nearby, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center reveal the artistic pulse of a capital that looks to the future without forgetting its history. To the north, Cerro San Cristóbal dominates the view. From its summit, the urban landscape merges with the Andean peaks, and the renovated cable car offers a panoramic view that summarizes the essence of Santiago: a city that grows looking at the mountains.
At the base of the hill, the La Vega and Central markets keep the gastronomic tradition alive. Fruits, seafood and local condiments fill the air with aromas and colors. Each stall tells a story, and it is easy to understand why Chilean cuisine has become one of the most celebrated on the continent.
The Santiago night has its own epicenters. In Lastarria, bohemianism combines with elegance: bookstores, cafes, galleries and theaters make up an ideal circuit for those who enjoy art and conversation. Bellavista, on the other hand, beats with a different rhythm. Between murals, bars and terraces, you can breathe a young energy that makes the neighborhood a classic that never goes out of style.
The modern skyline is concentrated in Providencia and Las Condes, where the Costanera Center and its Sky Costanera viewpoint—the highest point in Latin America—provide memorable views of the sunset over the Andes. In its surroundings, the commercial and gastronomic districts offer everything from international boutiques to designer proposals.
The perfect break has its own name: the Mandarin Oriental Santiago, an urban oasis surrounded by tropical gardens, with an outdoor pool, spa and high-level cuisine. A few blocks away, the Ritz-Carlton Santiago preserves its classic and sophisticated style, with a panoramic spa and impeccable service. Both are icons of contemporary luxury in the Chilean capital.
For those looking for a break from the urban rhythm, Las Majadas de Pirque is an ideal getaway. Less than an hour from Santiago, this Neo-Renaissance palace surrounded by vineyards and century-old gardens offers boutique accommodation, wine experiences and signature local cuisine. A refuge where nature and wine meet under the mountain sky.
Santiago is today a perfect synthesis of modernity and roots. A city that invites you to walk around it, taste it and look at it with new eyes. Between the mountains and the sea, it continues to be – more than ever – an irresistible getaway for Argentines.
For the Buenos Aires-Santiago route, JetSMART flies directly with 18 weekly frequencies in October, and more than 20 in November and December. Likewise, JetSMART has 5 direct flights per week (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) between Mendoza and the Chilean capital.