Chile has a great variety of museums that you can visit during your vacation, each featuring an aspect of the rich cultural heritage of the country. In Santiago alone there are already several museums that one can visit.
For the museum lovers perusal a list of the best museums in Chile have been listed below so that you can avoid the more mediocre museums and visit those that are truly noteworthy.
Santiago Museum – Located in the historic Casa Colorada this museum has plenty of exhibits that “reconstruct” Santiago’s history starting from the period of the Araucanos.
Address: Merced 860, Centro Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Plaza de Armas, Santiago
Telephone: +56 2 6330723
Schedule: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays and Holidays 11am to 2pm
Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM) – A free route museum that has more than 300 exhibits in 14 themed rooms. This museum is truly unique in that it encourages visitors to participate in its interactive displays as it strives to educate both young and old about art, science, and technology.
Address: Punta Arenas 6711, La Granja.
Telephone: +56 2 280-7812/ 280-7862
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 6:30pm, Monday 9:30 am to 1:30pm
National Fine Arts Museum – This museum boasts the best collection of Chile’s art. There are also temporary exhibits usually on display in this museum so even a second visit can show you something new.
Address: Parque Forestal, Santiago
Telephone: +56 2 633-0655
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7:45pm
Contemporary Art Museum – Residing in the University of Chile, this museum contains a collection of paintings, sculptures, and engravings that reflect the development of contemporary art both in Chile and abroad.
Address: Parque Forestal, Santiago (opposite Mosqueto street)
Telephone: +56 2 638-0390 / 633-1675
Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 7pm; Sundays and Holidays 11am to 5pm
National History Museum – The history of Chile dating back from pre-Columbian times to the present day presented using a collection of more than 12000 items. Makes for a much more interesting history lesson than a mere boring lecture.
Address: Plaza de Armas 951, Santiago
Telephone: +56 2 638-1411 / 633-0462
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 7pm
“La Chascona” Museum House - Pablo Neruda’s home. For lovers of Neruda’s work you simple must take the pilgrimage to Chile’s very own literary Nobel Laureate Prize poet. In his house you can see original copies of his works as well as his very own art collection containing paintings that are gifts from great painters such as Siqueiros and Rivera.
Address: Fernando Marquez de la Plata 019, Bellavista
Telephone: +56 2 777-8741
Schedule: Visits arranged only upon request. Contact them via telephone for scheduling. Visits are programmed for half-hour visits only.
National Natural History Museum – Dedicated to promote the valuation and understanding of the biological and cultural diversity of Chile. Here you will find anthropological, botanical, entomological, geological, hydro-biological, taxidermy and zoological specimens and various exhibits containing native plants and mineral ores of the country.
Address: Quinta Normal, Santiago
Telephone: +56 2 680-4631 / 680-4615
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5:30pm, Sunday and holidays: 12:00nn to 5:30pm. (April - August) or 11:00am to 6:30pm (September- March)