Holding the title of the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia is flanked by the most southern point of the Andes Mountain range. If you are interested in hopping on a boat to Antarctica, it is from Ushuaia that you would do so! The end of the world is an incredible place with many activities like taking the End of the World Train to Tierra del Fuego National Park, cruising through the Beagle Channel, or visiting the penguins on Martillo Island. Get started with our list of the Top 10 Things To Do In And Around Ushuaia.
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Martillo Island
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This small island in the Beagle Channel east of Ushuaia is home to thousands of Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. The penguins can be found on Isla Martillo during the summer months and they share their habitat with other birds including skuas, petrels and comorants as well as seagulls.
Lakes Escondido and Fagnano
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A fun excursion in the area is to Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano in the southernmost stretches of the Fuegian Andes. The Pan-American Highway out of Ushuaia goes through beech forests and past beavers’ dams, peat bogs, and glaciers. The lakes have campsites and fishing and are good spots for a picnic or a hike. Lago Fagnano is by far the bigger lake and belongs in small part to Chile. The trip can be done with a rental car or as an organized seven-hour tour, including lunch and a local guide. Source: touropia
Estancia Harberton
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The Estancia Harberton , 85 km from Ushuaia, is the oldest historical settlement on the island, and is still run by descendants of the British missionary Thomas Bridges, whose family protected the indigenous peoples here. It is a beautiful place, with the attractive wood-framed house that Thomas built by the tranquil bay.
Laguna Esmeralda
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Laguna Esmeralda is one of the many lakes of Tierra del Fuego, but it stands out among the other lakes of Ushuaia by the green color it has. The scenery beautiful and the tour is ideal for those who enjoy hiking.
El Tren del fin del Mundo
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A visit to the “End-of-the-World Train Station”, the most Southern train station of the world, will enable you to learn about the history of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, its prison and what once used to be the prison train. Passengers will travel the same route as done by the convicts decades ago to supply fuel to the people of Ushuaia. The train run among dazzling landscapes with snow-covered mountains, rivers, lakes, cascades and virgin forests in the Andes Cordillera. Passengers we will see the reconstruction of an Indian settlement parade during the trip. The tour also makes a stop at the Macarena waterfall.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
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Complete with waterfalls, forests, mountains and glaciers, the Tierra del Fuego National Park is an embodiment of Ushuaia’s beautiful scenery. Accessible by car or train, you will definitely want to allow a day or two to explore the wonders of the world’s southernmost national park. Arguably the top attraction of the Ushuaia region, visitors can hike the park’s various trails, take a boat ride on the Beagle Channel or spend the day exploring the park’s unique wildlife. Source: argentina-travel-blog.sayhueque
Beagle Channel Cruise
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No trip to Ushuaia is complete without a voyage on the legendary Beagle Channel. Most boat excursions start and finish in Ushuaia, and you get the best views of town looking back at it from the straits. There are several tour operators at the port who offer cruises between small islands that are home to sea lions, penguins, whales, Peale’s dolphins, sea birds such as the Black-browed albatross, Southern skuas and South American terns.
Cerro Castor
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Cerro Castor is the most modern and newest ski resort in Argentina on the southern slope of Mount Krund, 26 km (16 miles) from Ushuaia. It has 9 ski lifts (4 quadruple chair lifts, 3 teleski and 2 magic carpets). The ski area has 1 terrain park. 1 ski cross circuit, 2 moguls courses (perfect to try out your new best skis for moguls) and 25 slopes/pistes and 4 restaurants. Cerro Castor can boast a very impressive 772 meters (2,533 ft) of vertical descent. It is only really suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Glaciar Martial
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Located a short distance outside the city is a ski lift that whisks visitors up to the Glaciar Martial in just 15 minutes. The Martial Glacier lies 1,050 meters (3,444 ft) above sea level and it is the most important source of fresh water in Ushuaia. In the summer, this is an ideal place to practice various activities such as hiking or trekking.
San Martin Street
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Argentina is famous for its steak, and Ushuaia for its seafood, most especially the king crab. Be sure to try these dishes while you are in town, with a side of Malbec, of course. I recommend the Paso Garibaldi restaurant, as it’s very lovely, not overpriced, and one of the few places off the main street. While you are on the main street (San Martin), you will be able to get some penguin-themed souvenirs among others. And I would recommend a piece of jewelry with the Inca Rose stone, famous from Argentina and very beautiful! Source: brittanyfromboston
Just So You Know…
- It is pronounced “oo -swy-ah” by Argentines.
- Ushuaia is not connected to mainland Argentina. The city is on the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is divided between Chile and Argentina. To reach the city by land, you have to cross into Chile and take a ferry across to the island.
- Ushuaia is home to the southernmost national park, the southernmost golf course in the world, the southernmost ski resort and even the southernmost Irish pub in the world.
- The best time to visit Ushuaia is during the summer months, December through March. Keep in mind this is also the high season and things can book up fast.
- Okay. It’s not actually the southernmost city in the world. Puerto Williams, in Chile, is technically further south, but at just 2,500 inhabitants, it doesn’t quite qualify as a city.
- For a unique experience of flying over the city at the end of the world in a helicopter, check out Heli Ushuaia.
Get Some Culture:
- Museo Maritimo – A prison complex that is now home to four museums, which are collectively referred to as the Museo Maritimo. While the Maritime Museum, the Antarctic Museum Jose Maria Sobral and the Marine Art Museum are all worth exploring, it’s the Prison Museum that most attracts visitors.
- Museo Del Fin Del Mundo – Has displays of Indian hunting tools and colonial maritime instruments.
Grab A Bite:
- Tia Elvira – They serve delicious crab.
