16 of The Best Things to Do in Ushuaia, Argentina
What are the best things to do in Ushuaia, Argentina? The southernmost city in the world has plenty of hikes, history, and various other things to do to keep every traveler busy. This is the ultimate guide to the best things to do in Ushuaia.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Tierra del Fuego landscapes, Usuhaia is best known for being the gateway to Antarctica. But this former penal colony has become a destination in its own right for thrill seekers. Often referred to as the "End of the World," Ushuaia offers unforgettable experiences for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers. Unfortunately, not every traveler knows
In this guide, we'll delve into the myriad of things to do in Ushuaia, from exhilarating outdoor adventures in the rugged wilderness to immersing oneself in the rich history of this remote outpost. Whether you're embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Antarctica or simply soaking in the tranquility of the surrounding landscapes, Ushuaia offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Where Is Ushuaia ↴
Ushuaia’s nickname is “Fin del Mundo” (the End of the World), which reflects its status as the southernmost city in the world (unless you count Puerto Williams, Chile). Ushuaia lies on the main island of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southern tip of the South American continent.
how to get to Ushuaia ↴
Perhaps the easiest way for travelers to get to Ushuaia is by taking one of the daily flights from Buenos Aires. There are also regular flights from El Calafate, which is ideal for those including both on their Patagonia itineraries.
How To Get Around Ushuaia ↴
Ushuaia is quite small and highly walkable. You can get around the town and to the boat docks on foot. Hikers looking to hit the trails mentioned in this list of things to do can either use Uber or a rental car. Uber rides are so affordable and easy to book, I recommend this. You do not need a rental car in Ushuaia, but it’s fine if you are visiting as part of a longer trip through Patagonia and already have one. Alternatively, there are shuttle buses that leave from the port to major trailheads and the national park entrance. You can also book a hiking tour if you would rather explore with a guide or a group. Hiking tours include transportation to and from the trailheads.
How Long to Spend In Ushuaia ↴
If you’re an avid hiker like me, you could easily spend 5-7 days exploring Ushuaia’s trails. Alternatively, if you are visiting to enjoy the views, but aren’t interested in outdoor explorations beyond that, you don’t need more than 3 days. Ushuaia is a cute little mountain town, but there are a limited number of things to do there.
best time To Visit Ushuaia ↴
Argentina as a whole has four seasons: spring (September through November), summer (December through February), autumn (March through May), and winter (June through August). However, Ushuaia’s weather isn’t so easily distinguished by seasons. The weather in Ushuaia, and the general Patagonia region, is impossibly changeable. You’ll probably experience all four seasons in a single day no matter when you visit.
Many people refer to Ushuaia as “the land of eternal spring”, due to its extremely mild winter and summer weather. January is the hottest month in Ushuaia, but even still the temperatures hover around 50°F (10°C ). Because Ushuaia is mild year-round, its vegetation is uncharacteristically forested and green even in the depths of winter. In fact, winter is a fantastic time to visit. Cerro Castor, the southernmost ski resort in the world, is located in Ushuaia, and the Beagle Channel is much less volatile in the winter.
Where to stay in Ushuaia ↴
Cumbres del Martial | Cumbres is a truly unique stay. Located at the foot of Martial Glacier, each villa feels like an intimate escape enveloped by nature.
Hostería Patagonia Jarké | For a classic alpine-style stay, book Hostería Patagonia Jarké. It sits somewhere at the crossroads of a guesthouse and a chalet.
Tierra de Leyendas | This boutique hotel has a reputation for being one of the most romantic hotels in Ushuaia, though, admittedly, it’s located on the outskirts of the town. The rooms are cozy, with thoughtful details and views of the Beagle Channel.
Arakur | Arakur is as luxurious as it gets. A stay at this resort and spa is worth the spend for the up-close views of Tierra del Fuego’s rugged mountains. The resort was designed entirely with sustainability in mind; from its geothermal air-conditioning system to its low-consumption LED lighting. Arakur is perfect for a romantic getaway or travelers wanting near immediate accessibility to the national park.
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What To Pack For Ushuaia ↴
Ushuaia is not a place for the ill-prepared. High exposure to the elements requires plenty of layers, sun protection, and hiking gear. This brief packing list should help you
Hiking boots | The trekking kit I get asked about most frequently are my hiking boots. I used to hike in my Columbia Newton Ridge boots, which were impressively waterproof and remarkably comfortable. I hiked in them all over the world, including in Nepal and up Kilimanjaro. Now, I’ve “upgraded” to the Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-tex.
Hiking pants | Because Ushuaia has such wet and windy weather, I don’t recommend hiking in athletic leggings. A wind-breaking, waterproof pair of hiking pants is ideal for trekking in inclement weather.
