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La Serena at night, with the bright Avenida del Mar coastline and city lights extending toward the surrounding hills. |
La Serena, the capital of the Coquimbo Region, is one of the most popular travel destinations in Chile. Its historic center is known for its well-preserved neo-colonial architecture, elegant balconies, leafy plazas, and centuries-old stone churches, all set near a long stretch of inviting sandy beaches.
Founded in 1544, La Serena is the second-oldest city in Chile after Santiago. Together with the neighboring port city of Coquimbo, it forms one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, with a population projected to exceed 530,000 by 2025.
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| Neo-colonial architecture of La Serena |
The city attracts visitors year-round, especially during the summer months, when it becomes one of Chile’s busiest coastal destinations. Travelers come for its wide beaches, scenic avenues, historic charm, and relaxed atmosphere.
La Serena is also well known for its papaya-based specialties, including desserts, preserves, candied papaya, and traditional sweets sold throughout the city.
Beyond tourism, La Serena is an important educational and cultural center, home to the Universidad de La Serena and several private institutions. It also serves as a gateway to the Elqui Valley and to major astronomical observatories in northern Chile.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in La Serena, including historic landmarks, beaches, scenic avenues, and nearby attractions.
How to Get There
- By Air: La Florida Airport is the main air gateway to La Serena and nearby communes. Located about 6 km (3.7 miles) east of the city center, it is a modern terminal with regular domestic service. It also holds historical significance in Chile, as the first flight to Easter Island departed from here in 1951.
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| La Florida Airport, La Serena |
The main domestic routes usually connect La Serena with Santiago and Antofagasta, while schedules may vary by season and airline. Travelers interested in learning more about the country’s main air terminals can also explore this guide to airports in Chile.
The airlines that commonly operate here include LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, and JetSmart. Seasonal international flights to cities in Argentina may also be available.
- By Bus: The La Serena Bus Terminal is located at 107 Amunátegui Avenue.
It is one of the largest bus terminals in northern Chile, set in an urban area close to accommodations, shopping centers, and services. Several companies operate from this terminal, offering frequent routes to Santiago and many destinations across the country, especially in northern Chile.
Tourist Attractions in La Serena
Tour Along Avenida del Mar
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| Avenida del Mar, La Serena |
A stroll along Avenida del Mar is one of the classic things to do in La Serena. This scenic waterfront promenade begins near the iconic Faro Monumental on the northern side of the city and continues beside a long stretch of sandy beaches.
Running parallel to the Pacific Ocean, the avenue offers beautiful views of the coastline, the lighthouse, and the modern buildings facing the sea. Visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, ocean breezes, and the wide range of restaurants, cafés, and leisure options found along its approximately 4 km (2.5 mile) route.
For extra fun, you can often find electric scooters, bicycles, and other rental options nearby. Whether walking, cycling, or simply relaxing, Avenida del Mar is one of the best places to experience La Serena’s coastal lifestyle.
Discover “The City of Bell Towers”
Before La Serena became famous for its beaches and tourism, it was widely known as La Ciudad de los Campanarios (“The City of Bell Towers”) because of the many historic churches spread throughout the city. If you enjoy architecture and heritage sites, one of the best things to do in La Serena is explore the churches of the historic center.
Some of the most notable landmarks include La Serena Cathedral, San Francisco Church (one of the oldest churches in the city, dating back to the early 17th century), and San Agustín Church, all important parts of La Serena’s colonial-era heritage.
Other remarkable churches include Santo Domingo, known for its striking stone façade, and La Merced, admired for its elegant neoclassical style. Many of these buildings feature tall bell towers that help define the city skyline and can be seen from different areas of La Serena.
Walking this historic route offers a different side of La Serena, combining history, architecture, and local identity beyond the beach scene.
The Stunning Beaches of La Serena and Coquimbo
The beaches of La Serena are among the most attractive on Chile’s northern coast, offering long stretches of golden sand and a pleasant climate throughout much of the year. El Faro Beach, located beside the iconic Faro Monumental, is one of the city’s most popular coastal areas, ideal for walking, relaxing, and enjoying ocean views.
