street art tour valparaiso

Best street art tours in Valparaíso, Chile (2024 guide) 

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A compilation of the best street art tours in Valparaíso. If you only have a day or two, a guided tour is the best way to make sure you hit all of the best murals in this incredibly colorful city. With more time, I highly recommend exploring Valparaíso’s hilly streets on your own – you could be there for weeks and not find all of the art! 

I am and have always been a sucker for urban art. I’ll happily spend days wandering the streets of a city in search of big, famous pieces and hidden gems alike. While I’ve been to a lot of cities with great urban art scenes, I have to say that Valparaíso, Chile was one of the best. The entire city is like an open-air museum. From the tourist hot spots to the back alleys of quiet, residential streets, it’s hard to find a plain wall. 

Valparaíso is also home to 16 working funiculars dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s. These historical treasures cost just a few hundred pesos and take a lot of the work out of exploring the city’s 44  cerros  (hills). Riding one (or several) of these ascensores is a fun and unique experience that adds to Valparaíso’s charm! 

Why take a tour of Valparaíso’s street art? 

The nature of street art, of course, is that it’s always changing. Murals go up, they get painted over, and new art appears in their place. A list of the best murals in Valparaíso, according to me, will probably not be of much help to you. By the time you read this, half of them will be gone and replaced by something new. 

Valparaíso is easy to explore on your own, if that’s what you prefer or can afford. That’s what I did the first time I went to Chile. This is one of those times, though, where the experience of a guide can really enhance your trip. 

Valparaíso is a maze – and a hilly maze at that. There is art in every corner and crevice, but of course some pieces are more impressive and/or significant than others. Various  miradors  (viewpoints) afford sweeping views of the city’s hills and murals, but they can be tricky to find. (Sometimes you’ll notice one when you’ve already descended a few flights of stairs – blast it!) 

If you want to see all of the newest and best murals in Valparaíso, it’s worth taking a tour. Not only will you be sure to hit the highlights, but you’ll also get important history and context as you walk. 

I’ve compiled a list of the best street art tours in Valparaíso for an excellent introduction to the city and its history. (Note that the photos are my own, so they don’t necessarily represent what you’ll find on the walls today. You can click on the individual tours to see recent photos and reviews.)

If you have more time, I’ve also added some suggestions for exploring on your own. 

The best street art tours in Valparaíso

Valparaíso’s street art scene centers around Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and tours will generally spend most of their time there. In addition to murals, you’ll find cobblestone streets, beautiful lookout points, art galleries, and great restaurants. 

1. Valparaíso Private Walking Tour

⏳ Duration: 2-3 hours

5 ⭐️ Rating

Highlights:

• Ride three of Valparaíso’s classic  ascensores  – Ascensor El Peral, Ascensor Reina Victoria, and Ascensor Concepción.
• Explore the cobblestone streets and historical homes of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre.
• Visit the painted staircases and art galleries of Pasaje Gálvez.
• Walk along Paseos Gervasoni, Atkinson, Yugoslavo, and Dimalow for up-close views of some of Valparaíso’s best murals , plus sweeping views of the port.
• Learn about the history of the Anglican and Lutheran churches in Valparaíso, the construction of funiculars in the late 19 th  century, and some of the city’s most famous architecture .

2. Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour

⏳ Duration: 3 hours

• Stroll along the city’s most beautiful promenades , including Paseo Dimalow, Paseo Gervasoni, Paseo Atkinson, and Paseo Yugoslavo.
• Admire the colorful facades of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.
• Ride the Ascensor Reina Victoria and the Ascensor El Peral, two of Valparaíso’s most famous funiculars .
• Explore the beautiful Paseo 21 de Mayo, an elevated pedestrian walkway overlooking the city . 

3. Free Walking Tour of Valparaíso

• A free street art tour in Valparaíso! (Remember that guides make their living from tips, so bring some cash .)
• See Valparaíso’s murals , explore charming Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and ride Valparaíso’s famous elevators .
• Learn about Valparaíso’s culture and history .
• Get a local’s advice on where to eat and drink! 

4. Valparaíso History & Art Tour

• Learn about political and cultural figures who shaped the history of Valparaíso.
• Ride a famous funicular.
• Explore the beautiful murals, viewpoints, and hidden passageways of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.

Exploring Valparaíso’s street art on your own

If you have more time in Valparaíso (which I recommend), there is plenty more to see. A street art tour can really help you get your bearings, but there is only so much you can fit into a few hours. 

Of course, you can always head back to Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. Exploring the streets with fresh eyes, you’re almost certain to discover something you didn’t notice before. 

There are also several museums that you’ll have likely passed on your Valparaíso mural tour without stopping to go inside. These include the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in the Palacio Baburizza , and the National Maritime Museum, located just next to Paseo 21 de Mayo. 

Valparaíso’s most famous  cerro , after Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, is probably Cerro Bellavista. Here you can find La Sebastiana , Pablo Neruda’s former home and one of the most highly rated museums in Valparaíso.

Despite this major tourist attraction, the neighborhood feels less glossy than the other two, and it’s a great place to wander.

There are plenty of murals, as well as panoramic views from various lookout points. (These make great places to catch your breath if you’ve decided to trudge up the hill on foot.)

How to get to Valparaíso from Santiago

The easiest way to get from Santiago to Valparaíso using public transportation is to take the bus. Buses leave from Pajaritos bus terminal in Santiago every half hour or so. You can reach Pajaritos easily on the metro and avoid Santiago’s notorious traffic. (Take the red line to Pajaritos station; the bus station is about a minute’s walk from there.) 

If you’d rather book a day trip to Valparaíso from Santiago, that’s also possible. This tour of Valparaíso also takes in Viña del Mar (a nearby beach city) and the Casablanca Valley (famous for wine tasting).

I hope this post has helped you find the best street art tour in Valparaíso for your schedule and budget. If you’re heading elsewhere in Chile, check out my other itinerary suggestions:

The best places to visit on your first trip to Chile

Hiking the W trek in Torres del Paine

Touring the otherworldly Atacama Desert in Chile’s far north

Climbing Volcán Villarrica in the Chilean Lake District

Exploring the gorgeous and unique Chiloé Island

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The best FREE walking tour of Valparaiso street art, history and culture

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Gritty. That was the most common word people used to “warn” us about Valparaiso and its reputation for petty crime, dirty streets and abundance of stray dogs (of which there really are a disturbing number). Those things may not be entirely wrong, but in just one day Valparaiso, Chile won our hearts with its vibrancy. The street art in Valparaiso is simply unlike anything we’ve ever seen and gives the city a striking appearance that also speaks to its character as a place that is teeming with people and life and sets it apart from its larger, cleaner, perhaps more livable neighbor, Santiago.

Heading further south? Check out our favorite place in Chile.

A phenomenal free walking tour of Valparaiso

Though we had only one day in Valparaiso, we understand now why some young friends we met chose to make it their home base for a month. Whether you only have a few hours or you’re just getting settled in for a long stay, the best way to get oriented is to jump into one of the many free walking tours in Valparaiso offered by Tours4Tips . The concept is simple: you go on the tour with no obligation to pay anything, but at the end you can decide what you think it was worth to you. Most people offer around $20. I can say with confidence that our excellent guide Andrea earned that and more. Since this was a free tour, we weren’t hosted or compensated in any way – it was just a wonderful experience that we want to share with our readers!

