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Looking for fun and exciting activities to do in Valparaíso?
Valparaíso is one of the coolest cities in Chile. It’s a vibrant place to visit, filled with plenty of great sights and tons of fun things to do.
If you’re like me and want to make the most of your time here, this blog is for you. I’ll share the absolute best things to do in Valparaiso, from the obvious to the hidden gems you may not have thought of.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do in Valparaíso is this full-day penguin tour! We saw Humboldt penguins by boat, hiked along the coast, enjoyed a traditional Chilean lunch (with a pisco sour, of course!), and even went sandboarding down the Concon dunes. It’s the perfect mix of nature, adventure, and local culture!
Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this experience here!
Best Things to do in Valparaíso, Chile
1. Explore the City on a Walking Tour
Whenever I arrive in a new city, I love doing a walking tour to learn more about it and get my bearings. This Valparaíso guided walking tour provides an in-depth, personalized way to experience the city’s top highlights.
I really like this tour because it is a fun way to learn about the history of Valparaíso in just 2 to 3 hours! You’ll also explore many neighborhoods and take in some beautiful graffiti art surrounding the city. Plus, the fact that it’s a relatively inexpensive option and you get a local guide doesn’t hurt!
This tour departs daily at 10 am and 3 pm, making it easy to fit into any Valparaíso itinerary. You can also choose between a private or a group tour, but I highly recommend the private tour for a more personalized experience. But either way, I think it’s a must-do activity because it will make you admire the city so much more when you understand the history – I know I certainly did!
Read the glowing reviews and book this city tour here!
2. Day Trip to See Penguins
If wild animals, hiking, sandboarding, and traditional Chilean food and drinks sound like your cup of tea, then this full-day adventure from Valparaíso is for you!
It takes you out of the city to some of the best coastal spots. Over the course of 7-9 hours, we took a boat ride to see a colony of Humboldt penguins, hiked a path along the ocean, enjoyed a traditional Chilean lunch (with a pisco sour of course!), and went sandboarding down the Concon dunes!
We had so much fun on this tour, it was definitely a highlight of our time in Valparaíso. I think it’s perfect for nature lovers and anyone wanting some new and unique experiences. Plus, the contrast between the stunning ocean scenery and the sand dunes right next to it is something you have to see with your own eyes.
The tour includes hotel pick up/drop off, a delicious lunch, pisco sour, bottled water, and the activities mentioned above. This is a 5-star tour (read the amazing reviews here), so make sure you book in advance!
Don’t miss out, book this fun day trip from Valparaíso here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Go on a Gourmet Food Tour
If you’re a foodie, this half-day walking food tour is one of the most fun and flavorful things you can do—plus you’ll get a healthy dose of local history and colorful street art while you’re at it!
We started around 2:00 pm at Plaza Aduana and met our bilingual guide, who led us through the winding alleys of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre. At each stop, we sampled local dishes at carefully selected eateries—everything from fresh ceviche and empanadas to vegetarian-friendly plates at a sustainable restaurant in the heart of the city.
What really stood out was how the tour blended food and culture. Between tastings, our guide pointed out the city’s famed funiculars and shared the story behind Valparaíso’s colorful hillside houses. And with a maximum of 14 people, it felt personal and laid-back—no rushing or crowds here!
If you’re up for exploring Valparaíso through its flavors, this tour is a stellar choice. Come hungry for food and for a story-filled afternoon.
Check pricing and availability for this top-rated tour here!
4. Go Surfing and Sandboarding on the Same Day
One of the coolest things about Chile is that there is often an intersection between two very different environments in one area. In Valparaíso, you can surf and sandboard on the same day!
This surf and sandboard tour in Valparaíso is great because it provides all of the necessary equipment and an instructor. You’ll not only get to learn how to surf in the Pacific Ocean, but you’ll also ride down a sand dune on a sandboard! This is one experience you’ll never forget.
You’ll get access to transportation, guides, alcohol, water, and equipment for $150 USD. This is a great deal compared to transporting yourself and renting a sandboard and a surfboard, so I really recommend taking advantage of this one.
Experiences like these really show how Valparaíso is not just for art lovers and backpackers, but also for those who love being active and utilizing all that nature has to offer!
Check availability and reserve your spot on this fun tour here!
Related read: If adventures like this are right up your alley, try camping in Torres del Paine National Park!
5. Go on a Wine Tour
We can’t forget about the best kind of tour, a wine tour! Especially not in a place like Valparaíso, where the Chilean wine is some of the best on the continent. This is not the place to pass up an opportunity to drink some delicious locally-made wine.
In fact, you can choose to go on a private wine tour to experience regional, high-class wine in a laid-back way. The tour itself lasted about 5 hours and included hotel pickup, visits to 2 wineries, and wine tastings, of course. I loved it!
You’ll spend this trip in the Casablanca Valley and will get a true taste of the quality of wine that Chile produces. You’ll get an in-depth look into Chilean wine and even visit underground wine caves used to store wine. These cellars naturally maintain a constant temperature, perfect for wine.
If you didn’t know before that Chile was a player in the world of wine, you won’t have any doubts after this day trip.
Check out the prices and schedule for this VIP wine tour here!
Where to Stay in Valparaíso, Chile
While Valparaíso is only an hour from Santiago, there’s so much to see in this coastal paradise that it’s hard to pack it all in a day trip from Santiago. Instead, stay a night or two so you can explore Valpo during the day and then take in a night on the town!
We have a few recommendations on where to stay to help you narrow it down, depending on what experience you’re hoping for and what your price range may be. If you want more information on some of the best areas to stay and more options for each price range, check out our guide to staying in Valparaíso, Chile.
Hotel Casa Higueras – $$$
This hotel is inside a grand 1920s house and features an incredible infinity pool overlooking the harbor. The rooms are luxurious with lots of space, and there’s a spa on-site for extra pampering. If you want an amazing view from your room, make sure to upgrade to a premium room! The accommodations here start at $150 USD and increase to well over $300 USD, depending on the room you choose.
La Galería B&B – $$
Located right in the middle of one of the most famous areas for street art on Templeman Street, this B&B is in an old building that has been beautifully restored. The views here of the old part of the city are stunning, with colorful buildings and the ocean in the distance. Rooms here start at only $32 USD per night, or you can upgrade to a larger room with a balcony for only $50 USD. A stay here also includes a yummy breakfast!
La Casa Piola – $
This is one of the top-rated hostels in Valpo for its spacious rooms and location near trendy bars. The dorm rooms here start at only $9 USD per night (including breakfast!) which is an amazing deal if you’re okay sharing with other travelers. There are private rooms here – including some with bunk beds for families – (although you will still share a bathroom) for around $25 USD. Book a stay at Booking.com or HostelWorld.com.
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Thanks for reading!
Valparaíso is one of those cities in Chile that will capture a piece of your heart. It’s such a vibrant place full of incredible art and history and so many things to do and see. You may find that one visit here isn’t enough and you’ll already be planning a trip back after you leave.
If Chile is part of your South American travel plans, check out our other blogs about Chile to help plan your trip. We’ve done everything from backpacking to hiking and multiple tours, so if you’re looking for recommendations or advice, drop us a comment or message. And be sure to check out our other blogs such as:
The BEST Things to do in Mendoza
Amazing Things to do in Patagonia – Our Patagonia Highlights