Farther south, Cuatro Esquinas Beach is known for its quieter atmosphere and wide sandy shoreline, making it a good option for visitors looking for a more relaxed beach experience.
In neighboring Coquimbo, La Herradura Beach stands out for its calm waters and sheltered bay, making it one of the best places in the area for swimming and water sports.
Another highly recommended destination is Totoralillo Beach, located about 17 km (10.5 miles) south of La Serena. Famous for its white sand and turquoise waters, it is especially popular among surfers, beachgoers, and photography enthusiasts.
Between La Serena and Coquimbo, Peñuelas Beach offers a scenic coastal stretch with moderate waves, seafood restaurants, and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. It is an excellent place to enjoy local cuisine with ocean views.
Farther south, around 40 km (25 miles) from La Serena, Guanaqueros combines calm beaches with the charm of a traditional fishing village. The area is especially appreciated for its fresh seafood and laid-back coastal ambiance.
“La Recova” Municipal Market
Address: Cienfuegos 563.
La Recova Market is one of the best-known historical and cultural landmarks in La Serena. This traditional market functions as both a commercial center and a popular gathering place where visitors can explore regional products, local handicrafts, and restaurants serving traditional Chilean cuisine, seafood, local wines, and regional liquors.
The current building was inaugurated in 1981 after the former market was heavily damaged by the 1975 earthquake. The original market dates back to the late 18th century and has long played an important role in the commercial life of La Serena.
Designed in a colonial-inspired style with arches and interior courtyards, La Recova houses more than 100 shops offering products that reflect the cultural identity of northern Chile. Visitors can find lapis lazuli jewelry, Diaguita-inspired pottery, papaya-based specialties, artisanal goat cheese, and many other locally made goods.
The second floor features restaurants specializing in regional cuisine, making the market a good place to experience local flavors while exploring the historic center of La Serena.
Faro Monumental de La Serena
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| Faro Monumental, La Serena |
The Faro Monumental de La Serena is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Built between 1950 and 1951 by the Chilean Navy, the lighthouse was designed by engineer Jorge Cisternas Larenas as part of the La Serena Plan, an important urban development project promoted during the presidency of Gabriel González Videla.
With its oceanfront location, distinctive architecture, and prominent position beside the beach, the lighthouse has become an enduring symbol of La Serena and one of the city’s most photographed attractions.
The monument stands at the intersection of Francisco de Aguirre Avenue and Avenida del Mar, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal sunsets, and the surrounding beaches.
Today, the Faro Monumental is a popular meeting point and one of the classic places to visit in La Serena, especially for walking, photography, and enjoying the seaside atmosphere.
Biblioteca Regional Gabriela Mistral
Address: 782 Juan José Latorre St.
The Gabriela Mistral Regional Library is one of the most important cultural institutions in La Serena. Named after the renowned Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral — the first Latin American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945 — the library combines modern facilities with historical heritage.
The complex incorporates the historic Casa de las Palmeras, a national monument that once belonged to Gabriela Mistral. Today, the restored house forms part of the library and adds significant cultural value to the site.
Located near the historic center of La Serena, the library is easily accessible for both residents and visitors. In addition to its extensive collection of books, magazines, and audiovisual materials, the institution regularly hosts exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and cultural events focused on literature, education, and the arts.
The library also places special emphasis on Chilean and Latin American literature, making it an important reference point for those interested in the cultural identity of the region.
Jardín del Corazón Park (Japanese Garden in La Serena)
Address: 336 Eduardo de la Barra St.
Also known as Parque Japonés, Jardín del Corazón is one of the most distinctive green spaces in La Serena. The garden was created as a symbol of friendship between La Serena and the Japanese city of Tenri, which became sister cities in 1966.
Officially inaugurated in 1994 during the celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of La Serena, the park was developed with support from Japanese organizations and companies linked to the mining sector in Chile and Japan.
