Best Things to do in Ushuaia: Don’t Miss Out on This Gem!
Don’t miss out on one of South America’s most awe-inspiring destinations. There are many amazing things to do in Ushuaia, and I will share the best ones with you, fresh off the back of a trip to this beautiful city which acts as the main link between the Americas and Antarctica.
The best things to do include visiting the winter wonderland-style Tierra del Fuego National Park, cruising down the Beagle Channel to see some Antarctic wildlife, and hiking up (or skiing down) Glacier Martial, a spectacular icy megalith overlooking the small city by the channel.
I spent some time doing each of these activities with my girlfriend, and we were truly blown away by the magic of Ushuaia, following on from a mixed couple of weeks in capital city Buenos Aires.
Anyway, I’ve written an up-to-date guide based on our experiences in Ushuaia (spoiler: they were all positive).
It’s time to get into what you came here for and share the best things to do in Ushuaia for tourists.
Disclaimer: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase anything through them, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!
Things to do in Ushuaia
We fell in love with Ushuaia due to all the cool things to see and do here. Where possible, I will list the prices of entry and tours. However this will be in GBP and USD only, as Argentine pesos change value all the time due to the extreme economic situation in Argentina which doesn’t seem likely to go away soon.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
You know those Christmas postcards you receive every December with images of pretty lakes and trees covered in snow?
There’s a good chance they come from Tierra del Fuego National Park.
This beauty spot marks the end of the Pan-American Highway, meaning drivers coming down from Alaska will end their journeys here.
It is also doable on a tour, which you can easily book from Ushuaia’s main town area for around £40/US$50. Entry to the park is an additional £20/US$25, although free for under 12s and anyone who can provide proof of a disability.
Aside from picture postcard scenery, the park is home to all sorts of wildlife.
Unfortunately we didn’t spot anything beyond a few horses and a couple of birds with many creatures sheltering from the snow.
However, it’s possible to see the likes of llama-like guanacos, beavers, foxes and Andean condors here, among other creatures.
Some people like to camp overnight in the park, although I’d advise against that in the freezing cold winters. Camping is free however, and can therefore be a cheap accommodation option.
Otherwise, Tierra del Fuego is a place to enjoy the winter landscapes.
I found it hard to rank my favourite activities in Ushuaia. But this is a strong contender for top spot.
Ride the End of the World Train
Before becoming a tourist hotspot, Ushuaia was home to a prison, and a pretty effective one at that.
With Tierra del Fuego (where Ushuaia is located, and not to be confused with the national park) being an island covered in inhospitable terrain, it was pretty difficult for prisoners to escape, even if they made it beyond the prison walls.
The End of the World Train costs £40/US$50 at the time of writing, and it follows the journey that prisoners took whilst working to forage for resources in the scarce winter wilderness as part of their punishment.
Ushuaia’s marketing team have done a great job of turning the gloomy journey of the imprisoned into a whimsical tourist attraction with goofy mocked-up statues of prisoners mixed in with entertainers wearing prison uniforms.
Now the price is pretty steep. And yes, you get some pretty views, but if you’re on a budget we would recommend skipping this attraction.
The train is the cherry on top of the Ushuaia cake. It’s a nice finishing touch, but ultimately isn’t necessary and you will still enjoy the cake without it.
Besides, you will get spectacular views in the national park regardless. So you aren’t missing out.
Beagle Channel Tour
We ended an action-packed first full day in Ushuaia with a tour of the Beagle Channel, and we highly recommend you do the same!
For around £43/US$54, you can take a catamaran cruise through the icy channel and see more cool landscapes and wildlife.
Go tour agency hopping in Ushuaia for the best prices. We went with Cumelen Tours and were very impressed.
They were the cheapest agency we found with reasonable reviews. We also used them for the Tierra del Fuego National Park tour, which would’ve been cheaper by renting a car and going solo. But we were happy to use Cumelen and felt like we had a more rewarding experience with them.
The channel tour stops at Puerto Karelo where you can get off and take some photos. This is a protected area so you cannot go further than the beach.
The boat later circles Faro Les Eclaireurs, a small island with a lighthouse.
The lighthouse isn’t the main attraction however. This island has been taken over by sea lions which you can hear grunting whilst they chill on the rocks.
Many birds also made their home here, including some which looked like penguins (although apparently weren’t according to our guide, who didn’t quite make clear what they actually were).
The Beagle Channel is a good way to see Argentinian Patagonia from a different perspective and enjoy the marine life.
It gets seriously windy on the boat though, so wrap up warm, and hold your phone/camera tightly if you take photos.
Hike or Ski at Martial Glacier
I said Tierra del Fuego National Park was a contender for the best activity in Ushuaia. Well this is its rival for top spot.
