Villarrica, Municipal center in Cautín Province, Chile
Villarrica extends along the western shore of Lake Villarrica, with the snow-covered volcano of the same name rising in the background at 2,860 meters.
Spanish colonists established Villarrica in 1552 under Gerónimo de Alderete's command, though Mapuche resistance caused multiple abandonments and reconstructions until 1882.
The municipality maintains strong connections to Mapuche heritage through local crafts, traditional ceremonies, and indigenous cultural centers that share ancestral knowledge.
The city functions as a central hub for exploring the surrounding national parks, with direct access to hiking trails, skiing facilities, and water activities.
The settlement sits at the intersection of three significant geographical features: an active volcano, a glacial lake, and the Mocha-Villarrica fault zone.
Location: Cautín Province
Inception: 1552
Elevation above the sea: 227 m
Address: Villarrica, Panguipulli, Los Ríos, Chile
Website: https://munivillarrica.cl
GPS coordinates: -39.27807,-72.22740
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:33
Chile stretches over 2,670 miles (4,300 kilometers) from north to south, crossing some of South America's most varied landscapes. The north features the Atacama Desert with its salt flats, geysers at El Tatio, and astronomical observatories such as Paranal. The coastal city of Valparaíso displays colonial architecture on steep hillsides, while the abandoned nitrate mining towns of Humberstone and Sewell recall the country's industrial past. The Andean region includes active volcanoes like Villarrica and Osorno, and Lauca National Park with Lake Chungará at over 14,760 feet (4,500 meters) elevation. The Lake District and Patagonia offer extensive forests, glaciers, and fjords. Torres del Paine National Park attracts hikers with its granite peaks and Grey Glacier. Lake General Carrera on the Argentine border shows turquoise waters, while Queulat and Bernardo O'Higgins national parks preserve remote wilderness. Chiloé Island is known for its wooden churches and traditional architecture. Further south, Puerto Williams on Navarino Island marks one of the world's southernmost settlements. Easter Island sits 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) west of the coast in the Pacific, displaying over 900 moai statues from its Polynesian past. The Juan Fernández Archipelago, also in the Pacific, offers endemic flora and fauna. In central Chile, ski resorts like Valle Nevado provide winter sports in the Andes, while the Elqui Valley is recognized for pisco production and clear night skies. Santiago, the capital, sits in an Andean valley and serves as a starting point for trips to surrounding national parks such as La Campana.
Villarrica Volcano
29.4 km
Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve
68.2 km
Villarrica National Park
52.6 km
Huerquehue National Park
51.5 km
Liquiñe
60.6 km
Termas geométricas
39.2 km
Sollipulli
69.7 km
Ojos del Caburgua
33.3 km
Choshuenco
63.4 km
Quetrupillán
50.1 km
Puente ferroviario Toltén
48.7 km
Casino de Pucón
21.7 km
Sitio de Villarrica
233 m
Huilo-Huilo Falls
68.2 km
Villarrica National Reserve
70.5 km
Termas Huife
49.5 km
Estadio Municipal de Villarrica
1.3 km
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Villarrica
302 m
Tralcán
61.1 km
Cerro Quinquilil
60.2 km
Volcanic Caves Park
26.8 km
Teatro Galia
51 km
Category:Iglesia de San Sebastián, Curarrehue
55.7 km
Capilla de San Conrado
49.7 km
El León waterfall
43.2 km
La China waterfall
42.3 km
Paseo de la Memoria Herida de Villarrica
562 m
Cuevas volcánicas Villarrica
26.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes