Bordering Viña del Mar's industrial zone is this oasis of vegetation, covering an area of 40 hectares with more than 800 species of flora. Originally commissioned by nitrate baron Pascual Baburizza, and created by French landscape gardener George Dubois, the park was donated to the Nitrate and Iodine Company so as to assure its permanence throughout the course of time. Locally referred to as the Saltpetre Park, it serves both an educational and scientific purpose, and is an excellent place to go walking with the children, thanks to its stony paths, ponds and woodlands. Admission: CLF 700 Adults, CLF 200 children, CLF 350 seniors.
Located between Mirasol and Acapulco beaches, this place has had quite a busy history. Built at the end of the 19th century to accommodate the cargo boats unloading coal and sugar from the ships in the port of Valparaíso, it played an important role in the development of regional industry. There was even a train connection. (The rails can sometimes be seen on the remaining cobbled streets of the city.) Now renovated and transformed into a leisure center, it contains numerous restaurants and a crafts market, and is a favorite spot for local anglers.
Built at the beginning of the 20th Century to house the wealthy Délano family, this impressive-looking building was eventually acquired by the local Municipal Authorities in 1985, and converted into a museum. There are two main sections to visit: a natural history department dedicated to Chile's native fauna and flora; and an archaeological department offering a permanent display related to the indigenous peoples of Northern Chile, the Aconcagua region and the Mapuche in the south of the country. There is also one of the most important collections in the world related to Easter Island, including the only genuine Moai statue in the whole of continental Chile, outside in the museum garden. Guided tours are available in both Spanish and English.
Viña del Mar Botanical Garden was established to conserve and promote the local and national flora. The park offers guided tours to visitors, so they can explore and learn about the species of plants in the Botanical Garden. The park features areas for barbecue, picnic and parties, trails for jogging and biking and coffee shops to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Built by Alfredo Azancot (also responsible for the Carrasco Palace) for banker Fernando Rioja in 1906, this French-style palace was once surrounded by ornamental gardens much larger than those found today. It has belonged to the local municipal authorities since 1956, and now houses a museum and a cinema. It is located on one of the city's main streets (Quillota).
This is one of the city's principal icons. The curious timepiece was a gift from Switzerland in 1962, bestowed as part of that year's World Cup celebrations, some of which were played in Viña del Mar. The clock is at the southern entrance to the gardens that encircle the Caleta Abarca cove. You'll often see tourists clamoring to take photographs. This image adorns many local postcards; understandable, considering it's one of the most lovely sights in the charming garden city.
This grand theatre was inaugurated in the 1930s. It's an elegant building built in the classical style, with marble statues placed in the entrance hall. It has a maximum capacity of 1034, distributed over the box seats, balconies, stalls, upper circle and gallery. There is no in-house theatre company, but touring groups use the venue between January and February, and June and November. There are also classical music performances held throughout the year and an Educational Video festival for children in July. In October, the Viña International Film Festival takes up temporary residence.
Bordering Viña del Mar's industrial zone is this oasis of vegetation, covering an area of 40 hectares with more than 800 species of flora. Originally commissioned by nitrate baron Pascual Baburizza, and created by French landscape gardener George Dubois, the park was donated to the Nitrate and Iodine Company so as to assure its permanence throughout the course of time. Locally referred to as the Saltpetre Park, it serves both an educational and scientific purpose, and is an excellent place to go walking with the children, thanks to its stony paths, ponds and woodlands. Admission: CLF 700 Adults, CLF 200 children, CLF 350 seniors.
Past the Higuerilla Cove is this fair-sized beach with moderate waves. The dark-coloured sands, fine in texture and rich in volcanic minerals, gave the area its name. Although this beach doesn't have the amenities of others, it is still a good place to take the family. Despite its distance from the centre of Viña del Mar, the good public transport connections make it easily accessible.
The “House of Lukas” was set up by the Renzo Pecchenino Foundation as a homage to Italian-born journalist and cartoonist Renzo Antonio Pecchenino Rajje, otherwise known as Lukas. The building, located on Gervasoni Passage, close to the upper station of the Concepción hill life, houses a permanent collection of more than one hundred illustrations and caricatures drawn by the artist, who spent almost a lifetime investigating and recording local history. There is also a restoration and conservation department, and lectures are regularly given on Chilean painting. Admission costs CLF 500, free for children under twelve years of age. Although there are steps up into the building, staff are more than willing to help anyone with some sort of physical challenge.