Chile is a country in southern South America, bounded to the north by Peru, to the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean.
With an area of 756,096 square kilometers (291,930 sq mi), Chile is the world’s 38th-largest country by land area and ranks 67th among countries in total area.
If you are planning a trip to this nation, you have many famous sites to add to your itinerary.
Famous Landmarks in Chile
1. Marble Caves
(Cuevas de Mármol)The Marble Caves (Cuevas de Mármol) are a group of caverns, columns and tunnels formed by marine erosion in a type of marble called conglomerate. The caves are located on a peninsula at the southern end of Chile’s General Carrera Lake in the Patagonia region.
The caves date back to the Pleistocene epoch and are considered to be among the world’s oldest marble formations. Access to the caves is only possible by boat. Get there by taking a boat tour from the town of Puerto Río Tranquilo.
The best time to visit the Marble Caves is between March and April, when the sunlight reflects off the water and illuminates the marble in a range of colors including pink, blue, orange and green.
2. Valle de la Luna
(Moon Valley)Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, is a desert valley located in the Atacama Desert of Chile. The valley got its name from its otherworldly landscape, which is reminiscent of the surface of the moon.
The valley is home to several unique geological formations such as sandstone towers, caves, and canyons. The best time to visit Valle de la Luna is during the day when the sun illuminates the landscape and makes it even more surreal.
Several tour companies offer day trips to Valle de la Luna from the nearby city of San Pedro de Atacama.
3. Cape Horn
Cape Horn is a cape on the southern tip of the South American mainland, located in the Chilean province of Antártica. The cape marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, which separates South America from Antarctica.
Also Read: Landmarks in South America
Cape Horn is notorious for its treacherous waters and is considered to be one of the most dangerous shipping routes in the world. Due to the dangers, many ships traveling between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans opt to take the longer but safer route around Cape of Good Hope.
To see Cape Horn, you’ll need to take a boat tour from the town of Ushuaia, Argentina. The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is more favorable.
4. Valle Nevado
Valle Nevado is a ski resort located in the Andes mountains of Chile. The resort is just a short drive from the capital city of Santiago and offers a variety of winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.
The highest elevation point is 5.430 meters. There are 900 hectares of the skiing area in the resort founded in 1988. It was a project that came together thanks to the French and Chilean collaboration.
Its climate is described as Alpine which means that it is cold and there is a lot of snow. However, it also has dry summers. The best time to come here is in the winter season which goes from June to October.
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This site is a landmark because is the most visited tourist site in Chile and one of the largest ski resorts in South America. The place has something to offer everyone, from beginners to experts.
The resort also has several restaurants, bars, and shops. In 2013, the ski resort opened the country’s first mountain cable car.
5. San Cristóbal Hill
San Cristóbal Hill is a hill in the western part of Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The hill is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, offering stunning views of Santiago and the surrounding Andes mountains. It has a height of 850 meters.
The hill is home to several important landmarks, including the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Cerro Santa Lucía.
It has a sanctuary that honors the Immaculate Conception with a statue of the Virgin Mary. An amphitheater at that statue’s foot hosts religious ceremonies and masses.
The hill is also a popular spot for hiking and picnicking. To get to the top of San Cristóbal Hill, you can either hike or take the funicular railway. The best time to visit is during the daytime when you can take advantage of the panoramic views.
6. El Tatio
El Tatio is a geyser field located in the Atacama Desert of Chile. It is one of the largest geyser fields in the world and is home to over 80 geysers. The area is also home to a variety of other geological formations such as hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots.
El Tatio is located 4,320 meters above sea level and is best visited early in the morning when the geysers are most active. Being the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere, it has approximately 8% of earth’s geyers.
The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is more favorable. To get to El Tatio, you’ll need to take a tour from the nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama.
7. Portillo
Portillo is a ski resort in Chile located in the Andes mountains. The resort is just a short drive from the capital city of Santiago and offers a variety of winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. In 1949, the resort finally opened after construction commenced in 1942.
The highest elevation point is 4,222 meters. There are 14 lifts and 35 ski runs in the resort ranging from beginner to expert. The resort also has several restaurants, bars, and shops. The Purcell family own the resort in addition to other hotels in the country.
Many prominent ski racers train at Portillo including Ted Ligety, Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, and Mikaela Shiffrin. Visitors should come during the ski season which runs from June to October.
8. Anakena
Anakena is a white coral sand beach located on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). It is one of the island’s most popular beaches and is known for its clear turquoise waters. The beach is also home to two ahus (Easter Island statues) known as Naia and Ovahe.
Other popular activities on Anakena beach include snorkeling, swimming, and picnicking. The best time to visit the beach is between April and November when the weather is warm and dry. To get to Anakena, you’ll need to take a boat from the main port town of Hanga Roa.
Researchers have uncovered remains of a human settlement that goes back to 1200 CE.
9. Villarrica
Villarrica is one of Chile’s most active volcanoes and is located in the Andes mountains. The volcano has a height of 2,860 meters and is covered in snow most of the year. It also has glaciers. It began to form in the Middle Pleistocene epoch and last erupted in 2015.
The volcano is a popular tourist destination and offers several activities such as hiking, skiing, and camping. There is also a lake at the base of the volcano which is popular for swimming and boating.
The best time to visit Villarrica is during the summer months of December to February. To get to the volcano, you’ll need to take a bus from the nearby town of Pucón. Many visitors take guided hikes to the crater from Pucon. You can also view the area by helicopter over-flights.
10. Ahu Tongariki
Ahu Tongariki is an Easter Island statue platform located on the south coast of the island. It is the largest ahu on Easter Island and is home to 15 statues.
The island’s civil wars toppled its statues and a tsunami did further damage years later. The platform was restored in the 1990s after it was toppled during a tsunami in 1960.
It is near Rano Raraku and Poike, two extinct volcanoes. The heaviest one weighs eighty-six tonnes.
During the winter solstice, the sun rises directly behind the ahu which is a popular event for tourists. The best time to visit Ahu Tongariki is between April and November when the weather is warm and dry.
In conclusion, Chile is home to some of the most beautiful and unique landmarks in the world. From its active volcanoes to its Easter Island statues, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So add some ski time, hiking, or beach time to your next Chilean trip as you check out these amazing sites.