Camera kit | Ushuaia is stunning! You will regret visiting without a camera of some sort (even a phone camera).
Sun protection | Even on an overcast day, you’ll want to protect yourself against the sun’s penetrating rays. I recommend keeping a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses on you in Ushuaia.
Small binoculars | There are wild animals in the area, and binoculars will help you spot them.
A copy of your passport | Bringing a copy of your travel documents is good practice in case they should get lost or stolen.
16 things to do in Ushuaia↴
Cruise The Beagle Channel
Without question, the most popular activity to do in Ushuaia is cruising the Beagle Channel. The Beagle Channel is the strait between Chile and Argentina in the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago. The Beagle Channel is where Antarctic cruises begin their journey from the port in Ushuaia to the South Shetland Islands.
There are several Beagle Channel cruises to pick from, and I highly recommend booking a cruise ahead of your travels as they tend to book up months in advance. The half-day cruises normally include the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, an educational walk on Bridges Island, and sea lion spotting.
Laguna Esmeralda
Laguna Esmeralda is Ushuaia’s most popular hike, and for good reason. It’s also, in my opinion, incredibly easy. It’s an accessible hike for hobby hikers. There’s a negligible elevation gain and plenty of scenic stops along the trail. As you hike to the lake, you’ll be treated to views of rugged mountains peaking over the lush green landscape.
You can hike to the lake on your own or hire an expert local guide. The trail is well-marked and remarkably easy to follow, so the only real benefit of paying for a guide is that your transport is included, and you’ll learn about local wildlife and flora. If you hike the trail without a guide and don’t have a car, I suggest you hire a taxi to take you to the trailhead and negotiate a pick-up time and price with the driver.
Tierra Del Fuego National Park
Just 8 miles outside of Ushuaia sits one of the most beautiful national parks in the country: Tierra del Fuego National Park. Travelers can visit Tierra del Fuego on their own or as part of a guided tour. For those interested in sightseeing, rather than hiking, half-day and full-day tours of the park’s highlights are available from Ushuaia. Tours are very popular and do tend to fill up in advance.
Hikers don’t need a tour to visit Tierra del Fuego. Taxis will drop you off at any of the major trailheads in the national park. Arrange a pickup time and place with your taxi driver before setting off on the trail. Most hikers get picked up near Lapataia Bay. Alternatively, you can ride the Fin del Mundo train into the park.
Martial Glacier
One of the best views in Ushuaia can be found by tackling the steep incline up Martial Glacier. The out-and-back trail is less than 4 miles long, but the incline and elevation gain are hefty. On a clear day, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Beagle Channel and Ushuaia.
To get to Martial Glacier from Ushuaia, most travelers take a taxi. There is also a public bus that drops you off at Cerro Martial, where the Martial Glacier trail begins. We opted for a taxi and piled into the car with our fellow travelers. Despite our failed Spanish, the driver understood where we wanted to go since taxis in the area are used to taking hikers to nearby trailheads. You can walk from Ushuaia to the glacier hike if you’re feeling especially active, but make sure you have a downloaded map to get there and back.
Vinciguerra + Ojo Del Albino Glaciers
Avid hikers must add Vinciguerra and Ojo del Albino Glaciers to their Ushuaia itineraries. Both are full-day excursions that require a guide. Ojo del Albino is an extension of the Laguna Esmeralda trail, continuing from the emerald lake to an elevated viewpoint on the glacier. If you plan on hiking Laguna Esmeralda, I suggest booking a guide that will take you onward to Ojo del Albino.
Vinciguerra, commonly referred to as the Lagoon of the Icebergs (Laguna de lo Tempanos), sits 20 minutes outside of Ushuaia. The 9-mile hike leads to an iceberg-filled lagoon. If your guide is particularly adventurous (and deems it safe), you might be allowed to enter the ice caves that dot the glacier. This is a relatively challenging hike, so it’s best suited for experienced hikers.
End Of The World Train
One of the most relaxing ways to take in Ushuaia’s scenery is by riding its historic steam train, aptly called the “End of the World Train.” Inmates of Ushuaia’s penal colony built the train line, which is now an alternative mode of transport for tourists heading to the national park.
Estancia Haberton (Haberton Ranch)
Gauchos on horseback and their vast cattle ranches are emblematic of rural Argentina. For an authentic and immersive taste of the Argentina countryside, I recommend visiting an estancia (homestead used for raising livestock). Estancia Haberton is one of the oldest estancias in the Patagonia region and, luckily, it’s also one of the most accessible for travelers in Ushuaia. While it’s no longer a working ranch, tourism maintains the estancia. Estancia Haberton has an on-site café and a marine museum filled with artifacts. The easiest way to visit Estancia Haberton is with a guided tour.
