Thanks to its enticing name, colorful houses, and street art–smothered walls, Cerro Alegre is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city, which makes Ascensor El Peral a top attraction by default.
The elevator is a common feature of daylong sightseeing tours that focus on highlights of the historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Plaza Sotomayor, Paseo 21 de Mayo, and Cerro Concepcion. You don’t need to budget too much time for the ride, however—it takes a total of 45 seconds.
There’s a small admission fee to ride the elevator, but it amounts to less than US$1.
While fast, the ride is steep and rickety, so you might want to skip it if you experience vertigo.
When you disembark at Cerro Alegre, you’ll find plenty of spots selling cold and hot drinks, as well as Chilean fare.
Ascensor El Peral connects Paseo Yugoslavo (Upper Station) with Plaza de Justicia (Lower Station). It’s a few minutes away from the Puerto metro station and is right beside the Plaza Justicia bus stop, which is serviced by several different buses.
Ascensor El Peral operates from Monday through Sunday from early morning until late in the evening. There’s no set schedule, but the funicular departs when it’s full on either side. During the weekend, when Valparaíso is busiest, you might need to wait in line to hop on.
At the top of the El Peral funicular, you’ll find one of Chile’s most important collections of European and Chilean art works. The collection at the Museo de Bellas Artes is housed inside the Palacio Baburizza. Its highlights include works by Ugo Flumiani, Janne Pinot, Thomas Somerscales, and Agustín Araya, the oldest of which dates back to 1840.