Explore all 16 regions, from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia
Chile's northernmost region stretches from sun-baked Pacific beaches to the snow-capped volcanoes of the altiplano, where the Andes meet the borders of Peru and Bolivia. Arica, the capital, basks in year-round sunshine and serves as a gateway to the Atacama Desert and the Lauca National Park, home to flamingos, vicuñas, and the mirror-like Chungará Lake at 4,500 metres.
Tarapacá is a land of extremes, from the bone-dry Atacama pampa to the steaming geysers of Pica and the turquoise salt lakes of the high plateau. Iquique, its capital, clings to a narrow strip between towering coastal cliffs and the Pacific, offering world-class paragliding and duty-free shopping in the Zofri district.
The Antofagasta Region is where the driest desert on Earth meets some of the clearest skies in the universe. Home to the ALMA radio telescope array and world-class observatories, it is a pilgrimage for astronomers and stargazers alike. San Pedro de Atacama is the adventure hub for volcano treks, flamingo lagoons, and the surreal Moon Valley.
The Atacama Region is perhaps best known for the desierto florido, the flowering desert, when rare rainfall transforms barren plains into carpets of pink, white, and violet wildflowers. Copiapó, the capital, sits in a green valley surrounded by some of Earth's most extreme landscapes, from pristine beaches at Bahía Inglesa to volcanoes above 6,000 metres.
Straddling the transition between desert and fertile central Chile, the Coquimbo Region offers an extraordinary mix of astronomy, beaches, and wine country. La Serena, one of Chile's oldest cities, charms visitors with colonial churches, a long sandy coastline, and the nearby Elqui Valley, birthplace of Nobel laureate Gabriela Mistral and Chile's pisco distilleries.
The Valparaíso Region is Chile's cultural and coastal jewel, anchored by the UNESCO-listed port city of Valparaíso, a labyrinth of colourful hillside houses, century-old funicular elevators, and vibrant street art. Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana house overlooks the bay, and the city's bohemian nightlife and New Year's fireworks are legendary.
Home to nearly eight million people, the Santiago Metropolitan Region is Chile's bustling heart, a modern capital ringed by the snow-capped Andes. The city centre blends colonial plazas and neoclassical architecture with glass skyscrapers, while the Cajón del Maipo canyon and Andes ski resorts lie just an hour away.
Named after Chile's independence hero, the O'Higgins Region is known as the Sun Region for its warm Mediterranean climate and over 300 cloudless days a year. Rancagua, the capital, was the site of a pivotal 1814 independence battle. The Colchagua Valley produces world-class reds and the coast draws surfers to Pichilemu's legendary breaks.
The Maule Region is the soul of rural Chile, a patchwork of century-old vineyards, riverside farming towns, and Andean foothills that have shaped the country's wine and agricultural identity. Talca, the regional capital, is where Chile's declaration of independence was signed in 1818.
Chile's newest region, created in 2018, Ñuble has quickly established its own identity rooted in agriculture, hot springs, and a deep connection to the country's independence era. Chillán, the capital, is the birthplace of Bernardo O'Higgins and home to a vibrant market and artisan food culture.
The Biobío Region is one of Chile's economic powerhouses, where the mighty Biobío River, the country's second longest, flows from Andean lakes to the Pacific. Concepción, the capital, is a university city with a thriving arts scene, rebuilt with resilient spirit after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
Araucanía is the ancestral heartland of the Mapuche people, whose culture, language, and traditions remain vibrantly alive across the region. The landscape is dominated by Volcán Villarrica's near-perfect cone rising above the lakeside resort town of Pucón, while ancient araucaria forests shelter in the national parks.
Los Ríos takes its name from the powerful rivers that carve through its temperate rainforests and define its character. Valdivia, the capital, is one of Chile's most charming cities, blending colonial fortresses and Germanic architecture with a lively university culture and a famous riverside fish market.
The Los Lagos Region is Chile's Lake Region at its most spectacular, a mosaic of emerald lakes, snowcapped volcanoes, and lush forests. Puerto Montt serves as the gateway to Patagonia, while Chiloé Island is a world apart with its stilt houses, wooden churches, and rich mythology.
Aysén is raw Patagonia, a vast, sparsely populated wilderness of glaciers, fjords, and turquoise rivers accessible primarily via the Carretera Austral, one of the world's great road trips. Coyhaique is the staging point for the marble caves of General Carrera Lake and the hanging glacier of Queulat.
The end of the world, and the beginning of Antarctica. The Magallanes Region encompasses Torres del Paine National Park, whose granite towers and glaciers are among the most photographed landscapes on Earth. Punta Arenas overlooks the Strait of Magellan, serving as a departure point for Antarctic cruises.