Note: as of April 2024, Estancia Haberton is temporarily closed. I’ve included a tour of an alternative 100-year-old estancia below.
BOOK | Full Day Tour of Cabo San Pablo and Estancia Pirinaica
Martillo Island penguin tour
You’re so far south, is it any surprise that there are penguins in the area? From October through April, Magellanic and Gentoo penguins populate Martillo Island. During these months, which coincide with peak tourist season, travelers can take a boat ride to Martillo Island and walk alongside its penguins.
Please note: most companies promote themselves online as “penguin tours”, but only one company is authorized to take tourists on a walk on Martillo Island alongside its penguin residents. This specific tour is booked months in advance. Because of this, we didn’t get a spot on the official penguin tour.
BOOK | Penguin Colony in Ushuaia
MUSEO MARÍTIMO DE USHUAIA (Prison museum)
I’m sure you plan on spending every minute in Ushuaia outside amongst the otherwordly mountain landscape. But, the Museo Marítimo de Ushuaia makes a great inclement weather contingency plan.
England once sent its prisoners to Australia. Argentina, seeing the success of this penal colony model, followed suit and forced the country’s criminals to occupy Ushuaia at a time when it was considered nearly uninhabitable. From 1902 until 1920, the Argentine government used prison labor to build confinement for 580 inmates. Describing the construction conditions of the prison as “harsh” would be too generous a word.
Today, the prison buildings have been turned into a museum to preserve Ushuaia’s dark origin story. Each wing features themed exhibitions that cover topics as varied as Indigenous communities, Argentina’s most notorious criminals, and penguins. One of the sections had been turned into a nautical art gallery. Entry is ticketed (and steep), but your admission is good for 48 hours.
ADMISSION | ARS $15,000 (~ USD $18) per foreign adult
Helicopter sightseeing
One thing we didn’t have time for that came highly recommended by nearly every luxury traveler we crossed paths with was viewing Ushuaia via helicopter. If your budget allows, you can book an hour-long helicopter ride over the bottom of the world. This tour includes a mountaintop landing with complimentary champagne. For travelers with slimmer wallets, there is a 30-minute helicopter flight option. The views look just as exceptional, though they come without a side of bubbly.
BOOK | Helicopter Overflight - Landing in the Cordillera - A30 ($$$),
beaver watching
In 1946, the Argentine government introduced beavers to Tierra del Fuego National Park in an ill-fated attempt to establish a fur trade. The animals quickly wreaked havoc on the natural ecosystem, especially the forests they felled to construct their dams. Trees in this region of the world don’t regrow as quickly as they do in other parts of the world due to their plant species and the prevailing Patagonian winds. Today, beavers have been deemed pests and the Forest Service is actively working to remove them. You can see the “phantom forests” they’ve left in their wake, as well as their dams, on the hike to Laguna Esmeralda. If you’d rather see the furry creatures, book a beaver spotting tour.
BOOK | Beavers Watching
try té
When the sun has set and the cold sets in, Ushuaia’s teahouses become a great escape from the chill. As we walked around the town, we stumbled into several teahouses serving cakes and hot beverages of all sorts. This is apparently a “thing” in Ushuaia, so why not do as the locals do and treat yourself to a slice?
Some of my favorite teahouses in Ushuaia:
Ana + Juana | Huge pastries including everything from cinnamon rolls and donuts to dulce de leche scrolls and almond croissants.
La Cabaña Casa de Té | Sits at the foot of Martial Glacier, making it perfect for a post-hike treat.
Tante Sara | Fantastic coffee, but the chocolate chip cookies here live rent-free in my mind.
try Centolla (King Crab)
While the rest of Argentina is famed for its red meat, Ushuaia is known by foodies for its king crab (centolla). You’ll find freshly caught king crab on menus throughout Ushuaia town, but the best spot is undoubtedly Volver (though people also recommend El Vejo Marino). Traditionally, centolla is served “al natural”, meaning cold and as is. Each king crab is massive, so come hungry or plan to split it with a travel partner.
send a postcard from the bottom of the world
Sure, it’s a bit of a cliche, but sending a postcard to your loved ones (or to yourself back home) from the bottom of the world is better than buying a kitschy souvenir. You can purchase postcards from most souvenir shops around Ushuaia, and there are many, but I recommend Monte Olivia Souvenir. You’ll likely have to buy stamps from the post office. Every postcard from Ushuaia to the UK set me back £5 GBP. The people at the post office warned me that it takes approximately 35 days for mail to reach international destinations, but our family all received their postcards in 2 weeks.
