While stargazing in the nearby Elqui Valley seems to be the drawing card bringing international tourists into the region, it is the exquisite beaches that call to the Chileans. Regardless of the initial motivation, visitors find plenty of interesting things to do in La Serena. In fact, Chile’s second-oldest city offered us more fascinating options than we could cram into four days.
La Serena’s Zona Típica (Traditional district) reflects its Spanish colonial roots and is now a Chilean National Monument filled with beautiful historic architecture.
Things to do in La Serena: city
La Recova Market
La Recova (Mercado La Recova) is a traditional colonial market. Busy and a bit hectic, it is a must-see in La Serena. It is the perfect stop to find those Chilean gifts, as well as a place to eat. This two-story artisanal market was originally built in 1886 and then restored after a 1975 earthquake.
Shoppers include a mix of souvenir hunters and locals seeking their groceries. There is a heavy presence of touts targeting tourists. At one point we stopped to talk with a restauranteur. Suddenly, another who had handed us menus earlier cut in to lay claim to us as their customers. My daughter is fluent in Spanish, so we have a high awareness of what was said around us. In the end, we ignored them both and enjoyed fabulous empanadas from a small vendor.
Japanese gardens
Garden of the Heart (El Parque Jardín del Corazón) is the largest Japanese gardens in South America. Entering the gardens, we crossed into a peaceful existence in the heart of the city, quite the opposite of our visit to La Recova. This exquisite park highlights impeccable gardening with attention paid to every detail. It opened in 1994 and is worth a visit.

Plaza de Armas
Like nearly every city we visited in Chile, the town centre is the Plaza de Armas. It is here we find both government buildings and the cathedral. In La Serena, it all surrounds an interestingly carved fountain. Plaza de Armas is a place to meet friends, relax, or start your exploration.

A city with 29 churches
We set out on a walk to find as many of the city’s 29 churches as we could in a short amount of time. Compared to the population, this is a high number of churches, many of which are built from stone. The main cathedral on Plaza de Armas was closed, as were most of the others. La Serena’s oldest church is Iglesia San Francisco. It dates back to the 1600s.
Iglesia San Juan de dios Peni Iglesia el Transito Cathedral of La Serena Iglesia San Agustin Iglesia San Francisco
La Serena museums
Two museums featured prominently on our things to do in La Serena list. Unfortunately, luck alluded us. A protest strike closed both and many other venues during our four days in the region. On our wish list for a future visit:
- Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico): An Easter Island Moai and an Atacameña mummy are amongst the pre-Columbian artefacts at this free-to-enter museum.
- History Museum (Museo Histórico Casa Gabriel González Videla): A museum dedicated to Gabriel González, the Chilean president from 1946-52. Born in La Serena, he was the first Chilean president to reach Antarctica. Also free entry to this museum.

Mirador Santa Lucia
This active military base situated at the top of a hill took us by surprise. For some reason, we expected Mirador Santa Lucia to be an old colonial home. However, the armed men protecting the entrance clarified our mistake. Fortunately, with proper ID (our passports) they allowed us on the base. The main rule was no photos of anything military.

Enjoy Casino
Hotel Enjoy is home to the casino, a popular night time activity. Although we opted not to enter as we don’t gamble, the concept of an entrance fee for a casino surprised us.
Things to do in La Serena: take it slow
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a city great, and taking it slow is the only way to discover them. Walking through the city, we frequently stopped to admire street art or try something new from a street vendor. One of my favourites was homemade empanadas sold out of a styrofoam box.
Statue park along Avenue Francisco de Aguirre
Replicas of famous Italian classic masterpieces line Avenue Francisco Aguirre, one of the main roads in La Serena. After the third time we drove past, we parked to stroll along on foot. We recognized nearly all of the artwork.
Street art
True to character, I enjoyed the street art in La Serena, although there didn’t seem to be as much as in other cities. Certainly nowhere near the amount of street art we saw in Valparaiso.

