La Serena

Founded in 1544, La Serena is Chile's second oldest city, a Pacific-coast destination in the country's north known for its Spanish neocolonial architecture — stone buildings, balconies, and plazas — alongside extensive beaches that draw summer visitors from across Chile and Argentina. The historic centre has a walkable café and restaurant scene, and the city is home to the University of La Serena and the seat of one of Chile's five Catholic archdioceses.

• Population154,521
• Nearest water from center0.5 km
• Nearest mountain from center4.5 km