Nestled in the Los Lagos region and its proximity to the Osorno volcano and the Petrohué waterfalls, there are many things to do in Puerto Varas. Here are the ones we recommend based on our experience.
Puerto Varas is one of the must-see places in the Lake District. A small town on the shores of Lake Llanquihue where German settlers settled during the 20th century to develop the area economically.
Although it is a very touristy city, it lives at a leisurely pace. The centre itself is easily covered in one day, but if you want to see all the natural attractions that surround the place, we recommend at least 3 days in Puerto Varas.
Its proximity to the Osorno volcano, one of the symbols of Chile, national parks and the fabulous Petrohué waterfalls, make it a very attractive place to visit in Chilean Patagonia.
Based on our experience, we recommend 15 places to visit in and around Puerto Varas.
Table of Contents
1. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
This church in Puerto Varas is a faithful reflection of the legacy left by the German settlers. Its exterior architecture probably reminds you of the churches that can be seen in southern Germany, in fact its construction was inspired by the Marienkirche church in the Black Forest. Its reddish roofs, the gabled roof and the great tower with its circular clocks bear witness to this.
The large number of large windows also attracts attention. Inside, it is spotless with wooden details on its columns and vault and a well-decorated altar.
📷 One of the best ways to get to know the history of Puerto Varas and its attractions is with this tour that combines a visit to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.
2. Take a walk along the Puerto Varas waterfront.
The location of Puerto Varas is privileged, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and with fabulous views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes that provide a spectacular backdrop to the landscape of Patagonian forest and mountains.
To see this postcard, we recommend you take the whole walk along the Puerto Varas waterfront, from the Licarayén sculpture to the Harbour Master’s office. It’s a 30-minute walk in total, but it will take you a little longer to stop to take pictures. Along the way there are several viewpoints and sculptures.
After the walk, a place to eat or have a drink with a view of the lake and volcanoes are the food trucks near the Licarayén sculpture or the Cassis Café, a real charmer. It also has a beautiful wooden interior decoration and an excellent pastry shop. Your raspberry kuchen is spectacular! Even sunset is an excellent time to visit.
3. Touring Lake Llanquihue
The Chilean Lake District, where the town of Puerto Varas is located, is characterised by large bodies of water surrounded by volcanoes and mountains. Lake Llanquihue is one of the main examples.
One of the recommended activities to do in Puerto Varas is to border the lake and visit some of its villages. Lake Llanquihue is easily accessible by road. The nicest towns to visit are Ensenada, the closest to the Osorno volcano, Puerto Octay and Frutillar, where German colonies have left their mark on the architecture and food.
This tour can be done in your own car, by renting a car in Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt or with this excursion with transfers and guide along the lake and around these villages.
4. Visit the Pablo Fierro Museum
Its façade is already striking, it is housed in one of the old mansions and has surprising details such as the prow of a fishing boat embedded in the façade of the house and an old bus.
Admission is free, a small contribution can be made. The museum is run by the artist himself, from whom you can hear his story and that of Puerto Varas. Inside are exhibited all kinds of antique objects, as well as drawings painted by the artist.
5. Lutheran Temple and German settlers’ houses
German-style architecture, thanks to the arrival of German settlers, has largely been maintained as a heritage site in Puerto Varas. Thanks to this, there are buildings and mansions built throughout the 20th century that can be seen today.
One of them is the Lutheran church, open to the general public, with its yellowish hue. The mansions built by the first German settlers who arrived in Puerto Varas are scattered throughout the city, the most important being the Kuschel, Götschlich, Jüpner, Yunge and Raddatz houses.
Most of these mansions unfortunately cannot be visited inside, but are undergoing restoration work.
6. Monte Calvario, the main things to do in Puerto Varas.
Surrounded by native forest, beyond its religious motif from which it takes its name from the 12 Stations of the Cross, this small mountain provides an excellent view of the centre of Puerto Varas with Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno volcano in the background.
The main landmark in the city is the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
7. Phillipi Park
The most extensive green space in Puerto Varas, mainly focused on mountain bike routes, although it is also possible to hike inside.
It is another place with a viewpoint to contemplate the views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, although for us the viewpoint on Mount Calvario has better views. At the top of the park is a large iron cross.
8. Osorno Volcano
It is undoubtedly the main attraction to do in the surroundings of Puerto Varas. Its imposing 2650 metres and its perfect volcanic cone shape with its snow-capped summit make it a postcard of the trip. Inactive for a long time now, it is even possible to climb to the summit.
The best way to visit the Osorno volcano is by car or with an excursion. In any case, you reach the ski resort and then continue up the chairlifts. There are also several trekking routes to do. In our article you will find more details on how to get to the Osorno volcano, prices and things to do.
Unlike its sister volcano Osorno, Calbuco did have a recent eruption in 2015. This volcano, which is also visible from many parts of Puerto Varas, can only be climbed with previous mountaineering experience and is not for everyone.
9. Petrohué Falls
The other great attraction to see in Puerto Varas is a series of waterfalls that originate near the source of the Petrohué River in the Todos los Santos Lake. There are three possible walking trails, all of which are suitable for children.
We recommend that you take trekking shoes and a mackintosh as the weather is often rainy in this area. In addition, from the falls, the proximity of the Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes allows for excellent photographs of the waterfalls with the volcanoes in the background.
One of the best ways to visit the place is with the excursion that combines the Osorno Volcano with the Petrohue Falls in one day.
