Valparaiso & Viña del Mar: Full-Day Tour with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Valparaiso colors, Viña del Mar beaches, Neruda’s house and city stories

You’ll wind through Valparaiso’s painted hills with a local guide, peek inside Neruda’s quirky house at La Sebastiana, snap photos at Viña del Mar’s flower clock, and stand beside an Easter Island Moai at the Fonck Museum. Expect salty air, city stories, and a few surprises along the way — this day trip leaves you with more than just snapshots.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the first thing I’d see in Valparaiso to be a tangle of bright houses stacked up the hillside — almost like someone spilled a box of crayons and just left them there. Our guide, Camila, laughed when I tried to pronounce “Cerro Alegre” (I definitely butchered it), but she was patient and pointed out her favorite murals as we wandered the narrow streets. The air smelled faintly salty, mixed with something sweet — maybe pastries from the corner bakery? There was this old man selling handmade boats near Plaza Sotomayor who winked at us when we stopped to look. I still think about that.

La Sebastiana was next. It’s Pablo Neruda’s house perched above everything — you get these weird angles of sunlight through colored glass, and you can see all the way down to the port if you squint past the rooftops. Camila told us how Neruda collected odd things: masks, bottles, even a wooden horse. Honestly, it felt like walking through someone’s head rather than just their home. After that we took one of those creaky funiculars up to Paseo 21 de Mayo for a view over both Valparaiso and Viña del Mar — it was windy up there and my hair did its own thing.

Viña del Mar felt totally different: palm trees lining wide streets, people in sun hats eating ice cream by the famous flower clock (which is bigger than I thought). The Fonck Museum has this real Moai statue from Easter Island right outside — standing there quietly while kids run around it. We had some free time on the main beach; sand got everywhere (as usual) but honestly, I didn’t mind. Watching locals play fútbol on the shore while modern buildings glinted behind them was kind of surreal. We ended up just sitting for a bit, letting our feet dry off before heading back toward Santiago…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

• Depart from Santiago to Viña del Mar
• Visit Pablo Neruda's main house
• Tour main port and Plaza Sotomayor
• Visit colorful hill in Valparaiso
• See panoramic view at Paseo 21 de Mayo
• Visit Viña del Mar flower clock
• Explore Francisco Fonck Museum
• View Viña del Mar casino facilities
• Free time at Viña del Mar beach
• Return to Santiago

Top questions

How long is the full-day Valparaiso & Viña del Mar tour?

The tour lasts one full day with morning departure from Santiago and return in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, round-trip shared transportation from your accommodation in Santiago is included.

What are the main stops on this Valparaiso & Viña del Mar tour?

Main stops include La Sebastiana (Neruda’s house), Plaza Sotomayor, Paseo 21 de Mayo viewpoint, Viña del Mar’s flower clock and beach, plus Fonck Museum.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No lunch is specified as included; you’ll have free time to eat in Viña del Mar.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are guides available in multiple languages?

Yes, local guides speak several languages depending on group needs.

Does the tour visit both Valparaiso and Viña del Mar?

Yes, both cities are visited during this full-day excursion from Santiago.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip shared transportation from your hotel in Santiago with WiFi on board and an air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll be guided by a local expert throughout Valparaiso and Viña del Mar; entry to key sites like La Sebastiana and time at attractions such as Paseo 21 de Mayo viewpoint and Fonck Museum are part of your route before returning home in the evening.