Valparaiso & Viña del Mar: City tour with Casablanca winery

Summary

Valparaiso’s colors, Viña del Mar’s breeze & Casablanca wines

You’ll ride Valparaiso’s historic funiculars, wander Viña del Mar’s flower-lined streets, taste local wines in Casablanca Valley with your guide, and share laughs over fresh street food or stories about Neruda’s parties — all woven into one day you’ll remember long after the ship sails.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first thing I’d notice in Valparaiso would be the smell — sea air mixed with coffee drifting from tiny cafés as we climbed those wild, painted stairways. Our guide, Camila, waved us onto the Ascensor Concepcion (I was a bit nervous about the creaking floorboards), and suddenly we were above it all: murals everywhere, laundry flapping like flags, kids chasing each other past old men playing chess. It felt like the city was alive in every direction. Camila pointed out La Sebastiana up on the hill — Neruda’s house — and told us how he’d throw parties for poets here. I tried to imagine that; honestly, I’m not sure I could keep up.

We drifted down to Plaza Sotomayor where the naval monument stands — Camila explained how important this spot is for Chilean history, but what stuck with me was a street vendor selling warm sopaipillas nearby. The dough was still steaming when I bit in; I probably got powdered sugar on my shirt (again). Then off to Viña del Mar — it’s only a short drive but feels like another world. Suddenly everything is clean lines and flowers everywhere, even in winter. We walked along Muelle Vergara watching fishermen haul up their catch while teenagers took selfies against the gray-blue Pacific. There was this moment where the sun broke through just for a second and lit up the casino sign — kind of cheesy but also perfect.

The last part of the day was Casablanca Valley. The air changed again — colder, sharper somehow, with eucalyptus and earth after rain. At the vineyard our host poured us three wines (I liked the white best; can’t remember its name now) and showed us around barrel rooms that smelled like oak and something sweet underneath. Someone asked about organic methods and she got so animated explaining soil types that even I started noticing differences between rows of vines. We laughed more than I expected at a wine tasting — maybe because nobody took themselves too seriously.

I keep thinking about those painted hillsides in Valparaiso and how you can hear music from open windows if you listen close enough. If you’re coming through on a cruise or just want to see these places with someone who knows them inside out, this day trip from Valparaiso or San Antonio really does stitch together all those little moments you don’t get from guidebooks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Valparaiso City Tour

• Visit La Sebastiana House
• Stop at Aerial Lookout Spot
• See Turri Tower
• Explore Plaza Sotomayor
• View Government Building
• Walk Paseo Gervasoni
• Visit Baburizza Palace
• See Military Fortress
• Enjoy Cerro Concepcion Views
• View War of the Pacific Monument
• Pass National Monument Castle
• Walk Oceanfront Main Drag
• Visit Casino
• Explore Valparaíso Historic Quarter
• Visit Pablo Neruda's House
• Enjoy Boat Views at Port
• Explore Valparaiso Hills
• Ride Ascensor El Peral
• Ride Ascensor Concepcion
• Visit Paseo Atkinson Viewpoint
• Walk Piano Staircase
• Walk Commercial Street
• Ride Queen Victoria Funicular

Day 2 — Viña del Mar and Casablanca Valley

• Visit Viña del Mar Beach and Promenade
• Visit Viña del Mar City Center
• Visit Vergara Pier
• Visit Corporate Museum Francisco Fonck
• Tour Casablanca Valley Vineyards (San Antonio/Valparaiso start)
• Tour Casablanca Valley Vineyards (Santiago start)
• Departure from San Antonio City

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Valparaiso & Viña del Mar tour?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip booking.

Does this tour include wine tasting in Casablanca Valley?

Yes, there is a guided wine tour in Casablanca Valley with tastings included.

How many people are in each group?

The small group tour has a maximum of 8 people per group.

Can cruise passengers join this tour directly from port?

Yes, pickup is available from Valparaiso or San Antonio ports for cruise passengers.

Are children allowed on this day trip?

Yes, children are welcome when accompanied by adults; child rates apply when sharing with two paying adults.

What are some main stops during the city tour?

Main stops include Ascensor Concepcion, Plaza Sotomayor, La Sebastiana, Muelle Vergara, and Paseo 21 de Mayo.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included but wine tastings are provided; there are opportunities to buy food along the way.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour typically ends around 15:00 (3pm), but timing can be flexible based on your needs.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan, guided tours through Valparaiso and Viña del Mar with plenty of local stories along the way, entry fees where needed, plus a proper wine tasting session at a Casablanca Valley vineyard before heading back in time for your next adventure.