Once in a lifetime experience. Great tour by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Our family group of four really enjoyed the whole visit. Points to note; you must book in advance even though it's free. Book Spanish or English tour. You can do this through the ESO website. As of November 2018 the public tours are only available on Saturdays. One at 10:00 and one at 14:00. We took a private hire taxi from Antofagasta. Journey time approx two hours each way. The VLT is at 2300m above sea level. Expect bright sunshine but take warm coat as well as sunglasses. No food or water supplied there, no shops etc. Take everything you might need.

Only open to visitors on Saturdays (booking with good anticipation required as spots are limited). The tour includes a short introductory video, a visit to the amazing residence and the hill on which the huge telescopes sit. Also a quick glimpse of the offices and inside one of the telescopes. Well organized and the guides are knowledgeable.

The tour is awesome. But you need a car to get around the place. You can't do a tour without a car, something you have to know. The guide is very professional, he knows a lot about science and about the place as well.

Must go if you are European and/or like science and organized enough to book a free tour in advance. Make sure to bring water and sunblock. The guidance are very well informed and can answer any questions. Mind that you will need to come in your own vehicle which you will drive all the way to the top.

I was pleasantly surprised by the tour. It was well organized, informative, and free. The guide was very knowledgeable and it was available in english and Spanish. You do need a car as you drive yourself between different points of interest. The tour visits a welcome center, the control room, one of the telescopes, and the residence area. I would recommend it to someone visiting antofagasta.

Long way drive but totally worth it. They did not ask our forms in the end and fortunately, they do propose the tour in English.

Must see for every astronomy nerd. The tour last around 2½ hours. Spent around 15 min inside one observatory, little bit too short for me buuuut it was amazing! You have to book a tour or go by yourself with car. We rent a car at the airport of Antofagasta it was ~$45 for 1 day.

excellent free tour, learned loads.