15 Best Sights in La Serena, El Norte Chico

Housing many fascinating artifacts and one of the world's best collections of precolonial ceramics, this museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the region. Reopened in 2021 after a 10-year restoration, the museum's new curation contains a beautifully housed collection of Diaguita and Molle pottery, an Easter Island moai (carved stone head), bones of the mysterious American Horse, and a raft made of seal skins sown together with cactus spines.

Even though it's a bit of a trek, this stunning package of bleach-white sand, turquoise water, and rocky desert scenery is worth the trip. The 17-km (10-mile) journey south from Coquimbo is more than made up for by the natural advantages of the beach and the perfect conditions for swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling. Amenities: food and drink (summer only); parking (fee). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Perched at 2,200 meters (7,200 feet), Cerro Tololo Observatory runs free tours of its two principal telescopes on Saturdays. During January and February, priority is given to nonspecialist visitors—although high demand means it’s worth reserving at least a month in advance—while the rest of the year the observatory tours cater principally to delegations. Tours should first be requested by phone or email; once the reservation has been made, permission certification can be picked up at the observatory’s offices in Las Serena on the corner of avenidas Huanhalí and J. Cisternas. Tours may be canceled in bad weather.

With one of the largest telescopes in the world, an 8.1-meter (26.5 feet) Cassegrain, this observatory 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Cerro Tololo is operated by a consortium of six nations. Tours are free of charge on Friday mornings and can be tailored to the interests of the group (usually between 10 and 25 people). Email at least a month in advance to request a place on the tour. Priority is given to student and scientific delegations.

With its central location in the beautiful Plaza de Armas, this imposing cathedral—the largest church in La Serena—is a great place to start your city tour. French architect Jean Herbage built the behemoth using stone from the Soldado mine in 1844 in the so-called Serena style of arches and columns, but it wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that the bell tower was added. The church is open to the public.

One of La Serena's oldest churches, Iglesia San Francisco has a Baroque facade and thick stone walls. The exact date of the church's construction is not known, as the city archives were destroyed in 1680, but it's estimated that the structure was built sometime between 1585 and 1627. The church is open to the public.

This impressive church was built in 1673 and then rebuilt after a pirate attack in 1755. Its Italian Renaissance–style facade is eye-catching, and its best feature is the elegant bell tower.

Well sheltered within a small cove, La Herradura—or the Horseshoe—is a small but attractive beach that enjoys calm waters and lies within easy striking distance of Coquimbo. These days it is best known as a holiday destination or as a prime windsurfing, kayak, or stand-up paddleboarding spot, but the area’s history as a fishing cove can still be seen in the brightly colored boats tethered out in the calm waters of the bay. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

Administered by the 15-member European Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla Observatory is one of the largest and most important observatories in the Southern Hemisphere. Free tours are available of the three principal telescopes each Saturday at 2 pm, except during July and August, due to the risk of snowstorms in this period. Note that bookings are accepted only if made via the online visitor form.

This observatory of the Carnegie Institute of Washington, 170 km (105 miles) north of La Serena, has twin 6.5-meter Magellan telescopes (internationally recognized as the best natural imaging telescopes) as well as two others. Free tours of the facilities take place on Saturday between 10 and 2:30, but due to high demand visitors are advised to make reservations several weeks in advance. Preference is given to school groups and delegations.

A reminder of Chile's recent tragic past, this memorial is dedicated to the "disappeared" of the area, the prisoners and politicians who went missing during the Pinochet regime in the 1970s and '80s. More than 60 people, many of whom died in their early twenties, are listed on the large stone monument.

Former president Gabriel González Videla is known for his vigorous renovation of La Serena, as well as for prompting the exile of senate member Pablo Neruda. The museum is housed in his former home and also contains works by Chilean artists.

One of the most complete mineral collections in the world is on display here. Exhibits highlight fossils and minerals from the surrounding region.

This park was a collaboration between a local mining company and its Japanese trading partners as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Within it, you'll find Kokoro No Niwa, a Japanese garden filled with koi ponds, intricate bridges, and a network of walking paths.

Stretching along the city’s coastline up to neighboring Coquimbo, this sandy city beach is La Serena’s star attraction and a popular spot for families, surfers, and couples, who come to enjoy the great views over the bay at sunset. Like many city beaches, though, it suffers from mild trash problems in parts and is overrun with tourists during the summer high season. Be sure the beach is marked with a sign that says Playa Apta before swimming, as the high waves and fierce currents often make it a dangerous place for swimmers. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer only); parking (fee); toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.