Things to do in Valdivia
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Cervecería Kunstmann
At Cervecería Kunstmann, on Isla Teja at Km5 on the road to Niebla, you’ll find the South’s best brewery. Call ahead if you’re interested in a free tour, but we know you’re really just here for the suds. Make sure to try the unfiltered versions of the Toro Bayo and lager at this large brewpub and beer museum – they aren’t available anywhere else. In the evening, the hearty German fare includes lots of pork chops, späetzle, sauerkraut, and apple sauce, which – let’s be frank – is only good if your name is Rolf and you suffer from a debilitating case of homesickness. Bus 20 from Carampague to Isla Teja (CH$300) can drop you off.
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Castillo de Corral
In the 17th century, the Spanish heavily fortified the point where the Río Valdivia and the Río Tornagaleones joins the Pacific. Today, the remains of these fortifications at Corral, Niebla and Isla Mancera are a strong reminder of the colonial past.
The largest and most intact is the Castillo de Corral, consisting of the Castillo San Sebastián de la Cruz (1645), the gun emplacements of the Batería de la Argolla (1764) and the Batería de la Cortina (1767).
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Museo Histórico y Antropológico
Museo Histórico y Antropológico, housed in a fine riverfront mansion on Isla Teja, is one of Chile’s finest. It features a large, well-labeled collection from pre-Columbian times to the present, with particularly fine displays of Mapuche Indian artifacts and household items from early German settlements. Take the bridge across the Río Valdivia, turn left at the first intersection and walk about 200m; the entrance is on the left (east) side.
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Reina Sofia
Valdivia's main and traditional tourist attraction is the boat cruises that ply the rivers to visit the different forts. Each tour says it's different, but most take the same route, stopping at Corral and Isla Mancera for 45 minutes to one hour each, and all include lunch and onces (afternoon tea). Outfitters include the Reina Sofia, which departs from Puerto Fluvial at the base of Arauco.
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La Calesa
With excellent views out over the water (two tables are outside), this intimate restaurant in a multiroom mansion serves Peruvian staples like garlic-roasted chicken and an excellent lomo saltado. The pisco sours are memorable as is the suspiro, a Peruvian desert made from manjar and meringue and laced with pisco.
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La Última Frontera
This bohemian café is the kind of place Valdivia needs more of, hidden away in a restored mansion among a battalion of trees and cutting-edge art. Creative sandwiches, fresh juices and a chill vibe day and night courtesy of the town’s hip artistic front make it a must-stop. If they had rooms, you’d never need to leave.
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Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
Valdivia’s modern art museum sits alongside the archaeological museum and is built atop the foundations of the former Cervecería Anwandter, the one-time brewery that tumbled during the 1960 earthquake. The museum has fine views across the river to the city.
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La Parilla de Thor
A waft of cedar and asado greets diners at this Argentine steakhouse on the Costanera. A porteño might argue, but the bife de chorizo here is shockingly close to what you get in Argentina – the only thing missing is the Malbec.
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New Orleans
The seafood gumbo at this speakeasy-style restaurant ain’t winning any Louisiana cook-offs, but it’s a nice change of culinary pace on the otherwise Chilean-international menu. That said, it’s an expensive spot and, worse, an all-smoking restaurant.
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Santo Pecado
Funky lounge chairs and banquets and Jetsons-style lights insure the environment in this lounge-restaurant is uber-trendy. The innovative menu features such missing-in-action culinary flavors as curry, pesto and goat cheese.
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Ocio Restobar
This orange-glowing lounge has an array of two-for-one cocktails during its extensive Hora Feliz (Happy Hour) and a DJ spins everything from house to hip-hop nightly. There’s also pizza and tapas when you get the munchies.
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Portal Valdivia
When it opens in 2010, this striking, twin-towered casino, hotel and shopping complex – Valdivia’s most architecturally-interesting building – will house US$72 million worth of entertainment options for visitors and locals alike.
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Feria Fluvial
The Feria Fluvial is the lively riverside market south of the Valdivia bridge, where vendors sell fresh fish, meat and produce. Sea lions come right up to the side and beg for handouts – Sea World–style.
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Café Hausmann
This Valdivia classic is a family-owned hole-in-the-wall serving up the town’s top cruditos (carpaccio served on toast), strudel and küchen. But instant coffee? Here? Jesus.
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Parque Saval
Parque Saval on Isla Teja has a riverside beach and a pleasant trail that follows the shoreline of Laguna de los Lotos, covered with lily pads. It's a good place for bird watching.
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Anticura Expediciones
Anticura Expediciones specializes in arranging trekking and climbing trips in remote areas of the region, tailored to individual skill levels. Trips go from three to five days.
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Góndolas Valdivianas
If the large boats aren’t intimate enough for you, Góndolas Valdivianas does hour-long river tours in Italian-style gondolas with dinner for CH$16,000.
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Torreón de los Canelos
A couple of turrets can be seen around town: east of the bus terminal. One such is the Torreón de los Canelos, which dates from the 17th century.
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Approach
An Argentine-styled place just over the bridge on Isla Teja, this popular and friendly restaurant is worth the short trip for its top-notch pizzas and pastas.
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Torreón del Barro
A couple of turrets can be seen around town: east of the bus terminal. One such is the Torreón del Barro from a Spanish fort built in 1774.
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Entrelagos
This classic salón de Té is where Valdivians talk about you behind your back over delicious café cortados, cakes, sandwiches and crepes.
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Feria Artesanal Camino de Luna
Feria Artesanal Camino de Luna is a good spot to pick up wooden handicrafts or woolen goods.
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Arte-Bar
Hosts live music (bossa nova, classic rock) and literary readings in intimate, mellow surroundings.
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Centro Cultural El Austral
The Centro Cultural El Austral hosts impressive visual arts and music events.
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El Legado
A sultry jazz bar featuring live jazz fusion, acid jazz and soul on weekends.
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