Most people do not visit Valparaiso for its beaches but on a lazy hot summer day the longing for the beach and the refreshing ocean sometimes overwhelms you.

Our 3 favourite summer beaches are:

1. Playa San Mateo: only a 10 minutes walk from the port and historic center, a small and popular beach, though quiet enough and with swimming possibilities (the Pacific Ocean tends to be rough and cold so swimming is not common). Near Caleta El Membrillo, known for its seafood restaurants.

2. Las Salinas in Viña del Mar. Hop on a microbus to Reñaca/ConCon, enjoy the ride along the coast and enjoy the relative quietness of Playa Las Salinas. We like the wide and not so populated beach in front of the Esso station, at the end of Viña’s beach strip.

3. Quintay has beautiful beaches. It is also an excellent daytrip for people who like seafood and a great scenery.