Port of call

Valparaíso, Chile

Cruises to South America

Cruises from Valparaíso, Chile

5 cruises, from €10,674

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Description — Valparaíso, Chile

Chilean Valparaíso is a vivid illustration of the country’s rebellious spirit. It’s known as the city of sailors and poets. Here, in the harbor, working men fix ships, on the waterfront students flirt with girls, and in bars regulars reminisce about the good old days and quote lines by Pablo Neruda.
Valparaíso is called the “pearl of the Pacific Ocean.” The name fits naturally with another-“paradise valley.” That’s how lovingly locals treat the city. Tourists quickly fall under Valparaíso’s spell and, by the third day, are already looking for permanent accommodation.

Location on the map

Sights

Easter Island
The main attraction of this amazing corner of the Earth is the stone statues scattered all over the island-Moai, as they’re called here. There are about a thousand idols on the island. The height of some reaches 20 meters. All of them, except seven whose gaze is turned toward the ocean, are arranged so that they face inward, toward the island.

Viña del Mar
Located just 10 km from Valparaíso, Chile’s premier beach resort-Viña del Mar-is known among tourists as the “garden city.” And in practice, it’s practically one city, connected by a 5.5 km highway that runs along the coast and links the port with the thriving resort.

Funicular
While fulfilling their primary-transportation-purpose, the funiculars in Valparaíso simultaneously capture tourists’ attention as an attraction. From the coastal center, colorful funiculars crawl slowly and steadily up the hills at a steep angle. A mesmerizing sight when viewed from the outside.

What to see

Open-air Fresco Museum
Cielo Abierto - “open skies”, this is the literal translation of the name of this open-to-everyone Open-air Fresco Museum in Valparaíso. This unusual picture gallery is a real find for budget travelers and photographers. Fans and lovers of graffiti and mural art will also appreciate this distinctive place.

Recommended excursions

Lord Cochrane Naval Museum
The museum building, built in a colonial style, under a tiled roof, was constructed in 1842 in honor of the founder of the Chilean Navy, Thomas Cochrane, who raised the flag in 1918 aboard the legendary ship “O’Higgins”. For many who visit the Naval Museum in Valparaíso, it will be a revelation to learn that, in fact, the legendary ship of the Chilean rebels was the work of the famous Russian shipbuilder of that time, Andrey Kurochkin. The 44-gun frigate “Patricio” was launched in 1816 at a shipyard in Arkhangelsk, and two years later was secretly sold by Russia to Spain.