Santiago, the Shopping Destination

Shopping arcades in downtown Santiago stand out for their fascinating array of shopping choices, from clothes and accessories shops, to elegant boutiques and crafts as well as the famous classic cafés like Haiti and Caribe that are only found in downtown.

While Brunet-Debaines designed the first major gallery, today’s Galeria Matte, in a cosmopolitan Parisian style in the 19th century, more than half of these arcades were built between 1930 and 1960, stimulated by Austrian urban planner Karl Brunner’s project to design the Civic Center. Not to forget the seafood market hall, the Mercado Central, that also serves as an authentic lunch spot.

Today in Santiago there are about 77 classic commercial galleries, which are mostly near the Paseo Ahumada as a connector axis. And the 21st Century has brought new Shopping Malls like the Mall Vivo Imperio or the converted Mercurio newspaper complex, the Espacio M, and the Mall Vivo Centro with major franchise and department stores.

By connecting the city center’s streets and buildings, these arcades lead you right to the doorstep of the Debaines hotel.

The hippest fashion and artwork boutiques are found in the nearby Barrio Italia district, and the handicraft and local Chilean artistry near Cerro Santa Lucia, the Centro Cultural La Moneda or the Patio Bellavista.

All other Malls to the East and West like the Costanera Center, MUT Tobalaba or the Florida Center, the Mega Mall Plaza Vespucio and numerous Outlet Centers are with easy reach by metro or short transfers - with the Debaines hotel's location as the central connector.

DAMIEN MERCIER

And if you look for the sweetest Santiago gift there is, please check out the Damien Mercier Chocolatiers' display in the Galeria of the hotel..