I visited Concepcion in december 2004, while visiting a friend who lives there. It’s a nice town, almost cosy. Although it’s Chile’s second city, it does’nt seem to be like that. Not that many attractions, if you want more..go to Santiago. It has a nice small history museum and of course the Mural in the Pinotéca at the UdC-campus.Just an ordinary town.
Concepcion is close to a really nice seaside resort (Ditchato, well known in Chile, do not go the in february..) and deserted beaches (you must be with a local to see them). If you want some nature very close to the city, cross the Rio Bió Bió and head for Laguna Grande in San Pedro de la Paz. Some nice swans with a black coloured neck to be seen there. Go there while its lasts, they plan to build a casino complex on it’s shore. Another waste of nature, called progress.
Anyway, nightlife is ok as well, although having a bad name, the Barrio Estación is worth exploring. The unique vegetarian restaurant, at the time of my visit they only had one, is worth a visit as well, as is Trenta y Mas, a excellent empenadas restaurant.
Concepción, a visit worth