Located near the country’s capital, Valparaiso is a beautiful port city on the coast of Chile, declared a World Heritage City. Known as the Jewel of the Pacific, Valparaiso is known for its lifts with incredible views, its colourful houses as well as amazing museums. Full of colour and narrow streets, discover the seafood, the important cultural traditions and all the other things to do in Valparaiso Chile.
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Things to do in Valparaiso Chile
Cerro Concepción
The Cerro Concepción is one of the most iconic places in Valparaiso Chile. Here you can find one of the lifts that has been declared a Historical Monument. Offering a beautiful view of the city, the Ascensor Concepción is the oldest elevator in Valparaiso and dates back to 1883. It also has two other buildings of great importance, such as the Anglican Church of San Pablo.
To get to know this neighbourhood in depth, don’t miss the Pierre Loty, Atkinson and Gervasoni walks. This neighbourhood is a favourite among locals and visitors alike, because it has a multitude of bohemian bars and good restaurants nestled among its cobbled, labyrinthine streets.
- The Concepción Lift costs $300 and will take you up or down to the Paseo Gervasoni on Cerro Concepción.
Cerro Alegre
This is another of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Cerro Alegre’s architecture is representative of the English and German immigrants who inhabited the area. Nowadays, Cerro Alegre is one of the most popular places in Valparaiso, with the Baburizza Palace, currently the Museum of Fine Arts. You will also find many hotels, bars and restaurants. This hill offers unique views of the city through its viewpoints, lifts and stairways.
La Sebastiana – Pablo Neruda’s House-Museum
La Sebastiana is one of the houses where Pablo Neruda created his poems and odes inspired by the sea and love. Today, La Sebastiana is a museum that gives access to the world of the national poet through shells, figureheads, astral maps, glass buoys, as well as other collectables.
It is located at the top of the Bellavista hill, with an incredible view of the bay and is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday with an audio guide. There are often free temporary exhibitions in the outside rooms and there is also a souvenir shop run by the Neruda Foundation.
- General admission is $7000 pesos and $5200 pesos for students and Chileans over 60.
Plaza Sotomayor
Another of the essential things to do in Valparaiso is to visit the Plaza Sotomayor. It is known for the striking monument dedicated to the sailors who lost their lives in the Naval Battle of Iquique. This place of great patriotic importance is surrounded by heritage buildings. Take the opportunity to relax in the exquisite cafés in the area and admire the port and its ships.
Heritage funiculars
One of the most beautiful sights in Valparaiso are the colourful “lifts” hanging from the hills. Technically most of these so-called elevators are funiculars. Without a doubt, an essential visit to make in the city. The Artillería lift will take you directly to the 21 de Mayo walkway, on the Artillería hill, where in addition to the beautiful views you can visit the Naval Museum.
If you take the El Peral lift, you can go directly to the Paseo Yugoslavo. This lift is one of our favourites and in the walkway, besides beautiful views, you will find the restored Baburizza Palace, a beautiful architectural work that today functions as an art museum. From there you can continue to the Atkinson and Gervasoni walks and also go down the Reina Victoria lift, which will leave you on the doorstep of the most famous craft brewery in Valparaiso, the Altamira brewery.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts of Valparaiso
Next to the Baburizza Palace is the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts. Before heading back down towards the port, we recommend stopping to enjoy the views of the city from Cerro Alegre. There you will find beautiful houses covered with sheet metal. They are reminiscent of ships because of their colours. Traditionally the metal (probably recycled from ships) seemed to be a good way to keep moisture out of the houses. Their maintenance nowadays means that they are often repainted, therefore giving the city a new look.
- Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Admission is $4,000 for foreigners, $2,000 for adults, $500 for students and seniors over 65, and free for children under 12.
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Things to do around Valparaiso Chile?
Lake Peñuelas National Reserve
The Peñuelas Lake National Reserve is located east of Valparaiso and stands out because of its artificial reservoir created between 1895 and 1900. It is administered by Conaf and in 1959 it was declared a Biosphere Reserve. Here you can see more than 120 species of birds and 10 species of mammals, including dozens of herons that nest in this area.
