Plizio Visual Lab
La Serena
La Serena is an elegant coastal city in the Coquimbo region, established in 1544, making it the second oldest settlement in the country after Santiago. The city has preserved its colonial style, with the center full of beautiful neo-colonial buildings, arcaded streets, and numerous stone churches. Visitors can enjoy pleasant walks around the Plaza de Armas, admiring the historic atmosphere. In addition to its history and architecture, La Serena's coastline is also highly attractive. The Avenida del Mar is a massive promenade stretching for kilometers along the ocean, lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels. The beaches feature fine sand, good for sunbathing and water sports, although the ocean water is cool here due to the Humboldt Current. The city serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the Elqui Valley, which is the heartland of pisco production and astrological observatories. The most pleasant weather awaits visitors during the summer months (from December to March), when the skies are mostly cloudless and the temperature is first-rate for beachgoing.
- Location: Chile
- Top sights: Museo Mineralógico · Casa de Gabriela Mistral Las Palmeras · Museo Arqueológico
- Nearby: Guanaqueros (22 km)
- Population: ~154.521 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 |
| Rain mm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 25 | 21 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 1544.
- Chile's second oldest city.
- Capital of the Coquimbo Region.
- Famous for its stone churches.
- Faro Monumental is its symbol.
- Avenida del Mar is a long promenade.
- Population is 220,000.
- Located close to the Elqui Valley.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town La Serena (16)
Parque Jardín del Corazón🌳 park
This beautiful park in La Serena was opened on August 26, 1994.
Frequently asked questions
La Serena: where is it located?
La Serena: what is there to see?
La Serena: when is the best time to visit?
La Serena: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
