The Best Things to Do in Valparaiso, Chile

There are so many cool things to do in Valparaiso, that it's the perfect alternative to the busy city of Santiago. Known by locals as Valpo, this quirky city is known for its art and poetry.

With its colorful streets and Bohemian vibe, it's a backpacker's paradise, and just perfectly off the beaten path, but not too off the beaten path.

In this guide we're going to share all of the fun things to do in Valparaiso, how to get there, where to stay, and all of the other details for having the perfect trip to this cool Chilean beach city.

📍 Where is Valparaiso in Chile?

Valparaiso is located on the west coast of Central Chile, 120 km north west of the capital city. Just an hour and a half away from Santiago, it makes for an easy day trip, or better yet, the perfect weekend break from the city.

Entry Requirements for Chile

Before booking your trip to Valparaiso, you'll want to know if there are any specific requirements for entering the country. Here's what you need to know in order to visit Chile.

🛂 Visa Requirements for Chile

There are 95 different nationalities that are able to enter Chile visa-free for up to 90 days. Those countries can be found on the offiicial visa page for Chile. If your country does not appear on the list, you must in fact get a visa before entering the country.

💉 Do You Need Any Vaccines to Enter Chile?

Chile does not have any requirements for vaccines in order to enter the country.

The Best Things to Do in Valparaiso

Now that you know the basics for visiting, let's hop into all of the best things to do in Valparaiso, Chile!

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🌈 Explore the Colorful Streets

If you're only in town for a short time, our number one recommendation for the best things to do in Valparaiso is to simply get lost in the colorful streets.

Alleys with vibrant murals, painted staircases, and brightly painted buildings make Valparaiso the captivating and creative city it is, and simply wandering the streets is one of the best ways to experience it.

The two most popular neighborhoods (that blend right together) are Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion. These two hills are where you'll find the best things to do in Valparaiso, and the most colorful art in all of the city.

That being said, if you want to learn the history behind certain pieces and dive a bit deeper into the culture, we highly suggest signing up for a tour. If you're in town, here are a few short tours you can sign up for in Valparaiso.

🤩 Visit the Vibrant Staircases

Other than the incredible murals all of the city, one of my favorite things to do in Valparaiso was to see all of the colorfully painted staircases!

Here are a few of my favorite staircases in Valparaiso:

• The Piano Stairs
• The Rainbow Stairs
• The Violeta Parra Stairs

🚪 Visit the Iconic Red Door

While I won't bore you with every single mural or staircase to visit in the city, I definitely want to point out some of the most photographed places in Valparaiso! The red door is definitely one you can't miss out on, and it's just up the Violeta Parra stairs to the left.

It's quite popular, so you'll actually find a lot of people lining up here for a photo!

🚡 Ride the Funiculars Around the City

The city of Valparaiso is all built on hills, and if you don't want to walk a ton up and down the hills, a great short cut is to ride one of the many funiculars or elevators around town!

They are just 300 pesos each way (30 cents), they have great views, and riding them is one of the most iconic things to do in Valparaiso, Chile.

🐟 Check out the Fish Market

One of the most unique things to do in Valparaiso is to check out the fish market!

First, make sure you head to pier. Here you'll get to see a ton of seagulls flying around, and if you go first thing in the morning (around 8-10 am) you'll be able to see the fisherman feeding them all of the leftover pieces, which creates an entire spectacle!

After seeing the seagulls, you'll then want to head over to where the action is happening. Locals will be chopping up the fish, selling raw products, and also serving some delicious small dishes like ceviche.

It was a bit messy, and certainly didn't smell great, but it was such a fun experience, and gives you a true glimpse into the local life in Valparaiso.

🐧 Watch Penguins at Cachagua Island

I'm actually pretty sad because I didn't know about this amazing experience until after I left Valparaiso! And while I wasn't able to do it, I definitely wanted to mention it as one of the best things to do in Valparaiso because it just looks so fun.

Take a boat to Cachagua Island and you'll be able to see an endangered species of adorable penguins. We found this penguin excursion you can sign up for in order to experience this:

🐦 Visit Peñon de los Lobos

if you want to see more of the birdlife and marine life in Valparaiso, head over to Peñon de los Lobos. Here you can find a variety of animals all living together such as pelicans, seagulls, and sea lions. It's a great place to enjoy beautiful views, and see the animals in their natural habitat.

🏖 Relax in Reñaca

Right by Penõn de los Lobos is a favorite spot for the Argentinians, and it's because it's a great beach area near Valparaiso. This is the perfect place to go if you want a beach day, or to simply escape the busy city of Valpo.