This park has everything you need to spend a day in nature. Fishing, picnicking and cycling are some of the activities you can do here. You can prepare a delicious barbecue by the lake, while enjoying the shore fishing. There are also camping sites, cafeteria and cabins if you want to spend the night in this paradise.
- You can visit it on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 8.45am and 7pm.
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar is, without a doubt, the capital of national tourism. The garden city has beautiful green areas and four kilometres of beaches suitable for swimming. Some of its attractions are the Quinta Vergara, the Sausalito Lagoon, the Sporting Club and the Botanical Garden, in addition to a wide range of tourist and urban services. With picturesque architecture of residential neighbourhoods and modern buildings on San Martin Avenue, Viña del Mar is full of charm. It is also the venue for the annual Song Festival, which brings together nationally and internationally renowned artists.
What to see in Valparaiso Chile in one day?
Valparaiso is not a very big city so you can visit the most important places in one day. Here is an itinerary of places to see in one day in Valparaiso Chile.
- Cerro Alegre and Concepción
- La Sebastiana – Pablo Neruda House Museum
- Plaza Sotomayor
- Heritage funiculars
- The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts of Valparaiso
What to see in Valparaiso Chile in two days?
Day 1:
- Cerro Alegre and Concepción
- La Sebastiana – Pablo Neruda House Museum
- Plaza Sotomayor
- Heritage funiculars
- The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts of Valparaiso
Day 2:
- Lake Peñuelas National Reserve
- Laguna Verde Beach
Where to eat in Valparaiso Chile?
If you visit the Region of Valparaiso, you cannot miss its exquisite seafood gastronomy. Some of the typical dishes are caldillo de congrio (conger eel stew), machas a la parmesana (clam parmesan), shrimp empanadas, pil pil oysters and chorrillana, a typical Valparaiso dish made with fries and meat sautéed with onions.
- Café del Pintor is located in the centre of town and has a varied menu of traditional Chilean cuisine, with a wide range of fish, seafood and meat dishes. The price range is around 9 € – 11 €.
- Cervecería Altamira is located at the foot of the Reina Victoria lift, on the way up Cerro Alegre in Valparaiso. Up to seven varieties of craft beers and recipes from Chilean cuisine are brewed here, with a price range of 4 € – 17 €. They also have live music, with jazz nights being a highlight.
- Fauna is a restaurant located in the Dimalow Passage that requires reservations. It has a nice terrace overlooking the bay and a menu based on Chilean products and traditional recipes. The price is around 12€ -24€.
Where to stay in Valparaiso Chile?
The most popular and recommended areas to stay in Valparaiso are Cerro Alegre, Concepción and Bellavista. Here is a list of some of the best rated hotels in the city.
- Augusta Apart Hotel is located in Cerro Alegre. Charming accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen, balcony and ocean views. With an enviable location, this hotel is just a 4-minute walk from Baburizza Palace. Paseo Yuguslavo and Paseo Gervason are 400 metres from the property. The price per night for two people is around €100.
- Fauna Hotel, is located in an environmentally friendly building in Cerro Alegre. The hotel is 20 metres from the Reina Victoria lift and offers beautifully decorated rooms with parquet floors and exposed brick walls. The price per night for two people is around 100€.
- La Galería B&B, is a hotel located on the Cerro Concepción and enjoys incredible views of the city, 200 metres from the Gervasoni promenade. The price per night for two people is around 50€.
Tips for your trip to Valparaiso Chile
- Be careful with your personal belongings. In places like the bus terminal or the port district it is advisable to always keep an eye on your belongings and to not take out your phone or camera.
- We recommend travelling to Valparaiso Chile with travel insurance.
- If you travel by car and park on the street, do not leave anything of value in sight.
- Valparaiso is known for its hills so make sure you wear comfortable shoes as it’s a city where you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
How to organise your trip to Valparaiso?
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Frequently asked questions about Valparaiso Chile
Access by road via Ruta 68 from Santiago. The road connects to the central coastal resorts at Casablanca.
The months of good weather in Valparaiso are January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November and December. On average, the mildest months are January, February, March and December.
Valparaiso is characterised by its hills, colourful houses and funiculars, which have been declared historical monuments.
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