Tours and Activities:

Elegant Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a lively city at any time of the year. Its early 20th-century architecture, gardens, and warm people set it apart.

The streets of Puerto Varas invite you to walk around, discover every corner, and enjoy its high-quality colonial architecture. With a privileged view of Lake Llanquihue, a bay with gently sloping beaches that are ideal for swimming and water sports, it is the most visited place in the area every summer.

Perhaps the fact that it has been a commercial port since its early days, and was named a town in 1987, explains its rapid growth and early tourist appeal.

In summer, the center is full of life: its wide streets and boulevards decorated with roses offer a constant coming and going of visitors who enjoy pastry shops, tea houses, and a cuisine that blends German tradition and local flavors.

The Pérez Rosales waterfront connects both ends of the city, and we walked along it to discover each of its attractions. The buildings are taller than in other seaside resorts, and both private apartments and shops, and hotels have well-kept gardens.

We observed a large number of boats, sailboats, and sports boats moving freely on the water. A few meters from the coast lies the old sailboat Captain Haase, an emblematic vessel used by the first settlers.

The Pedraplén pier also has its own history: it was part of the daily life of the colony and today is a busy promenade, home to the Tourist House and artisans, along with musicians who enliven the place with their violins and melodies.

Two natural viewpoints, Mount Phillippi and Mount Calvario, offer a panoramic view of the city, Lake Llanquihue, and the surrounding forests, allowing visitors to appreciate the landscape in all its magnitude.

Venturing into the downtown streets, we discovered historical treasures declared cultural heritage sites. The Sagrado Corazón church, the Kuschel house, and the Niklitschek house are just a few examples and constitute the true essence of early 20th-century German culture.

Another characteristic feature is the covered streets near the Plaza de Armas, the scene of various cultural activities. It is here that, every February, the traditional Kuchen Festival is celebrated, one of the events most loved by locals and visitors.

Our stay coincided with this unique celebration, where the “tantes,” expert bakers, offer their varieties of Kuche made with inherited recipes. Raspberries, cream, murtas, and currants fill long tables where everyone tastes and votes for the best. An irresistible temptation.

For those of us who love the outdoors, the surroundings of Puerto Varas offer so many activities that there are never enough days: volcanoes, rivers, trekking, rafting, skiing, kayaking, and guided experiences combine to fully enjoy nature.

At dusk, the city takes on a different rhythm: the streetlights along the waterfront create a romantic atmosphere, the restaurants light up, and the casino, located a few meters from the pier, marks the beginning of nightlife.

Enchanting Puerto Varas, capable of making us lose track of time.

See also: Hotels in Puerto Varas and other accommodation venues