🏐 Get Sporty at Playa de Deportes

Also known as the "beach of sports", this is the perfect place if you want to enjoy the beach and do some fun activities. There is an outdoor gym, volleyball courts, and plenty of other great activities to keep yourself fit while visiting Valparaiso.

🌳 Stop by the Arco Britanico & the Iconic Tree

Right at the entry to the main tourist area of Valparaiso you'll find a beautiful arch that was donated to the city by the British in 1910. Also look right next to it, and you'll find a massive tree that is quite impressive.

👀 Check Out One of the Many Viewpoints

Being built right on a hill, it's no surprise that there are a number of beautiful views to be appreciated within the city of Valparaiso.

Here are a few worth checking out:

• Mirador Paseo Gervasoni
• Mirador Paseo Atkins
• Paseo Mirador
• Mirador Paseo Yugoslavo

🎨 Visit the Art Galleries

One of the top things to do in Valparaiso is the appreciate the art. There's no escaping it really! But don't just enjoy the incredible murals.

Head into one of the many galleries in the city and enjoy the work of local artists. I also got to visit a pretty amazing one with Julio, which has fabulous views of the city from their balcony in the back.

💊 Check Out the Cutest Old Pharmacy

I'll be honest - I almost didn't add this spot, because I completely forgot what the name of the place is. I truly loved this old pharmacy though, which has a cute shop inside. It's located on a tiny alleyway, and I challenge you to try to find it because it really is a hidden gem!

🌸 Explore Viñas Del Mar

Just 15 minutes up the coast from Valparaiso is a very popular town that is paired with Valparaiso. It is a quaint area with some historical marks, and definitely deserves a few hour visit. You can easily get here by hopping on the local bus, as it's right off the main highway.

Here are a few of the things to see in Viñas Del Mar, Chile:

• The Flower Clock: a clock made from flowers that was designed for the 1962 World Cup
• Wulff Castle: a cultural exhibit that resembles a castle right on the water
• The Archaeological Museum: one of the top sites for learning about the history of Viña del Mar 
• The Easter Island Statue: a statue like those of Easter Island which is right in front of the Archaeological Museum
• Casino Viña del Mar: one of the most iconic casinos of the area

🍷 Visit a Winery in Casablanca

Did you know that Chile is home to some of the best wines in the world? Not only that- but the wine region is just between Santiago and Valparaiso! The most convenient wine region is Casablanca Valley.

You can easily sign up for a winery tour leaving from Valparaiso, or rent a car and make a reservation on your own.

Want to take a bus to the town near Casablanca? You can also take a Colectivo at Pedro Montt 2999 for 2,500 pesos.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Learn to Surf

With big waves and plenty of nearby beaches, Valparaiso is a great surfing destination. Maitencillo is one of the top destinations in the area for surfing, as well as El Abanico. If you don't have your own board (which chances are if you're not a surfer you probably won't) then you can sign up for surf lessons.

Here are some places to choose from:

• Escuela de Surf Maitencillo
• SurfTrip Escuela de Surf
• Algarrobo Escuela de Surf
• Costaventura

🏂 Go Sandboarding

Right outside of Valparaiso up the coast lie the Concon sand dunes (which we'll mention more about soon). Here you can see people sand boarding, as the dunes lie hill on the hill overlooking the Pacific.

Want a combination of activities? This fun excursion includes both surfing and sand boarding in Valparaiso:

🌅 Watch the Sunset on the Dunes

One of the most popular things to do in Valparaiso for sunset is to head to the incredible Concon sand dunes.

I actually first visited this area during the day, and fell in love with the views. When I told the people in my hostel I wanted to return for sunset, a few of them joined and we found it's actually quite the hot spot for locals! 

Grab some drinks and snacks and have a small picnic during golden hour while you watch the sun set right over the Pacific. You'll also get beautiful views of the city around them too!

🍺 Go On a Pub Crawl

With such a fun backpacker vibe, Valparaiso is the perfect place to meet other travelers and go for drinks. We always love signing up for pub crawls when we travel, as this is the best way to kick off a good vibe and be guided to cool bars in a fun and safe atmosphere.

🛍 Shop for Local Souvenirs

One thing I admire so much about the locals in Valparaiso is the sense of creativity. This is such a great city to shop for handmade arts & crafts, cute jewelry, and colorful keepsakes. I particularly loved the stalls next to Funicular Concepcion, which are outside and have a lot of fun finds.