Tours4Tips Valparaiso offers two different free walking tours: a morning tour that covers a small part of the city but carries an emphasis on the daily life of porteños and offbeat spots, and the afternoon tour we did that covers a sizable chunk of the city though in less depth. Since we were driving from Santiago for the day, we chose the afternoon tour. A word of warning: you will walk A LOT and on many hills. Wear sneakers, and bring yourself a bottle of water. Kids are welcome on Tours4Tips and our kids loved it, but bring a baby carrier rather than a stroller for young ones. The bright colors and varied subjects of the art (including a Ninja Turtle!) kept the kids enthusiastic, and there’s even a sweet stop to fuel them up part way through. And did I mention slides and a funicular? If you’re wondering what to do in Valparaiso, Chile with kids, this is it!

Our tour began in Valparaiso’s main plaza, Plaza Sotomayor. We had reserved our places in advance through TripAdvisor to make sure we had spots with an English-speaking guide. Indeed, there were about 75 people there at the appointed time! But ever-prepared, Tours4Tips had three guides there all dressed like Waldo in their red and white stripes shirts (they also use #Wally on Instagram). They first split the group into Spanish and English speakers, and then split the English speakers into two more groups of around 25 people each. We consider ourselves very lucky to have landed with Andrea! She speaks English extremely well and, as a porteña herself she has a deep connection to the city. There are some wonderful surprises along the tour that tie in Valparaiso’s culture, but you’ll have to go see them for yourself.

We hope you enjoy our favorite street art of Valparaiso, Chile. If you’re feeling inspired, maybe you can catch a deal on a flight to go explore for yourself!

If you’re planning your travel on a budget, make sure to check these resources to save money on travel.

Our favorite Valparaiso street art

Where we stayed

As I mentioned above, we stayed in Santiago for several days and visited Valparaiso as a day trip. Since we were traveling to Chile with kids, Santiago was a great place to stay – there are so many activities to do with kids! We scored an apartment in the tony Los Condes neighborhood through HomeExchange . It worked out great for our family – two bedrooms (including one full of toys), a kitchen for preparing meals to save money, a washing machine in the bathroom so we could pack light and an amazing playground right outside our door! Check out that view:

We’re having a great experience staying in Guest to Guest apartments so far. We love having the comforts of home and staying more like a local, especially for long term travel like our family gap year. If you aren’t familiar with Home Exchange, you can read more in our post here , or go sign up and start staying for free on your vacations.

While you’re in the area, make sure to check out some of the amazing wines near Valparaiso! This DIY guide to budget wine tasting near Valparaiso is a great place to start.

Check out these awesome free walking tours around the world

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Valparaiso

Have you visited any great street art locations? Tell us about them in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “the best free walking tour of valparaiso street art, history and culture”.

Great photos. I love exploring cities and finding amazing art.

I’ve always wanted to visit Chile, and this makes me want to go even more! I especially love the mural with the colourful portrait and the optical illusion ones on stairs with the cars and buildings.

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Street Art , Travel

A street art tour of valparaiso.

Nestled on the Pacific coast of Chile, Valparaiso remains one of South America’s best-kept secrets. A city adorned with a myriad of colours and stories just waiting to be uncovered.

Valparaiso isn’t as widely recognised as some of its other South American counterparts, but has a captivating canvas of street art, featuring vibrant murals that weave tales of Chilean culture, resilience and downright creativity.

Read on as we embark on a journey through the streets of Valparaiso, unravelling the tales behind the most famous street art murals, shining a spotlight on the talented artists and delving into the community spirit which makes this city a true hidden gem.

Accessible routes to Valparaiso

South American cities like Santiago often leave Valparaiso in the shade, but this Chilean city is a diamond in the rough awaiting your exploration. It’s surprisingly accessible, with Santiago Airport just a 75-minute drive away via Ruta 68. Direct flights to Santiago de Chile are readily available from the UK. It’s possible to find f lights to Santiago with Opodo from London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham. Alitalia, British Airways and Air France all fly from the UK to the Chilean capital.

Valparaiso is known for its chaotic charm, steep hillsides adorned with colourful houses, and the much-vaunted UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s a very different feel to the hustle and bustle of Santiago, that is for certain.

The murals of Valparaiso: Stories in every stroke

Valparaiso’s labyrinthine streets are a veritable treasure trove of creativity. Every turn reveals a new street art mural, contributing to the city’s status as a world-renowned street art destination.

Below, we’ll revisit some of the most iconic murals that have characterised the city of Valparaiso for generations.

The Piano Stairs mural

The Piano Stairs mural is one of the most iconic and interactive in the city of Valparaiso. Located on the Cerro Concepcion stairway, this masterpiece was crafted by artist, Rodrigo Perez. It showcases a decadent piano which spans multiple flights of stairs. As you climb them, the keys light up, creating a harmonious display of colour and sound. The mural not only showcases Perez’ artistic brilliance but also fosters community engagement.

The Journey of Pablo Neruda mural

This mural was designed to celebrate the life and work of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. The Valparaiso-born poet-diplomat and politician died in September 1973, aged 69. He shot to stardom as a keen poet aged just 13, penning a string of surrealist poems, as well as a string of historical epics and political manifestos for the Communist Party.

The mural dedicated to Neruda was created by the renowned street artist, INTI. It perfectly captures the essence of Neruda’s poetry , blending surrealism with cultural symbolism. The mural pays homage to Neruda’s connection with the sea, literature, and Chile’s rich heritage. Today, you can also pay a visit to La Sebastiana, his previous residence in the city, which has since been converted into a museum. At an entry fee of just 7,000 Chilean pesos, it’s well worth an hour or two of your time.

The Lively Hills mural

Situated on Cerro Bellavista, the Lively Hills mural is a panoramic masterpiece captured by street artist, Charquipunk. The mural aims to capture the energy and dynamism of Valparaiso’s hillsides, featuring whimsical characters and vivid colours throughout. Charquipunk’s distinctive street art style, characterised by playful figures and bold strokes, breathes energy and life into the city’s urban landscape.

The Rainbow District mural

Valparaiso’s colourful reputation is also showcased by the Rainbow District mural situated in Cerro Mariposas. Hand-painted by the collective artists known as Un Kolor Distinto, the mural transforms an entire neighbourhood into a kaleidoscope of colour. Each building is adorned with a different colour, creating a harmonious blend which symbolises the diversity and unity within the community of Valparaiso.

Other hidden gems

Beyond this quartet of well-known murals, Valparaiso is also home to several more hidden gems just waiting to be spotted.

Keep your eyes peeled around every corner, as local street artists continually contribute to the city’s street art scene in the same way as cities like San Francisco . You’ll find them where you least expect it too, including quiet corners and narrow alleys to rival Toronto’s Graffiti Alley . Exploring these lesser-known artworks allows tourists to connect more deeply with the raw and authentic spirit which defines Valparaiso’s street art.

Valparaiso’s street art is a reflection of this city’s soul

The street art scene of Valparaiso indeed transcends more than aesthetics. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the area’s soul and the resilient spirit of its people.

There’s a distinct sense of engagement between the street artists and the local community. Street art projects, like the Open Air Museum of Valparaiso, engage residents in the artistic process, turning neighbourhoods into veritable open galleries. It’s a communal approach engenders a sense of pride and identity among locals while inviting tourists to connect with the true heart of Valparaiso.

There’s a nod to the historical narrative of Chile’s past in this city’s artwork. Many of Valparaiso’s murals feature depictions of indigenous traditions or tributes to historical figures. They’re a canvas for telling the story of life in Chile.

Valparaiso’s street artists also become a powerful voice for social commentary and activism. These murals silently convey messages of resilience, protection and solidarity, reflecting the region’s history of political and social movements. The streets are a poignant platform for dialogue and reflection.