Designed in a traditional Japanese style, the garden covers approximately 26,000 square meters and is considered one of the largest Japanese gardens in South America. Its landscape includes ornamental bridges, waterfalls, stone gardens, bamboo areas, an artificial lagoon, and walking paths surrounded by carefully maintained vegetation.
Visitors can also observe swans, ducks, koi fish, and seasonal flowering trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the urban environment surrounding the park.
Located near the historic center of La Serena, Jardín del Corazón is a popular place for relaxing walks, photography, and cultural tourism, especially among visitors interested in Japanese-inspired landscape design.
Avenida Francisco de Aguirre: A Historic Avenue
Avenida Francisco de Aguirre is named after the Spanish conquistador who refounded La Serena in 1549 after the destruction of the original settlement during an Indigenous uprising.
Today, the avenue is one of the city’s most recognizable urban landmarks. It extends from the area near Balmaceda Avenue to the Faro Monumental, connecting the historic center with the coastline and Avenida del Mar.
One of its best-known features is the collection of marble statues displayed along the central promenade. Because of these sculptures, the avenue is often referred to as the Museo al Aire Libre (“Open-Air Museum”) or Paseo de las Estatuas (“Statue Promenade”).
The avenue originally developed as a landscaped promenade during the 19th century and later became an important part of the urban modernization projects promoted in La Serena during the presidency of Gabriel González Videla, who was born in the city.
Many of the statues along the avenue are replicas of classical European sculptures carved in Carrara marble and imported from Italy during the mid-20th century, giving the avenue a distinctive artistic and historical character.
Museums in La Serena
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Museo Arqueológico de La Serena (Archaeological Museum of La Serena) is one of the city’s most important cultural institutions. Located at the corner of Cordovez and Cienfuegos streets, the museum features collections focused on archaeology, ethnography, anthropology, and regional history.
Its exhibits highlight the ancient cultures of northern Chile, especially the Molle and Diaguita civilizations. One of the museum’s most notable pieces is a moai statue from Rapa Nui (Easter Island), donated to the city in the 20th century following the first air connection between mainland Chile and the island.
Address: Cordovez and Cienfuegos streets.
Admission: Free.
Hours: Hours may vary depending on the season and public holidays, so checking official schedules before visiting is recommended. -
Museo Mineralógico Ignacio Domeyko is located inside the Mining Engineering Department of the Universidad de La Serena, at Benavente 980. Founded in the late 19th century, the museum preserves one of the most important mineral collections in northern Chile.
Its collection includes thousands of minerals, gemstones, fossils, meteorite fragments, and mining-related exhibits from Chile and other parts of the world. Among the highlights are lapis lazuli specimens, minerals from the historic Chañarcillo mining district, and gemstones from several continents.
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Museo Histórico Gabriel González Videla, located at Matta 495, is dedicated to the life and legacy of former Chilean president Gabriel González Videla, who was born in La Serena.
Housed in a historic colonial-era building declared a National Monument, the museum contains collections related to regional history, politics, art, photographs, documents, and period furniture. It is considered one of the city’s main historical museums.
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Domo Cultura Ánimas, located in Coquimbo near Gabriela Mistral Square, showcases archaeological replicas associated with the Ánimas culture, which inhabited parts of northern Chile before the rise of the Diaguita civilization.
The site also hosts exhibitions and cultural activities related to local heritage and contemporary art.
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Museo de Arte Religioso, located near Plaza de Armas beside La Serena Cathedral, exhibits paintings, liturgical objects, and religious artifacts connected to the city’s colonial and ecclesiastical history.
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Museo de Arte Colonial, situated next to the historic San Francisco Church on Balmaceda Avenue, preserves an important collection of colonial religious art.
Its exhibits include paintings from the Cusco School, polychrome wooden sculptures, liturgical vestments, and historical objects associated with the Franciscan tradition in northern Chile.
Elqui Valley: Nature, Stargazing, and Pisco Culture
The Elqui Valley, located east of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region, is one of northern Chile’s most famous travel destinations. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and semi-arid landscapes, the valley is widely known for its clear skies, astronomical tourism, pisco production, and peaceful atmosphere.
