Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

ChileAmericas
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. For travellers it pairs the capital (covered in its own guide) with the Maipo Valley vineyards, the Andean adventures of the Cajón del Maipo, the world-class ski slopes above the city and the craft and country towns of the surrounding plain.

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.

Travel Types

Maipo Valley Wine

Chile's historic Cabernet country — Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and the cellars around Pirque, near the city.

Cajón del Maipo

The Andean canyon's rafting, hot springs, hiking and the turquoise El Yeso reservoir.

Andes Skiing

Valle Nevado, La Parva and Farellones — world-class winter slopes an hour above Santiago.

Country Towns

The pottery and country cooking of Pomaire and the haciendas and rodeo culture of the Central Valley.

Frequently asked questions

The Maipo Valley, just south of the city, is Chile's historic Cabernet Sauvignon heartland and the closest wine region — home to Concha y Toro (the country's most visited winery, at Pirque), Santa Rita, Cousiño Macul and boutique cellars around Pirque and Buin. Tours and tastings, often with vineyard lunches, are easily arranged from Santiago as a half- or full-day outing. The cooler Casablanca Valley toward the coast is another popular option for white wines.

Very much — it's the easiest way to experience the high Andes from Santiago, a deep mountain canyon barely an hour from the city. You can raft the Maipo River, soak in hot springs, hike to glaciers and lagoons in the El Morado monument, and drive up to the stunning turquoise El Yeso reservoir. It works as a day trip or an overnight in a mountain lodge, and is rewarding year-round, with snow adding to the scenery in winter.

Yes — in the Chilean winter (roughly June to September), the linked Andes resorts of Valle Nevado, La Parva and Farellones lie about an hour east of Santiago and offer some of South America's best skiing, with extensive terrain and valley views. It draws skiers from the northern hemisphere's summer. Day trips and transfers run from the city, though staying at the resorts gives more time on the slopes; the high mountain road requires care in snowy conditions.

Cities in Región Metropolitana de Santiago

1 city with detailed travel information

Santiago