On the western coast of the longest and narrowest country in South America lies two small towns, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Chile, the richest country in the continent, has a wide range of scenic spots but these two in particular are coastal, unique and charming in their own right.
Valparaíso, was once a bustling port town known for housing Armada de Chile (Chilean Navy) and the Central Bank. Prior to the destructive earthquake in 1906 and the construction of the Panama Canal in 1914, it was the hotspot for ships making their way from the one side of the world to the other. The vessels would travel down one coast in South America, go through Cape Horn and then up the other side of the continent. Obviously stops have to be made and Valparaíso was one of those. As the ships came in, the crew would disembark, and spend a lot of money in this port town. You can imagine how the economy was thriving at this time. That all changed when the Panama Canal was constructed and stops in Valparaíso were more infrequent. It hurt the town and its dependency on tourism.
Valparaíso was struggling and the once rich town was no longer. Slowly this energetic port city reinvented itself as a hip coastal town known for its famous street art plastered in every direction you could see. Famed street artists have made their mark here and have drawn crowds from all over the world. You can explore by foot or by using the one of the 22 funicular’s situated around town. The historic quarter of Valparaíso was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 which prompted a surge in tourism. Aside from the amazing sights, make time to indulge in a few Chilean specialities such as a pisco sour, terremoto and fresh octopus. With all the uniqueness, charm and history, it’s no wonder Valpo is, once again, a tourist destination.
Just a short drive from Valparaiso is Viña del Mar, which translates to Vineyard of the Sea. This town, although very close to trendy Valpo, is quite different with a palatial palace, fancy restaurants (Castillo del Mar) and a history of wealth. In fact, after Valparaíso was crippled by the 1906 quake, the rich sought refuge in another coastal town that hadn’t been destroyed, Viña del Mar. A lot of Chileans, including the president of the country, spend summers in “Viña.” Aside from the restaurants, bars, scenic views from castles and palaces, Viña del Mar is also where the decades-old Viña del Mar International Song Festival is held in February in Parque Quinta Vergara. Sting, Elton John and Backstreet Boys are some of the many artists to perform at this popular festival situated in the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater.
With these two towns only being about 5 miles (8.5km) away from one another, you can satisfy any travel craving you yearn for in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. The best part is they are both only about 1.5 hours away from the metropolis of Santiago, Chile. It is well worth spending a couple of days in both locations taking in the history, culture, art, and jaw-dropping coastal views. The next time you find yourself in Chile, make this west coast escape a must on your to do list.
Story & Photography By Alaa Razoky