The route through the valley begins near La Serena and follows the Elqui River through a series of small towns and rural landscapes. Along the way, visitors can explore vineyards, traditional villages, craft markets, hiking areas, and some of Chile’s best-known observatories.
One of the valley’s main attractions is its connection to pisco, the traditional grape spirit produced in northern Chile. Several distilleries in the area offer guided tours where visitors can learn about the production process and sample different varieties of pisco.
Popular destinations within the valley include El Molle, known for its natural surroundings and outdoor activities, and Vicuña, the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning poet Gabriela Mistral. Vicuña also serves as one of the main gateways to the astronomical observatories located in the region.
Thanks to its dry climate and exceptionally clear skies, the Elqui Valley has become one of the leading astrotourism destinations in South America, attracting visitors interested in astronomy, photography, wellness tourism, and nature.
You can learn more in our complete guide to the Elqui Valley in Chile.
Astronomy Tours
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| Image: European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
With more than 300 clear nights per year, Chile’s Coquimbo Region has become one of the world’s leading destinations for astrotourism. Its exceptionally clear skies, dry climate, and low levels of light pollution create ideal conditions for stargazing and astronomical observation.
The nearby Elqui Valley is especially famous for its astronomy tours and observatories. The region is home to several scientific research centers as well as tourist observatories that offer guided night tours, telescope observations, astrophotography experiences, and educational activities for visitors of all ages.
Some of the most recognized observatories near La Serena include Mamalluca Observatory in Vicuña, one of the pioneers of astronomical tourism in Chile, and internationally renowned scientific facilities such as Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and Gemini South Observatory, both located in the mountains of the Coquimbo Region.
Whether you're a casual traveler or a passionate astronomy enthusiast, the Elqui Valley offers unforgettable experiences under some of the clearest skies on Earth.
Isla Damas Tour
Isla Damas is one of the most popular nature excursions from La Serena and is offered by many local tour agencies. The island is part of the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve, located near Punta de Choros, in the commune of La Higuera, north of La Serena.
The reserve is made up of three islands—Damas, Choros, and Chañaral—but visitor access is currently allowed only on Isla Damas, depending on conservation regulations and weather conditions. The island is known for its striking natural scenery and crystal-clear waters.
Isla Damas features two beautiful beaches, La Poza and Las Tijeras, famous for their white sand and turquoise-green waters. A walking trail with interpretive stations allows visitors to learn more about the island’s flora, fauna, and fragile ecosystem.
This protected area is a paradise for wildlife lovers. The reserve is home to species such as the Humboldt penguin, sea lions, dolphins, cormorants, pelicans, and sea otters. During certain times of the year, visitors may also spot whales migrating along the coast.
Boat tours usually depart from Punta de Choros, approximately 120 km north of La Serena, and have become one of the region’s top ecotourism experiences. Due to environmental protection measures, the number of daily visitors is limited, so booking in advance is highly recommended.
From La Serena, many travelers continue north to discover Bahía Inglesa , a coastal gem famous for its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters—an ideal next stop while exploring northern Chile.
Practical Information for Visitors
- Location: La Serena, Coquimbo Region, Northern Chile
- Distance from Santiago: Approximately 470 km north of the Chilean capital
- Main Airport: La Florida Airport (LSC)
- Climate: Mild semi-arid climate with pleasant temperatures throughout most of the year
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer (September to March) are ideal for beaches and outdoor activities, although the city can be visited year-round
- Top Attractions: Avenida del Mar, Faro Monumental, Elqui Valley, astronomy tours, Jardín del Corazón, La Recova Market, and nearby beaches
- Nearby Destinations: Elqui Valley, Punta de Choros, Isla Damas, Vicuña, and Coquimbo
- Recommended Stay: 3 to 5 days to fully enjoy the beaches, city attractions, Elqui Valley, and nearby excursions
- Local Specialty: Papaya-based sweets, pisco, seafood, and traditional regional cuisine
- Travel Tip: Combine your visit with an astronomy tour in the Elqui Valley, home to some of the clearest skies on Earth for stargazing
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