Valparaiso world heritage and cultural capital city

Valparaiso is a Chilean port town at an hour’s drive of Chile’s capital, Santiago de Chile. In 2003, UNESCO declared part of the extraordinary city to be world heritage. “Valpo” is also the cultural capital of Chile. Poets such as Pablo Neruda, singers, artists and bohemians have made it their home. People who visit San Pedro de Atacame (North), Santiago (the capital), and Torres del Paine (Patagonia, South) also consider Valparaiso a must see and do.

Main reasons to visit are the town’s unique landscape, the remains of the glorious past as a main Pacific port, cultural happenings and heritage, its bars and restaurants and the bohemian vibe. And of course the Pacific Ocean, Valparaiso’s reason to be.

The surroundings tempt you to spent a day in the fishing village of Quintay, hike La Campana Natural Reserve, visit a winery in Casablanca or spent a day in Valparaiso’s twin sister Viña Del Mar

Things to do in Valparaiso

When in Valparaiso, Chile you find yourself in UNESCO World Heritage. There are many things to do and see but these are the ViaViaCafe favourites:

1. The city’s elevators.
They are world heritage. The most spectacular ones are Artillería, Polanco, El Peral and very close to the hotel, Reina Victoria.

2. Visit the harbour and the historic city center.
Explore the old city center. Admire Valparaiso’s geography, structure and chaos from a boat.

3. The vegetable and fruit market on Avenida Argentina (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and the market “El Mercado Cardonal”. A large offer of fresh fruits and vegetables in a cosy and cheerful disorder.

4. Visit the cemeteries and the Ex-prison
The tombs show the past luxury and part of family histories. Visit the ex-cárcel. This old prison is now a cultural center.

5. La Sebastiana (the house of Pablo Neruda) and the Open Air museum
Get to know the eclectic house of poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda Visit the open air museum and admire the original graffiti on Bellavista hill.

6. Discover downtown from a trolleybus.

7. Ride the O microbus (la 0) and have a spectacular 20 minutes’ trip trough the hills of Valparaiso.

8. Discover the Bohemia of Valparaíso
Have a drink in the bars in the typical Porteño areas

Our staff would be happy providing you with all possible information on Valparaiso’s must do…