La Serena
Chile
- Safety rating
- 7.2/10
- Best time to visit
- December to March is peak beach season with warm, sunny days. The clear skies make any time good for astronomy tours.
- Population
- 0.2M
Overview
Chile's second-oldest city charms with neocolonial architecture, long sandy beaches, and clear skies ideal for stargazing. It's the gateway to the lush Elqui Valley, famed for pisco and observatories.
Top attractions
Relax on the long Avenida del Mar beaches, admire the city's many churches, and explore the Elqui Valley's vineyards and observatories.
Getting around
The compact historic centre is walkable, and buses or taxis reach the beachfront and Coquimbo. A car helps for the Elqui Valley.