You can hike up the glacier towards up to 3 viewpoints ranging from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours from the start point.
Whilst it’s possible to do without any extra equipment, I strongly advise against this.
For around £8/US$10, you can borrow some spikes to put on your shoes and a stick. Both of these will help you walk along the ice without slipping.
We both found them incredibly useful and would not recommend hiking up the glacier without them. They really made the difference between an enjoyable trek and a potentially dangerous experience.
If hiking isn’t your thing, skiing and snowboarding are possible too! They even offer lessons for beginners starting from £30/US$38 for 1 hour, although it gets cheaper if you have more people in your group, with prices dropping to £18/US$24 per person in groups of at least 4 people.
Hikers, skiers and snowboarders do need to be careful though. At times they all share the same track, and we witnessed a few near misses including when a reckless snowboarder narrowly avoided slamming into my girlfriend on a thin stretch of slope.
Visit the Prison Museum
Remember I said that Ushuaia was once known for its prison?
Well you can visit that very prison today! It has since been converted into a museum where you can walk through the cells and learn the history of the place.
Not only that, but it is combined with a series of other museums covering topics such as maritime history, Antarctica and art exhibitions in each wing.
The museum costs a hefty £24/US$30 to enter. But you may be eligible for discounts under certain circumstances (age, disability, entry as a family etc).
We enjoyed the museum as it gave us a chance to do some light activities after two full-on days of trekking through the snow and braving the strong winds of the Beagle Channel.
Whilst Ushuaia’s nature experiences are undoubtably the highlights, this is the best activity to do indoors.
See Penguins on Martillo Island (Isla Martillo)
As the closest major habitat to Antarctica, it should be no surprise that Ushuaia is home to some of the white continent’s most famous residents… penguins!
The penguin season lasts from October-March. I recommend coming in the middle of these months for the best chance of seeing the popular animals.
January would be my suggestion as this is when the penguin chicks hatch!
Only Piratour offer Martillo Island tours allowing you to walk with penguins. They cost from a steep £128/US$160 however, but can you really turn down the opportunity to walk with penguins? This is serious bucket list stuff!
Laguna Esmeralda
Laguna Esmeralda translates as “emerald lagoon”, which fairly accurately describes what this is.
You can walk around the lagoon, which will take around 5 hours in total. It is possible to do this without a guided tour.
However, do not go when there is heavy snowfall in Ushuaia. This is because you will not see the emerald-coloured water whilst it is hidden under layers of snow and ice. Ask around the city for advice from locals on whether the lagoon is worth visiting during your trip.
My top tip would be to take an Uber up here. It’s cheaper than using guided tours. Just in case you don’t have signal for the return journey, negotiate a price with your driver to pick you up at a certain point after your hike.
It should cost £10/US$12.50 each way. Although you may have to pay a little more for your driver coming out of his way to pick you up afterwards.
How to get to Ushuaia
With Argentina being the size of Europe, and Ushuaia being on the southern tip of the country, it isn’t the easiest destination to reach. However, there are three viable options.
By Plane
By far the easiest way to get in. Ushuaia Airport is a small one, but it’s only a 15-minute Uber ride from the city centre. Our Airbnb was a little far from there, and still only 15 minutes in the opposite direction costing a very affordable £3/US$4.
Argentina’s flag carrier airline, Aerolineas Argentinas offers the most flights here. With services also operating from budget airlines JetSmart and Flybondi as well as LADE.
There are no international flights to Ushuaia Airport. All flights are domestic, with the majority coming from capital Buenos Aires (from both airports). The other connecting airports are Rio Gallegos, Trelaw, El Calafate, Cordoba and Comodoro Rivadavia.
By Bus
Bus transport is scarce. You will need to take a Marga Taqsa bus to reach Ushuaia. They operate from Rio Gallegos, an 8-hour drive away if you check maps. However in reality the journey takes at least 12 hours.
We took the Marga Taqsa bus when heading in the opposite direction (Ushuaia to Rio Gallegos, then onwards to El Calafate), and it stops on multiple occasions.
These include two border crossings as the bus has to enter and leave Chile to get between the two cities. Ushuaia is on Tierra del Fuego island which is only reachable overland by driving through Chile and taking a ferry across the Magellan Strait.
You will need to get off the bus four times: to leave Argentina, to enter Chile, to leave Chile and to re-enter Argentina.
Wrap up warm as the border crossing points are in exposed parts of Patagonia with very strong winds.
And if like us you are frequent travellers, you may be annoyed to know that this tiny detour results in two Chilean stamps taking up precious passport space.
I will say that we used Marga Taqsa several times in Patagonia and had no bad experiences. So don’t be scared by the horrifying online reviews. But do expect long and uncomfortable journeys.
