How I spent three days in Ushuaia, Argentina

Ushuaia is located at the southernmost tip of Argentina. Ushuaia can really be considered the city at the end of the world.

So, you’ve made it here because you are perhaps interested in visiting Antarctica, as Ushuaia is generally the most popular launching location for Antarctic cruises.

Or, you are planning an epic road trip or a bike touring adventure.

Or you’re just curious. Because who wouldn’t be curious about Ushuaia?!

Now, if you’re wondering how to pronounce Ushuaia, it is pronounced: Ooosh-why-ah.

And if you find yourself visiting, then this guide might give you ideas for how to spend your time in Ushuaia.

Why visit Ushuaia?

You can visit for whatever reason floats your boat.

And that’s exactly the reason I visited. I was going on a cruise.

Weird place to commence a cruise, I hear you say. Well, it is a little out of the way, off the beaten path, one might say. But this is the most popular launching location for Antarctic cruises.

However, this is one of the most beautiful places with all the rugged scenery and harsh environments. It really is a wonderful place just to visit.

How many days should I spend in Ushuaia?

I’m definitely one of those people who gets anxiety about missing planes! So when I had my cruise date, I made sure I would arrive with plenty of time to spare in case there were flight interruptions.

Missing my cruise was not an option. When else would I ever get the chance?

So, I arrived two days before my cruise and planned a spare day at the end as well. I had three full days in total in Ushuaia (and spoiler alert: it wasn’t enough!)

How to get to Ushuaia

Direct flights to Ushuaia can only arrive from a small number of Argentinian airports. A direct Buenos Aires to Ushuaia flight will take just over 3 1/2 hours. There are multiple flights per day between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia. When I flew, it cost around $250 USD (booked in June 2019 for a February 2020 flight).

Flying into Ushuaia is an amazing experience. Ushuaia airport would have to be one of the most picturesque airports in the world, as it sits on the shores of the Beagle Channel.

Best time to visit Ushuaia

The best time to visit Ushuaia will depend on your reasons for travelling there. The Ushuaia climate can be harsh. It is considered a year-round cold climate. The average January highs are around 13°C.

If you are planning to travel to Antarctica or to hike in the Tierra del Fuego National Park, then November through to March will be the best time to visit Ushuaia. Ushuaia’s weather can change quickly, though given its proximity to the Andes, so make sure you are prepared.

Best things to do in Ushuaia

There are many things to do in Ushuaia. I spent 3 days in Ushuaia, two days before and one day after my cruise from Ushuaia to Antarctica. The following is an idea of some of the activities in Ushuaia that you can add to your itinerary.

1. Explore the Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park is located in the southern Ushuaia Patagonia region in Argentina. The national park is perfect for bird watchers and hikers. There are many trails to explore around the park and each trail offers something different.

Tierra del Fuego National Park is located 12km outside of Ushuaia. The easiest way to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park is to take a bus or taxi from the city.

In addition to the hiking, there is the End of the World Train that you can catch. The train travels on a 7km section of railway in the Tierra del Fuego Argentina region.

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to go on the train (which is a shame as I work in the transport industry and love trains!)

Explore the Tierra del Feugo National Park

2. Visit the museums in Ushuaia

I visited a few museums in Argentina, but the Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia was the one I enjoyed the most. Three museums are housed in this former Argentinian prison.

Firstly, there is the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, which has information on early sailing explorations of the area. There is also some information about the Tierra del Fuego native peoples.

Secondly, there is the Ushuaia Prison Museum. It is a fantastic museum that explores the history of the area as a convict settlement. When the penal colony idea failed, the jail was built. There is also information on some of the more infamous prisoners.

The third museum is dedicated to Antarctic exploration. There are displays on explorers, whaling and of course, penguins. It is really interesting if you are embarking on a Ushuaia to Antarctica cruise.

You can purchase a two-day ticket so you aren’t required to see all this in one day. The ticket also gives you access to Museo del Fin del Mundo. This is a small natural history museum. Additionally, the ticket gives you access to the Antigua Casa de Gobierno or the Old Government House.

Natural History Museum Ushuaia Argentina

3. Go on a city tour of Ushuaia

There are many large cruise ships that dock at Ushuaia Port. To cater to the cruise ship tourists, there are two Ushuaia city tours that are available for people to go on.

You can either catch the double-decker Ushuaia City Tour bus that travels around the city stopping at major points of interest. Alternatively, there’s the Ushuaia City Train that you can catch.

Both offer a different view of Ushuaia, and it’s a great way to explore while not getting sore feet!

After you’ve rested your feet, there are a few local attractions that are worth visiting. The first one is the huge Ushuaia sign, just a medium walk from Ushuaia Port towards the Aeroclub.

