Valparaiso

Travel Guide

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

Chile’s historic seaport city is famous for picturesque hilltop neighbourhoods, 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 amphitheatre of more than 40 cerros (hills), where colourful 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 kilometres) 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
Winebox Valparaiso
Winebox Valparaiso
3 out of 5
763 Baquedano, Valparaiso, Región de Valparaíso
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$131 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
S$131
12 Jul - 13 Jul
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! (271 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 19 Jun, 2025

Winebox Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
3 out of 5
Molina 76 Ciudad, Valparaiso, Valparaiso
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! (396 reviews)
"Good, efficient service. Daily breakfast was included in our rate; food was fine, personnel was kind."

Reviewed on 22 Jun, 2025

Diego De Almagro Valparaiso
Hotel Casa Esmeralda
Hotel Casa Esmeralda
2 out of 5
978 Esmeralda, Valparaiso, Valparaíso
The price is S$57 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
S$57
1 Aug - 2 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Valparaiso. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and concierge services. Popular attractions Concepcion Lift and Turri Clock Tower are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (21 reviews)
"Great price and location, clean and functional"

Reviewed on 4 Mar, 2025

Hotel Casa Esmeralda
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 3 Jun, 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 1 Jan, 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 2 Jan, 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

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Renaca beach