16 Epic Things to Do in Ushuaia Argentina

What are the best things to do in Ushuaia, Argentina? It’s the southernmost city in the world, but how do you commemorate that? Is Ushuaia worth a trip on its own, or just a brief stopover on your way to Antarctica?

Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations for Ushuaia, what to do or what to see. I was just there for a few days before my life-changing Antarctica trip and while I was curious about the city, I didn’t think it would be that impressive. After all, aren’t there much more beautiful places like Torres del Paine and El Chaltén?

I was wrong. The scenery surrounding Ushuaia and the southern tip of Argentina is STUNNING. It began with a flight that descended through a web of jagged black mountains reminiscent of crow feathers.

Soon the mountains gave way to grassy hills, bright blue seas, and peaks of all colors in every direction.

And the lakes! Tierra del Fuego National Park introduced me to bright teal lakes and the turquoise coastline leading to the Beagle Channel. No wonder they call this the land of fire.

Ushuaia Argentina was definitely worth a few days of my time. Here’s my complete guide how you should spend your time there.

This post was most recently updated in January 2023.

Why You Should Visit Ushuaia Before Antarctica

When scheduling my flights for my Antarctica trip, I made sure to arrive in Ushuaia one full day earlier than necessary. Why? I was terrified that my luggage would be lost. Antarctica is NOT a place where you can pop over to H&M to pick up some essentials (even though there is a shop with winter gear on board). I wanted the extra day just in case I had to wait an extra 24 hours for my luggage.

Turns out I didn’t have to worry; my luggage arrived with me on my flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia Airport. But soon I realized I had lucked out — giving myself a full extra day in Ushuaia allowed me to book a sightseeing excursion and check out things to do in Ushuaia!

If you’re on your way to Antarctica, there’s no need to book a penguin cruise in Ushuaia — it will pale in comparison to Antarctica. Plus, you might get to see the lighthouse on the way out and on the way back.

Instead, prioritize land-based excursions, like a tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Don’t plan on doing any sightseeing when you come back from Antarctica. After 10+ days with limited internet access, you’ll probably want to go straight to a coffeeshop with wifi and catch up on everything you missed.

Ushuaia Argentina FAQs

What to Do in Ushuaia Argentina

If you’re traveling to Ushuaia and not going to Antarctica, just go for everything! See Gentoo and Magellanic penguins, go on cruises, see the national park, do it all.

If you’re traveling to Ushuaia without going to Antarctica, you’re probably doing a longer Patagonia trip. In that case, it’s smart to plan out what activities you can do in each of your destinations and seeing what you should prioritize in each place.

In that case, I would prioritize seeing the Beagle Channel and seeing penguins — these are the best things to do in Ushuaia that you can’t replicate in other parts of Argentina.

I would not prioritize glacier trekking in Ushuaia if you’re already planning to visit Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, further north in El Calafate, Patagonia. Anything compared to Perito Moreno will be a disappointment.

Things to Do in Ushuaia Argentina

Here are all the wonderful things you can do in Ushuaia and the best way to experience them all.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park was my favorite activity I did in Ushuaia. (Tierra del Fuego translates to “land of fire”.)

I had no idea that it was so beautiful in this part of the world! This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in Latin America. And it definitely helped that the weather cooperated that day!

There are several versions of this tour that take place; I took this half-day tour. We began with a ride on the Tren del Fin del Mundo (train to the end of the world).

Ushauia used to be home to a prison penal colony set up by the Argentine government, and the prisoners cut down trees as part of their labor. This train was used for transporting the timber.

Today, the prison is closed, but the train has reinvented itself as a way for tourists to explore the national park.

We got to see some nearby waterfalls, too.

From there we took a ride to a lookout. I would SO love to bring a picnic out here…

After this we took a trip to the post office, where I got my passport stamped and sent a postcard (see more on that below). Next up was a gentle hike through the park, taking in the many colors of the landscape.

A wooden path built over the marshes and peat bogs took us to our final destination…

…this glorious bit of coastline on the shores of the Beagle Channel. Doesn’t it look like a great place to take a dip?