By Car
If you have your own car, you will still need to enter Chile, take a ferry across the Magellan Strait, and exit Chile to reach Ushuaia.
However you will at least not be restricted by bus times and can therefore travel at your own pace.
What is the Best Way to Reach Ushuaia?
If budget is no issue, the best way to reach Ushuaia is by plane. If coming from abroad, this will most likely be via Buenos Aires.
If coming from Buenos Aires, elsewhere in northern Argentina, or from abroad, the best way in is to fly. This is still the cheapest option.
If on a budget and in southern Patagonia regardless, then the best way in is to travel overland. If you can drive, that will be an advantage. However if not, you will require bus transport instead.
How to get Around Ushuaia
The best way to get around in Ushuaia is by using Uber. Journeys cost from £3/US$4 upwards.
The city centre is easily walkable. There really isn’t any need for buses in Ushuaia, and there are no trains here (other than the End of the World Train which is a tourist attraction rather than a method of transportation).
A boat is required to travel around the Beagle Travel. Inquire at the Tourist Port for boat tours.
Where to Stay in Ushuaia
We stayed in an Airbnb and would say this is the best budget option in Ushuaia, unless you are a solo traveller. Look on the app for the best deals. You may have to share an apartment with the owner to save the most money.
Solo travellers will benefit more from a cheap hostel, with Antarctica Hostel popular for its breakfast options and friendly staff being one of the best options. Portal Antartico is the other hostel attracting a lot of guests who love its breakfast options, bar and even a games console.
Travellers looking for a hotel will love Los Acebos Ushuaia Hotel which is overlooking the Beagle Travel and offers cool activities including archery and yoga.
Fancy splashing out on a bit of luxury? Then you should book a stay with Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa which provides spectacular 5-star experiences. The infinity pools and spa are the main features here. But the views from the mountain are second-to-none and if you really want the most memorable experience, this is the place to stay.
Where to Eat in Ushuaia
Whilst ordering steak in Argentina is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the country’s cuisine, it actually isn’t the most popular dish in Ushuaia.
Instead it is more common to find Patagonian lamb in the local restaurants, as well as centolla crab, a scary-looking crustacean which dominates your plate given its sheer size.
To find these local favourites and other good food, I recommend the following restaurants:
- El Mercado is a mid-priced restaurant which offers a strong range of Italian and Argentinian foods, including pastas, milanesas and empanadas
- El Viejo Marino is where you can get your teeth stuck into the centolla crab. It’s a seafood restaurant with other options from the depths if crab doesn’t take your fancy
- La Estancia is a typical parrilla, as well as a great place to try the Patagonian lamb. My girlfriend had this, and after finishing they gave her a second helping for no additional cost on top of the original £16/US$20 price
- Triumph Cafe and Resto was my preferred food stop. A mid-ranged restaurant with decent milanesas and a generous menu offering, this is a good place for cheap (by Ushuaia standards) food, although it would be considered expensive elsewhere in Argentina
- Mercado del Jardin is a food court with places to buy burgers, pizza, pasta, sushi and sweet treats including chocolate and churros. It is the best place to eat on a budget in Ushuaia, and we came here several times. Just don’t make the mistake of ordering 9 churros like I did…
Other Places of Note in Ushuaia
I’ve covered attractions, accommodation and restaurants, but where else should you visit in Ushuaia? Here are my recommendations:
La Anonima is the main supermarket. There are branches at both ends of the city centre, a 20-minute walk apart. And 5 stores in total across Ushuaia. La Anonima is the dominant supermarket in Patagonia, and the best place to buy your daily goods from.
Don’t miss out on the great chocolate in Ushuaia! Whilst the city isn’t as famous as Bariloche for its chocolate, it does have a few good shops, most notably Smechen on the main high street (Avenida San Martin).
If you don’t have appropriate clothing for chilly Ushuaia, there are no shortage of shops selling winter gear. You will see one every 5-10 shops or so whilst walking down Avenida San Martin. So don’t worry about finding one. There are shops catering for budget travellers, luxury adventurers and everything in between.
Lastly, we were a big fan of Patagonia bar and its incredible mountain views. If you are familiar with the beer brand Patagonia, this is the place to try it! Sure, it’s a little pricy by Argentina standards (£4/US$5 for a pint) but there aren’t many chances to drink a pint of Patagonia in Patagonia (bar) in Patagonia (the region). Although you will by vying with many people for the scenic window tables. They were hot property when we visited for the first time during daylight.
How to Find Tours in Ushuaia
My top tip for Ushuaia tours is to NOT book them online. They will always be cheaper at one of the local tour agencies in the city.
Type “tours Ushuaia” into Google Maps and many options will appear. You will notice they are all on and around Avenida San Martin. You should walk around this street, enter tour agencies, and ask what they have to offer as well as what their prices are.
