In Deep: Santiago’s Barrio Lastarria

<p>My favourite neighbourhood in Santiago is the Barrio Lastarria, a centre of culture with a bohemian, artistic vibe that I adore. Its cobblestone streets and European architecture are nestled in between the busy downtown core and another popular neighbourhood, Providencia. Year after year, I’ve watched my beloved barrio come alive with new cultural outlets and amazing restaurants!</p><p>You can easily spend a couple of days getting to know the area, with fantastic options for how to spend your day, delicious restaurants and wine bars. &nbsp;Here are some of my favourite ways to spend time in this charming part of the city.</p><h4>GAM – Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre</h4><p>One of the first things I do when I arrive is look up the schedule for the goings-on at GAM—the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gam.cl/"><u>Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre</u></a>. This space features exhibits ranging from photography to dance and theatre. Even if you’re pressed for time, it’s worth a visit simply to see the building's impressive architecture.</p><p><br>&nbsp;</p>

<h4>Cine Arte El&nbsp;Biógrafo</h4><p>Film lovers, get your fix and test your language skills at <a href="https://elbiografo.cl/"><u>El Biógrafo Cinema</u></a>, a great small cinema featuring indie films from around the world.</p><h4>Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes</h4><p>Visit the national museum, <a href="https://www.mnba.gob.cl/"><u>Museo Nacional de&nbsp;Bellas Artes</u></a>. This museum features both Chilean and international artists, and will give you a taste of the country’s visual arts heritage.</p>

<h3><strong>Explore the city by foot or on two wheels</strong></h3><p>Take a stroll up the Cerro Santa Lucia, its hilly inclines taking you to a magnificent park filled with fountains and picturesque façades. Right at the very top, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views across the city towards the Andes.</p>

<p><span style="color:rgb(58,58,60);">Wander through the </span>Parque Forestal<span style="color:rgb(58,58,60);"> or kick it up a notch and go for a jog on the pedestrian-only paths, soaking up a slice of local life. While you’re at it, stroll through the park to the Parque Forestal Café for an oasis-like setting amongst the trees.</span></p>

<h3>Go for a ride</h3><p>Make the most of your Sunday - rent a bike, hit the <i>ciclovia</i> (many main streets are closed on Sundays and turned into designated paths for cyclists and runners), and ride the streets of Santiago with the locals!</p>

<h3><strong>Where to eat and drink from A.M. to P.M</strong></h3><h4>Colmado Coffee &amp; Bakery</h4><p>Early risers, get your caffeine fix at Colmado Coffee &amp; Bakery, where you can find arguably the best lattes in the city! Sneak into the back courtyard and take a seat, and be sure to sample the freshly-baked breads and pastries. Next door, take a look at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/closeupchile/"><u>CloseUP Chile</u></a>, an excellent photo gallery dealing exclusively in Chilean landscapes.</p><h4>Chipe Libre</h4><p>For Peruvian/Chilean fusion, sit amongst the patrons on the back patio at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chipelibrerepublicaindependientedelpisco/"><u>Chipe Libre</u></a>. Feeling thirsty? Try one of the dozens of pisco sour variants available in house. This South American cocktail, invented in Peru and claimed by Peru and Chile as their national drink, features in endless debates on which country makes it better!</p><p>With some great New World wine selections available in Chile, I’ve included some excellent places to dive into the country’s offerings. Here are some of my favourite places to spend a night out.</p><h4>Boca Nariz</h4><p>Head to <a href="https://bocanariz.cl/"><u>Boca Nariz</u></a> and dive deep into an evening of gastronomy and wine tasting. Pair your meal with one of the many wine flight options. If you're feeling fancy, pair it with the sparkling flight! From tapas to main dishes, this trendy wine bar is a great place to spend your evening.</p>

<h4>Casa Lastarria</h4><p>For a romantic evening for two with a great wine selection, head to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/casa_lastarria/"><u>Casa Lastarria</u></a>. From Peruvian ceviche to empanadas and even risotto, this varied menu has something for everyone. Stake out the ‘secret’ rooftop patio on a warm summer evening.</p><h4>Opera Catedral</h4><p>If you’re looking for a fun night out accompanied by great food, make your way to Opera Catedral. Local musicians frequent this spot to showcase their songs, complete with a lively atmosphere. Take a break from the music and head to their rooftop patio for a bit of fresh air and a view.</p><h4>Emporio de la Rosa</h4><p>Finally, no visit to Lastarria is complete without a visit to the ice cream institute, <a href="https://www.emporiolarosa.cl/"><u>Emporio de la Rosa</u></a>. For some Chilean flavours, don’t miss out on <i>lucuma</i> (a sweet antioxidant-rich fruit) or <i>manjar</i> (Chile's answer to <i>dulce de leche</i>, but made slightly differently — I won’t go into details, but it’s just as good, if not better). With over 20 original flavours, you may have trouble choosing!</p><h4>The Rooftop Bar at The Singular</h4><p>For cocktail hour, head to rooftop bar at <a href="https://www.thesingular.com/santiago?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22426025947&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAooZ-afpZXAqEiVC8JVBuNTnkys-b&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwh-HPBhCIARIsAC0p3ccUOqtK3zJjMxvKil-H9a7GexZbH2y61hUvXvSxFzgYCqrqqrjcZzcaAq5qEALw_wcB"><u>The Singular Hotel</u></a> to enjoy a Pisco Sour Royale with dramatic views. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with a sight of the snow-capped Andes.</p>

