Valparaíso / Vinar del mar

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Situated on the west coast 110 km from Santiago the seaport and major city Valparaíso used to be an important stopover for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean in the 19th century. It has lost the geopolitical role since the opening of the Panama canal in 1914 which bypasses the long and hazardous Cape Horn route.


The colourful houses on the hills of Valparaíso. Its historic quarter is declared as an UNESCO World Heritage

Today Valparaíso remains a one of the cultural and administrative centres of Chile. We get there in a rainy morning. Right in the centre at Plaza Sotomayor and metro station Puerto. We leave the car in the underground car park to explore the historic  centre of Valparaíso on foot.


Ascensor El Peral, funicular railways of Valparaíso

From the seaport the town stretches over several hills with colourfully painted houses. Its historic part lies on the hills cerro Alegre and cerro Concepción. Two hundred metres from Plaza Sotomayor the ascensor El Peral, built in 1901, takes us up to cerro Alegre for 100 CLP (15 Eurocents) per person.


One of the many painted house walls

On top there are bars, cafes, shops, boutiques and ateliers in the narrow streets running up and down the hills. Few of them are well preserved and picturesque. Many others are rather in a desolate condition although a milieu of artists and creative power has been newly formed here in recent years.


Many stairs link the hills together

The rain has stopped and the warm sun rays return. Phantastic lunch in the Fauna Hotelrestaurant near Ascensor Reina Victoria: Medium fried tuna steak with couscous, almond and mango!


Waste separation a là Valparaíso

In the late afternoon we end the nice day in Valparaíso with a short visit to Vinar del mar, 12 km along the coast to the north before returning to Santiago. We thought! The whole town of Vinar del mar is just a traffic jam. From the entering until we leave it, stop and go all the way long. A modern town with many tower blocks along the beach. Overcrowded by holidaymakers. Shops and entertainments. We stay in the car and search for the next exit!

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