Last updated on March 15, 2024.

La Serena is a peaceful city on the Chilean coast, about six hours drive north of Santiago. It’s free of high-rises and traffic, small and compact, and cheap compared to Santiago. In the city, there’s not much left from the colonial days, but enough things to see to keep someone occupied for more than half a day.

 

Plaza de Armas

Life is centered around Plaza de Armas, which is lined with government and religious buildings. In the center is a sculpture and fountain. There are tall trees, plenty of benches, and some street vendors.

Plaza de Armas in La Serena, Chile
Plaza de Armas
Fountain in Plaza de Armas
Fountain

The Cathedral of La Serena (Catedral de La Serena) sits on the southeast corner of the plaza. The current cathedral was built in 1844, while the original church was destroyed in 1680 by English pirate Bartholomew Sharp. The tomb of conquistador Francisco de Aguirre is inside. He was the founder of the city. Next to the cathedral is the Archbishop’s Palace (Palacio Arzobispal) and the red and white Courts of Justice (Tribunales de Justicia).

Cathedral of La Serena
Cathedral of La Serena
Archbishop's Palace in La Serena, Chile
Archbishop’s Palace
Courts of Justice in La Serena, Chile
Courts of Justice

On the opposite side of Plaza de Armas sits the Gabriel González Videla House Museum (Casa Museo Gabriel González Videla). It was a 19th century home once used by the former Chilean president Gabriel González Videla. The museum holds personal items of the president. On the north side of the plaza is the headquarters of the regional government.

Gabriel González Videla House Museum
Gabriel González Videla House Museum
Regional Government building
Regional Government building

 

Japanese Garden

Down the hill to the west of Plaza de Armas, I found the Japanese Garden (Jardín Japonés). It’s the largest Japanese garden in all of Latin America. Adult admission is CLP$1,000 (as of March 2024) and it’s open daily.

Japanese Garden in La Serena, Chile
Japanese Garden
Path through the Japanese Garden
Path through the garden
Japanese Garden in La Serena, Chile
Japanese Garden

I enjoyed the serenity of the garden, walking along the paths past bridges and pagodas. There are bonzai trees and several other shrubs, flowers, and plants. Families with children were excited about the pond with fish, ducks, and swans.This was my favorite part of the city.

Pond in the Japanese Garden
Pond
Koi in the Japanese Garden
Koi

 

La Serena Archaeological Museum

The La Serena Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico La Serena) has artifacts from Chilean prehistory and indigenous tribes, including mummies and a moai from Easter Island. Admission is free (as of March 2024) and it’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. In my opinion, the museum wasn’t that great.

Archaeological Museum in La Serena, Chile
Archaeological Museum
Courtyard of the Archaeological Museum
Courtyard
Mummy at the Archaeological Museum
Mummy
Moai at the Archaeological Museum
Moai

 

Casa Jiliberto

One of the most interesting historic buildings I found was Casa Jiliberto, built in 1898. It’s just a couple blocks north of the Church of San Agustín.

Casa Jiliberto in La Serena, Chile
Casa Jiliberto

 

Nice Streets

The city center of La Serena has a few beautiful streets to walk down, notably Calle Arturo Prat and Avenida Balmaceda. There are shops, cafés, and restaurants along them.

Calle Arturo Prat in La Serena, Chile
Calle Arturo Prat
Avenida Balmaceda
Avenida Balmaceda

 

Francisco de Aguirre

Finally, there is a park running the length of Francisco de Aguirre. It’s lined with replicas of Greek and Roman statues. At the very end is a statue of the conquistador himself.

Francisco de Aguirre
Francisco de Aguirre

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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