Historic Center Walk (Self Guided), Santiago

Santiago's beautiful historical center is located right in the downtown area. It is where you will find some of its most important sites of historical interest as well as museums, cultural centers and financial and government buildings.

At the heart of the historical center is the Plaza de Armas, which was laid out in the 16th century. Walk around the vast square and admire the buildings that surround it. They are among the oldest in the city and include the Municipal Building, the Central Post Office and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Building work on this neoclassical place of worship started in 1748 and lasted for a little more than 50 years. Tour the streets leading off the square, upon which so much of the city's history was forged. Visit the church of La Merced, the Municipal Theater and the 17th-century Church of San Francisco.

There is an abundance of shopping opportunities in the area too, such as on Ahumada Street, a pedestrian avenue with four blocks of shops, music stores and restaurants. Huerfanos Street is Santiago's oldest commercial area and features many clothes shops as well as bars, cafés and kiosks selling candies, soft drinks and newspapers.

Go to the Plaza de la Constitución and see impressive ministerial buildings, statues of historic figures and the Centro Cultural de La Moneda.