The Quintay Whaling Station (1943–1964) was the largest on Chile's long Pacific Coast, employing up to 1000 men at its height. This open-air museum at the site documents the region's whaling history and explores modern-day whale conservation. Signage is in Spanish only.
Museo Ex Ballenera
Middle Chile
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
17.24 MILES
The spectacular setting on a windswept ocean headland makes it easy to understand why Isla Negra was Pablo Neruda’s favorite house. Built by the poet when…
10.6 MILES
Bellavista's most famous resident writer was Pablo Neruda, who made a point of watching Valparaíso's annual New Year's fireworks from his house at the top…
10.96 MILES
This cultural center built from the bones of a prison has a little bit of everything the thinking traveler could ask for. There are excellent murals in…
15.38 MILES
There are over 3000 plant species in the nearly 400 hectares of parkland that comprise Chile's Jardín Botánico Nacional. It's 8km southeast of the city…
11.82 MILES
Cannons still stand ready outside this naval museum. Much space is devoted to Chile's victory in the 19th-century War of the Pacific. Other exhibits…
11.55 MILES
As colorful as Valparaíso's trademark houses – and built almost as high – are the fruit and vegetable displays in the Mercado Cardonal, bordered by Yungay…
11.47 MILES
Plaza Sotomayor is dominated by the palatial blue-colored Edificio Armada de Chile. In the middle of the square lies the Monumento a los Héroes de Iquique…
14.2 MILES
Nowhere is Viña's nickname of the 'Garden City' better justified than at the magnificently landscaped Parque Quinta Vergara, which you enter from…
Nearby Middle Chile attractions
10.6 MILES
Bellavista's most famous resident writer was Pablo Neruda, who made a point of watching Valparaíso's annual New Year's fireworks from his house at the top…
2. Parque Cultural de Valparaíso
10.96 MILES
This cultural center built from the bones of a prison has a little bit of everything the thinking traveler could ask for. There are excellent murals in…
10.98 MILES
The city's most illustrious, influential and infamous residents rest in peace in Cementerios 1 and 2, where the tombs look like ornate mini alaces. Nearby…
11.02 MILES
Twenty classic, colorful murals are dotted through this cerro's lower streets, forming the Museo a Cielo Abierto, an open-air museum with works from famed…
11.08 MILES
Adjoining the main cemetery, the Cementerio de Disidentes is the spot where English and European immigrants were buried. Despite the name, these departed…
11.12 MILES
Explore the natural history of central Chile in nine rooms that focus on biology and ecosystems. Signage is in Spanish only.
11.14 MILES
This funicular dates back to 1902 and connects Av Elias to Paseo Dimalow.
11.32 MILES
Local cartoonist Lukas had a sharp eye for the idiosyncrasies of Valparaíso. You need to speak Spanish to understand his sardonic political strips…