The Central Coast
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Central Coast - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Cerro Concepción
Either walk up from Plaza Aníbal Pinto or ride the Ascensor Concepción (due to reopen in 2024) to one of the most popular of Valparaíso's famous cerros (hills). The greatest attraction is the view, which is best appreciated from Paseo Gervasoni, a wide promenade to the right when you exit the ascensor, and Paseo Atkinson, one block to the east. Over the balustrades that line the promenades are amazing vistas of the city and bay. Nearly as fascinating are the narrow streets above them, some of which are quite steep. Continue uphill to Cerro Alegre, which has a bit of a bohemian flair.
Esmeralda 916, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
2. La Sebastiana
Tired of the frenetic pace of Santiago, poet Pablo Neruda longed for a calmer place overlooking the sea, and he found it here in the house that Spanish architect Sebastián Collado began building for himself but never finished. Neruda bought it with friends in 1959 and restored the upper floors in his own eclectic style, complete with curving walls, narrow winding stairways, and a tower. The view from the house is spectacular, but the real reason to visit is to see Neruda's extravagant collection of thousands of diverse objects. The house is a shrine to his many cherished belongings, including a beautiful orangish-pink stuffed bird he brought back from Venezuela, a carousel horse, and the pink-and-yellow barroom stuffed with kitsch.
Ferrari 692, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile32-225–6606Sight Details
Rate Includes: 7000 pesos, Closed Mon. -
3. Museo de Bellas Artes
Cerro AlegreThe art nouveau Palacio Baburizza, built in 1916, houses the city's fine-arts museum. Former owner Pascual Baburizza donated this large collection of European paintings to the city. The fanciful decorative exterior is reminiscent of the style of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí—note the bronze children dancing around the portico. The paintings and the impressive mansion itself take you on a historical journey through Chile's past. Fans of contemporary art should check out the free temporary exhibitions in the basement.
Paseo Yugoslavo 176, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile32-225–2332Sight Details
Rate Includes: 2000 pesos, 4000 pesos for foreigners with audio guide included, Closed Mon. -
4. Ascensor El Peral
Cerro AlegreIn Valparaíso, riding one of the city's 30 ascensores (funiculars) is a must. El Peral, built in 1902 and now a national monument, is one of the five currently operating (another five are under repair). For just 100 pesos, it runs a very steep 52 meters (172 feet) from the Palacio de Justicia (court house) on the northeastern side of Plaza Sotomayor, up to the gorgeous Paseo Yugoslavo on Cerro Alegre, where the Palacio Baburizza houses a fine arts museum.
Plaza Sotomayor, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, ChileSight Details
Rate Includes: 100 pesos -
5. Ascensor Reina Victoria
Cerro AlegreThis steep 40-meter (131-foot) funicular, built in 1902 and named for Queen Victoria of England, who died a year earlier, connects Avenida Elías near Plaza Aníbal Pinto with the very popular Cerro Alegre. Once atop the hill, you'll come out to a small plaza where you can swoosh down a small metallic slide if your inner child so desires.
Elías, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, ChileSight Details
Rate Includes: 100 pesos -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Galería Municipal de Arte
This crypt in the basement of the Palacio Lyon hosts temporary exhibits by top-caliber Chilean artists that are displayed on stone walls under a series of brick arches. It's easy to miss the entrance, which is on Calle Condell just beyond the Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso.
Condell 1550, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, ChileSight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. -
7. Laguna Verde
In a somewhat secluded cove 14 km (9 miles) southwest of Valparaíso, Laguna Verde is a stunning and largely uncrowded stretch of yellow-sand coastline that's worth the visit if you have some time to spend. You can get there via a one-hour local bus ride or can rent a car for the half-hour trip. Better yet, rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle to be able to explore the surrounding area. It's rustic, but there are now a few restaurants, food trucks during the summer months, basic services, and cabins ranging from spartan to spectacular. Amenities: food and drink; free parking. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.