Things to do in La Serena: coastal
Lighthouse (El Faro Monumental)
No longer operational, El Faro still stands proudly at one end of Avenida del Mar. It was built in the early 1950s. We read that visitors can climb to the top and enjoy views from the lighthouse tower. However, not on the day we visited. We wonder if the locked doors were related to the city-wide strike. Regardless, it didn’t stop one of the locals from asking us for money to park on the public road.

La Serena beach
Miles of coastline covered in gorgeous beaches line the Avenida del Mar, the coastal road connecting La Serena and Coquimbo. Along with sand and sea is a mix of beachfront bars, upscale restaurants, and takeaway shops.
The empty beach reflects the unseasonably windy and cool day. Plus, we visited during what is traditionally siesta, or afternoon rest time.

Cross of the Third Millenium above Coquimbo
Ten kilometres to the south sits the colourful beach town of Coquimbo. This fishing town hosts the region’s cruise port. Upon its highest hill stands the 83-metre Third Millenium Cross, (Cruz del Tercer Milenio). It is a memorial to the Christian Faith.
We had every intention of driving up to the top of the hill to see the Cruz del Tercer Milenio, but traffic in Coquimbo was hideous. Driving through the streets of Coquimbo on our way to the hill, we made a quick, yet ridiculous decision.
What we missed was the opportunity to take an elevator to the top the cross with epic views overlooking the Coquimbo and La Serena coasts. However, we did get to see it lit up at night from across the water.
Cruz del Tercer Milenio in Coquimbo. Sunset in La Serena, looking across to Coquimbo.
Tour La Serena and Coquimbo
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La Serena and Coquimbo Private City Tour Including Lunch and Archeological Museum: This seven-hour tour is perfect for anyone without a car, with limited time, or for those who just prefer to have a guide. Starting from Coquimbo, it picks up from hotels or the cruise port. The tour hits all the key sites in both La Serena and Coquimbo. It also includes lunch
⇒ Check price and reviews.
Things to do in La Serena: Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)
Elqui Valley Chile is the site of the world’s first designated International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Located at the southern end of the Atacama Desert, it is known for its clear skies. It’s also a Pisco distilling region. Pisco is a popular brandy made from grapes grown in the Elqui Valley. Both Chile or Peru claim to have originated it.
Elqui Valley Stargazing
There are several huge telescopes and observatories in the Elqui Valley. Most are used for scientific research, only a few allow visitors.
We chose the Observatorio Turístico Collowara, the less technical of the two main stargazing options in the Elqui Valley. (The other is Observatorio del Pangue) Designed for tourists, we looked through massive telescopes after watching a short film. We even got to see the seven stars referred to as Las Pléyades in Chile, the Pleiades in the USA, and Matariki in New Zealand.
⇒ Click for more information on Observatorio Turístico Collowara
Tours and Pisco Tasting in Elqui Valley
If we didn’t have a car, or if we had more time, these are the tours that interested us the most. All are well rated by prior customers.
Mamalluca Observatory Including Transfers: Without a vehicle, it is difficult to get to any of the observatories. This tour will pick you up and bring you back to your La Serena hotel after listening to a talk and viewing the stars.
⇒ Check price and reviews
Elqui Valley Small Group Tour: This 10-hour daytime tour includes a visit to a pisco production plant and the Gabriela Mistral museum. It is perfect for those who want to explore the valley during the day and discover the pisco process. Lunch is included.
⇒ Check price and reviews
Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: A six-hour private tour customizable for cruise passengers. It visits the Elqui Valley including the Gabriela Mistral museum in Vicuña. Lunch is included.
⇒ Check price and reviews
Things to do in La Serena: day trips
National Humboldt Penguin Reserve (Isla Damas)
The opportunity to view Humboldt penguins is what initially brought us to the region. The National Humboldt Penguin Reserve is less than two hours by car from La Serena. It is home to 80% of the world’s Humboldt penguins. Boats take a limited number of daily visitors to Isla Damas, while slowly passing and viewing penguins on Isla Choros and Isla Chañaral.
The guide on our boat spoke only Spanish. As I am conversational, and my daughter is fluent in Spanish, we were fine. However, the other option would have been to take a tour with an English speaking guide.
⇒ Check price and reviews on this highly rated tour

Enchanted Valley (Valle del Encanto)
One of the more interesting places we have been, Monumento Arqueológico Valle del Encanto is a rocky tributary canyon near Ovalle. It’s a 90-minute drive from La Serena. We came here to see the extensive petroglyphs and pictographs and we were not disappointed. More on Valle del Encanto coming soon.

