Places / South America / Chile
Valparaíso
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At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Region
- Valparaíso
- Population
- 300,000
- Best time to go
- October to April
- Main airport
- None — nearest is Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International (SCL)
- Coordinates
- 33.05°S, 71.61°W
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Overview
Valparaíso tumbles down more than 40 hills to a working Pacific port, its houses painted every colour and its steep lanes covered in murals. Its historic quarter is UNESCO-listed, a reminder of the days when it was a key stop for ships rounding Cape Horn.
It is gritty, poetic and best explored slowly on foot. Ride the old funiculars, get lost in the alleys of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and finish with seafood and a sunset view over the bay.
Things to see
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Photo: Carlos Figueroa Rojas, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción
The two most picturesque hills, with pastel houses, staircases, viewpoints and the city's best cafés.
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Photo: Tanzania, CC BY-SA 4.0 La Sebastiana
Pablo Neruda's tall, eccentric house, with sweeping views over the harbour from every floor.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Pavel Špindler, CC BY 3.0 The ascensores
The historic funiculars clatter up the hillsides, saving your legs and offering lovely views.
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Photo: Roferbia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Open-air museum
A trail of large murals by Chilean artists winds through the lanes of Cerro Bellavista.
Things to do
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Photo: Alexxxos, CC BY-SA 3.0 Street art walk
Join a walking tour to discover the city's ever-changing murals and the stories behind them.
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Photo: Carlos Figueroa, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day at Viña del Mar
The neighbouring resort city has beaches, gardens and a flower clock, a short train ride along the bay.
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Photo: Diego Grez, CC BY-SA 3.0 Casablanca Valley wine
Cool-climate vineyards between Valparaíso and Santiago are known for crisp white wines.
Find tours -
Photo: Javier Ignacio Acuña Ditzel from Santiago, Chile, CC BY 2.0 New Year's Eve fireworks
The bay hosts one of South America's biggest fireworks displays, watched from every hillside.
Where to stay
Cerro Alegre
Boutique hotels and guesthouses with views, close to the best restaurants. Hilly but atmospheric.
Hotels in Cerro AlegreCerro Concepción
Quiet, pretty and central, with easy access to the funiculars and old town.
Hotels in Cerro ConcepciónViña del Mar
Beachside and more modern, with bigger hotels and quick train links to Valparaíso.
Hotels in Viña del Mar
Getting around
Walk the hills and use the funiculars, colectivo taxis and trolleybuses for longer hops. The Metro Valparaíso train runs along the coast to Viña del Mar.
Frequent buses from Santiago take around an hour and a half to two hours.
When to go
October to April brings warm, sunny days, with summer the busiest. Winters are cool and damp, while coastal fog can roll in any time of year.
Plan your trip to Valparaíso
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.