Most people visit Valparaíso on a day-tour from Santiago de Chile. We decided to give it a be more time and spend 2 (almost 3) days there, and here is what we think you should see and eat in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

What to do in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

The street art-filled cerros are the most known attraction of Valparaíso, but there is more to see in this hilly town. Beware that from sunday through tuesday a lot of businesses and sights may be closed.

Here is our short-list on what to do:

• Hit up the city’s viewpoints, during the day and the night: Passeio Yugoslavo, Passeio Gervasoni and Passeio Atkinson
• Visit Valparaíso Cultural park – with free exhibits and shows, and a sweet spot for sunset
• Check out the funky art galeries Galería de Arte Bahía Utópica and Rojo, Galería de arte y diseño
• Hit up Isla de la Fantasia – a local party with traditional “Cueca” music, happening every sunday
• Stroll aroun Mercado El Cardonal for a more local vibe in Valparaíso, away from the tourist path
• Hop on a (super fast) collectivo to reach the beaches of Viña del Mar
• Visit La Sebastiana – one of Pablo Neruda’s houses. Worth the visit even if just from the outside $$
• Visit Baburizza Palace – free every second sunday of the month
• Visit Plaza Sottomayor and the Harbour

Where to eat in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

In our short stay, we were only able to try a few places, however we kept the list of all we wish we could’ve tried.

Here are the ones we visited:

• El Guatón – for huge cheap sandwiches $
• J Cruz M – for the (supposed) birthplace of the chorrillana. No menu, just order $
• Sandwicheria Sibarítico – where Anthony Bourdain met the Completo $

Here are the ones we saved for a next visit:

• Bar Liberty – for traditional simple chilean food
• Gente de Mar – for seafood and fish
• Restorán Capri – traditional chilean food
• Resto Bar Mi Casa – traditional chilean food and live music
• Café Vinilo – modern twist on traditional food with jazz music on the weekends
• El Terrat – dinner with a view
• Maria Maria – for stuffed croissants
• Chinchinero – for sandwiches
• Delícias Express – for empanadas

How to get to Valparaíso from Santiago de Chile

At the Valparaíso bus terminal buses depart to Terminal Sur in Santigo every 30-45 min. It would take around 1,5 hours and cost about 6000 CLP.