Valpraiso or Santiago for 1 day?
 

Long story, but we will only have one full day and night to explore. Would love to hear peoples pick and why?

What time of year?

October

I would pick Valpo. Visit Pablo Neruda's house and have lunch on the beach in Vina del Mar.

If you can handle walking on hilly pavements and lots of stairs then Valparaíso is more unique. It is a strange combination of the run down and the done up. There is a wide variety of places to stay, mostly converted old properties. Lots of good restaurants.

Thanks for your input! We were leaning towards VP

I found Valparaiso more interesting than Santiago, but I am not a fan of large cities. We spent five nights with friends in Vina, but most of our time was in Valpo, great train between them. We then spent four more nights with other friends in Santiago and I did enjoy my time there.

In Valpo we took a harbour cruise which gave us great views and photos of the colorful homes on the hills, rode a couple of the ascensors, visited Pablo Neruda's home, ate at seafood restaurants on the beach in both towns, took taxis and public buses that flew around the curves of the hills, shopped at local street markets, had fun watching the fisherman at the fish market 1/2 way between the Valpo and Vina.

There were loads of murals and street art on the old buildings - we spent lots of time just walking the hills, admiring the views and the buildings.

My vote is for Valpo.

Another vote for Valaparaiso, A fascinating town with loads to see, The "graffitti walk" is a must. Lots of good restarants to choose from. Some photoo of our time there:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...9520/tpod.html

Valpo, for sure. As a Santiago native, no less. (shh, don't tell my family)