How to get to La Serena
Working our way down the country, we started in Calama and the Atacama desert. After a week of exploration, we flew from Calama to La Serena. There are also direct flights from Santiago to La Serena.
The other main transportation option is the bus. Valparaiso to La Serena or starting in Santiago are popular routes. Importantly, Chile’s long-haul bus service is excellent (although many people we have talked to prefer the busses in Argentina).
In total, we spent nine weeks in South America.
Renting a car in Chile
La Serena airport proved to be an easy location for picking up the car that we had previously booked through rentalcars.com. By providing options, Rental Cars made it easy for us to choose an affordable vehicle from a top-rated local car dealer. Since our first rental with them, we have been using Rental Cars exclusively when we travel.
⇒ Check pricing and options at RentalCars.com
La Serena Chile hotels
Hotel La Fuente: We opted for a charming coastal apartment-style hotel in Coquimbo. With the beach just across the road, we had sea views from the second-floor gabled windows of our two-bedroom unit complete with a small kitchen.
⇒ Check price and availability of Hotel La Fuente
Enjoy Coquimbo – Hotel de la Bahía: For those who are looking for luxury and plenty to do, the Enjoy casino hotel has it all. This five-star option is part of the Enjoy chain and pampers its clientele with a spa and wellness centre, casino, multiple bars, restaurants, and sea views.
⇒ Check price and availability of Enjoy Coquimbo
Hostal Valle Mistral: This lower cost option in La Serena caught my attention after an urgent visit to the loo. Bunk rooms, twins, doubles, and triples, it is the rooftop bar and eclectic artwork that will capture your heart. Clean and tidy, it looks like a great choice, especially for people who like an opportunity to meet fellow travellers.
⇒ Check price and availability of Hostal Valle Mistral

