Things to Do in Puerto Varas

The center of Puerto Varas is small, walkable, and full of German-inspired architecture.

• Two historic churches: a 1915 Catholic church and a 1924 Lutheran church
• Casa Kuschel, a gothic house that looks like the Addams Family home
• Casa Gotschlich, a historic German house from the early 1900s
• Small boutiques, secondhand shops, and a Patagonia store

Start at the two churches. Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón is a 1915 Catholic church that overlooks downtown, and Iglesia Lueterana is a 1924 Lutheran church along the lake. The red-and-white Sagrado Corazón is the classic postcard view, though newer buildings have grown up between it and the lake. You can still see it well from a higher hotel or a viewpoint up the hill. The architecture is the real draw here. Casa Kuschel is one of the oldest houses in Puerto Varas, a gothic masterpiece that stands out on any walk. Casa Gotschlich is a historic German home from the early 1900s. Around town there are at least 18 well-preserved German-style houses, and the municipality has set up a self-guided walking tour with signs explaining each one. Shopping is part of the town center experience too. You will find small boutiques, secondhand stores, and a Patagonia shop. If you love thrifting, look for Loica Liquidadora, a beloved secondhand clothing store. And do not skip the cafés-this is the land of kuchen, the German-Chilean coffee-and-cake tradition.

You will know this museum the moment you see it. Nearly everyone stops and stares.

• Quirky exterior with bikes, a giant clock, and half a ship
• Collection by artist Pablo Fierro
• Visitors are encouraged to touch many artifacts
• Open 11am-7pm daily with free entry

Museo Pablo Fierro is impossible to miss. Its exterior features bikes, a giant clock, and half a ship built into the house. Inside, a collection curated by artist Pablo Fierro shows the mix of local Chilote culture and the German farmers who arrived in the mid-19th century. Unlike most museums, this one encourages you to play and interact with many of the objects. If you are lucky, Pablo Fierro himself will be there to tell you about his collection. The museum is open 11am-7pm every day, and entry is free. It is a fun stop for a rainy afternoon or a quick curiosity break.

Just north of the center, Parque Philippi offers lush trails with volcano views.

• 0.7 mile (1.1 km) Mirador Cerro Philippi trail
• Views of the volcanoes on a clear day
• Bike trails for different skill levels
• A second viewpoint, Mirador La Puntilla, sits 0.5 miles from the pier

Parque Philippi is a lush park just north of the city center. The main hike is the 0.7 mile (1.1 km) out-and-back Mirador Cerro Philippi trail, which climbs to the peak of Cerro Philippi. On a clear day you get a great view of the volcanoes across the lake. There are also bike trails throughout the park. They range in difficulty, so even novice mountain bikers can enjoy the scenery. If you want a shorter viewpoint, Mirador La Puntilla is about 0.5 miles from the pier. It is an easy alternative when you do not have time for the full hike.

Puerto Varas hugs the shore of Chile's second largest lake.

• Lake Llanquihue is Chile's second largest lake
• Muelle Piedralplen, a fishing pier with benches
• Locals and travelers stroll the waterfront on nice days
• Kayak and canoe rentals in the bay

Lake Llanquihue is the heart of Puerto Varas. On a nice day you will find people strolling along the costanera, sitting with a beer, or lounging on the beach near downtown. There is a little fishing pier called Muelle Piedralplen with plenty of benches for enjoying the view. Not a lot of swimming happens here because the water rarely gets warm enough. But if you hit a hot stretch in summer, plenty of locals head in for a dip. You can rent canoes or join a kayaking tour in the bay. The lake also has beaches further down the costanera, and each town around the lake has at least one lakefront beach.

These rushing waterfalls are an absolute must during your time in Puerto Varas.

• About a 45-minute drive from Puerto Varas
• Views of Osorno Volcano rising behind the falls
• Walking trails with different viewpoints
• Foxes are often spotted near the cafe area

Petrohué Falls, also written as Saltas de Petrohué, are stunning chute-style waterfalls. On a clear day, Osorno Volcano rises perfectly behind them. A short path takes you to the falls, and walking trails let you see them from different angles. Visitors often spot foxes near the cafe area. Please do not feed them-it is not good for them. Petrohué Falls are about a 45-minute drive from Puerto Varas. You can also take a local bus to get there. The falls sit inside Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile's oldest national park. Time your visit for a clear day, because the volcano view makes all the difference.

On the west side of Lake Llanquihue lies this adorable German town.

• 25-minute drive from Puerto Varas
• Frutillar Bajo is the pretty lakeside part of town
• Frutillar German Colonial Museum
• Annual Semanas Musicales music festival in late January and early February

Frutillar looks like it was plucked straight out of Bavaria. There are two parts of town-Frutillar Alto and Frutillar Bajo-and you want Frutillar Bajo, the pretty part right on the lake. You will want to photograph everything in sight. Admire the architecture, the blooming gardens, and the downtown shops. Pay a visit to the Frutillar German Colonial Museum. If you time your trip right, you may catch the annual Semanas Musicales music festival, held in late January and early February. For food, Club Alemán serves schnitzel, potatoes with cheese and bacon, and German-Chilean beer. For kuchen, head to Casa Rosalba for coffee, apple strudel, and cheesecake with views from its hilltop perch.