Valparaiso Walking Tour

Valparaiso is shaped as a natural amphitheater by the coast of Pacific Ocean with much of the city hanging from the hills in a disordered harmony, and material and immaterial heritage embodied in the customs, traditions and particular lifestyle of its inhabitants called "porteños".

Our guide will meet you in Plaza Sotomayor in front of the Consejo Nacional de la Cultura y las Artes (National Council for Culture and Arts). Start with an introduction about the city, revealing its brilliant past as a commercial port which still nowadays is one of the most important in South America. Walk by the old aduana - nowadays part of the Navy Zone of the Chilean Army - and see the heritage buildings surrounding the square, all inspired in the French architecture of seventeenth century.

Climb up to Cerro Alegre and Cerro Conecpción by original funiculars - all declared national heritage - and get the best views of the city and the ocean from its viewpoints. This area was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2002, for its coloured houses perched at crazy angles connected by a gigantic labyrinth of streets, long staircases and lookout points. Here you'll find plenty of boutique hotels, restaurants, bookstores and handicraft shops.

Then, descend to downtown by funiculars and explore the "old town" filled with beautiful architecture and narrow streets. End the tour by taking a trolley bus ride through the port area: this local public transport is considered a "rolling heritage", being the second oldest transportation service in South America, operating since 1952.

* Plaza Sotomayor
* Reina Victoria and Concepción Funiculars
* Paseo Gervasoni and Paseo Atkinson
* Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción
* Old Town