Things to do in  Valparaíso

Cerro Concepción is a charming hillside neighborhood in Valparaiso, Chile, that draws visitors with its kaleidoscopic streets and stunning panoramic views of the city, Pacific Ocean, and Concón Dunes. Be sure to budget vacation time to explore its winding alleys filled with cafés, boutiques, and art galleries.

Hailed as the San Francisco of South America, Valparaíso’s Historic Quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its beautiful buildings, street art, and steep hills. Visit to admire the historic architecture and take a vintage funicular up the summits of the cerros, where you’ll find trendy cafes and bars.

Paseo Gervasoni encapsulates the eccentric, colorful tangle of Valparaiso’s cityscape. This short cobblestone pedestrian street is lined with bright and bold murals, 19th-century mansions, and a cluster of cafés, bars, and restaurants. The views from Paseo Gervasoni are some of the best in the city.

Art and architecture fans will pass a happy hour or two at Valparaíso’s Baburizza Palace (Palacio Baburizza). Today, the former residence boasts an exceptional fine arts collection showcasing both Chilean and European artists from the 19th to the 20th centuries. Considered one of Chile’s most important visual art collections, it’s well worth a visit.

Named after the Chilean politician Rafael Sotomayor, Plaza Sotomayor marks the center of Valpariaso’s grand historic district. The square is home to the duck-egg-blue Chilean Navy headquarters, and a moving monument that pays homage to Chilean sailors who died during the Battle of Iquique.

Ascensor El Peral is one of Valparaíso’s 16 funiculars, which were collectively declared a Chilean historical monument. This recently restored elevator whisks you to the summit of Cerro Alegre, or “Happy Hill,” a neighborhood with a vibe that matches its name. The entire route is 180 feet (55 meters), so it’s not long from the bottom until you’re at the top.

Named after German physician and archeologist Dr. Francisco Fonck Foveaux, who was based in Chile, the Fonck Museum covers the full spectrum of pre-Columbian cultures. The site’s most famous features are undoubtedly two original moai statues from Easter Island, which greet you as you enter the cultural institution.

One of the former homes of celebrated Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana is a fantastic place to get a peek into the poet's life, while taking in views of vibrant Valparaiso. Here, you'll find all sorts of Neruda-related ephemera and audio guides are available to help you make sense of it all.

With close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and a unique mix of clay and sandy soils, the Casablanca Valley is one of Chile’s top wine-producing regions, despite its relatively new arrival on the scene. The first vines were planted in the mid-1980s—more than 100 years later than some of the country’s other notable wine areas.

Hailed as Valparaiso's most picturesque passage—and nicknamed the Balcony of Valparaiso—Paseo 21 de Mayo winds through street-art smothered neighborhoods and the colorful houses of Cerro Playa Ancha. Its elevated location also gives you sweeping panoramas of Valparaiso's UNESCO-listed historical center and the ocean beyond it.

Former home and final resting place of Pablo Neruda, Isla Negra is one of three house museums dedicated to the beloved Chilean poet’s life and work. Poetry lovers from around the world make the pilgrimage to this museum built to look like a boat and filled with Neruda’s nautical-related knickknacks.

Boasting the title of the city’s oldest elevator, Ascensor Concepcion (sometimes referred to as the Turri Elevator) serves as the gateway to one of Valparaíso’s most charming enclaves—Paseo Gervasoni at the summit of Cerro Concepcion. Formerly run using steam, the elevator is now electric and takes you on a steep and rickety ride up the side of the hill.

Nestled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and cascading sand dunes, the coastal town of Concón, Chile, offers an accessible escape from Santiago or Valparaiso. Between its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and natural attractions, Concón can be a relaxed getaway or a jumping-off point for adventure.

Valparaiso Cruise Port is the gateway to UNESCO-listed Valparaiso and the coastal resort of Vina del Mar. Sometimes referred to as Little San Francisco due to its hilly streets, Valpo—as it's known to locals—was once a popular stopover for ships traversing the Straits of Magellan between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.