Valparaiso

Travel Guide

Valparaiso which includes a city and landscape views
Valparaiso showing a city and industrial elements
Valparaiso which includes outdoor art
Valparaiso featuring flowers
Plaza Victoria which includes a city and a fountain

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

Cerro Concepcion

Cerro Concepcion

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Waterfront views, seaside views, and bars are some highlights of Cerro Concepcion. Make a stop by Mirador Paseo Gervasoni or Casa Mirador de Lukas while you're exploring.

Cerro Concepcion
Winebox Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
3 out of 5
763 Baquedano, Valparaiso, Región de Valparaíso
The price is CA $144 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
CA $144
CA $144 total
Jun 4 - Jun 5
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! (267 reviews)
"The staff was amazing, especially Sofia. The breakfast was incredible and service was incredible. Other food fir purchase items were also delicious. Great suggestions on things to do and places to eat. Also fantatsic at making driver arrangements for airport pickup, winery tours, etc. The place has ..."

Reviewed on May 22, 2025

Winebox Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
3 out of 5
Molina 76 Ciudad, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
The price is CA $122 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
CA $122
CA $122 total
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (395 reviews)
"Great views, clean rooms good breakfast great location, but not all the rooms have smart TVs and no washcloths only bath towels and hand towel towels"

Reviewed on May 24, 2025

Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
3 out of 5
#893 Templeman, Cerro Alegre, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
The price is CA $132 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
CA $132
CA $132 total
Jun 4 - Jun 5
Stay at this 3-star boutique aparthotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (168 reviews)
"This property is one hidden gem! Highly recommended its above and beyond."

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2025

Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
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 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. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (168 reviews)
"This property is one hidden gem! Highly recommended its above and beyond."

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2025

Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
Comarca Valparaiso
Comarca Valparaiso
2.5 out of 5
Calle San Juan de Dios 601, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
Stay at this apartment in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Valparaiso Cultural Park and Ex-cárcel ...
Lovely two night stay in Valparaiso.
"Hernan the owner is an absolute gem. He provided an excellent introduction to the area and gave us a bottle of champagne to ring in the new year. Keep in mind, this is an apartment, not a fancy hotel. The room had everything you need, the sheet are clean etc... but expect some wear-and-tear and the ..."

Reviewed on Jan. 2, 2019

Comarca Valparaiso
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 ...
"Good location. Staff very nice."

Reviewed on Jan. 1, 2025

Casa Violeta Limon
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

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were there when demonstrations were happening on the Friday night. We felt safe in our location but heard gunfire and screaming that night from downtown and experienced the residual effects of tear gas the following morning when downtown...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I must see city. Stay here for a couple days. Another great place to stay if you are on a cruise out of San Antonio.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Whether a day trip from Santiago or an over nighter, it's worth the trip.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Ok for one day only. The highlights were the NYE fireworks and the Cerros.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The streets and houses that cover the hillsides all over Valparaiso are a must-see with plenty of restaurants, bars and gift-shops. As you reach the commercial areas, you find buildings and parks which emphasize the historical importance of the City

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved this city!

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