Always to do
Things you can always do and places to discover in Valparaiso.
- Walk, walk, walk. Because of Valparaiso’s geography, every cerro (hill) and even every street offers a different view and perspective of the city and the bay. We recommend walking around in the historic center and enjoying the fountain at Plaza Echaurren next to the Mercado Central. Admire the restored houses of wealthy European immigrants on Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion but also walk Playa Ancha, Placeres and downtown. Squares like Plaza Victoria and Plaza Italia have a history and an atmosphere. Drop by at Teatro Imperio on Pedro Montt, between Plaza Victoria and Plaza Italia. Walk Calle Victoria and look up, not down, and imagine how wealthy Valparaiso must have been more then 100 years ago.
- Get on the city’s elevators. They are world heritage. The most spectacular ones are Artillería and Polanco. They are all registered as national monuments and most of them are taking hundreds of Porteños up and down the steep hills with their groceries and shopping bags. A ride costs CLP100-250 depending on the elevator.
- Visit the harbour. Admire Valparaiso’s geography, structure and chaos from a boat. Take pictures of sea lions and Sociber’s floating hangar for ship repairs.
- Look at the sea lions from the wharf Muelle Baron. They give a free show.
- Visit the vegetable and fruit market at Avenida Argentina on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Chile is proud of its beautiful, fresh vegetables. Buy this season’s fruits at the lowest prices.
- Visit the cemetery. The tombs show the past luxury and part of family histories.
- Visit the ex-cárcel. This old prison is now cultural heritage.
- Visit the old market near the harbour and eat a fresh fish empanada. Chile has the best seafood in the region.
- Discover the hidden past of the city through its buildings. Visit the registry office (registro civil), the municipal theatre, the bank (Banco Santander, Banco de Chile)
- Have a completo: a hot dog wit palta (avocado) sauce.
- Look at the street art. Visit the open air museum and admire the original graffiti.
- Eat fresh machas a la parmesana (clams covered in cheese)
- Discover downtown from a trolleybus. The bus fare is 280 CLP. Since 1952 this is one of the most enjoyable and easiest ways to cruise the city. Inside, the signs in German, English and French give away the trolley’s origins.
- Ride the O microbus (la ooh) and have a spectacular 20 minutes’ trip trough the hills of Valparaiso. A ticket costs around 350 CLP. Check prices on the stickers on the front window (yours is plan-cerro).
