Valparaíso sits on steep hills above the Pacific, shaped by earthquakes and centuries of seafaring history. Once a major port for ships crossing between oceans, it’s now better known for its creative energy and lived-in charm. Whether you're here for a day or a week, here's our pick of the best things to do in Valparaiso.
Mercado Cardonal is Valparaíso’s main market, and it’s where a lot of Porteños do their daily shopping. Is loud, busy, and packed with everything from Pacific fish to piles of fruit you might not recognize right away.
You’ll find everything from chirimoya and lúcuma to cheese, olives, and seafood. This place isn’t made for tourists but is just a part of the city, and is one of the best things to do in Chile. There are a few small food stalls inside if you want to grab lunch—empanadas, juice, or maybe a simple marisco dish. Mornings are best if you want to catch the full energy and the freshest seafood.
La Sebastiana sits up in the hills, tucked into the winding streets, and used to be Pablo Neruda’s getaway house. Now it’s a museum, but it still feels like a home—with narrow staircases, big windows, and shelves full of strange and personal objects.
You don’t need to be particularly interested in poetry in order to enjoy it. The place gives you a glimpse into how Neruda thought and lived. The views over the water are part of what drew him there, and they’re still just as striking. The audio guide is useful if you want some backstory—it includes little details you might otherwise miss.
Pablo Neruda House, Valparaiso, Chile © Shutterstock
Palacio Baburizza is a historic house museum up on Cerro Alegre. The building itself is worth seeing—wrought iron balconies, stained glass, and carved wood interiors —it was built in the early 1900s by a wealthy immigrant and now holds a collection of Chilean and European art.
Inside, it still feels like a mansion. You can wander through the rooms and still get a sense of what the house would’ve felt like when it was a private home. Most of the work has some connection to Chilean landscapes or the sea. After you’ve walked through the rooms, you can step into the garden for a break and a view across the bay. This is one of the best things to do in Valparaiso.
This museum sits inside an old naval academy building up on a hill and gives you a clear picture of how deeply Chile’s history is tied to the sea. You’ll see model ships, old navigation tools, and scenes from naval battles that shaped the country’s past.
Some rooms focus on pre-Columbian maritime culture, while others walk through more modern naval events. The building is still used by the navy, so it feels like you’re stepping into something active, not just a display. It’s a quiet, steady kind of museum—not flashy, but packed with details.
View of Baburizza Palace in Paseo Yugoslavo Cerro Alegre, Valparaiso © Shutterstock
In the middle of the Bellavista neighborhood, everyday buildings double as an outdoor mural gallery. These massive paintings were created in the early ’90s by well-known Chilean artists and are scattered along staircases, walls, and alleyways. The art reflects a lot of political and cultural history, and it’s mixed right into the flow of daily life—neighbors chatting, kids playing, laundry drying on balconies.
If you have an interest in street art, this walk is one of the best things to do in Valparaiso. The climb can be a bit steep, but you’ll get a good view over the bay along the way. The section is a bit formal, a curated open-air gallery with historical significance.
Valparaíso’s funiculars are old, a bit creaky, and still used by Porteños every day. They were built in the late 1800s to help people get up and down the steep hills without walking. Ascensor Concepción is the oldest one still running.
Espíritu Santo has the steepest track, and Cordillera gets you into a neighborhood that still feels pretty lived-in and local. They’re short rides—less than a minute—but worth it, especially when your legs are tired. Just bring a few coins or a prepaid card and hop on.
Elevators in Valparaiso, Chile © Shutterstock
These two walkways on Cerro Concepción are a nice way to take in the city from above. They’re connected by narrow streets and staircases, and you’ll find benches and old lampposts along the way if you want to hang out and enjoy the view.
Paseo Atkinson runs past a row of old pastel houses and ends near the Lutheran Church. Gervasoni is more active—there’s usually someone playing music, a few people selling crafts, and the Museo Mirador Lukas is worth a quick visit if you’re curious about Chilean cartoonist Lukas.
If you’re around late in the day, the view over the bay is especially nice. The hills can be steep, so wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in and plan to take your time.
This microbrewery is set up in an old building with a great view over the port. It’s a good place to take a break if you’re walking around the hills. They do small-batch beers with local ingredients—maqui berries, ulmo honey, and the like.
You can try a sampler or just grab a pint and hang out on the terrace. There’s a food menu too, mostly small plates and empanadas that go well with whatever you’re drinking. They sometimes have live music in the evenings. If you’re interested in beer, the brewmaster is usually around and happy to talk about how it’s made, but you don’t need to know anything about brewing to enjoy it.
