Valdivia boasts one of the most walkable and beautiful urban parks in the Los Ríos Region. We’re referring to Saval Park, and we invite you to discover why it’s a must-visit spot when traveling to the city of Valdivia.
With its vast green spaces, walking trails, and lagoons, Saval Park offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. In addition to its clear natural beauty, the park hosts cultural and sporting events, making it a gathering point for both locals and visitors. From family picnics to boat rides on the river, Saval Park has something for everyone—whether you're a nature lover or an adventurer.
Saval Park in Valdivia and Its History
Saval Park is located on Isla Teja, an island surrounded by four rivers: Calle-Calle, Valdivia, Cau-Cau, and Cruces. The park’s origins date back to a German immigrant family, the Prochelle family, who arrived in Valdivia around 1850 during a colonization process aimed at boosting the local economy.
The Prochelle family, owners of the land that now makes up the park, built two impressive houses (now recognized as Historical Monuments), created gardens with both native and introduced species, and constructed two artificial lagoons, famous today for their lotus flowers.
In 1944, the Sociedad Agrícola y Ganadera de Valdivia (SAVAL) acquired the land for the Valdivia Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, which is where the park gets its current name. The land was later transferred to the Municipality of Valdivia, which manages it to this day.
What to Do at Saval Park
Saval Park is considered an urban recreational park, offering various activities. It has walking trails, picnic areas, barbecue zones, a canopy, playgrounds, sports areas, a rodeo ring, horse rentals, and a sculpture park.
During the summer, the park hosts numerous fairs, festivals, and local celebrations, making it a lively place to visit with friends and family.
Saval Park is part of an ecosystem of significant ecological value. Giant trees, such as beech, lime, chestnut, European oaks, and coigües, which are even older than the city itself, dominate the park. Trails lined with maqui, murta, chupón, and digueñes give visitors the chance to try these wild fruits.
For bird lovers, the park offers a beautiful selection of species, such as the concón (a type of owl), cachañas, and araucana pigeons, among other native birds.
A walk around the lagoons with lotus flowers will be a unique experience, especially during the late spring and summer months when the flowers bloom. These lagoons are home to species like the Chilean giant frog, coipos, and puyes, a type of fish typical of Valdivia’s wetlands. The park features trails, walkways, and viewpoints that allow visitors to enjoy and photograph the lagoons.
How to Get to Saval Park in Valdivia
Valdivia, a remarkable city known for its navigable rivers, is located in the Los Ríos Region, 850 kilometers from Santiago. The city captivates visitors with its lush landscapes, history, and cultural attractions.
If you’re driving and want to visit Saval Park, getting there is simple. From the city center, Isla Teja is 2.8 km away, accessible by crossing the Pedro de Valdivia Bridge. Once you cross the bridge, continue on Los Robles Street and turn onto Los Lingues Street.
To enter the park, a small entrance fee is required (less than $1,000 Chilean pesos), with discounts for children and senior citizens.
Saval Park Opening Hours
The park is open from 08:00 to 18:00 hours during the off-season, and extends until 22:00 hours during the high season.
Travel Comfortably to Saval Park
If you want to explore Valdivia comfortably and safely, MITTA offers a wide range of rental cars in the city center. Whether you need a 4x4 for rugged terrain or an economical city car, MITTA has the perfect vehicle for your trip.
Don’t miss out on experiencing Valdivia, one of southern Chile’s gems. We’re sure you’ll love it and will want to return. Travel light and rent the vehicle that best suits your needs by booking quickly and easily on our website.