The gorgeous coastal city of Viňa del Mar is known to locals as “The Garden City” do to its exuberant beauty. The city is primarily known to tourists as being a beach destination and for having a fabulous music festival once a year.
Locals and visitors enjoy the water fountains and parks that are in abundance throughout the city, especially a flower clock that sits near the beach of Caleta Abarca that has flowers in replace of numbers. Another major landmark is the Valparaiso Sporting Club which is a busy horse racing track.
There are a few buildings still standing in the city since the 1800's, even after numerous earthquakes, they are full of character and always worth checking out. The deco-styled casino finds its home in the city, surrounded by gardens and in 2002 a fabulous hotel was added to the original building. The casino is Chile's first and it has a beautiful garden with a fabulous view of the Pacific ocean. Dress code is strictly enforced.
In 1907, Fernando Rioja built a mansion that today is an environmental museum. Additionally, there are many other museums, a large Moai from Easter Island, libraries, sculptures and plenty of art to explore and learn about the Chilean culture.
Quinta Vergara was a house that was lived in by the founding family of Viňa del Mar. the estate was a gigantic garden and is kept up the way it was originally and always considered a “must see” as not only are the grounds breathtaking but the house holds plenty of intriguing art.
The Viňa Festival is an annual International song festival that falls on the third week of February and lasts for five evenings. Latin American and many European performers compete and the festival is incredibly loved by all due to the diversity in music. If you are visiting Chile during this time, the festival is worth checking out.
Derby Day is a traditional recreation here since the 19th century on the first Sunday in February. The derby is held at the Sporting Club building and is a favorite by the locals.
Viňa del Mar offers a mild Mediterranean climate with the rainfall almost completely exclusive to the winter months. Due to the ideal climate and frost free winters it makes the city ideal for growing robust vegetation, including many imported species that you can discover throughout all of the beautiful gardens.
The city was founded in 1874 and has grown into one of Chile's favorite touristic beach resort that attracts people from around the world. White sand beaches and an abundance of exquisite restaurantsis what you will find here. The town has a lot of modern features but the charming colonial houses set the character here. Vina del Mar is unlike any other city in Chile. During your visit take a ride down Victoria street in a horse drawn carriage, you are sure to fall in love.