<p><i>Whether you're looking for </i><a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/chile-wine-country-biking"><i><u>wine tasting in the countryside</u></i></a><i>, or </i><a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/patagonia-bespoke"><i><u>wild adventure in Patagonia</u></i></a><i>, Chile</i><span style="color:rgb(58,58,60);"><i> promises an array of exhilarating experiences.</i></span></p>

Discover Barrio Lastarria in Santiago—an artistic, bohemian neighbourhood filled with museums, cafés, galleries, and vibrant culture in the heart of the city.

Lastarria, Santiago | Culture, Food & Bohemian Neighbourhood Guide

Chile

<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">Between the towering Andes and the Pacific Ocean along South America’s southwestern coast, Chile provides the perfect setting for adventure. Whether you explore the rolling hills of wine country by bike or tackle the rugged peaks of Patagonia through thrilling rafting and hiking expeditions, Chile promises an array of exhilarating experiences. It's a place that, no matter how many times you visit, always feels fresh, new and alive with adventure.</span></p>

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Cycle Patagonia's Torres del Paine, walk wine country and the Atacama on small group or private bespoke trips through Chile, with estancia stays since 1970.

Chile Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

<p>Want sumptuous meals, world-class wines, old-world charm and zero jet lag? <em>Bienvenido a Chile</em>. Here, quiet roads through the countryside open up into epic ocean views along the spectacular coast. Picnics, barrel tastings and a cooking demo from one of the country’s top chefs reveal a culinary culture worth savouring. And the futuristic Vina Vik inspires all kinds of awe.</p>

Exceptional Wines

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Breathtaking Landscapes

<p>Wedged deliciously between the Andes and the Pacific, Chile’s wine country pairs adventure with a splash (or two) of vino. Pedal scenic countryside roads with Pacific panoramas and indulge in dreamy picnics, barrel tastings and chef-led culinary wizardry. We've convinced our winemaking friends to spill their secrets, so bring your thirst for adventure, your refined palate... and maybe stretchy pants.</p>

A country of opposites

Experience the rhythm of Chile

<p>Want sumptuous meals, world-class wines, old-world charm and zero jet lag? Bienvenido a Chile. Here, quiet roads through the countryside open up into epic ocean views along the spectacular coast. Picnics, barrel tastings and a cooking demo form one of the country’s top chefs reveal a culinary culture worth savouring. And the futuristic Vina Vik inspires all kinds of awe.</p>

Spend 6 nights cycling Chile's world-class wine valleys in a small group. Casablanca Coast estates, private vineyard tastings and Pacific Ocean views on

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Geographically narrow, culturally robust; welcome to Chile! Dominated by the Andes and the Pacific on a strip of land that runs up South America’s southwestern coast, Chile boasts a mix of European and Indigenous influences that imbue the country with an old-world charm. The Mediterranean-like climate in the southern wine valleys has propelled its oenological offerings to international acclaim; and nowhere is this more evident than during your time at the Viña Vik, recently named one of the world’s best new hotels by Travel + Leisure magazine, and the Casa Bouchon, a luxury hacienda-style property set amid the vineyards of the Maule Valley.

Active Adventure

Great Bikes, Great Rides

Unique Gastronomy

<p>From desert to glacier and vineyard to volcano, Chile is adventure in widescreen—with a splash of world-class wine in between. Hike Patagonia’s jaw-dropping peaks, raft the Futaleufú or bike through rolling vines before kicking back under the star-packed sky. With bold landscapes, bolder flavours and lodges to match, Chile doesn’t just impress—it impresses upon you.</p>

Reasons to believe

Hike, bike and stargaze across Chile on a tailor-made itinerary. Atacama desert nights, Andean trails and award-winning vineyards most visitors never reach.

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Off the Beaten Path

Local Connections

<p>Patagonia is where adventure whispers—loudly. Think jagged peaks, <i>gaucho</i> trails and silences big enough to get lost in. Hike past glaciers, watch condors cruise overhead and feel the edge of the world beneath your boots. Then hit Buenos Aires or Santiago for a tango-fuelled culture fix. Wild, vast and utterly unforgettable, this place is equal parts thrilling and humbling.</p>

Hike Torres del Paine, ride the Patagonian steppe and watch glaciers calve into Beagle Channel fjords. A tailor-made Patagonia itinerary, built for you.

In Deep: Santiago’s Barrio Lastarria

By Steph Gulledge

Chile

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