Attraction
Cerro San Cristóbal (Parque Metropolitano)
Santiago's largest public park covers the slopes of San Cristóbal hill, with a 1925 funicular, a cable car, gardens, pools and a giant Virgin statue at…
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Chile's national fine art museum, free to enter, in a 1910 palace modelled on the Petit Palais in Paris, at the edge of Parque Forestal.
At a glance
- Type
- Fine art museum
- Area
- Parque Forestal / Lastarria, Santiago, Chile
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 10:00–18:30
- Official site
- mnba.gob.cl
Good to know
- Free entry
- Lift
- Guided tours
- Documentation centre
Why we recommend it
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is Chile's national fine art museum. It was officially founded on 18 September 1880 as the Museo Nacional de Pinturas, and since 1910 it has occupied the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The architect Emilio Jéquier modelled both the layout and the facade on the Petit Palais in Paris, and the glass dome over the central hall was designed and made in Belgium and shipped to Chile in 1907. The building alone is worth the visit, particularly the bright, airy main hall.
The permanent exhibition, 145 años. Historias de una Colección, presents a selection of more than 300 works by over 250 artists from the national collection. Temporary exhibitions change through the year, so check what is on before you go. The Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of Chile is located at the back of the palace and makes an easy add-on.
Entry is free for everyone. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:30, with last entry at 18:20, and closed on Mondays and on 1 January, Good Friday, 1 May, 18 and 19 September and 25 December. Guided group visits can be booked in advance, and there are resources for self-guided visits. A lift for visitors with reduced mobility and wheelchair users is reached from the side of the building on Ismael Valdés Vergara street.
Allow one and a half to two hours for the main galleries. Being free, it is an easy place to drop into for an hour or two, and families can see the highlights without committing a whole day. Researchers can use the documentation centre, CEDOC, by arrangement, and the museum links to online catalogues, including Surdoc and the Quinsac database, which are useful if you want to look up a work after your visit. An interactive map is available for self-guided visits.
The museum sits at José Miguel de la Barra 650, in Parque Forestal. Bellas Artes metro station on Line 5 is a short walk away. Barrio Lastarria, with its cafés and restaurants, begins just across the street, and Cerro Santa Lucía is nearby, so the museum combines naturally with a stroll through the park and lunch in Lastarria.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes FAQs
Is the Fine Arts Museum free?
Yes, entry is free for all visitors.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:30, last entry 18:20; closed on Mondays.
Which days is it closed?
Mondays, plus 1 January, Good Friday, 1 May, 18 and 19 September and 25 December.
What is in the permanent collection?
The exhibition 145 años. Historias de una Colección shows over 300 works by more than 250 artists.
Is the museum accessible?
Yes, there is a lift for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility, entered from Ismael Valdés Vergara street.
Can I book a guided tour?
Yes, guided group visits can be booked through the museum.
How do I get there?
Bellas Artes metro station on Line 5 is a short walk away.
What else is nearby?
The University of Chile's Museum of Contemporary Art is behind the palace, and Barrio Lastarria is across the street.