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Attractions in Chile: 20 must-visit places in the narrowest and the southernmost country in the world


Chile is the narrowest and the southernmost country. About four thousand kilometres separate the southern point of Patagonia from the northern border with Peru. There are many interesting places in different geographic zones in this amazing country. We have selected the most beautiful attractions in Chile, which will not leave anyone indifferent.

Isla Magdalena

On the Isla Magdalena, you can take a fascinating walk surrounded by penguins and observe the habits of these funny creatures in their natural habitat. Penguins are not shy at all and practically do not pay attention to tourists. The sights of the island include the old lighthouse with a museum. Its observation deck offers a beautiful view of the Strait of Magellan and the panorama of the entire island.

Isla Magdalena
Isla Magdalena. Photo: Andrea Schaffer / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Isla Magdalena
Isla Magdalena. Photo: Andrea Schaffer / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Isla Magdalena
Isla Magdalena. Photo: Andrea Schaffer / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Attractions in Chile: Torres del Paine

The world famous Torres del Paine National Park is a must-visit place for every tourist. Almost all the landscapes of Patagonia are represented here: the Magellanic subpolar forests, the Patagonian steppe and the Andean desert. These are rather harsh lands, so hurricane winds often rage here, especially in spring and summer, the weather is unpredictable and capricious. Mountain beauty in bad weather is covered with dense clouds.

Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine. Photo: LBM1948 (CC BY-SA)
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine. Photo: Natalia Reyes Escobar (CC BY-SA)
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine. Photo: LBM1948 (CC BY-SA)

Villa O’Higgins

This village is a paradise for tourists. Activities include fishing, horse riding, mountaineering, trekking, photographing and observing vegetation, animals and birds. The main attractions are the glaciers, Lake O’Higgins and the diverse Patagonian nature.

Villa O'Higgins
Villa O’Higgins. Photo: Chrislorenz9 (CC BY-SA)
Villa O'Higgins
Villa O’Higgins. Photo: Rodrigo Meneze (Ironman br) (CC BY-SA)
Villa O'Higgins
Villa O’Higgins. Photo: David (CC BY)

Attractions in Chile: The Marble Caves

Cuevas de Marmol (The Marble Caves) is the most beautiful cave network in the world. The 6,000-year-old sculpture was carved by the mighty waves of General Carrera Lake in Patagonia. The bright blue pits are partially surrounded by its turquoise waters. One of the deepest lakes on the planet, 586 meters deep, is located on the border of Chile and Argentina, near the city of Chile Chico.

The Marble Caves
The Marble Caves. Photo: Javier Vieras / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
The Marble Caves
The Marble Caves. Photo: sergejf / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
The Marble Caves
The Marble Caves. Photo: sergejf / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Carretera Austral

Take a road trip or bike ride along this famous route, stopping at the marvelous marble caves that can be found on General Carrera Lake. You will experience incredible tranquility as you ride a boat along the glacial lakes inside the caves. These stunning natural caves are very photogenic indeed, with swirling patterns on the walls set against an azure blue lake.

Carretera Austral
Carretera Austral. Photo: Rakela (CC BY-SA)
Carretera Austral
Carretera Austral. Photo: QuaintPlanet / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Carretera Austral
Carretera Austral. Photo: Jason Hollinger / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Attractions in Chile: Isla Grande Chiloé

This island is known for its unique atmosphere based on ancient traditions, unique churches included in the UNESCO list. It looks like the special way of life of locals has not changed over the centuries.

Isla Grande Chiloé
Isla Grande Chiloé. Photo: Kevin Gabbert – User: (WT-shared) Kevin James at wts wikivoyage (Public domain)
Isla Grande Chiloé
Isla Grande Chiloé. Photo: Srikanth Jandhyala / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Easter Island

The most remote island in the world is known primarily for the numerous stone statues – moai, created by the ancient local civilization. There is not a single tree and not a single river, so the flora and fauna are rather scarce, although carefully protected. In the center of Easter Island is a small desert, around which 70 extinct volcanoes are scattered randomly.

Easter Island
Easter Island. Photo: David Berkowitz / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Easter Island
Easter Island. Photo: The original uploader was Hhooper1 at English Wikipedia (CC BY)
Easter Island
Easter Island. Photo: kallerna (CC BY-SA)

Attractions in Chile: Puerto Varas

Former fishing village, Puerto Varas is now one of Chile’s most charming small towns, a popular lake resort and recreation center, more reminiscent of cities in German-speaking Europe than in the rest of South America.

Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas. Photo: Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA)
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas. Photo: M M from Switzerland (CC BY-SA)
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas. Photo: Rodrigo Fernández (CC BY-SA)

Valdivia

Valdivia is mostly famous for its annual water festival. Every year at the end of summer, that is, at the end of February, the famous Valdivia Night is held here. This water show marks the farewell to summer, when decorated ships and boats set off on a ceremonial voyage accompanied by fireworks and music. This is a colorful and vibrant event that attracts many tourists in the city.

Valdivia
Valdivia. Photo: Vicpablo11 (CC BY-SA)
Valdivia
Valdivia. Photo: pmonsa / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Valdivia
Valdivia. Photo: Roberto Herrera Pellizzari / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Attractions in Chile: Pucón

This small town is a real tourist Mecca thanks to its lake, volcano and the wide variety of outdoor activities imaginable. Besides, it is one of the most picturesque towns in the Chilean Lake District.

Pucón
Pucón. Photo: Claire Provost (CC BY-SA)
Pucón
Pucón. Photo: TravelHound.cl / flickr (Public domain)
Pucón
Pucón. Photo: Robert Cutts / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Villarica Volcano

Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes not only in Chile, but throughout Latin America. You may climb it up, but be ready to an exhausting eight-hour journey. Still, breathtaking views from the top definitely worth it!

Villarica Volcano
Villarica Volcano. Photo: Jorge Barrios (Public domain)
Villarica Volcano
Villarica Volcano. Photo: Robert Cutts / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Villarica Volcano
Villarica Volcano. Photo: Elemaki (CC BY)

Attractions in Chile: Santiago

Santiago is the capital of Chile. This huge city, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera de la Costa and the Andes mountains, is home to many interesting museums, and its colonial architecture attracts tourists. Local dishes can be enjoyed in cafes and restaurants.

Santiago
Santiago. Photo: 12254307 / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Santiago
Santiago. Photo: Dan Lundberg / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Santiago
Santiago. Photo: GameOfLight (CC BY-SA)

Valparaiso

The main port of the country is known for its bohemian, artistic life and picturesque landscapes. The historic center of the city is included in the UNESCO list. Here you will find charming colonial architecture, wonderful seafood restaurants, markets and shops.

Valparaiso
Valparaiso. Photo: Javier Rubilar from Santiago, Chile (CC BY-SA)
Valparaiso
Valparaiso. Photo: Winniepix / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Valparaiso
Valparaiso. Photo: QuaintPlanet / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Attractions in Chile: La Serena

The city is famous for its gorgeous beaches, large and small private wineries, colonial architecture that has been preserved in the old city. Besides, the largest observatory in the southern hemisphere, Tololo, is located here.

La Serena
La Serena. Photo: Jonny_Joka / pixabay (Pixabay License)
La Serena
La Serena. Photo: M M from Switzerland (CC BY-SA)
La Serena
La Serena. Photo: subberculture / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is famous primarily for its location. It is a starting point to reach the most incredible natural attractions in Chile that will remain in your memory for a lifetime. Nearby there are lagoons with pink flamingos, in the neighborhood there are the Moon Valley, Death Valley and the ALMA Observatory.

San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama. Photo: Entropy1963 (Public domain)
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama. Photo: Ana Raquel Hernandes from Brazil (CC BY-SA)
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama. Photo: ogwen / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Attractions in Chile: Chuquicamata

For many years, the quarry has been known as the largest open pit in the world with the largest daily volume of rock mass extracted and moved: ore and overburden. The quarry dimensions are impressive: 4.3 km in length; 3 km wide and 850 m deep!

Chuquicamata
Chuquicamata. Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA)
Chuquicamata
Chuquicamata. Photo: I, 天然ガス (CC BY-SA)
Chuquicamata
Chuquicamata. Photo: Modified by Tennen-Gas (CC BY-SA)

Iquique

Sandwiched between the ocean and high sandy hills, Iquique is considered one of the most visited by Chileans cities in the country: it attracts with a mild climate, beautiful beaches, a historical center. Also it is a starting point for traveling to the Atacama Desert.

Iquique
Iquique. Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA)
Iquique
Iquique. Photo: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS (CC BY-SA)
Iquique
Iquique. Photo: Osmar Valdebenitoderivative work: MrPanyGoff (CC BY-SA)

Attractions in Chile: Arica

The northernmost city of Chile stands on the coast of the bay. From the mainland it is protected by the Morro Hill, which is the symbol of the city. From the top of the hill, which drops abruptly over the Pacific Ocean, a grandiose view opens up of the fertile Asapa Valley, where Arica is stretched among the mountains east and north up to the Peruvian desert.

Arica
Arica. Photo: Heretiq (CC BY-SA)
Arica
Arica. Photo: Eduardo Banderas G. (CC BY-SA)
Arica
Arica. Photo: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS (CC BY-SA)