Of course, Valparaiso’s street art has also become a natural draw for cultural tourism. People from all over the world visit the city’s vibrant murals and inadvertently contribute to the local economy. Whether it’s guided street art tours, local guides or museums, the city’s artwork is an attraction in itself.

As Valparaiso continues to evolve as a global street art destination, each stroke of paint serves as a brushstroke in the ongoing narrative of this hidden gem on the Pacific coast. 

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Gritty is Pretty: Street Art in Valparaiso | Chile

Valparaiso is a bit like San Francisco if the 90’s had never ended — think undercuts, paste-ups, and alt-rock bands, with less of the startup douchebaggery. This gritty city by the bay is true to its roots. There are local events and art exhibits abound, plenty of spots to catch a cheap show, and street art just about everywhere. What more could you want, really?

Time in Valparaiso goes down faster than a street dog eats a completo.  It is the kind of place you can stay for far too long without other plans to drag you away. 

Are you planning a visit to Valparaiso? There are plenty of cool things to do in Chile , but be sure to make time to stay and check out the  Valparaiso street art .  More information on where to find street art + street art tours in Valparaiso below!

Valparaiso Street Art

Under the Pinochet dictatorship, street art in Chile emerged as a form of protest. It could be done anonymously, so it was one of the safest ways to speak out during quite dangerous times.

Almost every building, wall, and storefront is painted in Valpo, with one notable exception – the pitifully white Radio Portales building. Strangely, it’s also the most tagged building in Valparaiso. What keeps it so white? Paint jobs. Daily.

The rest of Valparaiso, on the other hand, has seemed to adopt the attitude that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.  Businesses and homeowners can either be the local tight ass and fall victim to ugly tags, or they can go ahead and share their wall with a muralist. This culture is what has made the city of Valparaiso into one enormous canvas for spray can art.

Dig the street art in Valparaiso? Don’t forget to follow the artists on Instagram!

1. Man holding a fish bowl by Mr. L | 2. Chilean woman by Anis | 3. Animals by Un Kolor Distinto | 4. Neo-Cubism by Okuda  | 5. Chiloe mural by Daniel Marceli  | 6.  Psychedelic Face by Shokolei  and Un Kolor Distinto | 7. NA | 8. Site of the late Happies not Hippies Mural  by Art Believe | 9. Unknown | 10.  Bored woman by Ella and Pitr | 12. Animal band by Seimiek  | 13. Faces by Un Kolor Distinto

Where to Find Street Art in Valparaiso: 

You can either explore the Valparaiso street art on a street art tour or on your own.

Street Art Tours in Valparaiso: Valpo Street Art Tours  offers a daily GraFREEti tour, street art walking tours, and a workshop tour.

The neighborhoods of  Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre are great places to stay  and absolutely covered with street art. Some of the more famous murals are:  The Beethoven Piano Stairs (Abtao 682) ,  We are Happies, Not Hippies (Templeman 672) | UPDATE: This mural has been painted over as of February 2017,  Tower on Fire (Dimalow 166), Animal Mural (atop Ascensor Concepcion). To get the best perspective on Valparaiso Street Art, check it out both in the higher and lower parts of town.

Traveling in Chile? You might also like: 

• 51 Unique + Fun Things to do in Chile
• What is Chilean Cuisine, Anyway?
• Creative Seeing in Santiago
• The 20 Best Street Art Cities According to Instagram

Have you ever checked out the street art in Valparaiso? Would you rather take a street art tour or do it alone? Which city has your favorite street art scene?

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I'm Taylor and this is Travel Outlandish. I’m an independent traveler kind of like you. I believe we deserve better than crowds of people and manufactured experiences when we explore. Whether you're going into the wild on a backpacking trip or planning a weekend in a foreign city, you'll find everything you need to plan something awesome on Travel Outlandish. Thanks for stopping by!

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Discover Valparaíso Street Art – The Only Part Of The City We Got To See

All around the world, street art has a reputation of its own, but the graffiti art in Chile is on a whole other level. From the graffiti-filled streets of Santiago telling messages of protest and calls for justice, to the beautiful murals that fill the walls of Valparaíso – there’s so much to see. Here’s a taste of what to expect from Valparaíso street art.

Chilean Street Art At Its Finest

Valparaíso has got a reputation for being colorful, artistic and magical. But it’s so much more! We love taking photographs and applying our lightroom presets to them – drawing out the color and beauty. Let me tell you one thing, not much editing is needed for these artworks!

Walking through the winding cobblestone streets, you’ll be confronted with some of the most breathtaking works of art you’ve ever seen. Valparaíso street art is quite honestly the most impressive outdoor museum to exist.

I wish that I could somehow put the bizarre atmosphere of the city into words, but how do you describe an alien world? Valparaíso is without a doubt the most quirky, fascinating and obscure place that I’ve ever visited, and it wears its title boldly.

But seeing as I’m struggling with words, here’s what Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda, has to say;

“Valparaíso, what an absurdity you are, how crazy: a crazy port. What a head of disheveled hills, that you never finished combing. Never did you have time to dress yourself, and always you were surprised by life.”

* Just to let you know that this article contains affiliate links. If you click on them we might receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you

History of Valparaíso Graffiti Art

Valparaíso is an old port town that is known for both its street art and its development on the steepest hills you can imagine. The city is divided into the main strip that runs along the harbor and the various “Cerros” that are populated by eccentrically-built and painted homes.

The history of Valparaíso is quite interesting. The slopey city was founded in 1536 and has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes over the years. These natural disasters, combined with new trade routes, shaped the city’s development over the years to come.

Regardless of these developments, colonial buildings still stand the age-old sense of community and history fills the streets. In fact, Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Renowned as Chile’s cultural hub, the artistic wonder of the city began in around the 1940s, at the same time as muralism began to flourish in Mexico. In fact, it was Chilean diplomat, Pablo Neruda, who first planted the seed for muralism in Valparaíso after returning from his post in Mexico. He further encouraged fellow Mexican artists to contribute to “the movement”.

But while Neruda may have struck a match, it was rebellion towards the military dictatorship that truly fueled the fire. From 1973, art became the main form of fighting an oppressive government. Various groups resisted the tyranny by creating bold images of hope and activism.

Today, this art remains as a symbol of persistence and beauty. Each wall is unique, sharing a different message to those who pass by.

Famous Chilean Artists In Valparaíso

There are several famous painters from Chile (or living in Chile) that have contributed to the beautiful city. The name of these artists may ring a bell to those of you who are enthusiasts.

• Cuellimangui – a Spanish-born street artist who creates iconically colorful monster-like creatures
• Inti – the Chilean street artist with international acclaim has inspired plenty of similar pieces around Valparaíso
• Signed artists – many of the murals will have the name of the artist creatively added (and sometimes with an Instagram handle to encourage following)
• Unsigned artists – there are plenty of unsigned artworks that leave all interpretation up to the viewer

Experience Valparaíso Graffiti Art

So, how do you experience the beautiful, peculiar port-city for yourself? Luckily, Valparaíso is very easy to get to, well-equipped for tourism from a hospitality point of view, and prides themselves in their artistic offerings. As all the art is on the streets, this is a great activity to do If you are traveling Chile in a motorhome aka “Van Life”.

Getting to Valparaíso

There are two main ways of getting to Valparaíso from Santiago – which is only 115 km away. If you prefer the comfort and luxury of private transport then you can rent a car or get an Uber. Both options are on the pricier end of the spectrum.

Book your private transfer from Santiago to Valparaíso here.

If you don’t mind public transportation – which is just as comfortable, timely and better for the environment – then there are several efficient bus providers. Some of the most popular are Turbus, Condor Bus, and Pullmans.

