Clean and orderly Viña del Mar, commonly called Viña, is a huge contrast to Valparaíso. Manicured boulevards lined with palm trees, stately palaces, a sprawling public beach and beautiful expansive parks have earned it the nickname of Ciudad Jardín (Garden City).
Not many foreign travelers stay here, opting instead for a day trip from Valparaíso. But you should really visit Viña. Relaxation and fine taste define the Garden City with a mix of modern buildings, white sand beaches and large green areas.
You must enjoy the sun while walking on the long promenade, Avenida Peru, swim in the water or watch the multicolored sunset from one of beach resorts like Reñaca.
Eat some seafood at one of the many restaurants. The Tierra del Fuego has a great terrasse on the beach, making the lunch a delightful break in the sun, even if it’s a bit expensive.
Numerous castles and old mansions, such as the Wulff Castillo, that belonged to wealthy families adorn the city and are today elegant museums or the glamorous Municipal Casino.
Viña del Mar has been given the nickname “Garden City” for a reason. Although its lush city plazas are more picturesque than most, it’s the incredible Parque Quinta Vergara that’s the real star of the show. This neo-Gothic palace surrounded by immaculately landscaped gardens is incredible.
And if you want more, there’s also the Botanic garden, a bit further away but worth the trip!
A little more flowers with the colorful Reloj de Flores, one of Viña’s most photographed attractions. The watch, very similar to the one in Geneva (which is funny because I live there) is Swiss-made, of course. If you haven’t got a selfie with the reloj, then you haven’t really been to Viña.
The Francisco Fonck is also a must for anyone who can’t make it to Easter Island thanks to its real life Moai statue on display.
For a good burger, go to Burger Home and try their homemade grills and fries! Fair warning: the burgers are huge!!
I stayed at the Not Found hostel. A nice and cozy place, with just a few rooms installed in an apartment. When traveling for so long, it’s nice to have a feeling to be at home!
How to get there
From Santiago: take the metro 1 to Pajaritos. There, follow “bus transfer” and grab a bus to Viña del Mar. There are 2 companies offering the direct trip (Pullman and Turbus) and leave frequently so no need to buy the ticket in advance (around 4000 pesos one way).
From and to Valparaiso, go to the metro station Viña Del Mar, on the city center near the main square, and buy a metro ticket (1500 pesos for the transport card and 600 pesos for the trip one way) and stop at Valparaiso (last stop). The trip is around 20 min.
Just meets World 