Paseo Atkinson Walk at Cerro Concepcion - Valparaiso, Chile © Shutterstock
Cerro Alegre is one of those neighborhoods that’s fun to wander without a plan. The murals are everywhere—walls, stairs, storefronts—and they cover a range of styles and messages.
Some are political, some just playful, and many are done by well-known Chilean and international artists. A lot of this started picking up after Chile returned to democracy, so some of the older pieces still carry that context.
Templeman and Almirante Montt streets are good starting points, but the art is scattered through the whole area. You’ll see people stopping to take photos, but it doesn’t feel curated—it’s more like the neighborhood itself is part of the artwork. It’s a good way to get a feel for the creative side of Valparaíso.
If you want to get a feel for Valparaíso’s layout, head to Muelle Prat and hop on one of the small boat tours that run throughout the day. They’re usually about 30 minutes to an hour and give you a good look at the city from the water.
You’ll see the hillside neighborhoods stacked above the port, sea lions hanging out near buoys, and plenty of cargo activity that’s still central to the city. The guides usually throw in a few stories about Valparaíso’s seafaring past. It’s low-effort and easy to do—especially nice around sunset when the lights start coming on.
Aerial view of Valparaiso Bay from Paseo Gervasoni at Cerro Concepcion Hill - Valparaiso, Chile © Shutterstock
J. Cruz M. is known for its chorrillana—fries loaded with beef, onions, and eggs. It’s the kind of dish that comes out on a big wooden board and is meant to be shared, and trying it is one of the best things to do in Valparaiso. The place has been around since the ‘70s and leans into a nautical theme with worn wood and old port memorabilia everywhere.
It’s not fancy, but it’s popular, and it gets busy with both Porteños and travelers. If you’ve been walking the hills all day, this is the kind of heavy, comforting meal that hits the spot.
Muelle Prat is one of the first places people end up in Valparaíso, partly because it’s right by the port and there’s always something going on.
You’ll see boats loading and unloading, musicians playing for crowds, and vendors selling crafts and snacks. The walkway runs along the waterfront and gives you a nice look at the bay—fishing boats, navy ships, cranes, and cargo containers are all part of the view.
Porteños come here on weekends to hang out, get seafood, or just walk along the promenade. It’s an easy, flat area to explore and is the best thing to do in Valparaiso for a good introduction to the city. See our Chile travel tips for more advice for your trip.
Muelle Prat Pier and Valparaiso Harbor - Valparaiso, Chile © Shutterstock
Viña del Mar is only about a 15-minute drive from Valparaíso, and it’s an easy day trip if you’re looking for a more polished beach town. It’s quieter, cleaner, and has long stretches of sand like Reñaca Beach (some of the best beaches in Chile).
You’ll probably pass by the Flower Clock—it’s a bit touristy but kind of iconic—and Wulff Castle is right on the edge of the water. Quinta Vergara Park is a good place to take a walk, and if you're curious about Rapa Nui culture, the Fonck Museum has a moai statue out front.
There’s also a big casino if you feel like staying into the evening. The town has a different pace than Valparaíso and can be a nice break if you’re in the mood for a calmer day.
Up in Cerro Concepción, you’ll find a cluster of cafes and bars that are perfect for a laid-back afternoon or evening. The neighborhood’s steep streets are lined with colorful old houses, and many of the best spots have terraces that look out over the water.
It’s a great area to grab a coffee from a local roaster, try some Chilean wine in a quiet bar, or sit down to a meal that mixes local flavors with international styles. Around sunset, the whole hill gets a warm glow that makes it especially atmospheric.
Vergara Palace in the Park Quinta Vergara in Vina del Mar © Shutterstock
This church sits in one of the oldest parts of Valparaíso and has been rebuilt a few times because of earthquakes. It’s been around in some form since the 1500s, but the current building dates back to the 1840s. It’s not flashy, but it has a quiet, steady feel to it. Inside, you’ll find wooden details and religious art that tie into the city’s port history.
It’s a good place to stop if you’re walking around the lower town—right nearby you’ll find Plaza Echaurren and Mercado Puerto, which are still part of everyday life.
Just a short ride from downtown Valparaíso, Playa Caleta Portales gives you a real sense of everyday coastal life. It’s a working beach where local fishermen haul in the day’s catch and sell it straight from their boats at the market nearby. You’ll see families hanging out on the sand, kids playing in the surf, and weekend barbecues happening in summer. It’s not polished or touristy—this is where people actually go.
The views stretch across the Pacific and up toward Valparaíso’s colorful hills, and the seafood restaurants next to the market are worth stopping for. Try the chorrillana or empanadas de mariscos. It's easy to get here by Metro, and it’s a good pick if you’re interested in local food or just seeing a more everyday side of the city. Getting around Chile in this area is pretty straightforward.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 18.06.2025
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