Ushuaia isn’t the sleepy frontier outpost Bruce Chatwin once wrote about – not anymore. But its drama hasn’t disappeared. Wedged between jagged peaks and the icy Beagle Channel, it still feels like the end of the world – in the best way. This is your base for Antarctic cruises, wild hikes, serious skiing, and seal-studded boat trips. Don’t expect Patagonia prices – Ushuaia leans expensive – but what it delivers in nature, history, and atmosphere makes up for it. Whether you’re climbing to Glaciar Martial, cruising through sea mist to spot penguins, or walking through the ghostly corridors of the old prison, there’s real depth here. You’ll hear the wind, taste the salt, and leave with gear you didn’t know you needed. Here's our pick of the best things to do in Ushuaia – rugged, windswept, and totally unforgettable.
Once called the "Siberia of Argentina", Ushuaia's prison was the reason this town existed. Today, the former penitentiary is the city’s most compelling museum – a sprawling, panopticon-style building that mixes grim history with shipwrecks and art.
Start with the maritime museum, where you’ll find scale models of ships that mapped and survived the surrounding waters, including the Duchess of Albany, wrecked in 1883.
But the real atmosphere lies in wing one, where peeling paint and freezing cells bring home what life was like for Argentina’s most dangerous prisoners. Anarchist Simón Radowitzky was here – so were convicts who helped build the town.
Upstairs, you’ll find Antarctic exhibits, while other wings host changing art shows and souvenir shops. It’s eerie, thought-provoking, and far more than a rainy-day filler. Among the more unexpected things to do in Ushuaia, this one cuts deep.
If you do only one thing in Ushuaia, make it a boat trip on the Beagle Channel. This narrow stretch of sea – a natural boundary between Argentina and Chile – is packed with wildlife and flanked by snow-capped peaks.
Tours usually hit Isla de los Lobos (sea lion central), Isla de los Pájaros (teeming with seabirds), and Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, often mistaken for the “Lighthouse at the End of the World.” The real one is on Isla de los Estados, but this version still makes for great photos.
On the way, you might spot Peale’s dolphins, albatrosses, or even a minke whale. Some boats stop at Isla Martillo to walk with penguins – check your itinerary.
The Beagle Channel @ Shutterstock
Once used by convicts to haul timber, the End of the World Train now carries tourists on a nostalgic ride through lenga forests and along the Río Pipo into Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego.
Don’t expect speed – this is all about the setting. You’ll roll past wooden bridges, swampland, and valleys scarred by years of tree-cutting. The steam engines and replica carriages play up the drama – it’s touristy, yes, but also atmospheric. There’s an audio guide if you want background, or you can just stare out the window.
The full trip takes about 50 minutes one-way and leaves you just outside the park entrance – perfect for starting a hike or linking up with a tour.
Skiing in Ushuaia might not top global rankings, but what it lacks in vertical drop, it makes up for in location. From June to early September, the mountains north of town turn into a snowy playground.
Cerro Castor, the main resort, has over 15km of runs – mostly beginner and intermediate-friendly – plus some black pistes and terrain for backcountry skiers. It’s 27km from Ushuaia and easy to reach by shuttle or rental car.
Closer to town, Glaciar Martial offers simple slopes, snowshoeing, and great views. If you're into cross-country skiing, head for the Valle Tierra Mayor, where you can also try snowmobiles, dog sledding, or even ice skating.
Gear rental is affordable, and snow quality is solid thanks to the southern latitude. It’s not the Alps, but it’s also not full of crowds or queues. For a proper “I skied at the end of the world” story, this is the place.
The End of the World Train, Ushuaia
Glaciar Martial hangs just above Ushuaia and makes for a solid half-day hike – or more if you push further into the backcountry. Start at the base near the old chairlift (currently closed) and follow the steep but well-marked trail. As you climb, you’ll get killer views over the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia’s rooftops, and the wild peaks of the Darwin Range.
The glacier itself has shrunk – thanks, climate change – but the setting is still striking. In winter, this is a ski slope; in summer, a popular trail for locals and visitors alike.
