Viña del Mar is a fun city to visit on its own. With its beautiful beaches and laid back vibe, it’s a great place to visit if you are looking to relax. But maybe you’re sick of relaxing and you’re looking for something to do in Viña del Mar, or slightly outside of it. This post will give five great ideas for day trips from Viña del Mar, Chile. Whether you’re building day trips into your trip or just looking for some back up options, this post will help you find a day trip that is right for you.
Day Trips from Viña del Mar
Here’s five ideas for day trips from Viña del Mar, Chile. All of these trips can be done on your own, but some will have options for guided tours. Additionally, these aren’t listed in any particular order.
Valparaíso
By far the most popular day trip from Viña del Mar is the city of Valparaíso. This colorful city is a favorite among travelers. From delicious food to streets bursting with color, you could spend a day just wandering this city.
The highlight of Valparaíso is its street art. You’ll find murals (and graffiti) all over this city. While it is possible to just wander on your own (I recommend the Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre neighborhoods), a guided tour will be able to give you more context and make sure that you see the best of the best of the art.
Don’t feel like you need a guide for your whole day. Consider joining a guided walking tour in the morning and spending the rest of the afternoon exploring on your own.
Getting to Valparaíso from Viña del Mar is easy. You can take a local bus (the cheapest option), a taxi (the most expensive option), or use the train.
La Campana National Park
As I researched my trip, I kept trying to find something unique to do. Finally, I learned about La Campana National Park in Chile which can be reached as a day trip from Viña del Mar.
The highlight for many travelers to this park is completing the Cerro La Campana hike. This hike is difficult, but rewards travelers with a sweeping view of Chile. It’s said that if you’re here on a clear day, you’ll be treated to a view that spans the entire width of Chile. See the Andes Mountains in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west.
For less ambitious hikers (or those with limited time), there are several smaller trails in the park that lead to viewpoints and show a great deal of local flora.
Getting to La Campana National Park is a little involved, but still pretty easy. You’ll take the train to Limache and then transfer to a local bus. From there you’ll walk one kilometer to the entrance of the El Grazino sector of La Campana National Park. Check out my article on La Campana National Park for more detailed information.
Concón Dunes
My next entry isn’t so much a day trip, but rather an activity you can do in Viña del Mar, Chile. However, it’s a bit outside the downtown area of Viña del Mar, so I’m including it as a day trip.
About five kilometers north of the tourist center of Viña del Mar, you’ll find the Concón Dunes. These sand dunes rise high along the ocean, providing great views. Plus, I’ve read you can read sand boards to ride your way across the dunes. As a note, I say that I’ve read about sand board rentals, but I did not see any on my visit (although it should be noted that I was here at 11:00 am on a Tuesday). I would think you’d have better luck with a rental on a weekend day.
The Concón Dunes won’t take you a full day, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours. Especially if you manage to rent a sand board.
To get to the Concón Dunes, take a local bus north. You’ll have several options. Buses 602, 605, 608, and 609 will take you to Concón Dunes from downtown Viña del Mar.
As a note, I found the easiest entry to the dunes to be on the very north end of the dunes, just off Av. Costa de Montemar. From here, I was able to take a more gradual ascent up the dunes. Plus, it had the added bonus of not climbing the dunes with a highway directly at my back. I didn’t need lots of cars watching me awkwardly climb up sand dunes.
Valparaíso Wine Region
Another very popular day trip option is to tour the Valparaíso Wine Region. You’ll find guided tours leaving from Santiago, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar that will most definitely include a tasting. While it is possible to do this on your own, it will be significantly easier with a rental car.
Admittedly, this is not a tour that I have done, as I don’t drink alcohol. However, it’s definitely a popular option, so I had to give it a mention.
Santiago
This one feels like a little bit of a cop out, but I’m including it anyway. If you haven’t spent enough time in Santiago, Chile, it’s easy to get to the country’s capitol from Viña del Mar as a day trip (although most travelers day trip to Viña del Mar from Santiago). Buses depart regularly and in just an hour and 40 minutes, you can be at Santiago Parajitos station. From there, hop on the metro to explore Santiago.
What’s the Best Day Trip
I think this is a personal question because each traveler is different. However, I think the first day trip option should be Valparaíso. Although it wasn’t my favorite city in Chile, it had a different vibe than Viña del Mar. Plus, many travelers love this city, so it’s a popular day trip for a reason.
For a second day trip, I’d consider what’s more important to you: scenery or wine. Those wanting scenery should look at either La Campana National Park or the Concón Dunes, while those more interested in wine tasting should look into touring the Valparaíso Wine Region.
When to Visit Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar can be visited all year round. It’s a town right on the Pacific Ocean and it’s one area where Chileans visit on their vacations.
I visited in October 2023. The weather was perfect for walking around the city. But if you want to swim in the ocean, you may want to schedule your visit for summer (December through February).
Getting to Viña del Mar
There is no airport in Viña del Mar. The closest airport is Santiago’s SCL airport. From Santiago, frequent buses depart from both Santiago’s Alameda and Parajitos stations. The bus journey takes about an hour and 40 minutes from Santiago Parajitos and two hours from Santiago Alameda.
How Long Do You Need in Viña del Mar
If you’re only interested in seeing the city of Viña del Mar, you only need a day. But if you want to incorporate day trips to see more of the surrounding area, I’d give yourself a minimum of two days. Two days will allow you to spend one day in Viña del Mar and another in Valparaíso. Three days give you even more time and will allow you to explore this region more thoroughly.
I spent three nights in Viña del Mar. On my first day, I arrived around lunch time and explored Viña del Mar. On Day 2, I attempted to visit La Campana National Park (it was closed), but returned to Viña del Mar and spent the afternoon in Valparaíso. After some research and realizing that La Campana National Park was closed, I needed a new plan. So, on Day 3, I spent the morning at Concón Dunes and my afternoon enjoying the beaches in Viña del Mar. On Day 4, I caught a very early bus back to Santiago.
Final Thoughts
Viña del Mar is a relaxed city, but was one of my favorites that I visited in Chile. However, don’t limit yourself to just Viña del Mar. There’s so much to explore in this region outside of this city. So build in a little time to your Chile itinerary and take a day trip from Viña del Mar.
Continue Your Adventure
Santiago: So many trips to Chile start or end in its capital city, so it seems a shame to not spend at least one day exploring Santiago.
La Campana National Park: If you’re basing yourself in Valparaíso or Viña del Mar, consider day tripping to La Campana National Park.
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: Learn more about visiting both Valaraíso and Viña del Mar on your trip to Chile. Whether you day trip or base yourself in one of these cities, you’re sure to have a great time.
Chile Itinerary: For first time visitors, I recommend my 9 Day Chile Itinerary. Visit the capital city of Santiago, the beaches in Viña del Mar, and head south to Puerto Varas.
Chile Travel Guide: Check out my Chile Travel Guide for everything you need to start planning your trip, including itineraries, city guides, travel tips, and a detailed budget.