From our experiences, we had a great time using Cumelen Tours, who we visited Tierra del Fuego National Park and took a Beagle Channel cruise with. We also did a day tour of Torres del Paine with them whilst in El Calafate and loved all three adventures.
At the time of writing their reviews were 5.0 stars on Tripadvisor from 120 reviews, and 4.9 stars on Google from 483 reviews. I’m not saying other agencies are bad, but I can tell you confidently, that these guys are really good.
Antarctica Tours
Ushuaia is one of the few places in the world offering cruises to Antarctica. There is a 4-month window in which cruises run, from November-March.
Unfortunately, you need some serious money to take one of these cruises. They often cost upwards of £12,000/US$15,000, although if you’re really lucky, you can find last minute availability in Ushuaia for half that.
In very rare cases, I have heard of people paying a quarter of that whopping cost.
Anyway, Freestyle Adventure Travel, Ushuaia Turismo EVT (no website), Antarpply Expeditions, AntArctic Polar Expeditions and Antarctica Travels are the five agencies offering Antarctica tours.
They’re all located within a 10-minute walk of each other in Ushuaia’s city centre.
Unfortunately Google crushed my website’s traffic in favour of Reddit and AI gibberish, meaning an Antarctica tour wasn’t affordable during our Ushuaia trip. Therefore I can’t offer recommendations on which agency is best. However if you go to each one in person, take notes and compare reviews, you should be able to find the best one for your needs.
How Many Days do you Need in Ushuaia?
You should spend 3-5 days in Ushuaia in order to see everything here. This means Tierra del Fuego National Park, the Beagle Channel, the Prison Museum, Martial Glacier, Martillo Island and Esmeralda Lagoon.
If you come for an Antarctica tour, I would recommend staying longer in order to find a tour (if you don’t have one pre-booked) and prepare adequately for it. Needless to say, Antarctica is very cold and you will need appropriate clothing to stay warm.
When is the Best Time to Visit Ushuaia?
If you wish to experience Ushuaia with heavy snowfall and incredible winter scenery, the best time to visit is from June-August.
For hiking, you are best off visiting from December-February which is summer time in Argentina.
If you’re coming for Antarctic tours, the best time for an Ushuaia trip is November-March during the Antarctic cruise season.
What to Pack for Ushuaia
This is a cold destination, and even in the summers it isn’t very warm here. So my advice is to pack winter clothing for Ushuaia.
You should bring a bare minimum of three layers on your top, including a jumper and a warm jacket. You should also have a winter hat, gloves and a scarf to keep you warm here.
Down below, I would recommend two pairs of trousers for most activities. Although only one for hiking up Martial Glacier as mobility can be tricky with too many layers on.
When cruising the Beagle Channel, you will feel strong winds blowing against your body. Make sure your jacket is wind-resistant to soften the impact of this.
Have a medical kit with you at all times, just in case of any accidents. It’s easy to slip on the ice.
Is Ushuaia Worth Visiting
Ushuaia is worth visiting for anyone who enjoys snowy landscapes, nature and wildlife.
This is a destination for everyone. Families, friend groups, couples and solo travellers will all find activities they enjoy here.
It has a feel similar to the Nordic countries, even down to the architecture. If you enjoy them, you will love Ushuaia.
Even if you aren’t coming for an Antarctica cruise, this is a fun destination in its own right and one of our highlights during 2 weeks in Patagonia.
Is Ushuaia Safe?
Argentina is one of the safest Latin American countries and Ushuaia is one of the safest places in Argentina.
Crime is very low here and it feels much safer than just about anywhere in Western Europe or the USA.
The main dangers here come from the environment. It gets very cold and the ice is a hazard which can make it easy to slip.
The Beagle Channel can get very windy, so I’d advise against getting too close to the edge of the boat, especially with younger children.
Avalanches have occurred in the mountains in the past. Always seek advice from locals before going on any mountain hikes, this includes the trip to Martial Glacier.
Is Ushuaia Suitable for Disabled Travellers?
Argentina is one of the most accessible countries in the Americas for disabled travellers, and Ushuaia is no exception.
Entry to both Tierra del Fuego National Park and the Prison Museum costs £20/US$25 in normal circumstances, but is free for disabled travellers if you can provide proof of your disability. A card, certificate or screenshot of an official letter are accepted forms of proof here.
In terms of getting around the town, Uber operates which means there is no need to walk if you struggle to do so.
Unlike Buenos Aires, the traffic in Ushuaia is generally fairly calm, and it is relatively easy to cross the road.
The one drawback is that Ushuaia does become very icy after the snow clears up. I recommend using Uber to travel from door-to-door during icy spells, as it can be tricky to maintain balance for anyone with mobility issues.
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