Región Metropolitana de Santiago
Hotels in Región Metropolitana de Santiago- Code:RM
- Type:region
- Native name:Santiago Metropolitan Region
- Population:7.4M (2024)
- Area:15,403 km²
- Elevation:544 m
- Capital:Santiago
Introduction
The Santiago Metropolitan Region is the heart of Chile — the area around the capital, set in the Central Valley between the high Andes and the coastal range, holding the country's wine heartland, dramatic mountain canyons and ski resorts within easy reach of the city.
Overview
The Región Metropolitana de Santiago surrounds Chile's capital, and while the city of Santiago is the obvious centre (and has its own guide), the wider region offers some of the easiest and most rewarding excursions in the country, all within an hour or two of downtown. To the south, the Maipo Valley is Chile's oldest and most historic wine region, the cradle of its powerful Cabernet Sauvignon — the grand estates of Concha y Toro (the country's largest and most famous winery), Santa Rita, Cousiño Macul and the boutique cellars around Pirque and Buin offer tours, tastings and vineyard lunches a short drive from the city. East, the Andes rise spectacularly, and the Cajón del Maipo — a deep mountain canyon following the Maipo River up toward the high cordillera — is the city's great outdoor escape, with hiking, white-water rafting, hot springs, the turquoise El Yeso reservoir and the Embalse del Yeso, and the alpine scenery of the Monumento Natural El Morado. In winter (roughly June to September), the world-class ski resorts of Valle Nevado, La Parva and Farellones, barely an hour above the city, draw skiers to high Andean powder with views over the valley. Out on the plain, the village of Pomaire is famous for its brown pottery and hearty country cooking, and the surrounding countryside holds rodeos, haciendas and the Pacific not far beyond. With Santiago's airport and excellent transport at its heart, the region packs wine, mountains, skiing and countryside around the capital — best in spring and autumn for the wine and lower mountains, summer for the high Andes, and winter for the snow.
Discover Región Metropolitana de Santiago
South of Santiago, the Maipo Valley is Chile's most historic wine region and the heartland of its renowned Cabernet Sauvignon — and it sits remarkably close to the city, making it an easy half- or full-day trip. The valley is home to some of the country's grandest and most famous wineries: Concha y Toro, Chile's largest producer, whose estate at Pirque (with its legendary Casillero del Diablo cellar) is the most visited winery in the country; the elegant Santa Rita, with its park, hotel and Andean Museum; the historic Cousiño Macul within the city's edge; and a host of boutique cellars in the upper Maipo around Pirque and Buin, where vineyards climb toward the Andes foothills. Tours and tastings, often with vineyard lunches pairing bold reds with Chilean cuisine, are easily arranged from Santiago by organised tour or private driver. For wine lovers, the Maipo Valley is an essential and convenient counterpart to a stay in the capital.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Chile's historic Cabernet country — Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and the cellars around Pirque, near the city.
The Andean canyon's rafting, hot springs, hiking and the turquoise El Yeso reservoir.
Valle Nevado, La Parva and Farellones — world-class winter slopes an hour above Santiago.
The pottery and country cooking of Pomaire and the haciendas and rodeo culture of the Central Valley.
Frequently asked questions
Cities in Región Metropolitana de Santiago
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