47 Av. Principal, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
8. Mercado Puerto
Built in 1922 and shuttered after the earthquake of 2010, Mercado Puerto officially reopened in 2020 following a 10-year-long restoration. This historic building now houses not only fruit and vegetable stands but also more than two dozen arts and crafts vendors, gourmet grocers, and trendy cafés. The revival of the old market is part of a larger scheme to spruce up the greater Barrio Puerto neighborhood.
Valdivia 269, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
9. Muelle Prat
Valparaíso's main wharf, Muelle Prat, bustles with activity. Vendors hawk their offerings, from trinkets and snacks to face painting and temporary tattoos, and owners of the dozens of bobbing lanchas (small boats) dwarfed by enormous cargo ships call out departure times for the next tour of the bay. At 4,000 pesos, a half-hour tour is a great way to experience the activity in the port, see a spectacular view of the city, and even get a close-up view of a sea lion colony. Here you'll also find a tourist information office and a row of souvenir shops.
Av. Errázuriz at Plaza Sotomayor, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
10. Museo a Cielo Abierto
This "museum" is actually a winding walk past 20 official murals (and dozens of unofficial ones) by some of Chile's best painters. There's even one by the country's most famous artist, Roberto Matta. The path is not marked, there's no fixed route, and much of the signage has disappeared over the years. The point is to get lost in the city's history and culture.
Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
11. Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso
Within the Palacio Lyon, one of the few buildings to survive the devastating 1906 earthquake is this small but interesting natural history museum. With a focus on land and sea animals, it's a good place to take children.
Condell 1546, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile32-254–4840Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon. -
12. Museo Naval y Marítimo de Valparaíso
Take the Ascensor Artillería up to Paseo 21 de Mayo for a great view of the port and then head to this large neoclassical mansion that once housed the country's naval academy. It now contains a maritime museum, with displays that document the history of the port and the ships that once defended it. Cannons positioned on the front lawn frame the excellent view of the ocean.
Paseo 21 de Mayo Nº 45, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile32-253-7018Sight Details
Rate Includes: 3100 pesos -
13. Paseo 21 de Mayo
Ascensor Artillería pulls you uphill to Paseo 21 de Mayo, a wide promenade lined by a long row of booths selling crafts and souvenirs and surrounded by well-tended gardens and stately trees. From here you can survey the working port and much of the city through coin-operated binoculars. A gazebo—a good place to escape the sun—seems to be hanging in midair. Paseo 21 de Mayo is located in the middle of Cerro Playa Ancha, one of the city's more colorful and less touristy neighborhoods.
Ascensor Artillería at Plaza Aduana, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
14. Playa Las Torpederas
Valparaíso's only true swim-worthy beach is set in a sheltered crescent of yellow sand west of the port. Although less attractive than other beaches up and down the coast, it's a fast and easy getaway from the busy port and does have very calm water. Amenities: food and drink; free parking. Best for: sunset; swimming.
Altamirano 22100, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
15. Plaza Sotomayor
Valparaíso's impressive Plaza Sotomayor serves as a gateway to the bustling port. The Comandancia en Jefe de la Armada, headquarters of the Chilean navy, is a grand periwinkle building that rises to a turreted pinnacle over a mansard roof. At the eastern end of the plaza the Monumento de los Héroes de Iquique honors Arturo Prat and other heroes of the War of the Pacific. At the southern end, the Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio often hosts art exhibitions. A crafts and products fair also happens weekly during the warmer months. Beware of traffic in the middle of the square; cars and buses come suddenly from all directions.
Av. Errázuriz at Sotomayor, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile -
16. Plaza Victoria
Most Chilean cities have a Plaza de Armas that serves as the center of urban life, but Valparaíso has this, the "Victory Plaza," which dates back to the early 19th century. It was once the favored venue for bullfights and public executions, but today it's a lovely park graced by a large fountain. The fountain is bordered by four female figures representing the seasons and two black lions that look across the street to the neo-Gothic cathedral and its unusual freestanding bell tower.
Condell at Molina, Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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