Which activities to do in Valparaiso, the most important port city on the Pacific central coast of Chile. Valparaiso is famous for its colorful cliffside homes and steep funiculars. Pablo Neruda once lived in La Sebastiana, now a museum with views of the Pacific. The town was shaped by European immigrants during the 19th century, and today it is centered around Plaza Sotomayor, the square that serves as the town’s center.
La Sebastiana in Valparaiso
The first and probably most relevant activities to do in Valparaiso. If you want to explore the poet Pablo Neruda’s legacy, you should visit the house where the writer used to live, La Sebastiana. This multicolored house, perched on a hill, was the setting for much of the poet’s poetry. The museum pays tribute to Neruda’s legacy and includes paintings, furniture from the 1950s, and a set of other quirky bric-a-brac collections. Visiting the museum early in the morning will help you avoid the rush and crowds.
The house where the poet used to live, as mentioned before, is now a museum. This is the home of Chile’s Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda and is located on Cerro Bella vista, which is slightly off the main tourist routes. The museum has a cafe inside and descriptive texts on the front door. Inside, you’ll find museum docents in every room and audio guides in several languages. At the museum you can also find a merch store, last but not least, enjoy the view!
Visit Valparaiso fish market
Another option in the list of activities to do in Valparaiso is to pay a visit to the fish market. The main fish market is Caleta Portales, and you can enjoy a delicious meal while you shop for fresh seafood which you can even see when is being unloaded from the boats, yeah, that is fresh! While you’re there, you can chat with the local fishermen or try some ceviche. While you’re there, you can also watch the local fishermen and fisherwomen filet the fish. Their skills with knives are stunning, fast, and seriously sharp.
You can spend some time just wandering around the colorful markets full of tourists and locals doing their shopping. The Portales Fish Market is located near the beach and is a common place for locals to get their seafood so the prices are actually what Chileans pay. The scene is perfect for photographers looking for local real-life activities.
Take a funicular to the top of the hills
One of the tourist’s favorite activities to do in Valparaiso is to take one of the funicular rides. if you are looking for a great way to see the city and the bay. One of the funiculars in Valparaiso is Ascensor Artilleria which is a perfect choice! Built in 1892, the Ascensor Artilleria is the only funicular in the city with four tracks. While it may look a little run down now, the views from high up make it worth a ride. You can also board a private funicular to enjoy the city’s sights from above.
A second good funicular option is Ascensor Peral. This particular funicular has normally long queues. The main reason for the queues is that rides up the Cerro Alegre, probably the most famous hill in the area. A last good option while talking about funiculars in Valparaiso is the Reina Victoria.
Check the seaport
A perfect alternative while talking about activities to do in Valparaiso is to check the Seaport, one of Chile’s main maritime hubs. During the Spanish colonial period, it was used by ships heading north and west. After independence, it began to grow as a port of call. If you want to check it in its entire dimension I suggest you take a funicular ride.
The city’s main port is located adjacent to the port’s container dock and railway station. During the summer months, around 50 cruise ships visit the port. The port handles 30% of Chile’s international maritime trade. It is the second-largest container handling facility, after the Port of San Antonio. Its location in the central region of the country makes it a good place to ship goods.
Wander the city
In the top activities to do in Valparaiso, there is a simple one, just wandering the city. Its picturesque style is well known around the world. Another hill to check is Cerro Concepción which allocates, Casa Volante Hostal, a perfect place to stay and winner of numerous awards. Other attractions include the harbor and the Cathedral. In addition, it is home to several museums and galleries.
The historic center of Valparaiso has been declared a world heritage site. Valparaiso’s unique architecture and urban design earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage in 1996. The Chilean government to apply for world heritage status for the city as a citizen´s initiative. Fortunately, Valparaiso has eventually been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Final word
There are many activities to do in Valparaiso. Even if you are visiting Chile for a short time Valparaiso is the perfect place for at least a day trip. It is located just 1,5 hours far from Santiago and you can take a tour starting from the capital city.
