Cerro San Cristóbal Cable Car & Funicular

For the best view of Santiago, head up Cerro San Cristóbal, the hill at the heart of the Parque Metropolitano, one of the largest urban parks in South America. The modern cable car (teleférico) glides from the Oasis station, near the Costanera Center, over the treetops to the summit, with the city spread out below and the Andes behind.

At the top, a white statue of the Virgin Mary looks out over the city, and terraces and kiosks sell drinks and snacks. Ride back down on the historic funicular to Bellavista, the bohemian neighbourhood of bars, murals and Pablo Neruda's house La Chascona.

It's an easy, inexpensive half day that you can do on your own; go in the late afternoon for the light on the mountains. The cable car is closed on Mondays.