Tourism in the City of Valparaiso

Distance:
Valparaiso - 120 Kilometers away from Santiago
Valparaiso - 406 Kilometers away from Mendoza, Argentina

Main Activity: Tourism and Commerce

Valparaiso is located in the Quintil bay. It was founded in 1536 and the name was adopted by Juan de Saavedra in honor to his natal city in Spain.

Valparaiso has turned into a key point of the sea routes from the Atlantic Ocean, especially, through the Hornos Cape in order to go to the coasts and islands of the Pacific.

Valparaiso commonly served for landing and supply. In its shops, they stored the merchandise that meant to be taken to the Pacific and Oceania.

English immigrants, as well as French and German settled down in Valparaiso and started to manage the commerce.

Valparaiso has turned into the main commercial and financial center of Chile. It was the pionner in terms of urban development. In the city, the pioneers of the new economic class that emerged from the mining still live.

This mining boom came to its end between the years 1914 and 1930.  The construction of the Panama Channel changed the city from a passing port to a terminal of the sea routes.

It is considered the most important port of Chile. The commercial district is concentrated in the zone near the bay, while the residential quarters are located on the steeped hills that surround the city.

Valparaiso is, nowadays, a commercial and administrative center and the workplace of Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Concón and the cities of Quilpe, Villa Alemana and Peñablanca. It is also the see of the National Congress and an important university center.

It is the see of the legislative power too. Its streets present a mixture of ancient buildings and modern constructions.

The city suffered a tremendous damage during the earthquakes of 1.906, 1.907 and 1.971.

The city is surrounded by high mountains and it is plenty of picturesque streets, passages and walkways.

The "plan" of Valparaiso (commerce, financial centers, offices and old houses) rests between the foot of the mountain and the sea.

Valparaiso is completely a tourist city. It has great hotels, restaurants and beaches.

Among the most important beaches in the zone, it is possible to mention: Las Docas, Laguna Verde, The Torpederos, San Mateo, Portales, Caletas, El Membrillo, Los Cerros, Playa Ancha and Santo Domingo.

Other interesting elevators are: Artillería, Polanco, Turri, Cordillera, Larraín, Las Monjas, Florida, El Peral, Concepción, Barón and Las Cañas.

It is also recommendable to visit: La Torre del Reloj (The Clock Tower), La Estación Barón (The Baron Station), Valparaiso Customs, The Past Intendancy of Valparaiso, The Building of the Commerce, El Reloj Turri (The Turri Clock), The Navy Club, The Mercury of Valparaiso - Daily Journal, La Sebastiana and The Pablo Neruda´s House.

City Tour around Valparaiso:

· Ciudad de Valparaíso – Centro  
· Ciudad de Valparaíso – Norte  
· Ciudad de Valparaíso – Sur  

Tourist Attractions:

· Elevators in Valparaíso
· La Campana National Park
· The Churches of Santo Domingo and Sagrados Corazones
· The Cathedral of the French Parents and Jesuits
· The Navy Academy and the Navy and Marine Museums
· The Catholic University of Valparaiso (1928)
· The Federico Santa Maria Technological University
· The Municipal Art Gallery
· The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts
· The Open Pit Museum and the Museum of Natural History
· Sotomayor, Aníbal Pinto, Bismarck, Simón Bolivar and O´Higgins Squares
· The Coastline boulevards of Juan de Saavedra and Altamirano Avenue
· Pablo Neruda's Houses

General Information:

Commerce Schedule: From Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 Saturday: 9:00 to 13:00

Hotels in Valparaiso

Gran Hotel Gervasoni
Gran Hotel Gervasoni is located in Paseo Gervasoni Nº 1, one of the main tourist walks of Valparaiso. The Hotel Boutique is situated in Concepción hill an important area where you have an exceptional view of the port.

Zerohotel
Zerohotel is located in Cerro Alegre, specifically in Lautaro Rosas street, maybe the best conserved of all Valparaiso.

The Grand House Hotel
The Grand House Hotel is a residence of beginnings of the XX Century. This place invites you to appreciate and enjoy the sea views and the panoramic views of the city that rest to its feet. All the rooms and terraces keep a quiet atmosphere.  You will be object of a careful and pleasant attention.

Puerto Valparaíso Hotel
Puerto Valparaíso Hotel ( EX LANCASTER ) is located in the center of the Valparaíso City, only one block to the National Congress.