guide to valparaiso
ChileSouth America

A quick guide to Valparaiso. Chilean city painted by a rainbow.

guide to valparaiso

Discover the colours of Valparaiso, a city in central Chile. I hope this quick guide helps you plan your Chilean adventures.

Valparaiso, nestled along the Pacific coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage city – renowned for its colorful hillside neighborhoods, vibrant street art, and historic funiculars.

‘Valparaíso, how absurd you are…you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you.’

Pablo Neruda


Why you should visit Valparaiso

I have heard that Valparaiso is the most colourful city in the whole Chile. And it probably is. The hill on which the houses are built looks like a rainbow. Everything there has colours and nothing is dull. The painted doors, stairs, walls with the contrast of a beautifully blue sky makes this image look like a painting. Even the rubbish bins are colourful!

The real reason for our visit to Valparaiso was the New Year’s Eve. We did not meet a Chilean who would not say that Valparaiso presents the most impressive fireworks the last night of a year. Better yet, it is apparently the best show in the whole continent. Our itchy feet and curious eyes made us do it! I packed a suitcase in a few moments, chilled some water, made sandwiches and we jumped in the car and drove over 1200 km south to see what is the fuss about.


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities. Travel insurance is a must in South America. Don’t skip it. 
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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guide to valparaiso


See also: 

Wine, sun and art. Visiting Mendoza, Argentina.

Caleta Buena. In search for penguins and discovering hidden gems of Chile.

Keep calm…and go to Chile. What you need to know before your trip.

Chilean bucket list. What to see and do in Chile.


valparaiso

Valparaíso is not an easy town to explore. It is like a maze on a side of a hill. Driving there can be challenging, so it is much better to walk around. I can assure you that it will be a proper exercise, after which you will just want to relax with empanada or terremoto in your hand. There is a funicular and bus service as well if you fancy to save your legs a bit.

Valparaiso, Chile

Valparaiso, Chile

What to see and do in Valparaíso?

1. Go there for New Year’s Eve

As I mentioned earlier, in Valparaíso the party happens on a big scale. Visitors from all over the world go there to see the fireworks over the bay that all TV stations show live. There might be better fireworks shows in other countries, but in South America this is one of the best.

2. Pablo Neruda’s house

One of the three houses of the most famous Chilean poet and the Nobel Prize winner (1971), La Sebastiana, is located in Valparaíso. As the other houses, also this one is full of items from all over the world and unusual decorations.

Read Houses of Pablo Neruda. Where he created and loved.

3. Have a swim at the local beach

If you want to escape from the crowds of tourists, go to Playa Torpederas. It is not the nicest beach, but you surely will get some peace and quiet during week days. On weekends it can get pretty busy since it is a very popular beach amongst locals.

4. Stroll the colourful streets

That is probably my favourite activity and the way to explore places wherever I go. The streets are narrow and steep, but surely not boring. I’m sure you’ll enjoy that greatly.

Valparaiso, Chile

5. Explore street art

Street art decorates many cities in Chile. I have already told you about the colourful streets in Antofagasta, but next to Valparaíso I could say that it is dull. In this colourful town street art rules. It is literally everywhere. It covers walls, buildings, fences, rubbish bins, stairs, doors…amongst others.

6. Eat seafood in the port

The port in Valparaíso is still significant for the culture and city life. The boats frequently bring fresh fish and seafood to the town, one of the best in Chile.

7. Join a walking tour

Walking tours are perfect if you just arrived to a place and have no a single clue what to do, see and where to go. I guess that it might not be a perfect type of visiting a city for everyone, but it is definitely worth trying if you have little time. The guides will take you to the most important places and give you some tips and ideas.

According to some travelers it is worth joining a group led by Wally from “Tours4Tips”, which starts every day at 10 am and 3pm from Plaza Sotomayor.

guide to valparaiso

Where to stay in Valparaiso

For booking an accommodation in Valparaiso I recommend you this website for booking hotels. If you are looking for a place that is comfortable, friendly and has the most beautiful view, check out Hostal Faro Azul, where I stayed. This hostel is on top of a hill with the most beautiful views over the bay and Vina del Mar and the price was much better than in other places.

This post is also available offline for you to use together with a map via GpsMyCity

Valparaiso, Chile

Thank you for reading. It is always lovely to have you here. What colourful places have you seen in the world? Please share it with me and the other readers, so curious!

Valparaiso, Chile

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