Puerto Montt, capital of the Los Lagos Region, is often just a stopover: flights to the south land here, the Carretera Austral begins here and buses to Chiloé leave from here. But the city has its own must-sees, starting with Angelmó cove, and it is the perfect base for exploring Lake Llanquihue, thousand-year-old alerce forests and the Reloncaví Sound. This guide covers things to do in Puerto Montt in one, two or five days.
Things to do in Puerto Montt: the essentials
| Place | What it is | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Angelmó | Fishing cove, seafood market, food stalls and craft fair | 2 to 3 hours |
| Tenglo Island | Island opposite Angelmó with trails and viewpoints over the bay | 2 hours |
| Waterfront | Promenade along the Reloncaví Sound, with the "Sentados frente al mar" monument | 1 hour |
| Main square and cathedral | The city's historic centre | 45 minutes |
| Heritage Museum | Local history and the 1960 earthquake | 1 hour |
| Pelluco | Beach and restaurants a few minutes from downtown | Half a day |
| Alerce Andino National Park | Alerce forests about 45 km away | Full day |
Source for places and distances: ANBariloche, August 2026 guide. Times are a planning reference.
Angelmó, the maritime heart of Puerto Montt
About three kilometres from downtown along the waterfront, Angelmó is the best-known fishing cove in southern Chile. It has a fish and seafood market, food stalls serving dishes from the Chiloé tradition such as curanto cooked in a pot, milcao and chapaleles, and a long craft fair with wool textiles, basketry and souvenirs. To learn how the star dish is made, see our guide to curanto, Chiloé's traditional dish.
Go at lunchtime, when the food stalls are in full swing, and walk the pier to watch the boats come in. If you are into southern seafood, our story on oysters and seafood from Chiloé explains what to order.
Tenglo Island and the bay of Puerto Montt
Small boats leave Angelmó and cross the Tenglo channel in a few minutes to the island of the same name. On top there are trails and viewpoints overlooking the city, the bay and, on clear days, the volcanoes. It is the easiest walk to understand Puerto Montt's geography: a city between the inland sea and the Andes.
Does your hotel, restaurant or tour in Puerto Montt want to reach travellers planning their route through the south?
See advertising optionsDowntown, the waterfront and the museums
The city was founded in 1853 as part of the German colonisation of Lake Llanquihue. Downtown you will find the main square, the wooden cathedral, which according to Viator is one of the few buildings that survived the 1960 earthquake, and the waterfront with the "Sentados frente al mar" monument. The Heritage Museum, formerly the Juan Pablo II Historical Museum, explains local history and the effects of the 1960 earthquake, the strongest ever recorded in the world.
At Plaza Ferrocarriles, next to the waterfront, old locomotives from the days when the train reached the port are on display. For shopping or rainy days, the waterfront malls are the most convenient option.
Day trips from Puerto Montt
| Destination | What to see | Related guide |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Varas | Lake Llanquihue, Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes | Things to do in Puerto Varas |
| Frutillar | Teatro del Lago and the German colonial museum | Things to do in Frutillar |
| Petrohué Falls | Waterfalls and Lake Todos los Santos | Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park |
| Chiloé | Ancud as a day trip; Castro and its stilt houses with an overnight stay | Chiloé: mythology and stilt houses |
| Alerce Andino | Correntoso and Laguna Sargazo trails | Conaf |
| Carretera Austral | Route 7 starts in Puerto Montt | Carretera Austral guide |
Lake Llanquihue is the second largest in Chile, according to Sernatur. And Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, a couple of hours away, was the country's most visited protected area in 2025, as our ranking of the most visited national parks shows. Heading south, Sernatur's new platform lets you check Carretera Austral roadworks before you set off.
How many days to stay in Puerto Montt and how to get around
- Two nights are enough for Angelmó, Tenglo, downtown and Pelluco. With four or five days you can add Puerto Varas, Frutillar, Chiloé and Alerce Andino.
- Arrival: El Tepual airport receives flights from Santiago and other cities; the bus terminal is next to the waterfront.
- Getting around: for Alerce Andino and the lakes, a car or a tour is best, because the last stretch to the park is rough.
- Weather: it rains much of the year; bring a waterproof jacket even in summer. See when to travel to Chile by region.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Puerto Montt in one day?
Have lunch at Angelmó, cross to Tenglo Island, walk along the waterfront to the main square and end with sunset at Pelluco.
Is it worth staying in Puerto Montt or is Puerto Varas better?
Puerto Varas is more touristy and quieter; Puerto Montt has more services, connections and Angelmó cove. Many travellers combine both, which are very close to each other.
How do you get to Tenglo Island?
On the boats that leave from Angelmó cove and cross the Tenglo channel in a few minutes.
