landscape photography of blue and yellow houses

Valparaíso

Chile's main port climbs steep hills above the Pacific, with colored houses, hillside murals and funiculars, the oldest opened in 1883.

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Valparaíso is a port city on the Pacific coast of central Chile, the capital of the Valparaíso Region and about 120 km northwest of Santiago by road. Most residents live on hills around a natural amphitheater above Valparaíso Bay, while the flat downtown called the Plan holds the port, administration and commerce. The historic hillside quarter has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, and locals call the city the Jewel of the Pacific.

The hills hold most of the city's sights. Funiculars called ascensores link the hill neighborhoods with the Plan, and the Ascensor Concepción, opened in 1883, is the oldest and still in service. Bellavista hill has murals covering its stairs and walls, reached by the Espíritu Santo funicular. Streets climb steeply, so think about the walking when you choose a hill to stay on. Santiago is about 80 minutes away on a toll highway, and Viña del Mar, the neighboring resort, is the easiest day trip by regional rail or bus.

Valparaíso in five

Ride the ascensoresThe historic funicular elevators save the steepest climbs. Several run on Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and fares are small.
Stay on Cerro Alegre or ConcepciónThese two hills have the cafés, murals and most guesthouses, and feel calm at night. The flat port area below is busier and rougher.
Watch your bag in the port and on busesPickpockets work the port area and crowded buses. Keep phones away when you stop to take photos.
Take the Merval train to Viña del MarThe commuter train runs along the coast to the beach city next door in about 20–30 minutes.
Wear grippy shoes for steep streetsCobbles and stairs link the hills, and many are steep or worn. Flat, grippy soles and a light bag matter more than any map.

Things to do in Valparaíso

See all attractions in Valparaíso

Landmark · ValparaísoCementerios 1 & 2

Shopping · ValparaísoMercado Puerto

Museum · ValparaísoNational Maritime Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ValparaísoPut the places you like in Valparaíso on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Santiago (SCL), about 1.5–2 hours by road
Getting there: Buses from Santiago's Pajaritos and Alameda terminals
Getting around: Walking, ascensores, trolleybuses and the Merval train
Best base: Cerro Alegre or Cerro Concepción
Time needed: 1–2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low14°Warm, busy
FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low14°Mild
AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Mild, clear
MayClear4 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Cool
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Wet
JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, wet
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Cool
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Spring
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Mild
NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low11°Mild
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low13°New Year fireworks

Average daily high and low in Valparaíso, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Valparaíso

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 59%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Viña Del Mar

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today22°14°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 2%.
Tue21°15°54%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 54%.
Wed21°14°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu20°14°0%Thursday: Clear. High 20°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri19°13°0%Friday: Clear. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat24°13°0%Saturday: Clear. High 24°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun21°14°3%Sunday: Clear. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.

Updated 02:56 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP

Amount

Converted to

CLP · Chilean Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Valparaíso

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

FebViña del Mar International Song FestivalViña Del Mar, a day trip

Day trips by train

Viña del MarAbout 20–30 min by trainBeaches, gardens and a promenade.
Casablanca ValleyAbout 45 min by roadWhite wine tastings on the Santiago road.
Isla NegraAbout 1.5 hours by roadPablo Neruda's seaside house museum.

Before you go to Valparaíso

Stays on Cerro AlegreShort walks to murals and cafésCheck availability

Valparaíso walking toursStreet art and funicular routesCompare tours

eSIM for coastal ChileMaps for steep, twisting streetsRead the guide

Insurance for city tripsCheck limits for stolen phones, bagsRead the guide

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Rules for Valparaíso, checked

Check whether you need a visa before you fly to Chile on the immigration department site (extranjeria.gob.cl).Source
Declare all food, plant and animal products when you arrive. SAG, Chile's agriculture service, can inspect and confiscate them (sag.gob.cl).Source
Dial 133 for police (Carabineros), 131 for an ambulance and 132 for the fire service anywhere in Chile.
Some funiculars are closed for repairs at times, so check which ones are running before you plan a route up the hills.

Plan around Valparaíso

All of Chile

Santiago, Patagonia, the desert and the Lakes

Read the guide Santiago

The capital, a bus ride inland

Read the guide Mendoza

Buses cross the Andes to Argentina's wine city

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, trains and ride apps along the coast

Read the guide Phone and data

Offline maps help on the tangled hills

Read the guide

Valparaíso FAQ

Is Valparaíso worth a night or just a day trip?

A night is better. Evenings on the hills are the best time for views, and a day trip from Santiago leaves only a few hours on foot.

Is Valparaíso safe?

The tourist hills are fine with normal care. Watch your bag in the port area and on buses, and use ride apps after dark.

When is New Year's Eve in Valparaíso worth it?

If you like crowds. The harbor fireworks draw huge numbers, rooms sell out and prices rise, so book months ahead.

How do I get from Santiago to Valparaíso?

Direct buses from Santiago's Pajaritos and Alameda terminals take about 1.5–2 hours and run frequently through the day; buy at the terminal or online. A car takes about as long, but parking on the hills is tight.

What is the best time to visit Valparaíso?

October to April is the mildest, with clear days and good light on the bay. New Year's Eve draws huge crowds to the fireworks. Winter is wetter and cooler, with fog on the hills, but much quieter.