Muelle Prat

A walk down to Prat Harbor gives you a sense of what makes the city of Valparaíso tick: huge barges move cargo holds from shipyards around the world to and fro, and hoards of small fishing boats putter through the frigid water. Boat rides around the harbor are quite cheap—a thousand pesos (US$2) per person if the boat is full of paying passengers. Otherwise, there is a small vendor's market that stretches along the harbor selling typical Chilean handicrafts and touristy merchandise. Be advised, however, not to bring children down to the harbor when a big ship has just come into port, as the returning sailors often attract company that isn't exactly family-friendly.

Location:
Near Plaza Sotomayor by the water
Parte Antigua, Valparaíso , Chile

City Plaza

Getting There
Muelle Prat is a short walk from the center of town, but you can also take the metro to Estación Puerto, which takes you right to the port.

Travel Tips: Valparaíso's Old Town is the most historically rich part of the city, but it is also dangerous for tourists who aren't careful. If possible, visit this part of town with a friend, and stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

Relative price: Free

Travel Skills: None

There's lots to do in this area. Farther into the Parte Antigua up the calle La Matriz, you'll find the Iglesia La Matriz, the oldest church in the city. Walking away from the port up calle Cochrane, you can take the Artilleria elevator up to the naval museum and a great overlook of the city.

By Lauren Yero

I am a recent liberal arts graduate who travels as a compulsion. I have lived in several regions of the US as well as briefly abroad in England and...

Created: 31 Jul 2008

Updated: 01 Aug 2008

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