Valparaiso Vacations

Valparaíso is one of Chile’s most charismatic coastal cities, known for its colourful hillside neighbourhoods, eclectic street art, and bohemian spirit. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is a maze of steep streets, winding staircases, and century-old funiculars, all tumbling down to a working port that still thrums with local life. It’s a place that feels lived-in and full of stories, where crumbling colonial mansions sit beside vibrant murals and locals sip coffee in sun-drenched plazas.

Exploring Valparaíso is less about ticking off sights and more about soaking up the atmosphere. Wander through the street-art-covered alleyways of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, take in the views from a rooftop café, or hop aboard one of the city’s quirky ascensores (hill elevators) for a ride back in time.

For those interested in literature or politics, a visit to La Sebastiana – the former home of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda – offers a personal insight into Chile’s complex history. Just a short drive from Santiago or the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, Valparaíso is a brilliant add-on for anyone looking to slow down, tune in, and discover a different side of Chilean life – raw, creative, and thoroughly captivating.