Valparaiso Region trip planner

Valparaiso Region Holiday Planning Guide

Places to Visit in Valparaiso Region

Destinations in Valparaiso Region

Valparaiso: Streets flanked with colonial architecture and restaurants serving local cuisine make this city, Chile's biggest port, a great starting point for tours of Valparaiso Region.

Vina del Mar: A garden city filled with greenery, Vina del Mar offers fun music festivals, beaches, and parks.

Concon: Seafront bars, beaches, and lush gardens of Concon count among the top Valparaiso Region attractions.

Los Andes: With its archaeological parks and delicious local food and wines, Los Andes deserves a top spot on your Valparaiso Region itinerary.

Lagunillas: Home to beautiful natural scenery, Lagunillas offers a tranquil alternative to the region's other, often faster and more crowded urban centers.

Popular Valparaiso Region Tourist Attractions

La Sebastiana

: Pablo Neruda's residence still keeps the atmosphere of the 1950s, with original furniture and the artist's personal items preserved.

Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores)

: One of the most popular Valparaiso Region tourist attractions, this colorful clock made of flowers has been fully functional for over 50 years.

Playa Renaca

: Once quiet and secluded, Renaca is now a thriving setting for water activities, relaxing in the sun, and partying on the beach.

Vina del Mar Casino

: Test your luck at a wide array of games that include blackjack, poker, and slot machines, or just observe the scenic views of the coast and the sea from one of the casino's restaurants.

Cerro Concepcion

: Resting on the hilltops that watch over Valparaiso's shorefront, this neighborhood radiates a bohemian spirit through its fancy street art and cozy cafes.

Costanera

: This oceanfront boardwalk dotted with stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts provides plenty of spots from which you can observe the sun setting over the waves.

Quinta Vergara

: A palace with Gothic architecture, an open-air amphitheater, and an exotic plant park make up this complex, among the top places to visit in Valparaiso Region.

Pablo Neruda's House

: A home-turned-museum, this former residence of poet Pablo Neruda features a weird ship-styled interior and various other marine-themed decorations.

Plaza Sotomayor

: This square commemorate the victims of the War of the Pacific, fought between Chile and Peru--the surrounding historical buildings reflect influence of 17th-century French architecture.

Ascensor Artilleria

: A funicular with more than a century of history, Ascensor Artilleria provides passengers with aerial views of the city and its harbor, while the station at the top provides more great vistas and several places where you can grab a bite or buy a souvenir.

Planning a Valparaiso Region Vacation with Kids

Places to Visit in Valparaiso Region with Kids

Valparaiso represents a bustling urban center with plenty of facilities and accommodations, as well historical sightseeing opportunities that can spark curiosity in the youngest explorers--you'll also find lots of popular beaches there, providing that classic sun-and-sand experience.

A good alternative to Valparaiso, Vina del Mar offers a slower-paced, greener, and more tranquil environment with a plethora of parks and gardens perfect for relaxing, exploring, and communing with nature.

Los Andes can be a perfect destination for a snow-related Valparaiso Region vacation, during which your kids will be able to learn or improve their skiing or snowboarding skills.

Things to Do in Valparaiso Region with Kids

Most visitors take a trip to Valparaiso Region for the beaches, like the developed and popular (even a bit crowded sometimes) Playa Amarilla

, spacious and forest-surrounded Playa de Zapallar

, as well as tiny but idyllic Playa Los Lilenes

.

Older children will find Corporacion Museo de Arqueologia e Historia Francisco Fonck

interesting--step inside for info about Mapuche culture and Easter Island, as well as insect collections and taxidermied animals.

An easy hike through Parque Nacional La Campana

reveals unspoiled nature and one of the world's last remaining wine palm forests.

Ski Portillo

represents a winter paradise for both beginners and expert skiers, although you don't need to test the slopes to enjoy the snowy scenery.

Tips for a Family Vacation in Valparaiso Region

Most of accommodations and attractions in Chile offer discounts for kids, so be sure to ask about this option as you finalize your plans, make your reservations, and purchase tickets.

To avoid running into issues at public restrooms, always carry a pack of wet wipes, and consider stashing a roll of toilet paper in your purse or shoulder bag.

If camping outdoors with kids, bring bug repellent, sunscreen, and warm clothes--as well as any other personal items that will make your family holiday in Valparaiso Region more pleasant and kid-friendly.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in Valparaiso Region

Cuisine of Valparaiso Region

The cuisine of Valparaiso Region, like the rest of Chile, represents a blend of Spanish influences with local Mapuchean elements--the cooking traditions of German, Italian, and French immigrants have also left a deep mark there.

Empanadas remain a favorite on a traditional Valparaiso menu, with a filling called "pino," a seasoned blend of beef, raisins, onions, olives, and boiled eggs.

In addition to empanadas, the local like to munch on "chorrillana," which consists of French fries and steak, fried onions, and eggs. This calorie bomb is often shared among several people--make a connection with local friends by following suit during your vacation in Valparaiso Region.

"Completo," an upgraded version of an American hotdog, contains a wiener, chopped tomatoes, loads of mayonnaise, and sauerkraut--variations can include chili, sauces, cheese, and many other additions.

A seafood representative on the Chilean menu, "caldo de mariscos" is a soup made with clams, shrimp, or fish.

Whatever you choose to put on your plate, remember to wash it down with pisco sour, the national drink of Chile.

Shopping in Valparaiso Region

The region's arts and crafts will definitely catch your attention with their vivid and elaborate designs. With its origins traced to pre-colonization times, Mapuchean hand-woven basketry, carving and woodwork, textiles, and silverware represent just a small number of traditional handicrafts you can purchase at local markets.

Shopaholics on a Valparaiso Region vacation should visit Mall Marina

, an ideal place for a classic shopping center experience near a popular beach.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to Valparaiso Region

Interesting Facts About Valparaiso Region

Juan de Saavedra named a settlement, now the city of Valparaiso, after his native village, Valparaiso de Arriba in Spain.

Valparaiso hosts the largest fireworks show in South America during its popular New Year's Pyrotechnic Festival--in 2007, the city broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest number of fireworks exploded in one night: 16,000

Valparaiso has been a place of inspiration for many noted artists and poets, including Pablo Neruda, who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1971

Holidays & Festivals in Valparaiso Region

You'll find lots of Catholic holidays and celebrations of major historical events to add to your Valparaiso Region itinerary.

If you're looking for a fun and family-friendly alternative, consider attending the annual Popcorn Festival, held in downtown Valparaiso in September.

For a bit of local culture, visit in June, when this and other coastal regions in the country celebrate St. Peter and Paul's Feast, held in honor of the patron saints of fishermen.

Come for New Year's Festival at the end of December to witness one of the largest fireworks displays in the world--a million tourists arrive from around the world, packing the beaches and turning the region into one big party stage.

Useful Valparaiso Region Travel Tips

Climate of Valparaiso Region

With mild its Mediterranean climate, Valparaiso Region enjoys dry summers and rainy winters.

If you like to be outdoors, try to avoid the rains (June-July) and plan your trip to Valparaiso Region for the summer months (January and February), when you can enjoy sunny weather and warm temperatures.

Transportation in Valparaiso Region

Public transportation offers reliable and regular options for both locals and tourists. Buses operate in most cities and between communities--they charge low rates and depart on time, appealing to a broad base of travelers.

In cities, walking is popular and considered good exercise--try it if you like to measure a new destination with your own two feet and sightsee at a slower place on your own terms.

Taxis (or "colectivos") can be used as well, with some offering convenient flat rates.