As South As It Gets! 9 Incredible Things To Do In Ushuaia, Argentina - Updated 2024

things to do in ushuaia argentina
Emilia
Emilia 
Updated
| 3 min read

It’s the end of the world as we know it. And surely is a fabulous ending. Ushuaia is a Patagonian jewel that year after year welcomes travelers who have heard of its stunning beauty. As the spot where the Andes mountains meet the sea, it offers many different activities to enjoy. While many of them are linked to the unique landscape and the gorgeous natural areas, it holds an identity of its own and an intriguing past. If you are ready to explore the secrets of the southernmost city on the planet, don’t miss the best activities to do in Ushuaia, courtesy of Trip 101.

1. Lago Roca (from USD 143.0)

Lago Roca - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Elvis Boaventura used under CC BY 3.0

This glacier lake is surrounded by forests and is a dream come true. While it is not the best place for fishing, Lago Roca offers the perfect atmosphere to relax and admire nature. The pebbled shore serves as a cool spot to enjoy a picnic, and the waters are a great ally if you want to do some kayaking. In addition, it is also a fantastic starting point to explore the Tierra del Fuego National Park, since it has a campground.

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Exclusive Tierra del Fuego National Park Hike and Canoe Tour

Duration: 9 hours

73 reviews

2. Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego and Tren del Fin del Mundo (from USD 118.0)

Cruzada en La Macarena
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user https://www.flick... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

All aboard! You can travel back in time and take the train that the convicts used to ride to go to the Mount Susana to work. You will have a more pleasant experience since today El Tren del Fin del Mundo (The End of the World Train) has been adapted for tourism and adds an audio guide in multiple languages to the marvelous scenery that you can appreciate in your journey. The 7-kilometer (4-mile) ride includes views of the zigzagging Pipo River, Macarena cascade, and the beautiful forest.

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Tierra del Fuego National Park and End of the World Train

Duration: 4 hours

40 reviews

3. Museo del Fin del Mundo

Museo del Fin del Mundo (5540794550)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Liam Quinn used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The best way to learn about the history of the region is with a visit to the End of the World Museum. It features many exhibits that start from the Pre-Columbian era to the 20th century. One of the most interesting ones is about the Yámana and the Selk’nam, the tribes that lived in the area. To get the best of your visit, it is advisable to participate in the guided tour.

Museo del Fin del Mundo

Address: Maipú 173, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Facebook page: Museo del Fin del Mundo

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4. Museo Maritimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia

MUSEO PRESIDIO EN USHUAIA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ALICIA REVERDITO used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time. However, you don’t need a sentence to visit the Maritime Museum and Presidio and discover what life was like for the inmates who were sentenced there, considered among the most dangerous ones. You can walk the halls and enter the cells of this prison, which housed up to 380 prisoners from 1920 to 1947, including author Ricardo Rojasand, anarchist Simón Radowitzky and the creepy Petizo Orejudo, one of Argentina’s most infamous serial killers.

Museo Maritimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia

Address: Yaganes y Gobernador Paz, 9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website: Museo Maritimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia

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5. Canal de Beagle

Beagle Channel Lighthouse
Source: Photo by user David used under CC BY 2.0

The navigation of the Beagle Channel is a must If you visit Ushuaia. This strait separates the main Tierra del Fuego Island from some smaller islands, and it’s known for the extraordinary geographic scenery, often referred to as the “end of the World.” It is necessary to book a navigation tour to sail those startling waters.

Canal de Beagle

Address: Av. Prefectura Naval, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website:

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6. Estancia Harberton

Estancia Harberton - Tierra del Fuego - Usuahia
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Diegoarielvega used under CC BY-SA 3.0

As the oldest ranch in the region, Estancia Harberton is full of history and tradition. The estancia keeps its original architecture and tells the story of the Bridges family that settled in the area and remains as a bovine ranch. It is opened for visitors that wish to learn about the settlers of the region from October to March.

Estancia Harberton

Address: Sarmiento 44, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website: Estancia Harberton (in Spanish)

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7. Martial Glacier

Monte Martial -Martial Mountain
Source: Photo by user Cristina Valencia used under CC BY 2.0

You can do the ascent to the Martial Glacier for the best views of the area. Surrounded by an unbelievable landscape that might have snow even in the summer, you can appreciate stunning sights over the city and across the Beagle to Isla Navarino. The weather up there can change during your ascent, so it is advisable to be prepared with different layers of clothing.

Martial Glacier

Address: Luis F Martial 3560, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website: Martial Glacier (in Spanish)

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8. Laguna Esmeralda

Laguna Esmeralda - Ushuaia
Source: Photo by user Lucas Zallio used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Among the many treasures that surround Ushuaia, one of the most charming ones is Laguna Esmeralda. The Tierra del Fuego region offers lots of amazing trails to hike, but if you don’t have much experience of time, this trail is an excellent choice. Your journey starts 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Ushuaia, at the beginning of the trail. From there, you can do a low impact 3-hour hike that will take you to the breathtaking colors of the lagoon, surrounded by mountains.

Laguna Esmeralda

Address: Ruta 3 km 3019, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website:

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9. Cerro Castor

Aerosillas 2
Source: Photo by user Jorge Gobbi used under CC BY 2.0

Ready for some fun in the snow? Cerro Castor is the southernmost ski resort in the world and the largest one in Argentina. Its locations grants peculiar characteristics that provide a great quality of snow for skiing or snowboarding, with an 800-meter (2,600-foot) slope. It is available for professionals and first-timers as well because it has different options according to your level and a school that can teach you how to start. Thanks to the climate in Ushuaia, it is open for skiing from June to October.

Cerro Castor

Address: Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Website: Cerro Castor

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The magic of Patagonia awaits

Have you booked your tickets to Ushuaia, yet? You can visit it any time of the year and have the most amazing time of your life. You will get to the end of the world and discover a new one.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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When she is not backpacking round the globe, Emilia Lugo works as a Digital Content Specialist in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She considers herself a museum geek and loves destinations that can take...Read more

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