Santiago, one of South America's most sophisticated cities, is a thriving metropolis that's home to five million people, or nearly a third of Chile's entire population. On a clear day, Santiago's main attraction is its spectacular location at the foot of the snowcapped Andes, which rise majestically over the city's eastern limits. It's a breathtaking sight, but the opportunity to view it in its glory is not common due to a dense layer of smog that shrouds the city. The smog is at its eye-burning worst in the winter

Nevertheless, Santiago is an intriguing city, and there's certainly plenty to see and do here. It is the historic, economic, and cultural center of Chile, and its restaurants, art centers, and theaters are the best in the country. It also makes a convenient base for exploring a number of great destinations outside the city limits -- including beaches, ski resorts, and wineries. If you're planning a visit to Chile, you'll inevitably spend at least 1 night here on your way into or out of the country, but if you have the time you should try to spend 2 or 3 days here, more if you plan to visit those outlying areas.

The city is a curious mix of old and new; a glitzy glass skyscraper towers over a 200-year-old stone building, and a charming cobblestone street dead-ends at a tacky 1970s shopping gallery. Some neighborhoods look as though they belong to entirely different cities.