Ushuaia Travelers Recommend

The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is surrounded by the glacial peaks of the Fuegian Andes and lapped by the icy waters of the Beagle Channel. As a convenient gateway to wilderness and wildlife, the city is a magnet for adventurous travelers. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Ushuaia.

Day 1: City Sights

Though best-known as the gateway to Antarctica, Ushuaia is also home to a wealth of cultural and historic attractions. Kickstart your stay by getting your bearings on a walking or bus tour of the city. Tours typically cover the historic La Mission neighborhood, the Brown and Solier districts, and cultural landmarks such as the Maritime Museum and Old Prison of Ushuaia. For naturalists, a must-see museum is Museo del Fin del Mundo, with its exhibits on Patagonian wildlife. Nightlife in Ushuaia is subdued, but if you head for the central Avenida San Martín, you’ll find a selection of restaurants and bars that offer king crab and locally-brewed beers.

Day 2: Tierra del Fuego National Park

Spend your second day getting active on a full-day excursion to Tierra del Fuego National Park. Tours from Ushuaia tend to transport you there by bus or by the famed End of the World Train, the world’s southernmost train journey, which follows the route of the original convict train that ran in Ushuaia from 1910 to 1947. 

Some shorter tours include just enough time for taking in views of the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes, while others let you delve deeper into Patagonian landscapes via treks and kayak excursions that reveal beaches, forested valleys, Lapataia Bay and Lake Roca—these longer tours typically include a picnic lunch. If you still have energy left over in the evening, embark on a snowshoeing and snowmobiling tour, which typically include dinner and a dog-sledding experience.

Day 3: Beagle Channel

The narrow Beagle Channel separates the main island of Tierra del Fuego from a cluster of small Chilean islands and is easily explored on a boat tour from Ushuaia. Full-day sailing trips meander through the islands of the Alicia Archipelago and bring you up close to the area's prolific bird life,which comprises skuas, cormorants, and black browed albatross. Tours typically also sail by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse (also known as the Lighthouse at the End of the World) and visit Seal Island in the Les Eclaireurs Archipelago, which is home to two species of sea lions. 

For many, however, the highlight of these boat tours is Martillo Island, home to large colonies of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. Most tours give you ample time to explore the grounds of Estancia Harberton, a historical settlement that dates back to the 19th century, before returning to Ushuaia. 

The southernmost city in the world is home to a picturesque jumble of colorful buildings surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Fuegian Andes. With two days in town, you can  explore the city and surroundings and visit a nearby national park and penguin colony. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Ushuaia.

Day 1: History, Wildlife, and Snowy Landscapes

**Morning:**Ushuaia is primarily known for its stunning Patagonian landscapes, but there is also a wealth of cultural and historic attractions to explore. Get your bearings on a sightseeing tour of the city by bus or on foot. Tours typically cover the historic La Mission neighborhood, the Brown and Solier districts, and cultural landmarks such as the Maritime Museum and Old Prison of Ushuaia.

**Afternoon:**Visit the Magellanic and Gentoo penguin rookeries of Martillo Island on the Beagle Channel by taking a boat trip from the city. Typically led by naturalist guides, tours offer insight into the lives of the penguins, as well as other birds including skuas, petrels, cormorants, and vultures, and usually include free time at the traditional Estancia Harberton.

**Night:**Strap on some snowshoes and dive into the snowy landscapes surrounding the city with an evening tour that combines snowshoeing and snowmobiling along some of the routes taken by the area’s earliest explorers. Some tours also include a dog-sledding experience, and most include dinner. 

Day 2: Train Journeys and Boat Tours

**Morning:**Kick off your second day with a visit to Tierra del Fuego National Park. You can travel there by bus or the famed End of the World Train, which follows the route of the original convict train that ran in Ushuaia from 1910 to 1947. Upon arrival, tours typically include free time to take in the views of glaciers, lakes, and mountains, and perhaps to spot some of the park’s abundant wildlife.

**Afternoon:**Get back out onto the water this morning and explore more of the Beagle Channel by boat. Sailing tours from Ushuaia typically cruise past Lighthouse Les Eclaireurs and colonies of cormorants and sea lions, and disembark at Bridges Island to allow passengers to go on a short trek. 

**Night:**Conclude your visit to Ushuaia with a taste of its modest nightlife scene. Head for the city’s main drag, Avenida San Martín, and take your pick from the many wine bars, pubs, and restaurants to sample typical dishes such as king crab and sea bass, washed down with locally brewed beer and Argentine wines.

The busy port city and adventure hub of Ushuaia is often referred to as the “end of the world” for its far southern setting in the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. From the glacial peaks of the Fuegian Andes to the icy Beagle Channel, stunning scenery abounds. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Morning: Tierra del Fuego National Park

Kick off your visit to the world’s southernmost city with an excursion to the world's southernmost national park. Tierra del Fuego National Park is home to glaciers, lakes, mountains, and abundant wildlife. You can travel there by bus or by the famed End of the World Train, which follows the route of the original convict train that ran in Ushuaia from 1910 to 1947. You’ll learn more about the history of the region as the train travels along the coastline of the Beagle Channel, passing by sparkling bays, snow-capped peaks, and emerald forest. Tours typically include time to disembark and walk along nature paths and explore the landscape.

Afternoon: Penguin Rookery or the City

You can spend your afternoon in the company of Magellanic and gentoo penguins by taking a tour to Martillo Island on the Beagle Channel. Tours are typically led by naturalist guides who provide insight into the behavior of the penguins, as well as other birds including skuas, petrels, cormorants, vultures, and South American terns. Alternatively, you can stay in the city and take a tour of Ushuaia. Bus tours typically take visitors to the La Mission neighborhood to learn about the European settlers who made their homes there and into notable public buildings and museums. Some city tours include a trip to Le Martial Glacier.

Night: Evening Snow Adventures

Dive into Patagonia’s winter wonderland with an evening tour that embraces the region’s powdery terrain. Combination evening tours typically include snowshoeing across iced-over lakes, snowmobiling through rugged terrain, and dogsledding through forest, and are rounded out with a visit to a local restaurant for a traditional Argentine asado (barbecue) dinner. Afterward, you can warm up and toast a great day in Ushuaia with a visit to the wine bars and restaurants lining the city’s central Avenida San Martín.

At the foot of South America, looking out across the Drake Passage, the remote Patagonia outpost of Ushuaia is Argentina’s southernmost town and the gateway to Antarctica. Here are your options for Antarctica tours from Ushuaia.

Things to Know

• It’s possible to reach Antarctica by plane from select destinations, but the most popular way to visit is on an Antarctic cruise from Ushuaia. Crossing the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula takes a day or two, and tours typically last 10–20 days.

• Most tours only run during the summer season, from November to March, but high season is December–January.

• Pack for cold and changeable weather conditions; expect temperatures of 23˚–41˚F (-5˚–5˚ C) and around 20 hours of daylight during peak season. 

• Most Antarctic cruises are all-inclusive, and cruise ships often offer a choice of on-board accommodation, dining options, and activities.

• Most cruise ships have ornithologists and geologists on board to describe the region’s unique landscapes and point out the many species of seabirds.

• Some cruises from Ushuaia to Antarctica also include a visit to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, the South Shetland Islands, or the Polar Circle.