Lastarria and Santa Lucía Hill Walk (Self Guided), Santiago

Stretch your legs and see some superb architecture at the same time when you visit the Lastarria neighborhood. This smart Santiago residential area features neoclassical architecture, reminiscent of some European cities.

The locale is also noted for its bounty of book shops, artisan stores, independent theaters, excellent restaurants and trendy bars. Jose Victorino Lastarria Street, the main artery is a welcoming spot for its artisanal cafés and mid-to-high end restaurants. There is also a historical movie theater called El Biografo. Also worth checking out while you are in the neighborhood is Casa Taller, an unusual property by architect Luciano Kulczewski. It features battlements, a tower and chains.

Walk up Santa Lucía Hill, a small hill in the center of the city with a lot of history. This was one of the places where Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdia founded the city. There are wonderful views from the terraced gardens at its summit, which is at a height of 2,063 feet (629 meters). This elevated position is also home to a castle, squares, balconies, statues, fountains and a small church.

A highlight of the hill is the Terraza Caupolicán, the largest of all the terraces. Walk through a doorway that displays the King of Spain's coat of arms to get to the main Plaza Neptuno and its beautiful fountain.