There are two main bus stations to choose from in Santiago, namely Universidad de Santiago and Pajaritos . We opted for the latter. Bus tickets are affordable (approximately $5 USD depending on the provider) and the buses run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 10:30 pm.

The entire trip only takes about 1,5 hours (depending on traffic) and the seats are very comfy.

Once you arrive at the bus station in Valparaíso, you can catch an Uber or a taxi to your accommodation.

We booked our bus tickets with online reccorido.cl beforehand and it made the trip less stressful.

Staying in Valparaíso

If you want to appreciate the street art on a daily basis then the best place to stay in Valparaíso is anywhere between the Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.

Staying here will place you in the middle of the artistic hub and within close proximity to bars, restaurants and some of the city’s best viewpoints. Most of the pictures in this post are from these areas, so you know what sort of street art to expect.

When it comes to choosing a spot to stay, we booked a month-long stay with Airbnb and got a fantastic discount. There are plenty of options to choose from to suit your budget, travel style and needs.

If you haven’t already got an account with Airbnb, and you want to take advantage of the incredible homes and potential discounts, then you can sign up for an Airbnb account here .

The city is also full of really fun-looking and quirky hostels. This is a great option for those traveling on a budget, want to meet people or are only staying for a short while.

Check out the wide-variety of Valparaíso hostels that are affordable, fun and super groovy.

How to Get Around Valparaíso

To be honest, we walked practically everywhere. With that being said, the hills can be very steep. We often used our strolls as our “exercise” for the day. We considered it to be one of the ways to stay fit when traveling and an opportunity to see the artwork.

With that being said, there are plenty of Ubers and taxis available. I’d imagine that the turnover rate is quite high considering the consistent smell of burnt clutch in the streets. These rides are fairly cheap and if you’re not a fan of walking they can quickly become your best friend.

There are also regular public buses and trolleybuses that run various routes in Valparaíso. You simply need to wait at a clearly-marked bus stop. Alternatively, you can stick your arm out and wave as one comes hurtling past. Just have around 410 Chilean Pesos ready ($0,5 USD) and you’re good to go.

Another great way to ascend the steep hills is on a funicular – which is an attraction in itself. A ride costs you as little as 100 Chilean Pesos (which is not even worth converting into dollars). I’d recommend going on one of these as an experience in itself.

Top tip: walking through the streets is one of the best ways to see the artworks. I’d suggest a comfortable compromise that involves walking down to the harbor (and maybe picking up a tasty pastry on the way) and then getting a taxi or bus back up.

See the Art in Valparaíso

Now – the spectacle that you’ve all been waiting for! To be honest, you just need to step outside your accommodation and in you’re in the middle of the world’s largest art gallery. However , there are plenty of amazing tour providers that can offer additional insight into the history, background, and narrative of the city’s relationship with art.

Some of the tour companies that stick out are Tours4Tips, GraFREEti Tours and Valpo Street art tours. There are also plenty of great self-guided tours and privately-run tours such as these:

When Everything Is Shut Down, The Street Art Holds Strong

We visited Valparaíso at a rather crazy time when COVID-19 was at its initial panic. Not even 24-hours after arriving, the entire country closed its borders and social-distancing was put in place. As a result, our experience of the buzzing nightlife, vibrant locals and delectable restaurants was very limited.

Essentially, the city’s street art was the only real experience that we got to enjoy in Valparaíso. To be honest, when we prematurely left to go home, we were satisfied and felt fulfilled by what the murals had to offer. The street art really is something fantastic and kept us sane during a rather panicked season.

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Candice Land, aka Candi Land, aka The Captain, is a freelance writer, digital nomad and full-time globe trotter.

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25 photos of valparaíso street art & more that will make you want to visit.

Valparaíso Street Art

Valpo photos 1-2: houses are canvases for works of art in valparaíso.

Valpo Photos 3-6: Art Imitates Life in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 7: Textured Valparaíso Street Art

Valpo Photos 8-10: Valparaíso Street Art Viewed from Above

Valpo Photo 11: Humorous Street Art in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 12: Walking Paths in Valparaíso Decorated with Street Art

  Valpo Photo 13: We Are Not Hippies We Are Happies

 Valpo Photos 14-15: Colorful Buildings in Valparaíso

 Valpo Photos 16-18: Valparaíso Street Art Walking Tour 

Valpo Photo 19: More Stray Dogs Than People in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 20: The Hills of Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 21: Valparaíso Sea Views

Valpo Photo 22: The Historic Ascensors of Valparaíso 

Valpo Photos 23-25: Valparaíso Port Views

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Street Art Route in Valparaíso

By: Chile Travel - 28 August, 2021

We love urban art! That’s why we decided to make the Street Art Route in Valparaiso and follow the print of the most remarkable creations decorating Chile’s main port, all make to surprise and inspire!

Valparaíso is one of the most beautiful cities of Chile and that’s why is commonly called the “Jewel of the Pacific” . Main port, loud, colorful and bohemian. Its beautiful murals have made Valparaíso the indisputable capital of street art in Chile South-America, attracting thousands of visitors every year to take pictures with the murals.

Concepción Hill is, probably, the port’s center of street arts, color and creativity, Thus, we start this Street Art Route in Valparaíso at the famous Fischer stairs that connects with Gálvez Alley. But before going up, look front of you! Crossing Arriola Street you’ll fin Apolo stair which is the frontier with Alegre Hill. There are two hands sending us a powerful message talking about nation’s unity.

Fischer Stair and Gálvez Alley

Go up from Urriola street through Fischer stair until reaching Gálvez Alley. To the right you’ll find another colorful stair with some lyrics from the song “ Latinoamérica ” by Calle 13 painted on the steps.

Meanwhile, in Gálvez Alley you’ll find an explosion of color and creativity, many murals and drawings to take pictures. In here, you’ll find one the most magical corners of Valparaiso.

Pay attention to the street art in Valparaíso! If you go up Papudo street, you’ll find a man flying a kite. Put your camera out and click!

Valpo’s Granma

In Alegre Hill, go up through Almirante Montt to see one of the most emblematic murals in Valparaíso. It’s the “La mamie de Valparaíso”, a grandmother watching over the city from the corner of a house, a piece created by the French collective Ella & Pitr.

A Street Art symbol in Valparaíso

Go down Templeman street and turn right. You’ll find one of the symbol of this street art route in Valparaíso. Painted by a British collective, the stairs shine with the phrase “We Are Happy Not Hippies” , a word game that rhymes pretty well in English. You’ll find many travelers waiting to take a picture, but don’t get desperate, in here everyone is patience and hurry to give foot to the next photographer.

Piano stairs, one of the most photographed ones

These beautiful stairs are in Beethoven Alley at Concepción Hill and is one of the most visited. A piece by @chinoatonal, also a musician, the artist has been part of the renewal of other known stairs on this destination.

We recommend you visit it during the firsts hours of the day, during the afternoon you’ll see groups of tourists waiting to take a picture going down the stairs. While you wait, go around the surroundings, you’ll find more mural.

Street Art on our way to La Sebastiana

“If we walk all Valparaíso stairs, we would have turn around the world” , wrote Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize. Surely, the Chilean poet would have been proud to see the many visitors the city receives to go to La Sebastiana, a house where he lived, as well as the Street art surrounding it.

If you tour Neruda’s house, open your eyes wide open and look for the Bellavista Hill stairs. It’s the Santa Lucía stairs, going up through Ferrari Street (that it’s also decorated with Street art), with landscapes from Valparaíso, made with mosaics. Then look for the stairs in Los Poetas Square or Mena Square, in here you’ll find fours stairs decorated with colorful mosaics and beautiful sculptures as tribute to Pablo Neruda, the poet. All of them create what is called the Open Sky Museum of Bellavista Hill.