I loved this tour. I love that it covered so much different scenery and some of the quintessential experiences in the area within a short time period. This tour really made me fall in love with Tierra del Fuego in a way that I didn’t expect. And if you only have one day, this is what to do in Ushuaia.

The only problem is that the lighting conditions weren’t great for photography. But honestly, with Ushuaia being so far south, if you visit in the summer months, you’re going to struggle with the light.

This is the half-day tour I did.

If you have longer to explore and are heading to Chile after, you can take a cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, Chile that will take you through Tierra del Fuego to Chile, with a stop at Cape Horn.

Fun fact: Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego but the park itself is split between Argentina and Chile.

Patagonian Cuisine at Kalma Resto

If you want to have one special meal in Ushuaia, I highly recommend Kalma Resto. This place is outstanding — probably the most interesting meal you could find in town.

I’m not a huge fan of Argentine cuisine in general — the steak is fantastic, as is the red wine — but move beyond that and it’s a carb parade of pizza, pasta, empanadas, bread, and sweets.

This fresh, creative Patagonian tasting menu, helmed by Indigenous people for thousands of years, was an antidote to my former experiences with Argentine cuisine.

Pictured above, I started with nuts and levistico bread, canelo, focaccia and lactonesa.

It was followed by the following courses:

Cured lamb loin, sambayon, centollón little ball. Centollón is a kind of crab — these were basically fried crab balls!

Wild salmon tartare, forest berries, vinegar gel. This was my favorite course and reminded me of many dishes I’ve had in the Nordic countries.

Fuegian centollón cappelletti with vegetable extract and levistico pesto. I love that this soup was served with panache, poured right into my bowl!

Fin del mundo “Entraña,” spring carrots and alfalfa sprouts. Entraña is skirt steak, one of the most popular cuts in Argentina. So juicy and delicious.

Three milks cake, sea celery meringue and dulce de leche. The perfect quirky end to a perfect quirky meal.

Everything was fantastic, from beginning to end. At one point the chef came out and we chatted about the menu. Nobody was around when I sat down (at around 8:00 PM, very early for Argentines), but by the time I left the tourist groups were arriving en masse.

I have the feeling Kalma Resto is going to be on lists of what to do in Ushuaia soon. Definitely make a reservation here if possible.

Check with the restaurant for the current prices and check xe.com for the current exchange rate. Because the value of Argentine pesos fluctuates so wildly, I recommend contacting Kalma Resto for the current prices beforehand.

Other top-rated Ushuaia restaurants include Puerto Pirata Aldea de Pescadores, Restaurant Orange, and Restaurante Le Martial.

Explore the City of Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a fun city to explore for a day or two. The population is about 60,000, but 50 years ago it was closer to 5,000. In short, the city of Ushuaia is a new city, a young city, and a city built around the demand for tourism. The population swells during the southern hemisphere’s summer months (December to March).

Walk around main street and downtown Ushuaia, take photos, and enjoy the colorful homes and street art. Sit in cafes and enjoy some coffee with medialunas (little Argentine croissants). If you’re looking to do shopping, Ushuaia is one of the better places to find outdoor gear shops and souvenir shops in Argentina.

If you want to so some sightseeing in Ushuaia, I recommend the Museo del Fin del Mundo (museum of the end of the world) and the Museo Marítimo (Maritime Museum of Ushuaia). These are good things to do in Ushuaia if it’s raining.

Have a Guinness at the Southernmost Irish Pub in the World

Man, is there anywhere on the planet that DOESN’T have an Irish pub?! You may scoff at the sight of an Irish pub in Paris or Rome…but sometimes they’re welcome sights when you’re exhausted and need something familiar.

And in Ushuaia, an Irish pub called Dublín claims to be the southernmost Irish pub in the world. That’s an interesting statistic. What better place to grab a Guinness?

There is a nice selection of beer here and a very lively crowd, especially in the evenings.

Send a Postcard From the End of the World

There is a tiny post office on stilts located in Tierra del Fuego National Park, and if you’re on a tour, you’ll likely stop there. They sell postcards at the shop and you can buy postage to send a postcard right from the world’s kookiest tourist attraction.

