Explore Santiago’s Plaza de Armas museums

If you're planning your visit to Chile, whether it's a private tour of Santiago or just a short stopover, you can't miss the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic museums in the heart of the capital, all located just a few meters apart. We guarantee that you will gain a much deeper understanding and insight into the capital of Chile than you might expect.

Here’s a guide to the museums in the Plaza de Armas area:

1. Museo de Santiago, Casa Colorada:
After being closed for more than 14 years due to the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, this museum has reopened its doors following a complete renovation of its spaces, which now include models, historical maps, cartography, 3D prints, paintings, dioramas, and pre-Hispanic artifacts. The museum also features interactive screens and inclusive systems that ensure accessibility for all visitors, both from Chile and around the world.

In this newly renovated Santiago museum, the focus is not only on the colonial period but also on the lives of Santiago's inhabitants, from the early settlers of the Mapocho Valley to modern times.

As an additional note, this museum is housed in the famous "Casa Colorada," named for the intense red color of the colonial building’s facade. It was also the residence of Mateo Toro y Zambrano, a member of Chile’s first National Government Junta. In 1981, the building was declared a National Monument and transformed into a historical museum.

Admission is free until the end of 2024, and you can visit from Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The Museo De Santiago is the newest museum in the Plaza de Armas area.

2. Museo Histórico Nacional:
Located right across from the Plaza de Armas, the Museo Histórico Nacional is where you can dive deep into the history of our country.

Housed since 1982 in the historic Palacio de la Real Audiencia (a building constructed in 1802), this is one of only three museums in the country to hold the National Museum status, along with the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History. In 1969, it was declared a National Monument.

At this museum, you'll find exhibits that cover the history of Chile, from its beginnings with the arrival of the conqueror Pedro de Valdivia, to displays of Santiago during the colonial period, artifacts from the War of the Pacific, the national mining industry, and elements from Chile’s contemporary era.

Entrance is free, and you can visit the museum from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

The Museo Histórico Nacional is one of Santiago’s most complete museums dedicated to Chilean history.

3. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino:
The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art) was inaugurated in 1982 and is an initiative of the Municipality of Santiago and the Larrain Echeñique Family Foundation.

The museum houses a range of items that are part of both permanent and temporary exhibits, with a special emphasis on the pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas. A significant portion of these items comes from the collection of businessman and philanthropist Sergio Larraín García Moreno.

Today, the museum displays pieces considered to be unique and exceptional works of art, including Andean textiles over 3,000 years old, the famous Chinchorro Mummies from the Chilean desert (the oldest mummies in the world), and works in ceramics, stone, and metal. The collection also includes artifacts from the Maya, Inca, Aztec, and Toltec civilizations, as well as pieces from Amazonian and Caribbean cultures.

The museum is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance fees for foreign visitors are USD $10.

The collection at the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino is one of the finest displays of Latin American art.

If you have limited time in Santiago, you cannot leave the city without visiting these three spectacular museums. They will give you a deeper understanding not only of Chile's history but also of Latin America's rich cultural heritage.

At Pucara Travel, we offer private, tailored tours of Santiago and its surroundings. Contact us to learn more about the best activities that will make your visit to Chile truly unforgettable.