This open museum is full of graffiti, murals, paintings and mosaics. Born in 1969, its goal was to improve the popular and somehow mistreated look of the city. Just at the beginning of the 90’s the project restarted, when dozens of artists (among them María Martner, Roser Bru, Roberto Matta and Nemesio Antúnez) got together to contribute to the rebirth of the place

In Valparaíso, artistic interventions are born and dead every other time, but we can assure you that port’s street art will not leave you indifferent. Follow some of our recommendations. We left may outside, but remember you create true Street Art in Valparaíso…

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The Best Street Art in Valparaíso, Chile

The ‘Jewel of the Pacific’, the beautiful, vulnerable, bustling hillside port of Valparaíso, is known for its susceptibility to earthquakes and as being one of the homes of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda . It is also home to exquisite street art that flourishes virtually everywhere, attracting thousands of travellers that visit the city specifically to see the open-air artworks. We explore a handful of creations from the best artists designed to both amaze and inspire.

Valparaíso is famous for its association with Pablo Neruda, Chile’s Nobel Prize-winning poet, who lived in and adored the city. His eccentric house, La Sebastiana, perpetuates his presence in Valparaíso. As does his ode to the city:

“Valparaíso, what an absurdity you are, how crazy: a crazy port. What a head of dishevelled hills, that you never finished combing. Never did you have time to dress yourself, and always you were surprised by life.” – Pablo Neruda

Valparaíso’s local government supports and promotes the local street art culture, and many cafés, restaurants and bars are happy to have artists turn their plain walls into works of art. As a result, the city is covered in world-class street art, and is a feast for the eyes.

The number of visitors attracted to Valparaíso for its outdoor artwork has led to development of several well-organized street art tours. There are several routes across Valparaíso that are great for discovering the local art. The best places for this are in the cerros (hills) of Carcel, Miraflores, Alegre, Pateon, Concepcíon and Bellavista. Templeman Street on Cerro Alegre is the best street to see street art.

Most works are not signed, and it’s up to us to discern who is who. The artist often begins with tag (meaning painting their signature in spray), then progresses to find their style and thus define their art.

Another must-see for lovers of street art is the open air museum. Located in the neighborhood of Bellavista, the museum is populated with graffiti, paintings, murals and mosaics. The vision of this museum, launched in 1969, was to upgrade a popular part of the city, but the project was abandoned due to the dictatorship of Pinochet that ruled Chile between 1973 and 1990. However, in 1992 more than 70 artists came together around this project. These included Francisco Méndez, Eduardo Perez, Maria Martner, Roberto Matta and Nemesio Antúnez. This contributed to a renaissance for street art in Valparaíso. Here you will find works from many well-known artists such as Pure Evil, Inti, Aislap, Dana Pink, and the graffiti crew Un Kolor Distinto.

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Valparaiso Street Art: Examples of Vibrant Expression in Chile

Valparaiso street art is a bold and dramatic example of personal expression. It is different from other cities. Not so much in its style but in its artists’ passion, respect, and backstory.

Unlike the rest of Chile, where street art is illegal or restricted, the Valparaiso government almost encourages this freedom. As a result, Valparaiso is a vibrant, colourful city offering some of the world’s best street art.

Valparaiso street art is a bold and dramatic example of personal expression, featuring emotional, entertaining, and political artwork.

Where to find street art in Valparaiso

Street art in Valparaiso is seemingly everywhere. However, there are some more famous areas, as well as some that are generally considered safer than others.

Valpo, as the locals call it, is built on 42 hills (“cerros” in Spanish). Each one is a neighbourhood, and as a result, each neighbourhood is unique. One of our favourites for Valparaiso street art is Cerro Concepción. Here the art blankets the walls of this winding pedestrian passage (Pasaje Gálvez). It’s also the neighbourhood of a  Chilean cooking class we thoroughly enjoyed.

Murals cover previously unpainted legal walls (and many that are not legal) throughout the city. Never forget to look up for more Valparaiso street art examples, as it’s often above a roofline.

Dramatic and vibrant, these are a few of our favourites:

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Valparaiso street art tour

If you wander in the safer neighbourhoods of Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre, and Cerro Bellavista, you can easily tour Valparaiso street art on your own. However, if you want a bit of history and don’t want to miss some of the most famous pieces (we missed the piano steps), a dedicated street art or graffiti tour is the best option.

We took a city tour with Tours4Tips that naturally included some street art as it is so intricately ingrained in Valpo culture. In retrospect, I think this well-rated  private walking tour  would have been a better option for us. It visits more streets art that we didn’t see as well as other historical locations.

Vibrant staircases in Valparaiso

What really caught me in Valparaiso is the stair art. I have seen this style before, but always as a one-off. Being built on so many hills, Valparaiso is like San Francisco with staircases everywhere you turn. However, Valparaiso steps are painted, tiled, or otherwise decorated.

Unlike the famous Selaron Steps in Rio de Janeiro , in Valpo, the top side of nearly every step we came upon was undecorated concrete. I don’t know if this is because walking on the art would eventually destroy it, or just a way to offer encouragement to those heading uphill. Either way, the effect highlights an incredibly talented group of artists.

A brief history of Valparaiso street art

Any summary of the history of Valparaiso street art will start with Pablo Neruda. The Chilean poet brought mural artists to the city. Then, in 1973 under the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, street artists in Valparaiso were forced underground and risked “disappearing” if caught.

It was especially dangerous to those who painted political messages. In 1990, with the return to freedom, the Valparaiso city government legalized street art. Today, the city attracts creative artists from around the world.

Respect amongst Valparaiso graffiti artists

Our city guide discussed the strong respect between creative people. She added that as street art and graffiti gained popularity, many homeowners found their homes tagged.

The solution was to commission a mural, thus “protecting” their home from graffiti. An unwritten rule, artists find their own spots, rather than clipping another’s work. Interesting, there is no overlap between the mural and tagging.

More street art in Valparaiso

Here are a few more of our favourite images:

Tips for searching for Valparaiso street art

• Bring a camera. I shot the street art on this page with both my Olympus OMD-Em5 and a few of the shots on the predecessor to the Olympus TG-6 . The first is a mirrorless technology camera with interchangeable lenses. It’s the perfect travel camera. However, when heading into less safe neighbourhoods or underwater, I want my waterproof, crushproof, portable camera that easily tucks away in a pocket when not in use. Both cameras can shoot RAW format.
• Take extra safety precautions if you are looking for street art in the Van Buren District or on Cerro Polanco.
• Street art fans, don’t miss this collection of South American graffiti and street art images .
• Don’t miss the other amazing things to do in Valparaiso .

Valparaiso as a day trip from Santiago

A port city, Valparaiso is a destination on its own or a day trip from Santiago, Chile’s capital city . We spent several days in Valparaiso and could have easily stayed longer. However, if you’re based in Santiago or have limited time, a day trip might be the perfect option. Based on reviews, we believe this Valparaíso and Vina del Mar Tour is the best of the Valparaiso tours from Santiago.

This full-day tour includes a visit to a winery in the Casablanca Valley. It does quite a bit including museum visits and several rides on funiculars in addition to discovering the Chilean street art that made this town famous. Be sure to read the reviews before booking .

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If you enjoyed this collection of Street Art in Valparaiso Chile, please share this article on Pinterest.

Don’t miss our tips for first-time visitors to Chile or our five-country South America itinerary .

Which do you prefer, the Valparaiso street art or staircase art?