This is what to do in Ushuaia if you have kids in your life — they’ll be excited to receive a penguin postcard from the bottom of the world!

Don’t expect your postcard to arrive in a timely manner. My friends actually got my Antarctica postcard (which traveled from a British base south of the Antarctic Circle to the Falkland Islands, then Britain, then the US) before they got my Tierra del Fuego postcard.

The Post Office at the End of the World is supposed to be open Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM-4:30 PM. However, there are reports of it operating more sporadic hours recently as it appears to be awaiting maintenance. 

Get a Giant Souvenir Passport Stamp

It can be fun to get a souvenir stamp in your passport! I’ve gotten them from Liechtenstein and Stonington Island, Antarctica.

I had room to spare in my passport, so I got this at the post office of Ushuaia, Patagonia, in Tierra del Fuego National Park. El Fin del Mundo, indeed!

I had NO IDEA it would be this big, though! I thought it would be a tiny one-square stamp! Just make sure you have enough space in your passport before you get it.

2023 Update: Some people recommend not getting souvenir passport stamps these days, so double-check the pros and cons before you get it. Essentially, it’s because only authorized officials are technically supposed to stamp or notate a passport. It can be considered a “mutilation” of your passport and lead to getting denied entry in some countries! I personally would not get any souvenir stamps today.

See the Penguins on Martillo Island

If you’re not heading to Antarctica, this is as south as you’re going — so you might as well see some penguins while on the way! Just a short boat trip away are Magellanic and Gentoo penguin colonies. Martillo Island is one of the best spots to see them, and you’ll learn the most while on a day trip tour with a naturalist guide.

Penguins are sociable animals and while you should never walk up to them, they very well may approach you out of curiosity! Perfect for getting the penguin selfie you’ve always wanted.

Know that penguins can only be seen during summer. That means from around the middle of October until April, in the Southern Hemisphere. This is also the best time to visit Ushuaia.

Isla Martillo is easily done as a half-day excursion from Ushuaia. This boat trip departs in the afternoon and includes an hour to walk alongside in the vicinity of the colony. You’ll have time to do something locally in the morning before your activity.

Cruise the Beagle Channel

Ushuaia is perched on the Argentine side of the Beagle Channel. Look straight ahead and you’re actually looking at Chilean land! Travel further down the channel and you’ll hit Puerto Williams, a small Chilean outpost and a far more remote location than Ushuaia.

On shorter visits, you’ll get to marvel at the scenery, sail past colonies of sea lions, pass the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and stop for some brief hiking. Some of the best views of Ushuaia are from the channel.

This half-day yacht tour of the Beagle Channel takes you past all the best places, including Isla Alicia, Isla Pajaros, Isla de Lobos, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. You’ll disembark at the Bridges Islands for a “mini trek” and a spot of birdwatching.

If you are spending two days in Ushuaia, you can book this full-day Beagle Channel catamaran cruise. This excursion continues onwards to Isla Martillo to see the penguins.

Hike Vinciguerra Glacier, Albino’s Eye Glacier, or Martial Glacier

With all the heavy Argentine cuisine you’ll be consuming, you’ll want to burn it off — and is there a better way to do so than hiking through the countryside to a glacier?

One of the best hikes in Ushuaia, this trek to Vinciguerra Glacier is more about climbing through the valley. You’ll climb upwards through the Andorran Valley and past a river and the Tempanos Lagoon until you reach the glacier at the end of this guided tour. You’ll want to be in good shape as it’s fairly intense.

Alternatively, book a longer glacier trek to Albino’s Eye Glacier if you’re an avid hiker. This trek involves more climbing on the ice and lasts longer (10 hours as opposed to 8). The terrain and conditions are very changeable so you’ll need proper hiking clothing – the guide provides technical gear. It’s one of the best things to do in Ushuaia if you’re looking for a physical challenge.

As for an “easier” option, it only takes around two hours to hike Martial Glacier. However, the ascent is very steep so while it’s a shorter commitment, you do still need have a moderate fitness ability. This guided half-day tour to Martial Glacier includes transfers, chocolate, and crampons.

