Day Trip To Valparaiso And Viña del Mar From Santiago

Is it possible to see Valparaíso and Viña del Mar in one day? It absolutely is!

As slow travelers, we stayed in Santiago for one whole month. We don’t rush through places, rather we give ourselves the time to really soak in the culture, the sights, and the atmosphere. Staying in Santiago for an entire month gave us the perfect base to take a day trip to nearby gems like Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. These two coastal cities are only an hour away, but they offer completely different experiences.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through what to expect from these two beautiful towns and whether you should spend a night there, or if a day trip will do. Spoiler: Valparaíso might just surprise you, and Viña del Mar is the perfect place to unwind by the sea.

How To Get From Santiago To Valparaíso

If you’re based in Santiago, there are two main ways to get to Valparaíso:

Renting a Car:

Renting a car gives you the freedom to set your own schedule, and it’s a pretty easy option if you want flexibility. We considered this but quickly realized the bus would be a more budget-friendly choice for us as light travelers who like to keep our expenses in check.

By Bus:

For a much cheaper and hassle-free option, buses depart frequently from two terminals in Santiago: Pajaritos and Terminal Alameda. We opted for the bus from Universidad de Santiago Metro Station (Terminal Alameda), a clean, easy-to-navigate spot, and found it to be the most straightforward option. The bus would pick passengers from this terminal and then stop at Pajaritos terminal to pick more people up before leaving the city. So you can choose the closest from your location. 

Major bus companies like Turbus, Pullman Bus, FlixBus, and Condor Bus operate frequent services to Valparaíso from here, with departures every 10 to 30 minutes. The bus ride takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. We bought tickets from Condor Bus (the cheapest option) for an early morning ride, leaving at 8:30 AM and arriving by 10:00 AM, which gave us plenty of time to dive into Valparaíso’s energy.

Tip: Ask for “Ida y Vuelta con regreso abierto,” which means a round-trip ticket with an open return time. This way, you have the flexibility to head back whenever you’re ready, giving you plenty of freedom to explore.

Valparaíso: A Colorful Historical Town

If you have searched about things to do in Chile, you probably would not have missed the colorful city that every tourist goes to – Valparaíso, or Valpo as locals fondly call it, a city that should definitely be on your itinerary.

A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2003, Valparaíso’s historic charm lies in its colorful, chaotic streets, steep hills, and stunning street art. It’s a city that feels like it’s alive – its history and culture practically leap off the walls in the form of murals and graffitis.

Things To Do In Valparaíso

The best thing you can do is take a free walking tour! There’s no better way to understand and explore the city than on foot. Our tour started at 10 AM at the main plaza, Plaza Sotomayor. We took an Uber from the bus terminal to get there.

It’s important to note that there’s a well-known tourist area in Valparaíso (mentioned below), and then there are other parts of the city that our guide specifically advised us to avoid. So whether you explore with a guide or on your own, you’ll likely end up visiting the same key areas – but having a guide made it even better, as we got to learn about the city’s history and culture while we walked.

Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción: The Heart of Valparaíso

These two colorful hills are the heart and soul of Valparaíso. It’s here you’ll find some of the city’s most vibrant street art, quirky cafés, and narrow, winding streets that seem to lead nowhere and everywhere at once. Each corner offers something new: a mural, a secret café, a hidden art gallery.

• Paseo Yugoslavo is one of those peaceful, picturesque spots where you can just sit back and admire the old neoclassical mansions. We took some time here to enjoy the architecture and absorb the beauty of the area.
• Paseo Gervasoni offers stunning panoramic views over the bay – perfect for a moment of reflection as the city buzzes below.
• Paseo Atkinson, with its old wooden houses and offers panoramic views.

Street Art: Valpo’s True Voice

Valparaíso is often dubbed Chile’s street art capital, and it’s easy to see why. The city’s walls are living canvases. Whether you’re a street art enthusiast or not, the art here tells a story of rebellion, resilience, and cultural pride. We were particularly struck by the works of INTI, whose murals explore indigenous themes, and Un Kolor Distinto, who mixes surrealism with vibrant colors. We spent hours wandering through streets like Pasaje Gálvez and Calle Templeman, stumbling upon murals that felt like they were speaking directly to us.

