One of the most popular places to visit in the country, La Serena is known for two its quaint historic focus and beautiful broad beaches. This enticing combination sees hordes of homegrown and unfamiliar tourists head here every late spring.
The second-oldest city in Chile after the capital Santiago, it was remarkably founded back in 1544 by the Spanish. Nicknamed the ‘City of Churches, La Serena has a very much safeguarded focus brimming with colonial architecture for you to look at. This is despite it having been razed by Indians, attacked by pirates and almost destroyed by an earthquake throughout its long history.
Other than ambling around its old streets, the other main part of town to head to is Avenida del Mar. As well as bordering the city’s seemingly vast beaches, it has a lot of inns and condominiums to stay at. Here you can partake in some tomfoolery water sports or attempt a portion of its wonderful seafood restaurants.
1. Elqui Valley
The other place that everybody visits is the enchanting Elqui Valley. Lying at the edge of the Atacama Desert, it extends ninety kilometers and boasts loads of beautiful landscapes and views. It is its dark star-studded night skies and pisco distilleries that attract the vast majority, notwithstanding.
From La Serena, all that’s needed is an hour to reach Vicuna. One of the valley’s main villages, the birthplace of the famed Chilean artist Gabriela Mistral has an attractive historic revolve to amble around. You can also stargaze here at one of its observatories or sample a few solid drinks at its traditional distillery.
2. Isla Damas
Not to be passed up, the picturesque and tranquil Isla Damas is one of the main reasons that individuals visit the coastal city. Set simply a short boat ride from Punta Choros, its delightful beaches and turquoise waters are a treat to visit. One of the main features within recent memory in Chile, the island is generally known for its remarkable marine life.
Part of the Humboldt Penguin National Save, it lies alongside two other small isles that also act as important breeding destinations for the black and white birds. Sea lions and sea otters can also be spied sunning themselves on its sands or clambering about its rough shakes. Now and again, dolphins, turtles, and even whales can be located in the virus waters surrounding the isle.
3. Punta Choros
One more untainted spot to visit, not too far from La Serena, is Punta Choros which lies about ninety minutes’ drive north up the coast. Particularly popular in summer, the languid fishing village is known for its beaches, nature stores, untamed life, and water sports.
Each year, hordes of both Chilean and unfamiliar tourists pack out the pueblo’s dusty streets and partake in its surrounding coastline. Aside from lounging on the beach, they come to splash about in the ocean and kayak, surf, and scuba dive.
4. Plaza de Armas
Bordered by many of La Serena’s most beautiful buildings, Plaza de Armas is a wonderful place to wander around. Since being founded over 450 years ago, the tree-shaded square has filled in as the focal point of life in town.
Presently home to pretty green spaces, paths, and fountains, it was here in 1549 that conquistador Pedro de Valdivia ordered his men to restore the city after an earlier Spanish settlement was destroyed. Throughout the long term, important and noteworthy edifices like the cathedral, town hall, and Teatro Centenario jumped up all around it.
5. La Recova Municipal Market
In contrast to the peaceful cathedral, exploring La Recova Municipal Market vows to be a brilliant and chaotic affair. Humming with energy, all its innumerable cafes and restaurants, stalls, and shops are located only a short walk away.
Although its origins amazingly date to colonial times, La Recova’s ongoing site was set up in 1795 to assemble the city’s merchants. Crammed about its central plaza are presently 140 or so stands to scrutinize selling everything under the sun.
6. Catedral De San Bartolome
Rising dramatically above Plaza de Armas is one of the city’s major landmarks: the extremely old Catedral De San Bartolome. Rather basic in comparison with many other churches in the country, it still showcases some stunning architecture and arresting artworks.
While a parish church has remarkably stood in the same spot since 1549, the ongoing cathedral and its soaring bell tower were just finished in 1856. Other than admiring its neoclassical facade, you can snap pics of the tough segments and stained-glass windows lining its nave. Painted ceilings, wooden seats, and fine strict artwork also decorate its cavernous interior.
7. Trip to Coquimbo
Just twenty minutes drive away is the bustling port city of Coquimbo. An increasingly popular place to visit as of late, it possesses a peninsula that extends out into the shimmering Pacific. Worth a trip, it boasts a few interesting historic locales and spellbinding coastal perspectives.
Administratively part of Greater La Serena, its secluded natural harbor attracted the Spanish here back in 1550. A flourishing gold and copper industry later prompted the development of the port with the English Quarter presently acting as the heart and soul of life in town. Here you can find various fine old buildings containing local shops, restaurants, and some exuberant nightlife spots.