Things to do in Ushuaia

A city between the channel and the mountains

Our beloved Ushuaia, capital of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, stretches along the south coast of Isla Grande, nestled on the shore of the Beagle Channel and sheltered by the peaks of the Martial Range. Besides being the main departure point for expeditions to Antarctica, it is the hub of your trip: all our tours leave from here, and on most of them we pick you up right at your accommodation, so you do not have to worry about a thing.

This land holds a fascinating history. Long before us, these latitudes were home to the native peoples: the Selk’nam (Ona), Haush, Kawésqar (Alakaluf) and the Yámana, expert canoeists of the channel. The city’s modern history reached a turning point on October 12, 1884, with the creation of the Argentine Subprefecture, and later, between 1904 and 1947, it became known for its famous Prison for Repeat Offenders. Today its historic cells house the must-see Maritime and Prison Museum (Museo Marítimo y del Presidio), a key visit to understand the identity of the southernmost city in the world.

Things to do in the city on a tour

• City tour (about 2 hours): it covers La Misión neighborhood, with archaeological remains of the native peoples and the first missionaries; the old airport, the sign with the city’s letters, the port and the surroundings of the Maritime and Prison Museum; and it goes up to Las Hayas viewpoint and the base of the Martial Glacier Reserve, as far as the historic Tea House. It includes the drop-off at your accommodation; museum admission is not included.
• Helicopter flight (about 15 minutes): after the safety briefing with the pilots, it takes off over Ushuaia Bay, continues over the Olivia River Valley, Mount Olivia and Cinco Hermanos, and flies over the peat bogs of the Carbajal Valley, Laguna Esmeralda and the Ojo del Albino Glacier. Round-trip transfers to the heliport are included.
• Horseback riding (2 hours): on a family property founded in 1956. The guide matches you with a Criollo horse based on your experience and, at the end, there is a country meal: afternoon tea, an asado or a snack, depending on the time of day. The round-trip transfer is included.

Must-see spots in the city

On your walk around downtown, don’t miss the End of the World Museum (Museo del Fin del Mundo) and the Maritime and Prison Museum complex, two essential stops to learn about the island’s history, birdlife and prison past. It is also worth stopping by the historic Casa Beban, one of the oldest and most emblematic houses in the city.

To enjoy the coastal scenery, nothing beats a stroll along the Ushuaia Bay waterfront and an easy walk through the Bahía Encerrada urban nature reserve, an ideal spot for birdwatching. And of course, the must-have souvenir photo awaits by the iconic welcome sign, with the Beagle Channel in the background.

Around Ushuaia

• Tierra del Fuego National Park: about 12 km west of the city, with forest, lakes and Lapataia Bay, where National Route 3 ends. You can visit it in half a day, with the End of the World Train or on a full hike and canoe day.
• Beagle Channel: islands with sea lions and seabirds, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and the Martillo Island penguins.
• Laguna Esmeralda: a meltwater lagoon in the Tierra Mayor Valley. The trail starts 18 km from the city and is 9 km round trip.
• Puerto Almanza: the fishing village 75 km away, at the end of the King Crab Route, on a full-day trip.
• Garibaldi Pass and Lake Escondido: the Route 3 crossing of the Andes, with a viewpoint over Lake Escondido. Visit it by e-bike. In the afternoon, you can opt for beaver watching at Estancia La Carmen.

Another hike: the Vinciguerra Glacier

It is a challenging outing: about 8 hours through the Andorra Valley to Laguna de los Témpanos and the Vinciguerra Glacier, for people aged 12 to 60 in good physical condition. The trail is 14 km round trip with 350 m of elevation gain. To compare it with Laguna Esmeralda and Ojo del Albino, see our guide to hiking in Ushuaia.

How many days you need

Half a day is enough for the city tour, the helicopter flight, the horseback ride or the classic National Park tour (about 4 hours); the options by time available are in Ushuaia in one day. With more days you can add a Beagle Channel trip, a hike and Puerto Almanza without repeating places: there is a day-by-day plan in Ushuaia in 3 or 4 days.

The weather and what to wear

Ushuaia has a very changeable subpolar oceanic climate, with an average annual temperature of 5.7 °C, so the key to enjoying it to the full is to always dress in layers.

For a safe, perfect experience, keep in mind these requirements for each hike:

• For all hikes: waterproof mountain footwear that covers the ankles (hiking boots) and suitable warm clothing are mandatory.
• For Laguna Esmeralda and the challenging trails (Ojo del Albino and Vinciguerra glaciers): waterproof clothing (jacket and pants) is also an essential requirement.
• A note for Laguna Esmeralda: the right gear is decisive. If, at the start of the activity, the guide judges that you do not have the required clothing or footwear, for strict safety reasons you will not be allowed to do the tour and there will be no refund.