San Francisco Church Tours and Activities

San Francisco Church showing street scenes as well as a large group of people
San Francisco Church
San Francisco Church which includes a square or plaza and a fountain
San Francisco Church featuring a church or cathedral, street scenes and a city


Visit this symbolic landmark of Santiago to appreciate its 16th-century architecture and spot a remarkable exhibition of colonial art and artifacts in its museum.

The Iglesia de San Francisco (San Francisco Church) presents a showcase of religious and colonial art while being a magnificent example of 16th-century architecture. Dating back to the late 1500s, the church is a symbolic landmark of Santiago and the city’s oldest-surviving building.

Stand at the church’s entrance and marvel at its solid stone walls, which have withstood several powerful earthquakes. Check out the Victorian-style bell tower, the fourth tower erected at the church. Step inside and look up at the wooden roof adorned with ornate flower motifs. At the altar you can see a carved icon of the Virgen del Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The icon belonged to Pedro de Valdivia, the founder of Santiago, who believed that she protected him during his crusades.

Don’t miss the church’s Museo Colonial de San Francisco, situated inside an annexed convent. Its seven galleries display paintings, textiles, sculptures and furniture originating from the 16th to 18th centuries. A highlight is a collection of paintings portraying the life of St. Francis of Assisi. See tools used by Franciscan monks and sculptures, chalices and silverware crafted in Peru. Look for the replica of the Nobel Prize in Literature medal won by the Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral in 1945.

End your visit at the convent’s picturesque courtyard, where native plants encircle an ornamental fountain. The courtyard’s tranquility is a far cry from the noise of the surrounding city streets, so it is a nice place to linger.

Situated along the main thoroughfare in Santiago’s historic center, the Iglesia de San Francisco is a 15-minute walk from Plaza de Armas. The Santa Lucía metro stop is a short walk away and public buses also stop nearby. Among the nearby attractions worth visiting are the picturesque Santa Lucía Hill and historic Palacio de la Moneda.

The church is open daily, including public holidays. This is still an active place of worship, so visitors are asked to be quiet and respectful. The museum is also open daily and there is a nominal admission fee. Find full details on the museum’s official website.

Tours & day trips

See all 258 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 96 activities

Adventure & outdoor

See all 48 activities

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 12 activities

Wildlife & nature

See all 9 activities

Popular places to visit


Top San Francisco Church Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Hotel Plaza San Francisco
Hotel Plaza San Francisco
4 out of 5
Alameda 816, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Hotel Plaza San Francisco
Almacruz Hotel y Centro de Convenciones
Almacruz Hotel y Centro de Convenciones
4 out of 5
San Antonio 65, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Almacruz Hotel y Centro de Convenciones
Mercure Santiago Centro
Mercure Santiago Centro
3.5 out of 5
Av. Libertador Bernardo O Higgins, 632, Centro, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Mercure Santiago Centro
Novapark
Novapark
3 out of 5
Presidente Juan Antonio Rios 59, Santiago, Región Metropolitana de Santiago
Novapark
Hotel Fundador
Hotel Fundador
4 out of 5
Serrano 34, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Hotel Fundador
Intimo Hotel Miraflores
Intimo Hotel Miraflores
2 out of 5
106 Miraflores, Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Intimo Hotel Miraflores
Hotel Sommelier LOFT
Hotel Sommelier LOFT
2 out of 5
264 Miraflores, Santiago, Santiago
Hotel Sommelier LOFT
Hotel Santa Lucia
Hotel Santa Lucia
3.5 out of 5
Huerfanos 779/San Antonio 327, Santiago, Region Metropolitana
Hotel Santa Lucia
Hotel Magnolia Santiago
Hotel Magnolia Santiago
4 out of 5
Calle Huérfanos 539, Santiago, Región Metropolitana
Hotel Magnolia Santiago
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.