Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral
Church Main Catholic cathedral in Santiago, national religious landmark
Facing Santiago’s Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral houses Catholic services, neoclassical interiors and historical artifacts; tourists visit for guided tours, colonial architecture and the cathedral’s civic role.
The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral is the principal Catholic cathedral in Santiago and the seat of the Archbishop of Santiago, located on the city’s central Plaza de Armas.
The site has been occupied by successive cathedrals since colonial times; the present structure reflects major reconstruction and rebuilding carried out across the 18th and 19th centuries after damage from earthquakes and other events.
The cathedral stands in the Plaza de Armas, the historic core of Santiago de Chile, in the Santiago Metropolitan Region.
- Location and ecclesiastical role: The cathedral occupies a principal position on Santiago's Plaza de Armas and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Santiago.
- Building phases: The building visible today largely reflects construction and rebuilding phases during the 18th and 19th centuries following earlier colonial-era churches on the site.
How to Get to Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral #
The cathedral is in central Santiago’s Plaza de Armas. It is easily reached on foot from many downtown points, and by metro to the nearby Plaza de Armas station (Line 5) or by bus. Taxis and rideshare services also serve the area.
Tips for Visiting Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral #
- Attend a weekday morning mass to see the cathedral used by Santiago's faithful rather than simply as a tourist stop.
- Look for the 18th‑century altar and the painted choir stalls-local artists and craftsmen left strong marks here.
- Combine with a walk through the Plaza de Armas to watch street life and the city's colonial layering.
Best Time to Visit Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral #
Spring to autumn offers the best weather for city sightseeing; winter brings rain but fewer crowds in central Santiago.
Weather & Climate near Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral #
Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 3°C to 30°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 98 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
