Plaza de Armas (Santiago) Square

Address: Plaza de Armas, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Hours: Public square (open 24 hours)

Admission: Free

Plaza de Armas is the principal public square at the historic heart of Santiago, Chile, established with the foundation of the city in 1541. It functions as the civic and ceremonial center and is surrounded by major historic buildings.

Prominent structures facing the square include the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, the Central Post Office (Correo Central) and the Museo Histórico Nacional; the plaza is also a common site for street vendors, performers and public gatherings. The square provides open space in the dense urban core and is frequently used for official events and tourism.

The plaza was laid out as the city’s central open space during the Spanish colonial period and has been remodelled and rebuilt multiple times since the 16th century as surrounding buildings were constructed and replaced. It remains the focal point of the historic center.

Plaza de Armas sits in downtown Santiago, immediately adjacent to the main government and cultural buildings of the city center, and is served by the Plaza de Armas metro station on Line 5.

• Founding date: Founded as the central plaza of Santiago in 1541 during the city’s Spanish colonial founding
• Metro access: Directly served by Plaza de Armas metro station on Line 5 for easy access from across the city

What to See#

• Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, a major religious building on the north side of the square, dates from multiple rebuilding phases and is the principal church of the city.
• Historic public buildings: Correo Central (the Central Post Office) and the Museo Histórico Nacional occupy historic buildings on the square and face onto the plaza perimeter.

Plaza de Armas sits in central Santiago’s old town and is within walking distance of numerous metro stations (e.g., Line 1 stations near La Moneda and Plaza de Armas), buses, and taxi routes. It’s the obvious starting point for exploring the historic center.

• Visit in the morning to see the cathedral and local vendors before the afternoon tourist rush.
• Combine the plaza with a walk through nearby Cerro Santa Lucía for layered views of the city's colonial core.
• Watch for public demonstrations-Plaza de Armas is often used for civic events.