To access the Petrohué waterfalls you have to pay the entrance fee to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. See prices and opening times on the official CONAF website, where you can buy your ticket online, which is advisable if you visit the site during the months of December, January or February due to the high number of visitors.
10. Todos los Santos Lake
After Lake Llanquihue, Lake Todos los Santos is another of the main lakes to see around Puerto Varas. The best way to get to know this beautiful Patagonian landscape surrounded by mountains and volcanoes is to take a boat trip across the lake from the village of Petrohue to the village of Peulla.
Peulla is a real gem hidden in the forest. One of its great attractions, apart from its surroundings, is the walk to the Velo de la Novia, a small waterfall that falls surrounded by trees.
11. Green Lagoon
The small Laguna Verde is located after the village of Ensenada and before starting the climb up the mountain road to the ski centre of the Osorno volcano. Its uniqueness is the greenish hue caused by the algae found at the bottom.
There is a short trail from the roadside car park to the lagoon, suitable for all audiences. The good thing is that you can visit the lagoon without paying the entrance fee to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park.
12. Go to Frutillar
Just a few kilometres away is the small town of Frutillar, whose legacy of the German settlers is also worth a visit.
The German Colonial Museum is located in this city, an ideal place to learn more about the history of the German colonists and how they arrived in this part of Chile. Its waterfront has two emblematic places, the famous pier and the spectacular Teatro del Lago.
We recommend, if you have time, to take a guided tour of the interior of the theatre, its large windows overlooking the lake, its wooden architecture and acoustics are impressive. There is an excursion from Puerto Varas that we recommend to visit Frutillar in one day.
For more information on the town, see our article on things to do in Frutillar in one or two days.
13. Get to know the main attractions of the island of Chiloé.
Because of its proximity, the island of Chiloé is another place to visit. The archipelago has several singularities that we recommend you to visit. One of them is the route of the churches, built in wood and declared a World Heritage Site.
Another reason is the construction of the old fishermen’s houses on stilts, pillars over the water on which the colourful houses sit on the edge of the estuary. Finally, the island of Chiloé has its own gastronomy and handicrafts, and this is reflected in the town of Dalcahue with its handicraft market and kitchens.
There are several excursions that visit different parts of the island of Chiloé from Puerto Varas. We recommend this one that visits Castro, Cachao and Dalcahue.
If you want to know things to do in Chiloé, we recommend you to read our article about Chiloé in 3 days and the guide to travel to Chiloé.
14. Visit the village of Cochamó and the Sol hot springs.
It is an all-day excursion, but well worth it. Termas del Sol is not only a place to dive into the pools with different temperatures. Its location in the middle of the Patagonian forest allows you to relax completely surrounded by a dreamlike landscape. It is an experience that goes beyond the thermal bath with wooden walkways that run through the area.
The best thing to do is to combine the visit to the thermal baths with the village of Cochamó, for us one of the most beautiful in the Lake District. Its location on the banks of the Reloncaví estuary and its church, similar to those found on the island of Chiloé, make it a must-see.
15. Make the Andean crossing to Argentina
An ideal experience if you want to get to know part of the Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia, as well as crossing the Andes mountain range between mountain peaks over 3,000 metres high.
The Andean crossing excursion starts in the city of Puerto Varas and combines the navigation of the lakes Todos los Santos on the Chilean side and Frías and Nahuel Huapi on the Argentinean side, with overland stretches by bus to the city of Bariloche.
On the way, in addition to the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, you will be able to see Mount Tronador up close. It is a more expensive way to get to Argentina from Chile than the Cardenal Samore Pass, but the scenery and the experience of being in the middle of the Andes is priceless.
Where to eat in Puerto Varas
In addition to the already mentioned Cassis Café, we recommend two other places to eat in Puerto Varas.
- Bravo Cabrera: with fabulous views of the lake, its menu is varied. It has good Chilean food options, including salmon ceviche.
- Cambalache: is a bit expensive compared to the rest, but the food is delicious. We recommend you try some of its specialities such as wild boar, venison or lamb. It also has fresh fish and seafood. It has an air-conditioned terrace for rainy or windy days, which are frequent in this area.
Where to stay in Puerto Varas
Our recommendations for budget accommodation in Puerto Varas are as follows:
- Hotel Puerta del Lago: for medium and low budgets. A little further away from the waterfront with excellent cleanliness and treatment. Small rooms.
- ApartHotel Kintumay: on the waterfront, just a few metres from the centre. It is surrounded by Philippi Park and an extensive garden and has excellent views of the lake and volcanoes.
- Casa Molino: on the waterfront, but a little further away from the centre is a place to relax completely. Surrounded by nature and with a view, it is housed in a renovated old house and has everything you need to stay in.
- Casa Azul Hostel: for low budgets and backpackers is an exceptional place. Nice common areas and its typical architecture of the south of Chile make it very pleasant.
How to get to Puerto Varas
Getting to Puerto Varas by plane
The nearest airport is Puerto Montt, 20 kilometres from Puerto Varas. There are blue minibuses that make the trip from the bus terminal in Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas.
Getting to Puerto Varas by bus
Puerto Varas is well connected to nearby cities such as Puerto Montt, Frutillar and even the capital Santiago de Chile (a 12-hour drive). You can also connect to Bariloche in Argentina.
Rent a car
If you want to explore the region at your own pace, it’s best to rent a car in Puerto Montt, which has more to offer and is the main city in the region. Also, if you fly you will arrive at Puerto Montt airport.
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