Local Valpo Food & Drink

Unlike Santiago, Valparaiso is known for its seafood, which you can easily try some of the specialties at the fish market. They also have the perfect blend of trendy coffee shops and homestyle cooking in their restaurants, allowing you to have a cool atmosphere with some traditional food. 

We personally love the lunch deals, as they typically have a main dish, soup or salad, and a dessert included for a very reasonable price.

One of the restaurants that I absolutely loved was the one that I went with Julio, called Cafe del Pintor. I got the risotto which was incredible, and the restaurant was centrally located with beautiful paintings on the walls.

🍤 Foods to Try in Valparaiso

While there are a ton of great Chilean foods you can try, each region of Chile has its own specialties!

Here are a few popular local foods in Valparaiso that you should try:

Ceviche: Valpo has their own twist on this seafood classic (get it from the fish market)

Ajiaco: a meat based soup

Charquican: a popular stew made of leftover meat and potatoes

Cochayuyo: a thick Chilean Seaweed

Empanadas de Pino: empanadas stuffed with beef and other ingredients like raisins, olives, or eggs

Where to Stay in Valparaiso

There are a ton of options for places to stay in Valparaiso, so it'll really depend on what kind of trip you'd like to have.

The best area for those wanting to be in the center of all is in the heart of Valparaiso's tourist area, in the neighborhoods of Cerro Concepcion or Cerro Alegre. If you're looking for a relaxing beach stay, then Reñaca is a great place to stay.

🏨 Where I Stayed in Valparaiso

As I was traveling solo, I really wanted to stay in a hostel to meet other travelers, and to have a really budget-friendly option. I stayed at Hostel Casa Azul and absolutely loved it. It was super affordable, and the owner hosted a massive barbecue and party with a DJ. It's a bit of a walk from the main tourist area, but great for those that want a cool community atmosphere.

Here are also another few great options for great hotels in Valparaiso:

• Hostal Po: an affordable hostel in Cerro Concepcion
• Hotel Palacio Astoreca: one of the most iconic and beautiful hotels, in the best location of Valparaiso
• Wine Box: a unique hotel built from recycled materials
• Hotel Brighton: a cute centrally-located hotel with a large wrap around patio overlooking the city and the sea
• Gran Hotel Gervasoni: a stunning hotel inside a European-styled mansion with great views over the pacific

Other Things to Know About Visiting Valparaiso, Chile

Now that you know the best things to do in Valparaiso, how to get around, and how to stay safe, we have a few final details to share with you.

☀️ Weather in Valparaiso

Valparaiso has surprisingly chilly weather, even in the summer! I visited in January, which is the height of summer, and had to put a jacket on at night.

Because of the nearby mountains and being on the coast, it has very mild summers, and can get pretty windy, with cooler temperatures after the sun goes down.

Winters are also pretty mild, and it doesn't really get much colder or ever snow.

📆 The Best Time to Visit Valparaiso

The best time to visit Valparaiso is in the summer months from December to February. This is when you'll find the most events happening, and the best chances of having some nice weather.

🎒 Packing For a Trip to Valparaiso

Here are some things you'll want to bring on your trip to Valparaiso:

• Comfortable sandals for walking around
• Bag/ Backpack that zips (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because you can use it with an extra long selfie stick to mimic a drone)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens for staircase photos (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
• Telephoto Lens to capture close ups of the buildings (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Sunscreen 
• Chapstick
• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
• Cash (for sweet vendors)

🤔 Is Valparaiso, Chile Worth Visiting?

Valparaiso is definitely worth visiting! Being so close to Santiago with a totally different vibe makes it an awesome place to enjoy a different Chilean vibe. If you're an art lover, then you will love this city so much!

⏳ How Many Days in Valparaiso Should I Spend?

While you can certainly do a lot of the things to do in Valparaiso on a day trip, you could also easily spend up to a week there! I stayed just one night and two full days, and would have liked at least one or two more days to experience at a bit slower of a pace.

I also met some people that were staying for a full month, which is great if you are a digital nomad, but also a bit much in my personal opinion. I think the perfect amount of time to experience all of the cool things to do in Valparaiso is 3-4 days, and 2 full days if you are shorter on time.

Valparaiso was the perfect little getaway from Santiago, and we definitely recommend it for travelers that are looking for something a bit different.

Planning on traveling more around Chile? You can take a look at some of the other Chile travel guides that we have. Also, if you're traveling more through South America, you check out our other South America Travel Guides to ensure you get the best out of this beautiful continent!

Need help planning your next trip? Well, we've got you covered! Now with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning you can sit back and relax while we do all of the hard work. Want to learn more? Take a look at some of our travel planning services, or shoot us an email to get started.

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