Trek to Laguna Esmeralda

When you think about lakes in Patagonia, the bright turquoise lakes of Torres del Paine, Chile, probably come to mind. But there is a scintillatingly beautiful lake close to Ushuaia: Laguna Esmeralda. This is one of the best Instagram spots in the Ushuaia region.

To get here, you’ll need to trek. It’s about a two-hour trekking journey from the road if you want to do it independently. Otherwise, you can join a guided tour of one of Ushuaia’s best hikes and make new friends along the way.

This small-group guided hike to Laguna Esmeralda is capped at 10 people and includes round trip transport plus lunch. You’ll walk to the lake via the remote Fuegian Valleys and drink up the views from the Mirador Del Valle Carbajal before heading back to base camp.

Spend a Day at Cabo San Pablo

Cabo San Pablo is one of the best places to get away from the high season crowds. This excursion is chock-full of wild landscapes, local wildlife, and history.

This full day tour to Cabo San Pablo starts off with a scenic drive along the Ruta de las Estancia where you’ll want to keep watch for guanacos and condors. You’ll stop off for photos at Cabo Ladrillero and visit the stranded ship Desdemona before tucking into a country lunch of fish and empanadas.

There is a quick stop at the historic ranch, Estancia Pirinaica, for a quick lesson on what it’s like to live at El Fin del Mundo and an overview of carpentry, sheep shearing, and other rustic pursuits. There are some incredible sights on this tour and it tends to be less trafficked.

Dine Out at Other Main Street Restaurants

Spending more than a day in Ushuaia? You’ll need a few more foodie recs, so here’s my insight on the best places to eat in Ushuaia.

María Lola Restó has some of the best views in town. This restaurant specializes in seafood, particularly shellfish-based risotto and ravioli dishes, although there’s usually a steak or two to satisfy the carnivores. 

Taberna Del Viejo Lobo is a quirky and casual place to refuel with “pub food” after a day at sea. The menu includes soups, stews, and steaks – all are huge and the nautical decor is a lot of fun. 

Tante Sara is another name to know about. There are two; a cafe bar and a pastelería. This is perfect for a pick-me-up between activities.

Go Skiing

Argentina is considered one of the world’s best ski destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, and the world’s southernmost city is no exception when it comes to winter sports.

This is a very seasonal activity, with the ski season lasting from late June to late September, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. (This is also the opposite of the best time to visit Tierra del Fuego.)

Popular areas to ski include Martial Glacier (Glaciar Martial) and ski resorts like Cerro Castor.

Go Dog Sledding and Snowshoeing

If you visit the End of the World during winter, another of the coolest things to do in Ushuaia is go dog sledding or hiking in the snow. This is a great day out with kids or non-skiers — but really, everyone is going to find something to love about a snow day.

This full-day snow excursion takes you to the forested valleys of the Valle de Tierra Mayor. Once there, you’ll enjoy a snowmobile ride, a snowshoe hike, and a sleigh ride with husky dogs. 

Remember, this is another “winter” activity that only runs between June and late September.

Try to Get a Discount Antarctica Cruise at the Last Minute

Warning — this is a very risky gamble, but it can pay off! Ushuaia, as the southern tip of South America, is the starting point for most Antarctic cruises.

Antarctica expeditions are extremely expensive, but if you show up at the Ushuaia offices of the major expedition companies, you can often get a last-minute discount if they have seats to sell. Nobody wants empty spots on their Antarctica cruise ships, so they’d rather sell it for less than let it go empty.

How much of a discount can you get? It varies. One passenger on my cruise showed up at the office last minute and got a private room at the rate of sharing a triple.

How much of a discount should you expect? Around 25-30% seems to be the average, depending on how busy it is, and definitely don’t plan on a discount of more than 50%.

Best Time to Visit Ushuaia Argentina

Ushuaia weather never gets too warm, even in the summer months, when the vast majority of tourists tend to visit. Summer months are when you have the nicest weather and when the most activities are running.

In the summer months (November to March) Ushuaia temperatures tend to range from a low of 40-43 Fahrenheit (4-6 Celsius) to a high of 52-55 Fahrenheit (11-13 Celsius).

