Experiences and local guides in Valparaíso

Nature

Valparaíso climbs 42 hills overlooking a bay open to the Pacific, with colourful houses, stairways and century-old funiculars. To the north, the beaches of Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Concón and Maitencillo with dunes and surf; inland, the Casablanca valley and its vineyards; to the south, Quintay, Laguna Verde and the forests of the coastal range.

Activities

• Walks through the Alegre, Concepción, Bellavista and Playa Ancha hills: murals, viewpoints, El Peral, Reina Victoria and Artillería funiculars
• Surfing at Reñaca, Concón and Maitencillo, bodyboarding and lessons at Ritoque; diving at Quintay
• Cycling the seafront to Concón and the dunes, kayaking and sailing in the bay
• Casablanca valley: white-wine wineries 40 minutes away, cycling between vineyards
• Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana, El Cardonal market, port cuisine and nightlife

When to go

All year, with a mild climate. October to April has more sun and sea; in winter fog and rain give the hills a different light. New Year's Eve fireworks over the bay are Chile's biggest party.

How to get there

120 km from Santiago: buses every 15 minutes from Pajaritos and Alameda terminals (1 h 30 to 2 hours) and motorway 68. The nearest airport is Santiago (SCL), with direct buses to Viña and Valparaíso. In town, funiculars, trolleybuses and the Valparaíso–Viña del Mar–Limache metro.