Explore Southern Santiago Neighborhoods.

Santiago, Chile is a city that surprises every day. With nearly 8 million inhabitants, it’s a metropolis that holds countless spaces within its neighborhoods, waiting to be discovered by international travelers seeking a slow journey focused on local communities.

In this sense, exploring the neighborhoods in the southern part of Santiago is a great way to experience the true identity of our capital. Below, we present the best places to visit in the southern sector of Santiago over the weekend.

1.- Macul Open Air Museum:

Inspired by the well-known Museo a Cielo Abierto in San Miguel, the Macul Museum (or MuMa) is a space created by the Junta de Vecinos Vicuña Mackenna Sur in collaboration with a local paint brand. They decided to create a community space that allows its residents to reinterpret their connection to the territory while offering a space to bring art to areas where cultural access has traditionally been limited to a few expressions.

The museum is made up of around 30 large murals by various artists, including Cristobal Persona, Juanita Perez, Stefi Leighton, and Dorian, as well as artists from countries such as Honduras, Mexico, and Sweden.

Nostalgia de Primavera, by local artist Shetukiltra. Museo Macul - MuMa

Autosuperación, by KODE. Museo Macul - MuMa

2.- Factoría Franklin:

After visiting the Macul Museum, we suggest checking out one of the most recognized areas in the Franklin neighborhood.

Factoría Franklin is a space that promotes local crafts and arts, housed in a former 1940s factory that was abandoned for nearly 25 years. It has since been revived to host various businesses dedicated to highlighting local work.

Among the standout businesses is Mirai Food Lab, a top-notch Japanese gastronomy space. Right next door is Destilados Quintal, known for their double-distilled gin. Another notable space is Los Vrujos Lab, which offers cold brew-based concoctions inspired by alchemy using plants, mushrooms, and organic sugar. These refreshing drinks are energizing and help foster a healthier, more organic lifestyle.

Address: Franklin 741, Santiago.

3.- Galerías 3.14, Factoría Santa Rosa, and Galpón Santa Rosa:

After visiting Factoría Franklin, we recommend heading toward Santa Rosa Street to discover Galpón Santa Rosa and its secrets. Once inside, on the second floor, you'll find two national art galleries that have become must-sees in the Franklin neighborhood.

• Galería 3.14 is a contemporary art gallery that showcases works by various national artists. Its goal is to promote elements of national art, making it an important space for the growth of the national art scene.

• Factoría Santa Rosa, located in the same building that was once the Musalem textile factory, has been operating for over 13 years. It focuses on exhibiting and promoting national artists whose work is not only shown in Chile but also in other Latin American galleries.

Factoría Franklin, Barrio Franklin’s newest hub for crafts and arts

Factoría Santa Rosa, located in the second level of the Persa Santa Rosa

Persa Santa Rosa and Persa Víctor Manuel:

Persa Santa Rosa is another highlight in this area. Originally the spinning sector of the Musalem textile factory, it has now become a popular spot for antique lovers, video game enthusiasts, and foodies. You’ll find a range of food stands offering Chilean, Mexican, Japanese, and even Thai cuisine, making every meal a journey through international flavors.

Persa Víctor Manuel is one of the most recognized spaces in the Franklin neighborhood today. There's been impressive work done to position the arts, vintage items, gastronomy, and design all in one place. Here, you’ll find the La Curtiembregallery, named after the factory’s original function of processing hides from the Franklin slaughterhouse in the early 1900s. The gallery now showcases various art forms, combining crafts with other disciplines like fashion design, jewelry-making, and 3D printing. Another iconic space within the Galpón is the gallery of Alejandro "Mono" Gonzalez, founder of the famous street art collective Brigada Ramona Parra, known for its focus on symbols of working-class life, particularly during the 1970s and the presidential campaign of Salvador Allende.

Discover the antiques of Persa Santa Rosa

Persa Victor Manuel, the trendiest spot from the original warehouses of the Franklin area

Galería La curtiembre. Persa Victor Manuel

4.- Barrio Matta Sur:

Our exploration of southern Santiago takes us to the beautiful Barrio Matta Sur, known for its eccentric cités (social housing units with a central corridor and paired houses) and historic buildings like the Asilo de Hermanitas de los Pobres(a nursing home founded in 1890), as well as internationally recognized spaces like Pulpería Santa Elvira.

• Hasta que te Encontré: Enjoy a homemade-style lunch at this restaurant, which brings back the best memories from the '70s and '80s with nostalgic dishes like porotos con rienda, fried fish, and milanesa. Learn more about this place in this article.

• Plaza Guillermo Gacitúa: Known as the "largest cité in Chile," this unique plaza features iconic cité-style houses and has become a gathering place for the neighborhood. The plaza includes a children’s play area and communal spaces that make this a special spot.

• Alameda Beer Company and SPOH Breweries: The best part of this tour comes at the end, with a visit to the Alameda Beer Company and SPOH craft breweries. Both breweries have found the perfect location in Barrio Matta Sur to showcase their delicious beers. At Alameda Beer Company, try their famous IPA, CSM!, while at SPOH, enjoy their fun taproom and unique brews like Fibonacci (Red Ale) or Pi, a beer with just 3.14% alcohol.

Taller Alejandro “Mono” Gonzalez. Persa Victor Manuel.

The entry to the Persa Victor Manuel, by Dasic Fernandez

Hasta que te Encontré. Barrio Matta Sur’s most special place for lunch.

Alameda Beer Company. Matta Sur’s local brewery.

Without a doubt, the southern sector of Santiago is full of surprises and places waiting to be discovered!

At Pucara Travel, we offer a special program dedicated to exploring these spaces, with all the comforts you need while enjoying the true local life of Santiago, Chile.