Valparaíso Holidays

Valparaíso (region)

Check out this city and wider county’s chaotic tapestry of streetscapes, fading colonial beauty, graffiti murals, busy wharves and rolling hillsides.

The wider region of Valparaíso is centred on the city of the same name, where a mosaic of fascinating architectural styles is a reminder of this seaport’s former glory. As Chile’s second-largest metropolitan area and one of the most historically significant seaports in the South Pacific, Valparaíso has captured hearts with its vibrancy, grandeur and spontaneity. 

Explore brightly colored streets and hillsides where crumbling villas are renewed with street art and murals. Ride the ascensores (funiculars) between the coast and the hilltops, check out historic churches, visit museums or make a daytrip to the beautiful dunes across the bay.

Wander around Valparaíso’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed downtown, where cobblestone alleys wind up the steep hillsides and magnificent 19th-century buildings and plazas face the Pacific Ocean. 

The steeply inclined ascensores are treasured by the community and are ideal for making the scenic journey to the city’s varied hilltops. Check out Bellavista Hill with its open-air museum of murals or visit the elegant Iglesia de la Matriz. See more of the city’s history in the Concepción and Alegre districts or wander through tranquil hilltop cemeteries.

Learn about the port region’s seafaring might during the 18th and 19th centuries at the Museo Naval y Marítimo or learn about its new artistic legacy at the Parque Cultural de Valparaíso. Explore the waterfront, known locally as El Plan, via a network of cycling routes.

Discover the beautiful beaches of the nearby resort town of Viña del Mar or feel the world shrink away when you traverse the desert-like dunes of Concón. Both destinations are about a half-hour bus ride from the city.

Experience the idyllic charm of the nearby village of Quintay or tour the Valpo hills on your journey to La Sebastiana. Whale-watching and horseback-riding adventures can also be booked from Valparaíso.

Valparaíso’s nearest airport is the international airport outside of Santiago, approximately an hour’s drive away. You can also catch a train between Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, as well as nearby communities. Buses are widely available in the region.

The city of Valparaíso is best explored on foot and by ascensore and micróbus. Consider timing your visit with one of the city’s arts festivals and carnivals.