By air
Ushuaia (USH), ~5 km
South America · Argentina
Ushuaia, Argentina
The end of the world, gateway to Antarctica
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — summer
Don't miss
The Beagle Channel
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
The old prison museum
Things to do
A Beagle Channel cruise to penguins and sea lions
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The End of the World Train
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Deensel · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Warm windproof layers
A quieter corner
The hike to Laguna Esmeralda
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Ushuaia?
November to March, in summer. Pack warm windproof layers.
Can I see penguins from Ushuaia?
Yes — take a Beagle Channel cruise to see penguins and sea lions.
What else should I do in Ushuaia?
Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park, ride the End of the World Train, see the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse and visit the old prison museum. For a hike, head to Laguna Esmeralda.
What should I eat in Ushuaia?
Try the king crab (centolla).
About Ushuaia
- Coastal
- Mountains
Where it is
Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego province in Argentina, on the southern coast of the island of Tierra del Fuego, between the Martial mountains and the Beagle Channel; it has long been described as the southernmost city in the world.
History
The Yaghan (Yámana) people fished and hunted along these channels in canoes for thousands of years. Anglican missionaries settled here from 1870, Argentina established the town in 1884, and prisoners sent to its jail in the early 20th century built much of it; the prison closed in 1947, and Ushuaia is now the main departure port for voyages to Antarctica.
People
Ushuaia's people have come from across Argentina, drawn by work in tourism, fishing, industry and public services, and Spanish is spoken. King crab, called centolla, is the local delicacy, and the Yaghan, whose descendants live on both sides of the Beagle Channel, are remembered in the town's museums.
Known for
- Beagle Channel cruises
- Tierra del Fuego National Park
- The Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse
- The old prison museum
- Antarctic cruises
Did you know?
The prisoners of Ushuaia's old jail built a railway to haul timber from the surrounding forests, and it now runs for visitors as the End of the World Train.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.