Santiago is the capital of Chile, a city of about seven million set in a valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range, with a walkable historic centre, the Bellavista and Lastarria neighbourhoods, Cerro San Cristobal and a fast, clean metro.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lapis lazuli
Chile and Afghanistan are the only sources of this deep-blue stone; sold as rings, pendants and polished slabs.
Price: CLP 5,000-200,000 (~USD 5.3-210)
Where: Centro Artesanal Santa Lucia, Pueblito Los Dominicos
Pomaire pottery
Red-clay bowls, pots and figures shaped in Pomaire workshops, 65 km from Santiago.
Price: CLP 2,000-30,000 (~USD 2.1-32)
Where: Pomaire village, Mercado Central stalls
Maipo Valley and Casablanca wine
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc bottles from estates in Pirque and Buin.
Price: CLP 5,000-60,000 (~USD 5.3-64)
Where: Wineries in Pirque and Buin and wine shops in Providencia
Merken (smoked chilli)
A Mapuche smoked chilli spice blend, sold in jars and pouches.
Price: CLP 1,500-5,000 (~USD 1.6-5.3)
Where: La Vega Central, Mercado Central, supermarkets
Alpaca and wool knitwear
Hand-knitted sweaters, scarves and gloves from southern and northern Chile.
Price: CLP 15,000-90,000 (~USD 16-96)
Where: Pueblito Los Dominicos, Centro Artesanal Santa Lucia
Copper kitchenware
Chile's largest export mineral becomes pans, bowls and jewellery.
Price: CLP 5,000-60,000 (~USD 5.3-64)
Where: Pueblito Los Dominicos
Manjar (dulce de leche)
Chilean caramel spread sold in jars and tins; the base of alfajores.
Price: CLP 1,500-4,000 (~USD 1.6-4.3)
Where: Supermarkets, La Vega Central
Chilean pisco
Grape brandy from the Elqui and Limari valleys, in craft and standard bottlings.
Price: CLP 5,000-25,000 (~USD 5.3-27)
Where: Supermarkets and speciality shops in Providencia
Mapuche silverwork
Traditional silver pendants and earrings with Mapuche motifs.
Price: CLP 10,000-120,000 (~USD 11-128)
Where: Pueblito Los Dominicos
Pablo Neruda poetry editions
Spanish-language and bilingual volumes of Neruda's poems, sold in city bookshops.
Price: CLP 8,000-25,000 (~USD 8.6-27)
Where: Bookshops in Providencia and Barrio Italia
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado Central de Santiago
Fresh seafood, fish stalls and Chilean pottery
Where: San Pablo 967, Santiago Centro
Hours: Daily 7:00-17:00 (Sat-Sun to 16:00)
La Vega Central
Fruit, vegetables, spices and cheap lunch counters
Where: Antonia Lopez de Bray 887, Recoleta
Hours: Mon-Sat 6:00-17:00; Sun 6:00-14:00
Pueblito Los Dominicos
Lapis lazuli, copper, wool and ceramics
Where: Av. Apoquindo 9085, Las Condes
Hours: Daily 10:30-19:30
Centro Artesanal Santa Lucia
Lapis lazuli, alpaca knits and souvenirs
Where: Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins and Carmen, Santiago Centro
Hours: Daily 10:00-19:00
Feria Persa Bio Bio
Antiques, vintage clothing and electronics
Where: Bio Bio, Santiago Centro
Hours: Sat-Sun 9:00-18:00
Barrio Italia
Design shops, vintage furniture and Chilean crafts
Where: Providencia, Ricardo Lyon area
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30-19:00 (varies by shop)
Costanera Center
International fashion, Sky Costanera viewpoint
Where: Av. Andres Bello 2425, Providencia
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Parque Arauco
Fashion, outdoor wear and cinemas
Where: Av. Presidente Kennedy 5413, Las Condes
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Mall Plaza Egana
Chilean brands and a Falabella department store
Where: Av. Larrain 5862, La Reina
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Mercado Franklin
Antiques, books, tools and furniture
Where: Franklin and Santa Rosa, Santiago Sur
Hours: Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00
Alonso de Cordova
International luxury brands and Chilean design boutiques
Where: Vitacura
Hours: Shops Mon-Sat approx 10:30AM-8:00PM (confirm)
Paseo Ahumada
Pedestrian shopping axis with department stores, pharmacies and cafes
Where: Santiago Centro
Hours: Shops Mon-Sat approx 10:00AM-8:00PM
Patio Bellavista Craft Shops
Chilean crafts, lapis lazuli, wool and wine
Where: Bellavista
Hours: Daily approx 10:00AM-9:00PM (shops close earlier than restaurants)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Barrio Italia
Alonso de Cordova
Paseo Ahumada
Patio Bellavista Craft Shops
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Costanera Center
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Parque Arauco
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Mall Plaza Egana
Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not expected in malls, shops with price tags or food markets.
At craft markets (Pueblito Los Dominicos, Santa Lucia arcade) a 10-15% discount on multiple items is common; start by asking 'es su mejor precio?'.
Compare two or three stalls before buying lapis lazuli and ask for a written certificate of authenticity.
Flea markets (Bio Bio, Franklin) allow more haggling; bring small bills in pesos.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shops are generally open Mon-Sat 10:00AM-8:00PM; malls daily 10:00AM-9:00PM or 10:00PM; many small shops close Sundays., Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in malls and shops; markets and small stalls prefer cash in Chilean pesos., Chile has no general tourist VAT refund on retail goods; foreign visitors are exempt from 19% IVA only on hotel stays paid in foreign currency or by foreign card., Keep bags closed and in front in crowded markets and on the Metro.