In my first month or so in the metropolitan region of Santiago, Chile, I only knew Las Condes as the modernized, polished comuna, home to the financial district of Santiago (“Sanhattan”), shiny high-rise buildings, and tree-lined avenues. I didn’t necessarily view it as a comuna of character and culture until I explored it more in-depth. And what I found over the last year exploring Las Condes has shown me that there’s much more to it than meets the eye. These are my favorite top five hidden gems in Las Condes, Chile.
Parque Araucano
Kicking off the list is Parque Araucano. It’s actually a quite well-known place around Las Condes, but I’ve learned that many tourists choose to pass it by, thinking it’s nothing more than a park next to the busy Parque Arauco shopping mall. However, I’ve found that it’s full of surprises and showcases Santiago in a way that not many other sites do.
At first glance, I thought it was just a park. I used to run laps through the park and over the beautifully designed bridge that connects one side of the park to the other, not noticing what all this park has to offer. But depending on the season, you can find all sorts of hidden gems within the park boundaries. During Christmas time, there are artisanal booths selling local, hand-crafted gift items and an ice-skating rink. Year-round, there’s a giant Ferris wheel, which I thoroughly enjoyed for its views of the surrounding city of Las Condes.
I’ve also come to meet-up events in Parque Araucano and picnicked under the shady trees, on the well-groomed grass. Besides that, I’ve been to a Star Wars-themed bar called Nowa´s Cantina, which is full of life-sized Star Wars props and a themed drink/food menu. Right next to that cantina is a beautifully manicured rose garden, perfect for photos, as I experienced last spring. What makes Parque Araucano a hidden gem is all the little things within it that you can easily miss if you just go for a quick stroll.
Cultural Corporation Las Condes
This is certainly a spot I found off the beaten path, after more than a year exploring Santiago and living in or near Las Condes. It struck me as a little cultural oasis within the city, and it’s actually not too far off from the metro stop Manquehue, making it fairly easy for me to get to without a car. Not to mention that I took the opportunity while I was there to also check out the Stadia Italia Las Condes, a sleek-looking sports club.
The Cultural Corporation, as I learned when I popped inside, puts on various events and changes the exhibits frequently. When I went, they were putting on an exhibit called “Vincularte,” which was full of colorful, abstract artwork. Besides seeing beautiful art, I walked around the grounds of this lovely cultural center and admired the gardens. It wasn’t too crowded on a weekday late afternoon, so it felt quite peaceful, and the staff was very welcoming. What’s more, the entry to the exhibit was free, so I left feeling like it was well worth my time.
Plaza Perú
This little plaza is full of surprises. It feels like it’s hidden because you can easily pass by without noticing what’s inside—something I did several times. I only discovered it myself because my friend lives nearby with her little dogs, and we took them to Plaza Perú for a walk together. Once inside, we enjoyed stopping to greet other dogs on walks with their owners, and the relaxed vibe within this plaza makes it easy to chit-chat with strangers.
I was shocked to see a large aviary inside the plaza, centrally located, shaded by large trees. Inside the aviary, we saw parakeets, canaries, and finches fluttering around, and their chirping sounds were quite soothing compared to the street noises just outside the park. It was truly an unexpected sight, especially after walking through the busy rush-hour streets and sidewalks of the financial district moments before. If you’re staying in the El Golf area, it’s worth a visit as part of a walk through the neighborhood.
Mapocho River Paths Near El Golf
I discovered the pedestrian/cyclist path along the Mapocho River far too late after arriving in Santiago. The path stretches from the border with Providencia to the west, all the way through Vitacura and Las Condes, taking you past the gorgeously designed Youtopia gym, a polo center, and other sports fields and small parks. At sunset, I usually find plenty of runners, walkers, and bikers. Just be cautious about people zooming by on motorized scooters. Besides actively walking on the river path, I’ve found it relaxing simply to sit on one of the various benches and admire the mountain views.
While I usually use the Mapocho River path for jogging, I’ve come to appreciate how it serves as an escape from Las Condes without actually leaving the city. It runs along the major roads Costanera Norte and Costanera Sur, but alongside the river, with views of the Andean foothills, it’s a way to slow down after a day of working in the city or exploring all that Santiago has to offer. The river path is a more reflective side of Las Condes that’s far too easy to miss for tourists just passing through the main attractions.
Mercado Urbano Tobalaba
The MUT is so new that I have some Chilean friends who still haven’t gotten around to going. I’ve been dozens of times, usually to find a table to work from my laptop in a tucked-away corner in this giant urban complex. My first visit to the MUT was a bit overwhelming; it’s seemingly always full of people, and there are several floors of eateries, cafes, and shops to explore.
I’ve gone to the MUT on several occasions with friends or on dates. I find it to be a convenient meeting point, just a block or so away from the Costanera Center, accessible from the Tobalaba metro station. Normally, when meeting friends here, we browse around the two or three floors with food/beverage options and then choose one. There are literally hundreds of food or drink options at the MUT, so it’s easy to find something new every time I go.
Always More to Explore in Las Condes
The beauty of a giant city like Las Condes is that, even after exploring for over a year, there’s always a new corner to uncover or a new event to attend. Las Condes isn’t just a safe, clean part of the Santiago metropolitan region; it’s a city of wonderful sites that deserves to be fully discovered and not simply passed through. Given its numerous parks, quiet plazas, and cultural spaces, there’s really something here for everyone to enjoy.
