Melipilla is located 60 km south west of Santiago and 44 km from the port of San Antonio. Its name in Mapudungun (the Mapuche language) comes from Meli meaning 'four' and Pillan meaning 'Spirit of the forefathers', and as a complete word it meas "Four Warrior Spirits". At present it is the center of activity for all the towns, settlements and farms of the sector.

Some attractive places to visit in the vicinity are the Valle de Mallarauco, Pomaire, Laguna Esmeralda, the old Sanctuary of the Virgen del Carmen located in Puangue and Cerro Horcón de Piedra. You can also visit the Feria de Animales, the Plaza de Armas, the Iglesia Catedral inaugurated in 1992 and the Iglesia and Claustro de San Agustín, declared a National Monument.

The Festival del Choclo Cabello Rubio takes place every year and, in October, the Festival Internacional de Bandas y Fanfarrias.