Valparaiso

Travel Guide
Valparaiso showing industrial elements and a city
Chile’s historic seaport city is famous for picturesque hilltop neighborhoods, colonial architecture, grand plazas and open-air art galleries.

With pretty hilltop districts, fascinating street art and craft beer, Valparaíso is one of Chile’s most idiosyncratic cities. Founded as a port in 1542, Valparaíso witnessed a trading boom in the 1800s and later attracted European entrepreneurs. Today, join artists, backpackers, dockworkers and poets enjoying the city’s characterful, gritty and shabby charm.

Gaze upon Valparaíso’s sweeping bay and natural amphitheater of more than 40 cerros (hills), where colorful houses cling precariously to cliffs. In 2002, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Start at the square, Plaza Victoria, a one-time bullring. Admire landmarks, including La Iglesia Catedral de Valparaíso and Biblioteca Santiago Severín. Learn about central Chile’s natural history at the Museo de Historia Natural.

Walk past decaying colonial-era mansions to Plaza Sotomayor. The statuesque Monumento a los Héroes de Iquique memorializes heroes of the 1879 War of the Pacific. Glimpse the city’s port life and cruise around the bay at Muelle Prat.

Ride historic funiculars up into the hills. Discover districts of labyrinthine streets, staircases and steep alleys. Visit the Naval and Maritime Museum and enjoy views from Paseo 21 de Mayo at Cerro Playa Ancha.

View the British- and German-influenced architecture of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción and gaze over the bay from Paseo Gervasoni.

La Sebastiana Museum on Cerro Bellavista is a former residence of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Head downhill to explore the Open Air Museum of Valparaíso, a collection of 20 murals decorating outdoor walls.

Experience the sights and sounds of a lively fresh produce market at El Cardonal Market. Upstairs, visit restaurants serving fresh seafood and chorrillana, a local dish of potatoes topped with fried beef, onions and eggs. Enjoy your meal with a craft beer from one of the city’s brewpubs.

Located 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Santiago, Valparaíso is easy to reach via public buses. Combine your stay with a visit to Viña del Mar, a chic coastal resort a short metro ride away.

Where to stay in Valparaiso

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Cerro Concepcion

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Waterfront views, seaside views and bars highlight some of the noteworthy features of Cerro Concepcion. Make a stop by Casa Mirador de Lukas or Mirador Paseo Gervasoni while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Cerro Concepcion
Hotel Boutique 17
Hotel Boutique 17
3 out of 5
Calle Papudo N°557, Cerro Concepción, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
The price is €59 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€59
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Mirador Paseo Gervasoni and Casa Mirador de ...
9/10 Wonderful! (206 reviews)
"Great staff! Very friendly nd supportive. They provided great advice about the area and what to do nearby"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Hotel Boutique 17
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
3 out of 5
Molina 76 Ciudad, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
The price is €65 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
€65
per night
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (340 reviews)
"Great location! Great staff! Nice room with view!"

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2024

Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
3 out of 5
763 Baquedano, Valparaiso, Región de Valparaíso
The price is €93 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
€93
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (184 reviews)
"I loved the concept of reusing the shipping container to build the hotel and the fact that they seem to be very conscientious about reuse. There is no elevator so be prepared to carry your luggage up the stairs. The room is a container. It is much more spacious than I thought. There isn't much air ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Winebox Valparaiso
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa Violeta Limon
Casa Violeta Limon
2.5 out of 5
Cumming 198, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
Stay at this apartment in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Cementerios 1 & 2 and Reina ...
7.8/10 Good! (37 reviews)
Location too sketchy
"Location is sketchy at best. As a tourist with that family, I will not recommend. I paid but didn’t stay due to location."

Reviewed on 22 May 2023

Casa Violeta Limon
Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
3 out of 5
#893 Templeman, Cerro Alegre, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
Stay at this 3-star boutique aparthotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Ex-cárcel Valparaíso and Reina ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
"All great!"

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
Cabañas Laguna Verde
Cabañas Laguna Verde
2 out of 5
Pasaje Bahilica, Valparaiso, Valparaíso
Stay at this cabin in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attraction Quintay Cove is located nearby. Discover genuine ...
Cabañas Laguna Verde
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Valparaiso

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 66.66666666666667%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Nov 2019

We only had 1 night in the hotel and a late checkin and early departure so didn't get to see much apart from the garden squares which were very nice.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Nov 2019

The historic centre of Valparaiso is unique, with its extraordinary street art and its antique funiculars but can feel a little threatening if you stray off the beaten track. However local residents were quick to point out where it wasn't safe to be.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Nov 2019

We walked for miles up and down the hills. Excellent street art, cool town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Feb 2019

Renaca beach