ROL Cruise recommends…
1. Get a taste for traditional Chilean cuisine
Empanada pastries and Pisco Sour cocktails may be increasingly popular in the UK, but until you’ve tried them freshly made in their native Chile, you’re missing out. There are a number of spots across the city selling these famously delicious delicacies and drinks, so there’s no excuse not to try a true taste of Chile.
2. Enjoy a walking tour of Valparaiso’s Bellavista neighbourhood
Valparaiso is chock-full of art and colour, and the best way to experience this visual treat is by foot on one of the city’s popular walking tours. Check out the famous ‘piano steps’ and the vibrant Bellavista neighbourhood, comprised of winding lanes and alleys full of mosaics, graffiti art and murals. You’ll see street art around every corner in Valparaiso, particularly when you venture up into the hills, so put those comfy shoes on and get walking!
3. Fulfill your culture quota at Iglesia de La Matriz
In 1971 this church set in the heart of Valparaiso’s port district was named a National Monument of Chile and it’s easy to see why. The original temple was founded in 1559, and since then the site has seen its fair share of devastation – not least at the hands of pirates in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – but now stands as a striking building surrounded by characterful cobblestone streets.
4. See the sights from the water on a guided boat tour
No trip to a coastal city is complete without spending some time on a boat, and Valparaiso’s 30 minute guided tours will not disappoint - sea lions and spectacular views abound! Your guide will tell you all you need to know about this UNESCO World Heritage Site – affectionately named ‘The Jewel of the Pacific’ by sailors from across the world – while you enjoy the scenery and the fresh sea breeze.
5. Relish the view from Ascensor Concepcion
If your feet need a rest from all the climbing, take a trip on the Ascensor Concepcion, a passenger lift which connects the city’s downtown with the Paseo Gervasoni promenade. Built in 1883, this is arguably one of the most rickety of passenger lifts, but the views of the city and port you’ll find at the top will be worth the trip!
