World Heritage Walking Tour
The Prat Pier, your disembarkationpoint, is the perfect place to start a World Heritage Walking Tour. The following self-guided tour will take about one and a half hours, winding by historic hillside mansions and through some of the most picturesque cultural landscapes Chile has to offer.
As you leave the port area, you enter the Plaza Sotomayor. The handsome monument to the Heroes of Iquique celebrates the bravery of Chileans who died in a pivotal maritime battle in the War of the Pacific.
In the center of the plaza, a small archeological museum houses artifacts excavated from beneath the landfill.
Construction crews found pieces of the original Prat Pier, evidence of shipwrecks, ballast, and rusted cannons.
Looking carefully at the stones in the Plaza, you may find some with dates inscribed on them. These are meant to
inform passersby where the coastline was at different times in the city's history. Once you've crossed the plaza and admired
the handsome neoclassical naval headquarters, look for a small sign that says, "Ascensor El Peral." At the endof the
hallway is a funicular elevator, one of 15 that still function in Valparaiso. The ride to the top costs less than a quarter
(70 pesos.)
You are now in the, a world inside of a world.Pleasant Hill,
or Cerro Alegre, was home to many British immigrants during
the golden age of Valparaiso. Turn left outside the elevator to arrive at our first stop: the Baburriza Palace, Valparaiso's
Fine Arts Museum. This gorgeous art noveau masterpiece originally belonged to Chile's premier saltpeter baron.
Across from the plaza you'll find a fine restaurant, "LaColombina," the Carroza antiques gallery, and the art school for Playa Ancha University, all situated in important homes constructed during the port's golden age.
Cross the plaza to a cobblestone alley called Miramar Street. (Between the art school and the antique gallery.) 100 meters
up Miramar you will be surprised by a breathtaking array of trademark hilltop architecture.
Continue another block up Miramar to Lautaro Rosas Street. Turn left. More than any other, this charming street evokes the nobility of 19 century Valparaiso. Many of these stately homes have been restored into art galleries and restaurants.
Three blocks down Lautaro Rosas you arrive at a colorful stairway: Templeman Street. Head down. As you cross Urriola Street you leave Pleasant Hill and enter the, famous for its outstanding network of promenades andintertwining cobblestone alleys.
Continuing about 100 meters past Urriola onTempleman, look closely for a small cobblestone alley to reveal itself on the left (Templeman Passage). Enter the passage. At the end of this pristine (and safe) alley, you will descend another stair. You
are now on the Galvez Passage.
Follow the winding labyrinth through the heart of another time. It ist gorgeous! Eventually, you will arrive at the Tomas Somerscales Hotel and Restaurant.
Past the restaurant you will turn left into a picturesque plaza and then you need to climb about 25 steps.After the final step, turn left immediately to enter the gorgeous Gervasoni
Promenade: Home to the city's oldest funicular elevator, the Lukas Museum, and the CaféTurri Restaurant.
The Turri is a great place to stop for a cool drink, or continue on up the hill.
Turn left behind the Turri on Papudo Street and check out the funky Café Color to your right or continue on to Atkinson Promenade for a visit to the stunning Brighton Hotel. Continue
right through the alleyway to Subida Concepción. Head left up the hill and take a moment to visit St. Paul's Anglican Church, exemplifying Britain's legacy in the port.
Turn right on Pilcomayo Street (often the site of outdoor concerts) and then head left up the hill along Almirante Montt. Hang a left at Dimalow Passage and meander past charming homes to the Reina (Queen) Victoria Funicular.
The view from the funicular station is spectacular and the park setting is truly unique!
Hop on the elevator and you'll find yourself once again in the port's bustling center. 
