Castro

Castro between its wooden church, markets and the bay

Castro’s distinctive wooden church, markets with their regional food and views over the bay give the town a variety of different sides. At its heart is the Iglesia San Francisco on the Plaza de Armas: an impressive wooden building and a World Heritage Site. The church in Castro is also one of sixteen outstanding examples of the unique wooden church architecture of the so-called Chiloé School. Culture enthusiasts will find a specific starting point here for exploring a distinctive architectural style found on the island.

Church architecture and island culture

The Iglesia San Francisco de Castro stands along one of the main sides of the Plaza de Castro. It is a work by the carpenters of Chiloé, dating from 1910. Visitors interested in materials, construction methods and craft traditions can focus on these features of the church. The Museo Municipal de Castro complements this view of island culture: its collections include various objects that represent this island culture. The museum is half a block from the Plaza de Armas. This makes it possible to include two distinct cultural subjects in your travel plans: wooden church architecture and objects that reflect life on the island.

Markets and dishes from Chiloé

Food stalls are part of the offering at Mercado Municipal Lillo. They serve traditional dishes such as curanto and milcao, as well as fresh seafood. Feria Lillo Costanera de Castro is right next to Mercado Municipal Lillo. There you will also find seafood, cheese and vegetables, while food stalls serve typical dishes from Chiloé. Feria Campesina Yumbel offers something different, with fruit, vegetables, cheese and homemade preparations. If you would like to try regional dishes or discover a range of local products, these markets provide specific places to visit.

Palafitos, viewpoints and the fjord

The Palafitos de Gamboa are considered a typical local attraction and are four minutes from the Plaza de Armas. Mirador Millantuy offers a different view of Castro, the bay and the palafitos. It is ten minutes from the Plaza de Armas, next to the Estadio Municipal de Castro. These places appeal to different interests: the palafitos are a distinctive destination, while the mirador opens up views over Castro and the bay. From Feria Artesanal y Mercado Campesino Lillo, you can also explore the Castro fjord by boat. This lets you distinguish between a viewpoint on land and an exploration of the fjord by boat when planning your trip.

On Chiloé, Ruta 5 Sur leads directly to Castro.

More destinations

More destinations: Quinchao, Dalcahue, Ancud, Quellón, Chonchi, Queilén, Quemchi and Puqueldón.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Provincia Chiloé.