Make sure you have your photo taken with the Ushuaia End of the World sign as well. It is located at Ushuaia Port amongst the colourful tour huts.

Travel to the end of the world in Ushuaia Argentina

There’s also a handmade market near the port that is worth a walk through. You’ll also find local artisans selling their goods from stalls along the main street of Ave. San Martín. You can find some amazing handmade items for souvenirs.

Argentina loves monuments and street art! While walking around the city, be sure to keep an eye out for all the different monuments that are scattered around Ushuaia.

Additionally, you’ll find amazing street art everywhere. Keep your eyes out for these nuggets of goodness.

4. Hike to Martial Glacier Ushuaia

Martial Glacier is 7kms outside of Ushuaia. The easiest way to get there is to get a taxi. It will take around 15 minutes and cost around $10 USD to be taken to the beginning of the trailhead.

If you find yourself in Ushuaia hiking the Martial Glacier, you will be in for a real treat. There are spectacular views from the trail. The hike to the glacier is considered difficult.

From the parking lot, the hike will take in excess of 60 minutes to get to the top. The path deteriorates as you get further up the mountain, as there is a lot of slippery shale, so make sure you take your time and tread carefully.

There’s a cafe at the beginning of the trailhead and it’s a nice place to relax and have a drink after your hike while gazing upon the mountain you just hiked up.

I definitely recommend hiking the Martial Glacier.

5. Ushuaia day trips

There are many day trips that are available to take while in Ushuaia. Make your way to Ushuaia Port and you’ll find an area with colourful huts. The huts contain tour operators where you can book a Ushuaia day trip.

Day trips consist of cruises from Ushuaia to Puerto Williams in Chile, Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, and to other islands for hiking and walking. There are day trips to see penguins, seals and birds also.

Other tour operators around town can take you out on a 4×4 drive. Ushuaia is an adventurer’s playground with many choices for activities.

6. Eating in Ushuaia

Ushuaia restaurants are numerous and mostly situated on or near the main street, Ave. San Martín. King crab in Ushuaia is readily available at many restaurants. It is one of the region’s popular cuisines.

One of the best restaurants in Ushuaia that I dined at was Paso Garibaldi on Deloqui St. I ordered pasta with king crab and it was honestly the best pasta I think I’ve ever eaten. The prices in Ushuaia are higher than in other areas of Argentina, but given its location, you can understand why.

Another recommended restaurant in Ushuaia is the La Casa de Los Mariscos. Unfortunately, the night I went they did not have any king crab, so I settled for fish in a tomato sauce and it was delicious.

And don’t forget to try the incredible Argentinian wines. To this day, I will always reach for a bottle of Malbec over anything else.

7. Shopping in Ushuaia

As Ushuaia is a cruise port, the main street is dominated by shops. This includes many large duty-free shops. Additionally, there are multiple hiking and outdoor clothing stores if you need extra items for your outdoor activities.

Souvenir shopping in Ushuaia can be a fun experience and a walk down Ave. San Martín will see you visiting many of these stores. Some stores have very similar products, but there are a few hidden gems, such as Tierra de Humos.

Ushuaia accommodation

There are many different levels of accommodation that are available in Ushuaia. When choosing accommodation, it was more important for me to find central Ushuaia hotels because I walk everywhere.

I also like to find a happy balance between cost and luxury. I pretty much just look for something clean and decent at the lowest cost. I’m never in the hotel long enough to care about luxury inclusions.

I stayed at Hostel Malvinas, and it was in the perfect location as it was within walking distance of everything. Not to mention, the hosts were very helpful and friendly!

Ushuaia to Antarctica

Tourists come from near and far, as this is usually where a trip to Antarctica commences. Ushuaia to Antarctica cruises are common because it is the shortest distance to travel between the continents.

If you are looking to travel to Antarctica, you can buy last-minute cruise berths from Ushuaia, which may be cheaper than if you had booked in advance.

The best time to visit Antarctica is between November and March. This is because the Antarctic ice sheets have receded during Summer. Cruise ships can travel more freely in the Antarctic waters during this time.

So if you’ve always wondered how to travel to Antarctica, a small cruise is the best way because if the weather is right, you will be able to do shore landings. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with penguins and seals this way.

Final thoughts

If you’re heading to the End of the World to tour Ushuaia, you’ll find a remarkable and resilient city.

There are so many things to do in Ushuaia, especially if you love the outdoors.

Make sure your time in Ushuaia is comfortable by visiting at the right time of the year, depending on what you’re planning on doing.

I hope this article has helped you to decide on what to do in Ushuaia when you visit. I spent 3 days in Ushuaia, but I feel like a couple more would have been better as there’s just so much to see and do.

What to see in Ushuaia, Argentina