Free museums in Chile

The Palacio de la Real Audiencia y Cajas Reales, also known as Palacio de la Real Audiencia or Palacio de las Cajas, or Palacio de la Independencia, is a historical building located in the north-central sidewalk of the Plaza de Armas in Santiago de Chile. The building, which dates back to 1808, has been the home of the National History Museum of Chile since 1982. It is situated on part of the land that once belonged to Pedro de Valdivia, facing the Plaza de Armas of Santiago.

The Museum is housed in the old building of the Royal Customs Palace of Santiago, located at the corner of Bandera and Compañía streets, in the historic center of the Chilean capital. It is conveniently located near the Plaza de Armas metro station, making it easily accessible for tourists.

The Chilean National Museum of Natural History, one of the three national museums in Chile, is situated in Quinta Normal Park. This museum, founded in 1830, is one of the oldest natural history museums in South America. It was established with a focus on the biology and geography of Chile, particularly its crops and mineral resources.

The Historical and Weapons Museum of Arica is situated in the city of Arica, atop the Morro de Arica, in the Arica and Parinacota Region, in the north of Chile. This location offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding areas, making it a unique spot for visitors.

The Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM) is a science museum situated in the La Granja commune of Chile. It is a part of the Fundación Tiempos Nuevos, which is under the Ministry of Education. The museum is known for its interactive exhibits that make science accessible and engaging for all visitors.

The smashing pavilion holds art museum aimed at kids - interactive, amusing, tasteful. So extraordinary!

The Violeta Parra Museum, located in Santiago, Chile, is an art museum and cultural center dedicated to preserving and promoting the work of the renowned Chilean artist, Violeta Parra. The museum was inaugurated on October 4, 2015, and is situated on Vicuña Mackenna Avenue 37, with an additional entrance on Ramón Corvalán Street 38.

The Natural History Museum of Valparaíso, also known as MHNV, is a museum dedicated to natural history and is situated in the city of Valparaíso in Chile. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural history of the region and the country.

The National Aeronautical and Space Museum is a significant institution in Chile, dedicated to the dissemination of the country's aeronautical heritage. It provides a comprehensive overview of the history and development of aviation in Chile, making it an informative and educational destination for tourists interested in aviation and space exploration.

The National Center for Contemporary Art Cerrillos (CNACC) is a relatively new addition to Chile's cultural scene, having been established in September 2016. It serves as a museum for temporary modern exhibitions and also acts as a repository for Chilean art works from 1967 onwards. This makes it a unique destination for those interested in contemporary Chilean art.

The Museo de la Solidaridad Salvador Allende (MSSA) is a contemporary art museum situated in Santiago, Chile. It is managed by the Arte y Solidaridad Foundation, which is composed of representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, and the Salvador Allende Foundation.

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MAC) is an institution that falls under the Faculty of Arts of the University of Chile. It is situated in the city of Santiago, making it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city.

The Gabriela Mistral Education Museum, also known as MEGM, is a historical institution founded on September 13, 1941. It is situated in the west wing of the old Normal School of Preceptoras, located at the intersection of Chacabuco and Compañía de Jesús streets. This location is in the Yungay neighborhood, a vibrant and culturally rich area of Santiago, Chile.

Established in 1960, the Museo Regional de Iquique initially operated under the University of the North and was located on Bolívar Street. However, since 1987, the museum has been housed in the building that once served as the Courts of Justice of Iquique, at 951 Baquedano Walk. This location is part of the Typical Zone, a heritage area declared in 1977.

The Museo Naval de Iquique, founded on May 20, 1983, is located in the historic Peruvian Customs building from 1871, in the city of Iquique, in the Tarapacá Region of Chile. This museum plays a significant role in preserving and showcasing the historical elements related to the major events that occurred in the bay during the last century, particularly the Naval Combat of Iquique during the War of the Pacific.

The Rioja Palace is a significant historical building located in the Vergara Population sector of Viña del Mar, in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. It is situated on Quillota street, between 3 and 4 North. This location is easily accessible and is a key point of interest for tourists visiting the area.

The museum's collection is displayed in various settings that replicate a 19th-century house. Visitors can explore a living room, dining room, bedroom, study, and traditional kitchen, each filled with period-appropriate objects.

The Regional Museum of Aysén is a public institution situated in the city of Coyhaique, in the Aysén Region of Chilean Patagonia. It is part of the National Service of Cultural Heritage and the National System of Museums of Chile. The museum is a significant cultural and historical site that offers visitors a chance to explore the rich heritage of the region.

The Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum is situated in the town of Hanga Roa on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, in Chilean Polynesia. Named after the Bavarian missionary, Fr. Sebastian Englert, the museum was established in 1973 and is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Rapa Nui. The museum is managed by the Chilean National Service of Cultural Heritage and houses the William Mulloy Library.

The Museo de La Ligua is a cultural institution located in the Province of Petorca, in the Valparaíso Region of northern Chile. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ilustre Municipalidad de La Ligua. This museum is a significant part of the cultural landscape of the region, offering visitors a chance to explore the rich history and heritage of the area.