More street art you might enjoy …

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About rhonda albom.

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

August 26, 2019 at 1:00 am

I’d love to use one of your pictures in a poster!

April 5, 2019 at 2:30 am

wow these are amazing perfect instagram locations aren’t they!

April 5, 2019 at 2:29 am

Wow, what a beautiful place! I always love to stop and appreciate street art. It truly is art!

Julie Kemp Pick

April 4, 2019 at 3:57 pm

Hi Rhonda, It’s too hard to choose between the wall and staircase art, because they’re both so exceptional. I guess I’d have to give bonus creativity points for the painted staircases, as I’ve never seen anything like it before. Just thinking about all of the hard work and attention to detail on the staircases makes my head spin. You can probably visit these places and find new beautiful things to look at every time.

Catscue Catmom

April 4, 2019 at 10:15 am

Vibrant is the word! Those photos are amazing!

April 4, 2019 at 7:26 am

The art in Chile is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these images! 🙂

April 4, 2019 at 1:39 am

What a colorful and vibrant city! You know I’d love to visit and see all this fabulous art. As far as choosing between the staircases and the murals… I love them both. However, the staircases are as you say less common, and the complications of painting on them makes them all the more impressive. My family would kill me if we visited here because I would be taking SO many photos!

April 3, 2019 at 10:35 am

Fun images! Nothing like that here.

rupam { xhobdo }

April 2, 2019 at 7:31 pm

Amazing street arts.

April 2, 2019 at 11:27 am

Wonderful diversity in the art. I love being surrounded by bright colors and art.

stevebethere

April 2, 2019 at 9:52 am

Wow! brilliant street art and murals must LQQK even better actually being there, that staircase is so long heheh!

Have an artistictastic week ➡

Photo Cache

April 2, 2019 at 8:57 am

Love love love the post. I always seek out the mural/graffiti district with every city I visit.

Eileen Wise

April 2, 2019 at 8:39 am

Hello, the street art and murals are just beautiful. The stairs are amazing. Wonderful post and photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great new week ahead!

April 2, 2019 at 8:24 am

So many talented street artists represented there. I love the colour and the vibrancy of their work.

V.P. Harris

April 3, 2020 at 11:32 pm

Now, I need to visit Chile but I am eaxctly in the extreme other end of the world, you just can’t imagine how grateful I am for a glimpse of your world when, when I am confined home in a 21 day lockdown for the first time in my almost 62 years on this Planet!

April 2, 2019 at 3:02 am

Absolutely LOVE those staircases! What an incentive to walk upstairs more often! I’ve heard about the street art in Valparaiso but it looks more like a street art city in your colourful post.

April 1, 2019 at 3:32 pm

Wow – those stairs are amazing!! I love how Valparaiso embraces street art – it’s such a vibrant and colorful city, and the street art adds so much life to the already alive feel. I really enjoyed this post.

April 1, 2019 at 1:19 pm

I find this street art very appealing. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s so colorful or because it seems to have it’s own, different style. I’d enjoy seeing it in person in Valparaiso.

Phil and Garth

April 1, 2019 at 7:22 am

I’m a graphic designer and get to do colouring in for a living 🙂 so I absolutely love street-art and always seek it out where we visit. I know very little about Chile, Valparaiso’s street art looks incredible!! How cool the city isn’t against it. I especially like the mosaics and the face murals, thanks for the insight!

Obligatory Traveler

April 1, 2019 at 6:30 am

Wow! This is some really impressive street art. I love seeing street art when I travel and it’s always great to be in a place that promotes and appreciates the art form. I need to travel to Chile to see all of these great pieces in person.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

March 31, 2019 at 10:55 pm

I recognize some of these murals from our stay in Valparaiso some years ago. I am glad to see the street art which we loved so much is still thriving.

Jasmine Hewitt

March 31, 2019 at 5:13 pm

very colorful street art. some really unique pieces

March 31, 2019 at 2:45 pm

The staircases are amazing. So sorry to have missed the street art when I went to Valparaiso 8 years ago. This post makes me want go back.

Bella and Dawn

March 31, 2019 at 12:54 pm

We love hunting down street art in towns and cities and the art in Valparaiso looks amazing – some really talented people!

March 31, 2019 at 10:54 am

Gosh maybe NZ should be more colourful like this!

March 31, 2019 at 6:54 am

That is some really incredible street art! I love scrolling through…so much attention to detail.

Phoebe | Lou Messugo

March 31, 2019 at 5:17 am

I think I like the woman with the birds best but the staircase art is utterly captivating too.

Ruth Murdoch

March 31, 2019 at 3:23 am

The street art is something that has just recently caught my attention, especially here in Morocco. Thanks for sharing your photos, I didn’t realise it was such a big thing in other parts of the world. Sure beats the graffiti…

March 31, 2019 at 12:54 am

Hi Rhonda – extraordinary … wonderful to see. The staircase and the stiletto – quite extraordinary … as you say the planning – takes some thinking about … lovely photos for us … and those hills – must be so interesting – cheers Hilary

Alexandra Cook

March 31, 2019 at 12:12 am

Those were a beautiful spot. I love how creative those who made this street art. I would love to visit Chile to see these.

March 30, 2019 at 10:57 pm

Wow! Some stunning works. Street art never ceases to amaze me.

March 30, 2019 at 9:35 pm

I always enjoy looking at street arts. They are like a free gallery on the streets. These are the most amazing street art I ever saw.

March 30, 2019 at 8:05 pm

Wow that is seriously great street art. I think that even beats Łodz in Poland. What a great visual journey.

Angie Scheie

March 30, 2019 at 6:35 pm

Street art is so cool! The work on the staircases is amazing and I think the hands one is my favorite too.

Chelle Dizon

March 30, 2019 at 3:12 pm

I think the street arts, murals and staircase art are really creative and very impressive. I like seeing artistic creation like that and I admire the people who have the passion to share their skills.

March 30, 2019 at 12:14 pm

These are really great! I am so in love with mosaics, so interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing.

March 30, 2019 at 9:49 am

Beautiful street art! I adore the recycled bottles/plant holder idea – so cute!

Calleigh | The Fork bite

March 30, 2019 at 9:44 am

This is a beautiful walk around. I enjoy watching graffitis and murals as they symbolize a very important part of the culture.

Beth Pierce

March 30, 2019 at 9:30 am

Wow! That is some gorgeous street art! Some of those are like hidden gems!

March 30, 2019 at 9:01 am

Those are some awesome displays of street art! I love the mosaic stairwell! Beautiful!

Surekha Busa

March 30, 2019 at 3:56 am

Wow, these street arts are so cool. People who painted here have a great talent.

Kalyan Panja

March 30, 2019 at 3:41 am

I have a fascination with street art and would love to visit Valparaiso and see them in person.

Mama Maggie's Kitchen

March 30, 2019 at 3:40 am

Wow! This is so amazing! Can’t wait to see these in person!

kumamonjeng

March 30, 2019 at 3:39 am

I love street art and this is a great list to find beautiful talent artwork. My favorite would be the long mosaic tile staircase is alongside one of the city’s funicular elevators. Look pretty high up to climb up but I m ready.

Jordan Danielle

March 30, 2019 at 3:19 am

Wow! I love all the street art it really gives the city character and a story. Thanks for sharing

March 30, 2019 at 2:52 am

Whoa it’s wonderful that artists can showcase their work in the streets !!

Melissa Dixon

March 30, 2019 at 2:40 am

Wow I am blown away by this place. I need to see this is person. Thank you for the inspiration, I am going to look more into this and consider adding it to the bucket list.

