Valparaíso & Viña del Mar: Street Art, Wine Valley & Coastal Walk

Summary

Valparaíso murals, Casablanca wine stop and Viña del Mar coast in one day

You’ll wander Valparaíso’s wild streets with local art everywhere you look, pause for wine in Casablanca Valley, snap photos by Viña del Mar’s Flower Clock and end up feeling the Pacific breeze on your face. It’s not polished or predictable — more like a real slice of Chilean life squeezed into one long day.

What’s the experience like?

We started out from Santiago before the city was really awake, just a handful of us in the van — I remember the driver humming along to some old Chilean pop song. The road out to Valparaíso cuts through the Casablanca wine valley, and we stopped at this place called Rio Tinto. The air smelled like earth and grapes (not exaggerating), and our guide Felipe made us try this white wine — he called it “crispy,” which I thought was funny for a drink. I bought a tiny bottle that’s still rolling around my backpack somewhere.

Valparaíso hit me right away — colors everywhere, paint peeling in some spots but somehow making it all better. We walked up these hills (more like stairmaster training), passing murals that looked like they’d just been finished that morning. There was this staircase painted like piano keys; Felipe said everyone takes a photo there, so we did too, but I think my favorite part was watching an old man feed pigeons near Plaza Sotomayor while ignoring us completely. The ocean wind felt sticky on my skin. If you’ve never heard seagulls echo off graffiti walls, well… now I have.

I didn’t expect Viña del Mar to feel so different — palm trees, neat gardens, even the famous Flower Clock looking a little too perfect next to everything in Valpo. Lunch was on our own (I went for empanadas at some spot with plastic chairs), then we wandered down to the beach where kids were chasing each other into the cold Pacific. Our group got quiet for a bit just watching waves roll in. Someone said it smelled like seaweed and sunscreen mixed together — they weren’t wrong.

The drive back was sleepy; people dozed or scrolled through photos. Felipe told us stories about growing up here, about how Valparaíso changes after rain. I kept thinking about those bright walls and how nothing matched but everything belonged somehow. If you’re looking for a day trip from Santiago that doesn’t feel staged — yeah, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

• Start at Parque Arauco
• Visit wine shop in Casablanca valley
• Walk through Valparaíso colorful streets
• See Plaza Sotomayor and Navy building
• Visit Flower Clock in Viña del Mar
• Lunch and beach time in Viña del Mar

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Valparaíso & Viña del Mar tour?

Yes, round-trip transfer from Santiago is included exclusively for your group.

Do we visit any wineries during the day trip?

Yes, there’s a stop at Rio Tinto wine shop in Casablanca Valley for tasting local wines.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No, lunch is not included but you’ll have free time to eat at a local restaurant in Viña del Mar.

Are there walking tours in Valparaíso?

Yes, there’s a guided walking tour through Valparaíso’s historic center and street art areas.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this tour is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

What are some main sights visited?

You’ll see Plaza Sotomayor in Valparaíso and the Flower Clock in Viña del Mar among others.

How long does it take to get from Santiago to Valparaíso?

The drive takes roughly 1.5 hours each way depending on traffic.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transfer from Santiago with exclusive group transport, stops for photos at key points in Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, guided walking tour with a bilingual guide through the historic center and street art neighborhoods of Valparaíso, plus time to relax or grab lunch by the sea before heading back home.