More on La Serena
- La Serena to Santiago is an easy 470 km drive along Ruta 44.
- We opted to drive from La Serena to Valparaiso (432 km) mostly along the Panamerican Highway/Ruta 5, although we detoured through Valle del Encanto.
- La Serena to San Pedro de Atacama is 1160 km via driving, beyond our personal daily driving limit. We took a 1 hour and 20-minute flight instead.
- Personally, I always felt safe in La Serena. I did, however, follow these general safety tips for travel in South America.
Travel planning tips
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Flights: We use Skyscanner to find all the available flight options at the best prices.
Rental Car: We always use RentalCars.com, a rental car search engine with no hidden costs.
Accommodations: We use Booking.com to find all levels of accommodations when we travel.
Travel Insurance: We purchase insurance that covers medical and travel emergencies when we head overseas. We start with World Nomads.
Packing Tips: Get a free copy of our packing light checklist when you sign up for our mailing list. (We pack light, yet have everything we need.)
**Find more money-saving resources on our Travel Resources page.
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Which of these things to do in La Serena will you try first?
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Nicola
I love the thought of slowing it thought of slowing it down to really soak it all in. Some really good ideas of things to do in this region of Chile.
Vanessa Shields
La Serena looks like a beautiful place to visit and with so much to do. I would be won over with the beaches, empanadas, markets and of course seeing the penguins! I wouldn’t have expected penguins there. Great post!
Merrie Rodriguez
This looks like so much fun! My husband is dying to go to Chile
Dirkie
Chile has been creeping onto my list of places to visit lately! Your photos really give a feel of the place. Would love to visit sometime!
Gabby
Such a variety of things to explore! This has really put Chile on my radar 🙂
Alessia Marciano
I am collecting new ideas for next summer trip. We have palne of 3 months trip all araund the world and i will add this palce of course 🙂
Anda
La Serena is definitely a town I’d love to return to visit, especially since it’s so close to the National Humboldt Penguin Reserve. It’s also amazing to see what a big concentration of churches it has. Last time we visited Chile we were only interested in seeing Patagonia, but there is so much more to see and do in this country.
beatravelling
I’m off to Chile in the fall. Can’t say I remember coming across La Serena in my research, but when you mentioned San Pedro de Atacama, I’m more in tune with where it is. From your South America blog posts I’ve read, it sounds like you did a lot of driving/road trips. Wish I could do that too – I don’t drive much, and not abroad. Also sounds like we’re covering a lot of the same places 🙂
Bindu Thomas
Very true, you need to take it slow to understand a place in all its essence
Dalene Ekirapa
An old colonial market? Wow! I would love to visit La Recova Market and shop souvenirs from the place. And also, the Japanese garden would be the most perfect chill spot, as well as watching the sunset- it is so beautiful!
Samar
The place is really beautiful and especially the penguins…
I would love to see them…
Lasonia
These are such amazing photos. This looks like such a beautiful place to visit.
Nancy
That has to be the most beautiful military base on earth! I’m just about ready to enlist!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.
Amy Franks
I can’t believe they have a Japanese Garden there! That’s random.
Lyanna Soria
It seems like you can do plenty of amazing thigns while in La Serena Chile. Can’t pick one since I would love to go to mostly all of them especially stargazing and seeing their museums.
Mandy
You had me at stargazing, but really it looks like there is so much to do and explore in La Serena, Chile. Thank you so much for sharing!
Joyce Lansky
Every year, our city hosts a festival called Memphis in May in which we honor a chosen country. Although I have never been to Chili, I feel like I know her through going to a conference and then teaching kids about her, one year.
mudpiefridays
I always wanted to go and visit Chile, and i really love stargazing! i will def visit
Kenneth Agudo
Such a serene and very beautiful place to visit. Its a great place to unwind.
Kiwi
This is a wonderful recap of La Serena! I am in love with the Japanese Gardens!
tweenselmom
Wow 29 churches, a fantastic place to do pilgrims or stations of the cross for the Holy Week.
Paul Pietrangelo
I really loved seeing the Japanese gardens ,Garden of the Heart . It was enchanting and very peaceful. Thanks Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Michael
How about star gazing on those beaches! Man! Truly a peaceful moment indeed. My kind of moments really.
Alissa A Apel
What a great place to be! I love the Mirador Santa Lucia is an active military base. It’s such a neat building!
The Humboldt Penguins near Isla Damas are so cute!
Kuntala Banerjee
I have heard Chile is a nice place. Your article proves it more. Thanks for sharing. Hope I can visit some day.
Kelly Anne Rothaermel
Wow! What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing it! I had never heard of it before!
kumamonjeng
I plan to visit South America, including Chile end of next year, this post is a good reference for me. This will somehow help me with my planning next year. I will also include Argentina.
Carol
Lots to see and do – great post!
Laurie
Hi Rhonda! We were there! It is just as beautiful as you describe. My daughter-in-law is from Chile and she and my son lived there (in Santiago) when they were first married. Once when we visited we traveled to the Elqui Valley and stayed in Las Domas. The stargazing was magnificent. I have never seen anything like it. We missed the penguins, though, so I guess we must go back!
Jen
What a beautiful place to visit. Love all your photos especially the sunset one very relaxing.
Nelly
So much to do!! My best friend is there now and I am forwarding this to her asap. thank you
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – it looks an amazing place to visit … and certainly one I’d choose if I ever get to Chile. Great photos and thoughts … lovely vistas … and lots to do – so much to see and learn about. Cheers Hilary
Cathy Keller
Amazing photos! Thank you!
twinspirational
I haven’t heard of this place before.. It looks wonderful here..! Thanks for sharing your experience.. ☺️
Sandee
What a beautiful place to explore. I would have enjoyed being there. Beautiful.
Have a fabulous day and week. ♥
Alex J. Cavanaugh
The cross is massive. Competing with Rio’s statue?
That is one cool military base.
Dig all the churches.
Lydia C. Lee
Oh my goodness, the penguins!!!! I’d go just for them!
Geraline Batarra
Such a beautiful place..! Looks so relaxing, serene and peaceful.. 😘 I would really love to explore it..