In the winter months (May to August) Ushuaia temperatures tend to range from a low of 30-34 Fahrenheit (-1 to 1 Celsius) to a high of 38 to 41 Fahrenheit (3-5 Celsius).

Ushuaia weather tends to be cloudy and windy year-round. It’s always a good idea to wear layers and sun protection in Ushuaia.

How to Get to Ushuaia

How do you get to the world’s southernmost city? By flying into the world’s southernmost airport! 

Ushuaia Airport is a dinky little place but still considered an international airport. Flights take 3.5 hours from Buenos Aires or a little over an hour from El Calafate in Patagonia. It’s a 10-minute drive by taxi to the city center and you can pre-book a shared transfer direct to your hotel.

Ferry and bus combos connect Punta Arenas, Chile, and Ushuaia, Argentina, in around 12 hours. Bus Sur runs these services a couple of days per week.

Australis has turned this journey into a four-day scenic odyssey expedition cruise; this might be a good option if you’re not quite ready to stump up for an Antarctica cruise.

Where to Stay in Ushuaia

Ushuaia has a variety of accommodations at every price level, from luxury resorts to hostels with dorms and private rooms. Be sure to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting during high season (December to February).

I stayed at Hotel Los Acebos, which was the included hotel for my Quark Expeditions cruise. This was a very nice, very comfortable hotel — and the views were phenomenal — but I didn’t like staying so far from town. There were free shuttles, but only a few per day, so I had to pay around $10 each way for a taxi. Next time I’d choose an Ushuaia hotel right in town.

The best high-end hotels in Ushuaia are located far enough outside town, but the majority of other Ushuaia hotels are located in town. Here are some recommendations:

Top-Rated Ushuaia Hotels:

• Top-rated luxury hotel in Ushuaia: Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa is a waterfront hotel with mountain views and hot tubs overlooking the Beagle Channel. The most luxurious rooms come with sea views, too.
• Top-rated midrange hotel in Ushuaia: Tango B&B is a homely little place with cozy rooms and a continental breakfast. It’s up a small hill which is great for views but bear it in mind if you’re lugging a big bag.
• Top-rated budget hotel in Ushuaia: Las Retamas B&B is a comfy place to recuperate between all the thrilling things to do in Ushuaia. Breakfast is included and you can save a few bucks by booking a room with a shared bathroom.
• Top-rated hostel in Ushuaia: Whether you’re heading to the Great White South or not, Antarctica Hostel has rooms and shared dorms for intrepid explorers. The decor is chic and there’s a great community vibe amid guests and staff.

Find deals on Ushuaia hotels here.

Is Ushuaia worth it?

Ushuaia is definitely worth it! I had no expectations for Ushuaia — and I was thrilled when it turned out to be far better than I expected!

Ushuaia was one of the biggest surprises of my time in South America and I hope that you have just as good a time as I did.

More on Antarctica:

• A Typical Day on an Antarctica Expedition Cruise
• Antarctica Packing List: What You Need (And What to Leave at Home)
• Kayaking in Antarctica: What You Need to Know
• Antarctica and the Traveler’s Ego
• Solo Female Travel in Antarctica
• My Favorite Moments in Antarctica

More on South America:

• Solo Female Travel in Colombia: Is it Safe?
• Best Travel Moments in Colombia
• Traveling in Guyana: What It’s Really Like
• 25 Epic Things To Do in El Calafate, Argentina
• 18 Wild Things to Do in El Chaltén, Argentina
• El Calafate vs. El Chaltén: Which Town in Argentine Patagonia Better?
• 26 Fun Things to Do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
• Staying at Ecocamp Patagonia: A Sustainable Resort in Chile
• 32+ Fun Things To Do in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• 17 Best Things to Do in Santiago, Chile
• 15 Best Things to Do in Puerto Varas, Chile
• 11 Cool Day Trips from Santiago, Chile
• 17 Colorful Things to Do in Valparaíso, Chile

Many thanks to Quark Expeditions for covering my two nights at Hotel Los Acebos. I covered all of my other expenses in Ushuaia. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Have you been to Ushuaia? What was your favorite thing to do?