Valparaiso, main port and second city of Chile, was once the centre of 19th century British naval and commercial activity on South America's Pacific coast. Valparaiso is a thriving maritime city and Chile’s main port. It is built on 42 hills and one of the best ways to appreciate its beautiful location on the Pacific Coast is to take a ride in one of the 15 funicular lifts which climb the hills; each mirador (look out post) offers visitors stunning views of the crystal waters of the bay and the snow capped mountains in the background. The historic hill districts of Concepcion and Alegre display strong Germanic and British influences from the European traders that once inhabited the city. Here, the steep, narrow, cobbled streets are crammed with colourful European-style houses, cultural museums, the Lutheran and Anglican churches. Valparaiso is also known for its lively bar scene and many of the buildings are illuminated at night.