Plaza Sotomayor: History at Your Feet

Located by the port, Plaza Sotomayor is a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand the history of Valparaíso. The Monumento a los Héroes de Iquique, a memorial to the naval heroes of the War of the Pacific, stands proudly in the center, surrounded by the impressive Edificio Armada de Chile, a neoclassical building with breathtaking architecture. From here, you can hop on an ascensor (funicular) up the hills or take a leisurely walk down to the water to watch the boats come and go.

Ascensores (Funiculars): A Ride Through History

Valparaíso’s funiculars are as iconic as its murals. These old elevators once connected the port to the upper hills, and they’re still in operation today. Taking a ride on one of these ascensores is the best way to experience the city’s vertical layout. We rode the Ascensor Reina Victoria, which took us up to Cerro Alegre, offering breathtaking views as we ascended. Three most famous ones are:

• Ascensor Reina Victoria (Cerro Alegre): One of the most popular. Great views and connects to Paseo Dimalow.
• Ascensor El Peral (near Paseo Yugoslavo): Offers a fast ride up to Cerro Alegre from Plaza Sotomayor.
• Ascensor Concepción: The oldest still-functioning elevator, dating back to 1883.

Note: There is a small fee to pay for the ascensors (100 CLP) and only coins are accepted.

La Sebastiana: Pablo Neruda’s Quirky House

If you’re a lover of literature, La Sebastiana is not to be missed. It’s one of Pablo Neruda’s homes, perched on Cerro Bellavista, offering panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The house itself is a quirky, colorful labyrinth, reflecting Neruda’s eccentricity. We could not visit as it is closed on Mondays, but if you have the time, do visit it.

Viña del Mar: A Peaceful Escape by the Sea

After a busy day in Valparaíso, we decided to check out Viña del Mar, just a short train ride away. If Valpo was a whirlwind of color and life, Viña del Mar was the calm, peaceful contrast. We only had a few hours here, but we quickly realized it would be the perfect place to spend a night or two if you want to unwind by the ocean.

Things To Do In Viña del Mar

Beaches

Viña del Mar is known for its long, sandy beaches. After a day of exploring, there’s nothing better than dipping your toes in the Pacific. We didn’t have our swimsuits with us, but the beach still drew us in for a quick walk along the shore.

Castillo Wulff

This German-style castle perched on the rocks is a stunning sight. It’s small but has a fascinating history and provides some great photo opportunities.

Reloj de Flores (Flower Clock)

A symbol of Viña del Mar, the Flower Clock is a beautifully crafted timepiece made of flowers. It is a small and popular area to take photos.

Going From Valparaiso To Vina del Mar

Okay, so let’s talk about the train ride! It’s a short and scenic trip – only about 15 minutes to reach Viña del Mar. You’ll catch the train from Puerto Station, which is the closest stop to Plaza Sotomayor. Get off at Estación Miramar so you can enjoy a short walk and check out the nearby attractions.

We initially thought we’d need to buy a Bip! card, but we tried tapping our credit card -and it worked! That saved us the extra cost. We did have a Bip! card from Santiago, but it doesn’t work on this line.

Where To Stay In Viña del Mar

If you do have an option to stay in either Valparaiso or Viña del Mar, choose Viña del Mar – it is more calm, beach vibes, and safe. Here are few good options to choose from:
1) Anyrcoy Hotel – Good location, free Wifi, and a kitchenette. 2km from the beach!

2) Rustica Hotel – Great location, free breakfast, airport shuttle, and 2 km from the beach!

3) Hostel Flor de Viña del Mar – Great location, steps away from the beach and the main attractions!

Final Thoughts

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are both worth visiting, but depending on your pace, you might want to spend a night in Viña del Mar to really unwind by the beach. For us, both these towns offered something new – whether it was street art in Valparaíso or a quiet moment by the sea in Viña del Mar. If you are in Santiago, you should definitely add these two places in your itinerary!

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