🌇 City atmosphere

Valparaíso lies on the Pacific coast, approximately 120 kilometers from the capital, Santiago. Nestled against the hillside, the city is filled with colorful houses and narrow alleyways, complemented by ancient cable cars (Ascensores), creating a vast open-air art gallery. Once Chile's most important port, it has now become a hub for art lovers and artists.

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📍 Must-visit tourist hotspots

1. Colorful Hills (Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción)

• The most popular area for tourists is full of graffiti art, cafes and unique shops.
• The streets are winding, and every corner is like opening a new painting.

2. Ascensores

• A classic Valparaiso experience!
• The most famous ones include Ascensor Reina Victoria and Ascensor El Peral , where you can ride old cable cars up and down the hills, which is full of nostalgia.

3. Neruda's former residence, La Sebastiana

• The former residence of Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner in Literature Pablo Neruda .
• The house is built on the mountain, overlooking the port and the city, and its interior retains the poet's unique collection and living atmosphere.

4. Port Area (Muelle Prat)

• You can take a boat tour to enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the sea and see Chilean naval vessels.
• There are small markets around the port where you can buy local handicrafts.

5. Street Art in Valparaiso

• The entire city is an open-air graffiti museum.
• We especially recommend the areas around Paseo Gervasoni and Calle Templeman, where the walls are covered with creative graffiti and murals.

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🍴 Must-try local delicacies

As a port city, Valparaíso's cuisine naturally includes seafood! Here are a few must-try dishes:

• Caldillo de Congrio (Eel Soup)
  A classic Chilean seafood soup, cooked with eel and rich in flavor.
• Mariscos (Seafood Platter)
  Including clams, mussels, sea urchins, etc., most restaurants can enjoy the freshest seafood.
• Chorrillana (meat and potato platter)
  Valparaiso's signature dish: French fries topped with beef, onions, and a fried egg, served in a generous portion perfect for sharing.
• Empanadas (Empuff Pastries)
  There are many pie shops in the area, and I recommend trying the seafood or cheese flavors.
• Chilean Wine & Pisco Sour
  It goes best with seafood, especially white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.

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🚍 Transportation Guide

Departing from San Diego

• Bus : The most convenient way, about a 2-hour drive, departing from Alameda Station in San Diego with frequent departures.
• Self-driving : Take the Ruta 68 highway, which is in good condition and passes through the wine-producing region of Casablanca Valley.

Urban transportation

• Walking : The old town and the hills are perfect for exploring on foot.
• Cable car (Ascensores) : a unique mode of transportation for going up and down the hill, and also a tourist attraction.
• Taxis & buses : Suitable for short distances, but we recommend walking to fully experience the city.

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✨ Editor's Tips

1. Best time to visit : Summer (December–February) has the most pleasant weather but is more crowded; spring and autumn (September–November, March–May) are more comfortable and relaxed.
2. Items you must bring : comfortable walking shoes (there are many hills and the road is steep), camera (any photo you take can turn into a postcard).
3. Safety reminder : Some neighborhoods are relatively remote, so it is not recommended to go there alone at night; please be careful with your belongings in the city.
4. Our top tip : Take the cable car and watch the sunset from a small café on Cerro Alegre. It's guaranteed to be incredibly romantic!