Valparaíso’s Incredible Street Art

The harbor city of Valparaíso in Central Chile is a place of many charms. Its layout is unique, with steep hills lined by picturesque houses. Its character is special for the artsy feel it conveys and it’s therefore no wonder many artists have fallen for the city, including Chile’s Nobel Prize winner for literature, Pablo Neruda.

Valparaíso, how absurd you are.. you haven’t combed your hair, you’ve never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you.

– Pablo Neruda

In Valparaiso, any wall is a canvas. Café owners have their facades painted to attract visitors, hostels wouldn’t prosper without graffiti-covered walls and any house is an ideal target for an artistic mural. The variety of art that can be seen when wandering the streets is just incredible.

The local authorities actually support street art, as long as it contributes to the artistic aspect of the city. Local and foreign artists are free to express their opinion via splashes of color.

Make sure your camera is fully charged because it won’t get a break in Valparaíso.

In case you only have a few hours in Valpo, head to the hills Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. Specifically, Templeman street on Cerro Alegre rewards visitors with the highest concentration of whole walls covered with colorful graffiti.

The entire city is just a one big exhibition. Come on a virtual walk with me and see for yourself!

And, if you get hungry, here’s a great overview of restaurants in Valparaíso.

Beautiful big artwork by a group Vidaingravita

Another creation by local group Un Kolor Distinto, this time near the ascensor La Reina Victoria

One eye candy after another..!

A piece by local group Un Kolor Distinto, on Cerro Carcel

An unknown piece on one of the hills in Valparaíso

In perspective: street art on Valparaíso’s houses

Top of Cerro Alegre is covered in big artworks like this one by an Argentinean artist Martin Ron

More by Martin Ron on Cerro Alegre

Cerro Alegre.. probably Martin Ron’s work again

Work by Saile, Chilean artist belonging to the group Stgo Under Crew

Many of the graffitis just blend one into another..

As a local business, if you don’t have any street art on your wall, you don’t exist

On the left: Stink fish from Colombia
On the right: Local artist LRM

One of many sleepy old people by French artists Ella y Pitr

If anybody knows the artist behind this piece, I’ll be happy to add it!

One of the more subtle creations

One of many graffitis in Tempelman street on Cerro Alegre

It doesn’t matter if you’re a street art freak or just like to go to a gallery every now and then. In Valparaíso you’ll be amazed at every corner, coming across unique street art pieces whose life might be as temporary as that of the many stray dogs. Valparaíso might as well be the world’s graffiti capital and if you’re visiting Chile, you definitely shouldn’t leave it out!

If you decide to go explore Valparaíso, I strongly recommend you stay at an Airbnb apartment. I did it and felt so much more as if I were local! The apartment I stayed at is no longer listed, but you can still find some awesome ones. Check them out here.

In case you’re much more into hotels, see the current deals here:

Booking.com

Have you been to Valpo or any other city infused with street art?

And here’s a pin for you to pin for later: