Central Post Office Building, Santiago
Overlooking Santiago’s Arms Square, the Central Post Office Building is one of the city’s most notable landmarks. It was originally designed by Ricardo Brown and completed in 1881, then remodeled in 1908 by architect Ramón Fehrman, who added the neoclassical façade, a third floor, and the glass cupola that still tops the building today. Its pastel-pink Renaissance style and balanced design fit well with the surrounding historic architecture.
The building is still a working post office, so visitors can step inside to mail a postcard from this historic location. The interior, with high ceilings and period details, offers a look at how communication worked long before modern technology.
The Postal Museum inside adds another layer of interest. It displays thousands of stamps from around the world, including the famous Penny Black, the first postage stamp ever issued in England. It’s a great stop for anyone interested in history, art, or the enduring charm of a handwritten letter.
The building is still a working post office, so visitors can step inside to mail a postcard from this historic location. The interior, with high ceilings and period details, offers a look at how communication worked long before modern technology.
The Postal Museum inside adds another layer of interest. It displays thousands of stamps from around the world, including the famous Penny Black, the first postage stamp ever issued in England. It’s a great stop for anyone interested in history, art, or the enduring charm of a handwritten letter.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santiago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Central Post Office Building on Map
Sight Name: Central Post Office Building
Sight Location: Santiago, Chile (See walking tours in Santiago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santiago, Chile (See walking tours in Santiago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santiago, Chile
Create Your Own Walk in Santiago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santiago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Recoleta Walking Tour
Established under the rule of Pinochet, Recoleta is perhaps the most famous of all the Santiago communes. It is undeniably one of Chile’s most multicultural places, replete with historic and architectural attractions: churches, parks and more.
The Franciscan Church and Convent of Recoleta – built in 1843, this Neoclassical complex with Tuscan influence was declared a National Monument in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The Franciscan Church and Convent of Recoleta – built in 1843, this Neoclassical complex with Tuscan influence was declared a National Monument in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Santiago Shopping and Food Tour
Santiago is a busy, walkable city, with a fairly compact downtown bursting with exciting places to dine and shop. In recent years, Chile's affluence has prompted many international retailers to open their stores in the country's capital. Here you can shop practically for everything: from food to clothing to gifts and beyond, much as your bank account allows you.
The pedestrian zones... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The pedestrian zones... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
For a country relatively small in terms of population, Chile is quite rich in two things: coastline and churches. Thanks to the Spanish founders of the Chilean capital, the majority of Santiago’s temples are Catholic. Given that most of them are conveniently located in the downtown area, checking out these historic religious sites doesn’t take too much time.
The San Francisco Church –... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The San Francisco Church –... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Bellavista Walking Tour
One of Santiago's most enigmatic neighborhoods, Bellavista is a lively and quirky area akin to Montmartre in Paris. Known for its bohemian culture and thumping nightlife, the district is dotted with casual pubs, low-lit cocktail bars, discos and numerous eateries serving fusion cuisine. Many of the city's esteemed intellectuals and artists live in Bellavista, following in the footsteps... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Santiago Introduction Walking Tour
Few capitals can say they were born twice — Santiago rose again from flames, and that spirit of resilience still pulses through its streets today. Founded on February 12, 1541, by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, the young settlement was nearly destroyed months later in a native uprising led by Michimalonco. Against all odds, the settlers rebuilt Santiago from ashes.
The city’s... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The city’s... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 14 Made-in-Chile Goods to Bring Home from Santiago
Unlike the late 20th century, when Chile was largely associated with oppressive regime, today's Chile is known primarily for its premium wines and colorful crafts. If you're fortunate to visit the country's capital city Santiago de Chile, you will find yourself spoiled for choice with...






