Tourism in the City of Concepción

Distance: 519 Kilometers away from Santiago
Main Activity: Industrial, Cultural and Tourist Center

Concepción is a city that is considered the second industrial pole of Chile due to its dynamic port activity.

This is a historical and modern city with a famous university and permanent cultural activity. It is a tourist, economic and industrial city too.

Its urban center is known as Concepción Metropolitano, it comprises the cities of Concepción and Talcahuano.

The city of Concepción was founded in 1550 by Pedro Valdivia.

It is interesting to visit: Lirquen, Cocholque, Coliumo and the Pinqueral coves; as well as the Santa Maria Island.

Tourist Attractions:

· Pinacoteca de la Universidad de Concepción
The art gallery keeps the most complete collection of Chilean paintings, made up of works from different ages. The mural ‘Presence of Latin America’ hangs in the entrance foyer.

· Museo Catedral de la Santísima Concepción
This museum shows priests’ clothing, chalices and missals. There is a 17th century gold-plated Venetian monstrance. There is also an ivory crucifix with inlaid silverwork donated to the ancient cathedral by Felipe II.

· Mausoleum of General Don José María de la Cruz
The mausoleum of General Don José María de la Cruz was erected in 1879, making it one of the oldest exhibits of the Museum of Concepción. Also as this, it holds the remains of General José María de la Cruz Prieto, who was a very notable military man who contributed greatly to the country’s campaigns for Independence.

· Galería de la Historia
In this gallery you can see a complete view of the region’s history through dioramas – that means carved figures laid out in atmospheric settings. There will be a sculpture and modeling workshop between April and December.

· Sacred Art Museum
· Museum of Pedro del Río Zañartu

· Paseo Peatonal de Concepción
This is a walk around the center of the city. It’s attractive and on the way around you can see the vast variety of shops.

· General Cemetery
· Arms Square and Independence Square
· Ecuador Parks and Boulevards
· Municipal Library

· Mercado Municipal de Concepción
This market is very colorful and entertaining, inside sells handicrafts, florists and regional foods. Its size is 3,600m2.
The market was built after the earthquake of 1939. Diverse activities take place inside: characteristic market sales (fruit, vegetables, etc), handicrafts, typical Latin American foods, seafood stalls and, around the central water fountain, flower stands.

· Talcahuano Town

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 20:00 Saturday: 9:30 to 14:00

Fishing Permits. Located at Almirante Villarroel Nº 425, Telephone: 544837

Penco and Lirquén. These are two towns that make up one city and which are separated by a hill that leads to different bays and beaches. It is located 14 kilometers from Concepción. Penco was the first city to be founded in the zone and it is considered as “the original city of Concepción”.

Nowadays, Penco is a spa-city with clean beaches and calm waters. Lirquén is a main wood loading.

It is interesting to visit: La Planchada Fort and China Town (very famous thanks to its sea-food restaurant).

Tome. A town located 34 kilometers from Concepción. This place presents a typical geography. The town is scattered between hills and narrow plains.

Santa María Island. A round- trip is always organized from this town to Lota. This little city was famous because of its industrial mines.

Santa María Island is composed by a steep coast and many landscapes with few trees and abundant grass. On the beach, there are attractive places for hiking and good places for diving and sport fishing. It has simple and nice hotels, lodges and camping areas.

Hotels in Concepción

Hotel Club Presidente Concepción
The Hotel Club Presidente Concepción is located in the best neighborhood of the region, close to downtown and some exclusive restaurants and pubs.

Alborada Hotel
A 4 stars hotel that is located in the center of the city.

Holiday Inn Hotel
It is located in front of the biggest Shopping Center “Plaza Trebol”, near excellent restaurants. The hotel is located 3 minutes from the National & International Airport, and 10 minutes from downtown, in a very nice and quiet area.