There’s a café at the bottom for a post-hike tea or a quick centolla empanada. The trail can be snowy even in shoulder season – wear good boots.
If you’re compiling your list of things to do in Ushuaia, this should be high on it – no boats, no tickets, just a proper leg-stretch with real rewards.
Just 12km from town, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego packs in rugged coastline, lenga forests, peat bogs, and Andean peaks – all in a tight, hike-friendly package.
You can hike to Bahía Lapataia, where Ruta 3 ends at the edge of the continent, or stroll along the Senda Costera, a forested path that skirts the sea. Wildlife is part of the experience – you might spot Magellanic woodpeckers, kelp geese, red foxes, or even a sea otter.
Buses and taxis run regularly from Ushuaia, or you can arrive via the Tren del Fin del Mundo. Entry fees apply, and there are several campsites if you want to stay overnight.
It’s one of the most iconic things to do in Ushuaia – easy to access, wild enough to feel remote, and packed with views.
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina @ Shutterstock
Ushuaia’s Museo del Fin del Mundo punches above its weight. Inside this small space near the waterfront, you’ll find thoughtful displays on Indigenous cultures, early explorers, shipwrecks, and the brutal local environment.
Highlights include the polychrome figurehead of the Duchess of Albany, wrecked off the coast in 1883, and a rare Selk’nam–Spanish dictionary.
It's compact and presented, with just enough info to give context to what you're seeing around the region. Combine this with a stroll past the nearby Antigua Casa de Gobierno, the old governor’s mansion. If you’re tired of being outside – or just need a weather break – this is a quiet, meaningful stop that adds depth to your Ushuaia visit.
This striking Swedish-prefab house, brought over in 1913, is now one of Ushuaia’s more charming cultural venues. Inside, you’ll find photo exhibitions, art shows, and the occasional event, like the Ushuaia Jazz Festival in November.
It’s not big, but the steep roof and wood-trimmed details make it one of the most photogenic buildings in town. The vibe is relaxed – more community hall than formal gallery – and it’s a good place to get a feel for the town behind the tourist front.
Check for current exhibitions at the tourist office or just swing by – it’s usually free and always worth a look.
Playa Larga, Ushuaia, Argentina @ Shutterstock
Ushuaia is the world’s closest port to Antarctica, and that fact powers much of the local tourism. From November to March, ships set off across the Drake Passage for 8-21-day expeditions to the white continent.
You’ll see whales, seals, penguins, and surreal ice landscapes. Some itineraries include the Falklands, South Georgia, or Elephant Island. Activities range from Zodiac landings to sea kayaking and even camping on the ice.
Trips aren’t cheap, but you can sometimes grab last-minute deals in town. Just ask at the Oficina Antártica near the port or check with agencies like Quark or Polar Latitudes.
Even if you’re not going, it’s worth visiting the docks to see the ships and absorb the atmosphere. It’s the edge of the map – and it feels like it.
Food in Ushuaia is expensive, but when it’s good, it’s seriously good. The local star is centolla (king crab), which shows up grilled, baked, in empanadas, or folded into creamy stews. You’ll also find Patagonian lamb, Fuegian trout, and occasionally guanaco on menus – plus craft beer, mountain berries, and solid wine lists.
Avoid the most obvious tourist traps downtown and look uphill or out of town for better views and quality. Many restaurants double as viewpoints over the bay. If you’re self-catering, stop by La Anónima supermarket for local produce, or hit the fish stalls for fresh crab.
The easiest way to reach Ushuaia is by flying – regular flights connect the city with Buenos Aires, El Calafate, and other Patagonian hubs. Malvinas Argentinas International Airport is just 4km from town, but there’s no public transport – taxis are cheap and fast. Long-distance buses from Río Gallegos or Punta Arenas (via Chile) are an option if you’re traveling overland, though the journey is long and weather-dependent.
Some travelers include Ushuaia as a final stop when getting around Argentina from north to south, especially on tailor-made Patagonia routes. You can also arrive by boat – luxury cruises, expedition ships, and Antarctic voyages often start or end here.
written by
Olga Sitnitsa
updated 23.06.2025
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