Catherine Santiago Jose

March 30, 2019 at 2:02 am

Wow, such an amazing place to visit so unique and beautiful. I would love to see that place someday!

L. Diane Wolfe

March 30, 2019 at 1:58 am

Beautiful work. I love the two birds guarding the door.

March 30, 2019 at 1:43 am

Such beautiful street art. Those creating this art are ever so talented – these are so colourful and interesting.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

March 30, 2019 at 12:56 am

Amazing the variety. Using the soda bottles is clever. Think I would definitely go with a guided tour.

March 29, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Never been here, so loved to see your photos, the street art there is amazing!

March 29, 2019 at 10:02 pm

The graffiti looks amazing! They are indeed artists and I’d love to take such a tour! I love the stairs too – I actually recently saw one in my hometown: it totally changes a place!

katie davies

March 29, 2019 at 9:49 pm

what beautiful art work i often wish the UK was as colourful as these other countries

March 29, 2019 at 9:22 pm

Wow, I love the look of this. I like how large all the murals are and all the stairs are quite unique!

March 29, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Beautiful art! I see some familiar faces here. It’s been almost 4 years since my last trip to S. America. Street art was the highlight and the most cherished memory. I know, I know, there are tons of other things, but as a self-proclaimed street art aficionado, I was in heaven. Said this, due to time constraints, I managed to miss Chile. Every time I see another article about street art there, I am ready to bite myself. On a bright side, thank you for making my day. Cheers!

Ryan K Biddulph

March 29, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Beautiful colors. I think of how many hours folks spend on street art. Minus a name tag, no credit. Pretty impressive to me as it shows folks are genuinely passionate about their craft and care little of gaining credit.

March 29, 2019 at 6:54 pm

This street and staircase art is so beautiful. I have now officiously added Valparaiso to my bucket list!

March 29, 2019 at 1:32 pm

Wow, thank you so much for sharing! I do not know if I will ever be able to get to Chile so this is like I am living through you! Thank you!

Paul Pietrangelo

March 29, 2019 at 1:31 pm

The murals are amazing & some are shocking. It’s kind of weird to not see any murals at all. Even the walk ways are painted in some manner. To me that is beautiful.

Cruisin Paul

March 29, 2019 at 9:53 am

I love colorful street art. There are some very talented artists out there and you found a lot of them.

Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥

Lydia C. Lee

March 29, 2019 at 9:45 am

There’s some great works there. I love the moasic – Wizard of Oz?

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Destinations

Valparaíso street art: the story behind chile’s cultural capital.

Valparaíso is one of the world’s most colourful cities. Spread over a cluster of hills overlooking the vast Pacific ocean, it is characterised by bright, many-coloured buildings and dazzling wall murals. We spent three days exploring the best of Valparaíso street art and the stories behind this Chilean city’s amazing creative culture.

To plan your trip to the city, see our tips on things to do in Valparaíso .

This article contains links to products and services we love, from which we may make commission at no extra cost to you.

In this article:

A brief history of Valparaíso street art

Valparaíso, or ‘Valpo’ as it is known to locals, was once one of the richest cities in South America. When shipping vessels from Europe made the journey around the southern tip of the Americas en route to the west coast of the USA, they would stop off in Valparaíso.

The second half of the 19th century was a golden age for the city. Its status as a thriving port brought many wealthy immigrants from Europe. Soon, beautiful Spanish and French architecture blossomed around Valparaíso. The naval community came to know it as “Little San Francisco” or “the Jewel of the Pacific”.

When the Panama Canal opened in August 1914, everything changed. European ships no longer needed to make the long journey around South America. The thriving commerce that had developed around the city’s port activity collapsed as quickly as it had grown.

One year after the Panama Canal opened, a certain Augusto Pinochet was born in Valparaíso. These two events shaped the destiny of the city for the next hundred years.

In the second half of the 20th century, Valparaíso went through a suffocating economic decline. Wealthy families moved away to seek pastures new. The city would need to reimagine itself if it were to stage a revival.

Pablo Neruda and the seeds of the Valparaíso art scene

Valparaíso’s journey to becoming the cultural capital of Chile began in the 1940s. It was around this time that muralism was beginning to flourish in Mexico.

At the beginning of the decade, a diplomat called Pablo Neruda – born in Valparaíso – was posted as Chilean Consul General in Mexico City. Taking note of the art movement, he decided to bring the influence home. When he returned to Chile in 1943, he invited Mexican artists to Valparaíso.

Pablo Neruda became a world-famous poet, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Today you can visit La Sebastiana , his residence in Valparaíso, which has been converted into a museum. The entry fee is 7,000 Chilean pesos.

Street art during the military dictatorship

The street art movement in Valparaíso bloomed in secret.

In September 1973, Chile was forcefully brought under the military rule of General Pinochet. Within days of the coup, Pablo Neruda died in highly suspicious circumstances .

The military dictatorship banned all forms of political art. Many caught defying this repressive policy were ‘disappeared’ .

But many people saw art as the only way to express their beliefs. Valparaíso was the perfect place for this. On its narrow and concealed streets and stairways, artists could do their work and get away unseen.

An underground network of artists formed in the city, painting powerful messages on the walls its back streets. When doing so, they risked torture and death, and their murals were painted over when discovered by military police.

But the groups persisted and proliferated, and played an important role in returning democracy to Chile in 1990. Their work preserved hope, and emboldened activist groups to organise.

Legalisation of street art in Valparaíso

After the downfall of the Pinochet regime and the return of democracy in Chile, Valparaíso’s local government made street art legal in a move to celebrate freedom of expression. Everywhere else in Chile, street art is only permitted under formal commissions.

The local government has itself directly supported street artists to create new pieces. Hotels, shops and restaurants compete to have murals painted on their walls. Amicable rivalries have developed between street art crews based on who can create the most impressive murals.

The result of all this is that street art has become part of the city’s fibre. Valparaíso today is a perfect storm of colour that attracts art lovers from all over the world.

Discovering Valparaíso on a walking tour

We took two different walking tours in Valparaíso with Tours 4 Tips . The ‘highlights’ tour explores the city’s main attractions, while the ‘offbeat’ tour covers more of the quirky local spots, as well as a background on politics, history, food, and – you’ve guessed it – street art.

We’ve taken many walking tours around the world, and Tours 4 Tips was one of the very best. The young, local guides – or ‘Wallies’, as they dress as Where’s Wally – were extremely knowledgeable about the city and its history. At the end of the second tour we were each given a complementary local cocktail to try.

During the offbeat tour, we learnt about the 43 separate hills across which the city is spread. Each hill (or ‘cerro’) has its own neighbourhood and identity. While there is street art to be found all over the city, it is most prevalent in hill-neighbourhoods like Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre and Cerro Bellavista.

Alternatively, for a tour that focuses on street art in the context of the city’s history and its characters, you can try this highly rated Valparaiso and art tour run by a popular local guide called Gean.

The hills of Valparaíso rise up sharply from the coastline. To ascend them you can take stairways, which are often covered with mosaics and paintings, or one of the various functional funiculars. The city’s oldest funicular, Ascensor Concepción, opened in 1883 and is still in operation today.

Journeying through the hills we saw how the city’s creative spirit is blended with its troubled past. Parque Cultural de Valparaíso is a former prison that has been converted into a community centre that hosts cultural events, supporting young talent.

As we descended Cerro Alegre on the stairway, we saw a stunning mural in full view on the side of a house. This was ‘Luz’, or ‘Light’, a piece by the Vida in Gravita crew.

