Valparaiso
This is the second city of Chile and the most important haven in the country. With its bohemian feeling and colorful vibe, Valpo is a must-do when you're traveling through Chile.
Things to do
Just walk (a lot)
Wander and get lost, literally. Just walk your ass off and appreciate the happy attitude the city gives you. This is almost the only thing we did here. Walking, watching and enjoying a pisco sour on a sunny terrace.
Where to walk?
Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion are the most famous and have the best street art.
TIP: Take a free sightseeing tour. You only have to pay them with tips. There is one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The people who guide these tours are dressed like 'Where is Wally?' Everybody knows about this, just ask the staff off your hotel where to find these guys!
Take an elevator
Your visit is probably incomplete without taking one of the 'Ascensor'. They are a little old (constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), so it's possible that some of the elevators are in construction. If this is not satisfying enough, you just use it to go up and down the slopes and be lazy. That's all a vacation is for! (;
Where to eat
We were only here for 2 days. For this reason I don't have plenty of recommendations about restaurants. But the ones we visited were actually quite good.
- El Internado:
When the weather is good, you can sit outside and have a beautiful view over Valpo. the food was fine, but the ceviche and the pisco sour were excellent! One of the best we had in Chile!
- Cocina Puerto:
This one is very cozy in the evening. We ordered a bottle of 'cabernet sauvignon' and both had a meat course. (what else to eat in Chile? (; )
Where to stay
We'd stayed in 'casa volante hostel'. It's located in Cerro Concepcion, so it's close to everything. Don't expect a lot, the walls are thin, you almost hear everybody passing by your door (bring earplugs (; ). But it's clean and the staff is really great!