The Museo y Centro Cultural Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda is a cultural space and conservation center located in the town of Pocuro, in the Calle Larga commune, in the Valparaíso region of Chile. This museum and cultural center is dedicated to the life and legacy of President Pedro Aguirre Cerda, and it is housed in the building where he was born.

The Ignacio Domeyko Mineralogical Museum is situated in the city of La Serena, which is in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. This location is significant as it is easily accessible to tourists visiting the region. The museum is a part of the mining engineering department of the University of La Serena, adding to its credibility and authenticity.

The Military and Historical Museum of Chile, also known as MHM, is a permanent institution situated in Santiago, Chile. It is open to the public and is dedicated to serving society and its development. The museum's administration is managed by the Chilean Army Garrison. It was established to educate the public about Chile's military history and its value as a historical-cultural heritage.

The Historical Museum of the Carabineros of Chile (MHC) is an official institution dedicated to preserving the historical heritage of the Carabineros, the national law enforcement body. The museum houses a variety of collections that trace the history of policing in Chile, from the arrival of Pedro de Valdivia in the Mapocho valley to the present day. This provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of law enforcement in the country.

The southern sector of La Casa Patronal del Fundo de Lircunlauta is home to the Ilustre Municipalidad de San Fernando and the Museo de Lircunlauta. This means that visitors to the museum also have the opportunity to explore the historic building in which it is housed, adding an extra layer of interest to their visit.

Founded on August 20, 1964, the Museo O'Higginiano y de Bellas Artes de Talca has since become a repository of significant collections. These include Chilean paintings, sculptures, Mapuche silverware, manuscripts, weapons, and numismatics. These collections offer a comprehensive insight into the artistic and historical past of the Maule Region and the country.

The Violeta Parra Museum in San Carlos, Chile, is a cultural institution dedicated to the life and work of Violeta Parra. It is located in the city of San Carlos, in the province of Punilla, in the Ñuble Region. The museum aims to share and disseminate the legacy left by the singer-songwriter over the years.

The Museo Interactivo de Osorno, established in 2013, holds the distinction of being the first and only Science and Technology Museum in southern Chile. This unique position makes it a significant point of interest for tourists interested in science, technology, and the history of the region.

The Casa del Arte José Clemente Orozco, also known as the Casa del Arte or Pinacoteco, is a Chilean art museum located on the campus of the University of Concepción, in Concepción. It is situated on the corner of Chacabuco and Larenas, facing the Plaza Perú. The gallery attracts approximately 75,000 visitors a year and houses the country's largest collection of paintings outside the capital city of Santiago, and the most complete collection of Chilean art with some 1,800 works.

The Museo Regional de la Araucania, located in the city of Temuco, is a significant cultural institution. Its mission is to preserve, research, disseminate, and value the various cultural heritages that coexist in the region. This includes different periods and spaces, providing a comprehensive view of the region's rich cultural history.

The Museo Histórico de Yerbas Buenas is situated in the commune of Yerbas Buenas, in the Province of Linares, within the Seventh region of Maule, Chile. This location is known for its colonial-style architecture, which is a significant tourist attraction in the area, along with the museum itself.

The Museo Histórico-Arqueológico de Quillota (MHAQ) is situated in the heart of Quillota, Valparaíso, Chile. Its exact location is 336 San Martín Street. This central location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city.

The Regional Museum of Atacama, situated in Copiapó, Chile, is a non-profit cultural institution. Its mission is to rescue, record, document, preserve, research, value, and disseminate the cultural heritage it safeguards. This includes collections that collectively represent a significant part of the regional cultural identity of Atacama.

The Museo de Arte y Artesanía de Linares is a specialized museum located in the city of Linares, the capital of the province with the same name, in the VII Region of Maule, Chile. The museum focuses on Art and Crafts, providing a unique insight into the local culture and heritage.

The Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum, located in Puerto Williams, Isla Navarino, in the southernmost part of Chile, holds the distinction of being the southernmost museum in the world. This unique location adds to the allure of the museum, making it a point of interest for tourists visiting the region.

The Museo Histórico de Puerto Montt Juan Pablo II is a significant cultural institution in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. Established in 1967, it was originally known as the 'Municipal Museum'. Since 1988, the museum has been situated on the waterfront of Puerto Montt, offering visitors a scenic location to explore the city's history.

The Museo Municipal de Mejillones is a museum that focuses on history and natural history. It is situated in the Chilean commune of Mejillones, which is part of the Antofagasta Region. The museum was inaugurated in 1979 and was originally known as the Museo del Mar due to its initial focus on marine life. However, it is now known as the Museo Histórico y Natural de Mejillones due to the expansion and refocusing of its museographic script in 1997.

The Museo Histórico Municipal de Osorno is a museum situated in the city of Osorno, in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the region and provides a cultural and historical insight into the area.

The Museo Municipal de Cochrane is an archaeological, anthropological, and natural history museum. It is situated in the Chilean commune of Cochrane, in the Aysén Region of General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo. This museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of the region through its diverse collections.

The Museo Mapuche de Cañete is situated in the city of Cañete, within the province of Arauco, in the Biobío Region. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the area.

The Historical Museum of Lota is situated in the Chilean city of Lota, which is in the Province of Concepción. This location is significant as it provides a rich historical context for the museum and its exhibits.