4 Best Sights in The Central Coast, Chile

This "museum" is actually a winding walk past 20 official murals (and dozens of unofficial ones) by some of Chile's best painters. There's even one by the country's most famous artist, Roberto Matta. The path is not marked, there's no fixed route, and much of the signage has disappeared over the years. The point is to get lost in the city's history and culture.

This grand palace, now a national monument, was built by Spanish banker Francisco Rioja immediately after the earthquake that leveled much of the city in 1906. It contains a decorative-arts museum showcasing a large portion of Rioja's belongings and a conservatory, so there's often music in the air. Performances are held in the main ballroom. You'll find a nice café in the back with seating under the trees in beautifully landscaped grounds.

Valparaíso's impressive Plaza Sotomayor serves as a gateway to the bustling port. The Comandancia en Jefe de la Armada, headquarters of the Chilean navy, is a grand periwinkle building that rises to a turreted pinnacle over a mansard roof. At the eastern end of the plaza the Monumento de los Héroes de Iquique honors Arturo Prat and other heroes of the War of the Pacific. At the southern end, the Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio often hosts art exhibitions. A crafts and products fair also happens weekly during the warmer months. Beware of traffic in the middle of the square; cars and buses come suddenly from all directions. 

Built for the 1962 World Cup, this functional flower clock has been tick-tocking away for six decades. The botanical landmark is not only one of the most photographed sites on the Central Coast; it's helped Viña del Mar foster a reputation as La Ciudad Jardín ("The Garden City").