Meeting street artist Cuellimangui

Cuellimangui is a Spanish street artist who lives in Valparaíso, and has become a local legend. He has developed one of the most recognisable mural styles, often using a distorted tessellation of colourful monster-like creatures. We saw his distinguished works in many corners of the city.

We were lucky enough to meet Cuellimangui on the offbeat walking tour. While traversing Cerro Concepción, we encountered him selling some of his artwork on Paseo Atkinson, a walkway on the hill-front that looks out over the Pacific Ocean.

We decided to buy one of his pieces. After perusing his incredibly impressive portfolio on offer, we chose a beautiful assembly of marine and reptilian creatures, with a big green sea horse as its centrepiece.

At the time, we still had nine months of travel ahead before we would be home again, and so it was quite a commitment to buy mementos that we would need to carry around. We were delighted to make an exception for this, only to be gutted a few days later.

Shortly after arriving in Buenos Aires, we were robbed in a distraction scam . The Cuellimangui artwork was in one of the bags taken, and so it was gone. This was every bit as upsetting as the items of monetary value that we lost. One day, we will visit Valparaíso again and buy another one.

Spring Equinox: the tallest mural in Valparaíso

Valparaíso-born artists Sammy Espinoza and Cynthia Aguilera (nicknamed Jekse and Cines) are together known as Un Kolor Distinto . They are responsible for some of the biggest and most striking murals to be found around the city.

The duo were selected as the artists for a creative project entitled Solsticios y Equinoccios (Solstices and Equinoxes) financed by a regional cultural fund.

The project involved the creation of four giant murals on buildings up to 50 metres high, inspired by the themes of Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.

We found the Spring Equinox mural on the corner of Yungay and Morris, close to Mercado Cardonal and the main bus terminal. Emblazoned on the side of a 15-floor building, this is the tallest mural in Valparaíso.

Jekse and Cines explain the Spring Equinox mural as “the flowering of life and human beings, love, light and fertility of our planet”. You can find the three other murals featured in the project at these locations:

• Summer Solstice is located on the junction of Calle Blanco Sur and Bellavista
• Autumn Equinox i s located on Avenida Pedro Montt between Rodríguez and Freire
• Winter Solstice is located at Calle Molina 531

There are many more works by Un Kolor Distinto around Valparaíso (you can see some in London , too). Earlier, during one of our walking tours, we passed a mural by the duo – also a commissioned piece – that depicted skulls rolling down the city hills, symbolising the suffering of the people during the military dictatorship.

The unmistakable style of Inti

One Valparaíso street artist who has garnered international acclaim is Inti . We came across some of his work before we visited the city; he was commissioned to paint two giant murals in the city centre of Santiago.

The work he produced invoked Ekeke, the god of abundance in Andean folklore, combined with symbolism representing that contrasts of prosperity and hardship.

In Valparaíso we spied an Inti mural spread along three long walls between red rooftops. This work also incorporated an Ekeko figure in Inti’s unmistakable puppet-face style. The three separate components showed the figure’s face and legs draped in various garments and ornaments, and an empty pair of shoes.

Inti has painted murals in cities all around the world. On  Street Art Bio you can see some stunning photos of his best giant pieces of artwork.

How to get to Valparaíso

Valparaíso is located around 100 kilometres north-east of Santiago. The easiest way to reach it from Santiago is by bus, with a journey time of just under two hours and several services running every day.

The two main companies that operate the route are Pullman and Turbus . We found that it was fine to buy tickets at Estacion Central in Santiago on the day, although you can also book online in advance. Busbud is a really good service for this – we used it throughout our travels in South America.

Accommodation in Valparaíso

For options for any budget or travel style, check out our guide to where to stay in Valparaíso .

We spent our three nights in the city at Casa Volante Hostal. This was a very pleasant, centrally located hostel just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Sotomayor (the main square).

We had comfortable beds in a spacious dorm room, and were very happy with the facilities. There was a sizeable kitchen (and with a supermarket close by it was easy to prepare our own meals), as well as a comfy social area, strong wifi and good showers. The staff were very helpful in advising on things to do, how to get around and printing our tickets.

You can book Casa Volante Hostal here:  booking.com   |  hostelworld

Are you spending time in Santiago before visiting Valparaíso? Check out our articles on things to do in Santiago and the Fuente Alemana sandwich joint .

If you’re travelling elsewhere in Chile, you may be interested in our  two-week Chile itinerary for San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago.

We also have articles on San Pedro de Atacama , the Elqui Valley and the Torres Del Paine W Trek . For a complete travel guide to Patagonia, see our 28-day itinerary .

For help with planning your budget, see our analysis of our own Chile trip cost .

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Alex trembath.

Alex is the co-founder and lead content creator at Career Gappers. He is an award-winning communications leader with 20 years of leadership experience, a career that has taken him across the world working with international organisations. Alex has travelled to over 50 countries and is a passionate advocate for blending work and travel by taking career breaks, sabbaticals, workations and business trips.

6 thoughts on “ Valparaíso street art: the story behind Chile’s cultural capital ”

I loved this article. It almost felt like I was walking through those narrow alleyways and watching artists create those amazing murals during the dictatorship. I had no idea street art was not legal in other Chilean cities. Thanks for that info. I would have loved a souvenir from the master himself. And I am so sorry you lost yours in a robbery. Hope you get another one soon.

Thank you Soumya! It was an amazing city to visit. We are hoping to go back some time in the next two years.

Beautiful article! Loved reading the whole experience. This place felt quite interesting. I don’t know much about street artists but the info you provided about Inti is valuable.

I will need to disagree with all the street art being a positive for Valparaiso. My family and friends who live or used to live there hate it. Valparaiso used to be the Pearl of the Pacific because it shined brightly and was clean. Now the city looks like a schizophrenic labyrinth. I am a supporter of mural art in city landscapes, and my Chilean family…from Valparaiso, tells me that when the first murals started to show up in the 60s and 70s, it was something spectacular. Even in the 2010s, when I was last there, there were a few stand out pieces. But allowing complete free expression to paint anywhere is going too far. Driving around Valpo with my cousin, she just rolled her eyes at the more mural congested areas of her city. For the people who visit Valpo for a week or a day trip for a mural tour, it’s incredible. But for those that live in Valpo, it doesn’t seem so fantastic; and the frenetic nature of some of the art doesn’t help the psychology of the community seeing it day in and day out. Some of my Valpo friends and family don’t care to go on walks or drives around town anymore because it makes them feel sad to see so much “destruction/vandalism” (their words) to their city by outsiders. One even pointed out that the push for colorful murals and painting neighborhood homes in various bright colors was done to distract the view of all the littering/garbage on the streets and walk ways. Some of that frenetic art can be appealing to certain people, which is fine, but maybe the city should consider more control based on neighborhood residents and property owners. The city administrators need to reevaluate what the art means to their residents. Is it just a tourism lure? I know many would prefer the city be clean and focus on cleaning it up to reduce rat and termite infestations, crime, and disorder, not just masking how dirty the city is with fresh coats of paint. I know I sound really harsh about this, but having seen the city through the past 4 decades, I can tell you that Valpo was so much more than murals in the past, and now that seems to be forgotten. And frankly, I miss the more lighter paint hues from the past…which made Valpo such a shiny Pearl to begin with, now, more and more visitors call it the Hippie City.

Hi Alex, thanks for all the info on the artists. It’s not easy to find their names. Would you know the name of the artist who has created all the murals of ocean life around the city? Thanks so much, Ashwin

Hi Ashwin, thank you for your comment! It’s been a while since we’ve been able to visit Valparaiso – I am not sure about the ocean life murals. It is possible you are talking about María Martner?

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