Valparaiso

Travel Guide

Valparaiso featuring a city and landscape views
Valparaiso showing industrial elements and a city
Valparaiso which includes outdoor art
Valparaiso which includes flowers
Plaza Victoria featuring 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(13 area reviews)

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

Cerro Concepcion
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
3 out of 5
Molina 76 Ciudad, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
$80 nightly
The price is $80 total per night from Jun 23 to Jun 24
$80 total
Jun 23 - Jun 24
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
Ibis Valparaiso
Ibis Valparaiso
3.5 out of 5
Av Errazuriz 811, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
$60 nightly
The price is $60 total per night from Jul 4 to Jul 5
$60 total
Jul 4 - Jul 5
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Wallstreet Porteno and Turri ...
8/10 Very Good! (842 reviews)
"Smoking area and air conditioning would be nice"

Reviewed on Jun 5, 2025

Ibis Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
3 out of 5
763 Baquedano, Valparaiso, Región de Valparaíso
$103 nightly
The price is $103 total per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
$103 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
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! (270 reviews)
"This property is uniquely designed and built using container boxes. It is beautiful and practical. Built mainly using recycling material. I love it."

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

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 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! (169 reviews)
Great Location, Wonderful Stay
"This is a gorgeous property in the Cerro Alegre, walkable to everything. The staff was professional and helpful - and spoke English, which was much appreciated as we arrived after traveling for 24 hours! The breakfast was terrific, the room large and well-appointed. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2025

Casa Galos Hotel & Lofts
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
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
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

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
31
5 - Excellent 62%
4 - Good
16
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great place to visit for 2-3 nights. There is crime, and poverty but the city is beautiful with a lot of character.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Walking up the endless steps to see the street art was well worth the effort.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

City is very different and eclectic. Walk for tips company is worthwhile.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The riots do have an impact on the experience, but I felt safe throughout. It’s a beautiful city.

4/5 - Good

FrankCarmel

Loved and appreciated the quietness of Zero Hotel which afforded me chance to relax. Also, had thoughtful conversations with several of the other guests as well. Wonderful place for me to relax, read, meditate. Franklin J. Carmel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The local culture had a lot of personality. Our Spanish is not the best but we were able to communicate with the local. All of the restaurants were fabulous.

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