Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar, Valparaíso
Nicknamed the Garden City and located just an hour from Santiago, Viña del Mar is a charming seaside town famous for its flowers and its beach. Top attractions include the seafront Wulff Castle, the Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores), and Francisco Fonck Museum, the entrance of which is marked by a stone moai statue from Easter Island.
The Basics
Head to Viña del Mar to escape the crowds in Santiago, and enjoy a day swimming and relaxing on the beach or admiring the city’s architecture and many parks. Try your luck at the Municipal Casino, see the city’s old mansions, and enjoy fresh, local seafood. Viña del Mar also hosts a variety of music events, including the popular International Song Festival.
Day trips from Santiago typically combine a few hours in Viña del Mar with a visit to the nearby UNESCO-listed port city of Valparaíso, famous for its funiculars, street art, and brightly-colored houses. Some trips also visit the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, which are renowned for their merlots and pinot noirs.
Things to Know Before You Go
Tours from Santiago to Viña del Mar typically last around 12 hours.
There are plenty of accommodations available in Viña del Mar; during the summer, make sure to book in advance.
The International Song Festival takes place in February.
Viña del Mar has many uneven, sloping streets that make exploring difficult for people in wheelchairs.
How to Get There
Viña del Mar is about a 1.5-hour drive from Santiago via CH-68 and CH-60. Buses to the city leave from Santiago’s Terminal Alameda regularly.
When to Get There
For the most pleasant weather, visit Viña del Mar between October and May. The majority of visitors don’t stay overnight, so if you want to enjoy the attractions without the crowds, go sightseeing after 4pm, when most tour groups have left.
Francisco Fonck Museum
For history buffs, one of Viña’s main draws is the Corporate Museum of Archaeology and History Francisco Fonck. Highlights of the museum’s collection include artefacts from many indigenous Chilean peoples, including the Rapa Nui of Easter Island. The museum also has a large display on insects, including giant crickets, blue morpho butterflies, and iridescent scarabs.
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