Things to See in Santiago

Parque Metropolitano is central Santiago's largest open space and a magnet for cyclists, joggers and walkers. It's dominated by the iconic 14m-high statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción, which towers the top of Cerro San Cristóbal. Reached by funicular railway, teleférico (aerial tramway), bus, car or foot, there are breathtaking views, lovely gardens, nearby swimming pools, a zoo and a teleférico ride that's 2km (1.2mi) long.

The beautifully arranged Museo Chileno de Arte Precolmbino chronicles 4500 years of pre-Colombian civilization. There are separate exhibits for different indigenous cultures, each including breathtaking figurative ceramics and sumptuously intricate textiles and jewelry. Make sure you see the Chinchorro mummies, a product of Chile's indigenous culture, which are thousands of years older than the Egyptian equivalent.

This museum is a 1970s art time capsule featuring gifts from artists who supported the socialist Allende government. The main attractions include works by Matta, Miró, Tapies, Calder and Yoko Ono, and geometric art by lesser known, but still wacky, 70s artists.