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Activities in Valparaíso

La Sebastiana, Santiago Severín Library, Cathedral & Natural History Museum Tour

Art, science, and literature come together on this walking tour of Valparaíso. We’ll explore the area around Plaza Victoria, home to the Santiago Severín Library, the Cathedral, and the Natural History Museum. We’ll also head up to Cerro Bellavista to visit La Sebastiana, the house museum of Pablo Neruda.

Art, science, and literature come together on this walking tour of Valparaíso. We’ll explore the area around Plaza Victoria, home to the Santiago Severín Library, the Cathedral, and the Natural History Museum. We’ll also head up to Cerro Bellavista to visit La Sebastiana, the house museum of Pablo Neruda.

Tour Details

We will meet at the Arco Británico, and from this monument on Avenida Brasil, we will take a short walk to Plaza Victoria. In its surroundings, we’ll find three of Valparaíso’s most important cultural and religious landmarks: the Biblioteca Santiago Severín, the Catedral de Valparaíso, and the Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso.

We’ll begin with a visit to the Santiago Severín Library, a true temple of books and the second-oldest library in Chile, surpassed only by the National Library in Santiago. We’ll admire its striking decoration and learn about Severín, a prominent local politician who developed his career in the early 20th century.

Next, we’ll step inside the Cathedral of Valparaíso, consecrated to the Virgin of Carmen and the Holy Spirit. As we explore this Neo-Gothic church, built in the first half of the 20th century, we’ll discuss these devotions and the history of the temple. We’ll then continue to the nearby Natural History Museum, located in the Palacio Lyon. Inside this 19th-century architectural gem, we’ll see an extensive collection of taxidermied vertebrates and invertebrates.

After our visit to the museum, we’ll head to the Ascensor Espíritu Santo, which will take us up to the colorful murals of the Museo a Cielo Abierto de Valparaíso. After admiring these paintings on Cerro Bellavista, we’ll take a short walk to La Sebastiana, the former home of Pablo Neruda, now converted into a museum dedicated to the poet.

We’ll talk about the life and work of the 1971 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate and, finally, conclude this 2.5-hour tour of Valparaíso at the entrance of La Sebastiana.

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More Information

Duration

2h 30m.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Included

English–speaking guide

Admission to the Santiago Severín Library

Admission to the Valparaíso Cathedral

Admission to the Natural History Museum

Admission to La Sebastiana

Not included

Ticket for the Espíritu Santo Elevator: CL$ 100 (US$ 0.11) per person

When to book?

You can book up until 2 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability conditions

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.

Sustainability Code

Our providers commit to:

  • Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle.
  • Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
  • Uphold fair employment standards.
  • Foster the growth of local communities.
  • Preserve the integrity of local culture.
  • Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
  • Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
  • Operate with honesty and transparency.
  • Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

  • No printing of documentation required.
  • Has a gender equality policy.
  • Has a carbon footprint offset policy.

Pets

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

  • Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

    A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

  • Q - How to book?

    A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

  • Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

    A - This activity requires a minimum of 1 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

  • Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?

    A - Zehndertour Corporate name: Gustavo Isaac Zehnder Sady Registered Office: Alonso de Ovalle 884 DP 301, Santiago de Chile, Chile Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): 168371020 Contact information Email: aliceanb@gmail.com Phone: +56945386408

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Meeting point

Where does the activity end?

Arco Británico

La Sebastiana

View map
Where does the activity end?

La Sebastiana

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