Viña del Mar is a picturesque city on the Pacific Ocean shore. Beaches extend for miles along an attractive coastline. Parks bloom year-round with colorful flowers and colonial-era landmarks, some of which are now superb museums, adorn the city streets.
Established in 1874, Viña del Mar means Vineyard by the Sea, a reference to the city’s beginnings as the hacienda of an aristocratic family. A Mediterranean climate and abundant green spaces have also earned the city the nickname of Jardín Ciudad (Garden City). Appreciate this nickname with a stroll around the wonderful landscaped parkQuinta Vergara. Spot thousands of plant species and enjoy scenic picnics at theJardín Botánico Nacional.
Viña del Mar’s city center straddles the river,Estero Marga Marga. On the south side isPlaza Vergara, a pretty tree-lined square with monuments and sculptures. Watch a ballet or orchestral concert at theTeatro Municipal. Admire colonial mansions as you wander through theCerro Castillodistrict. View theFlower Clock, a botanical landmark and working clock.
Cross the Estero Marga Margaand visitPalacio Rioja, a neoclassical mansion from the early 1900s. Learn about Chilean cultural history at theMuseo de Arqueología e Historia Francisco Fonck. Highlights include an original moai statue from Easter Island.
Enjoy a day at the city beaches, which stretch fromCaleta Abarca Beachto the northern suburb ofConcón. Stroll along La Marina promenade toCastillo Wulff, an iconic landmark on a rocky headland. Mingle with locals atAcapulco BeachandPlaya el Sol. Surf atPlaya Reñacaand sample delicious seafood atPlaya Cochoa’s beachside restaurants.
Arrive in February for the musical Festival Internacional de La Cancion de Vina del, held at an amphitheater in Quinta Vergara. Previous performers include Cat Stevens and Ricky Martin.
Located about 80 miles (129 kilometers) fromSantiago, Viña del Mar is easy to reach via public buses. A regular train service runs between the city and nearbyValparaíso. Get around on foot or enjoy a ride on a traditional Victorian horse-drawn carriage.
