Like many travelers, I was focused on Fitz Roy, glaciers, and the famous landscapes further north in Patagonia. In fact, I almost skipped Ushuaia altogether.
The thing that finally convinced me to go was the chance to see penguins in the wild. That alone seemed worth the journey to the southernmost city in the world.
What I didn't expect was to completely fall in love with Ushuaia itself.
Between the dramatic mountain scenery, incredible hiking trails, wildlife encounters, and the feeling of being at the edge of the world, Ushuaia ended up being one of my favorite places in Argentina.
If you're wondering what to do in Ushuaia, here are the experiences I think are absolutely worth your time.
The 12 Top Things To Do In Ushuaia
As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in Ushuaia. If you also want more practical information like where you should base yourself, how to get around and my favourite restaurants, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.
Visit the Penguins at Isla Martillo
If there's one experience that put Ushuaia on my bucket list, it was this. I've always wanted to see penguins in the wild and this was just as magical as I had hoped it would be.
Watching them waddle along the beach, interact with each other, and go about their day in their natural habitat was one of the highlights of my entire South-America trip. If you're curious about the experience, you can read my honest review and what it's like here.
To keep the penguins and their surroundings safe they only allow a small amount of people on to the island every day and only for a short amount of time.
There is also only one company allowed to do the tour. This means that if you want to have this experience, you need to book it in advance.
I’ll admit it took a huge bite out of my travel budget, but I personally think it was worth every penny. If you're only going to splurge on one tour in Ushuaia, make it this one.
This is the exact tour I booked, and if walking with penguins is high on your bucket list, this is the one you want. I highly recommend booking this in advance like I did to make sure there are spots available.
If you just want to see them from a distance and don't have any desire to walk amongst them you can choose to do a boat tour like this one, which is also a bit more budget friendly.
Hike to Laguna Esmeralda
This was my favourite hike in Ushuaia without question.
The trail takes you through stunning forest and mountain landscapes before reaching a beautiful emerald-green lake. Some of the views we had on the way are amongst the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
When we reached laguna Esmeralda the weather had turned and gotten pretty foggy, but it was still incredibly beautiful, and even though it was super cold I needed to take a short swim.
If you want to take a swim, definitely bring some extra warm clothes to heat up in afterwards because it was absolutely freezing cold.
Take a Boat Trip on the Beagle Channel
One of the best ways to experience Ushuaia is from the water. You can take a boat trip through the Beagle Channel and get amazing views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.
Along the way, you'll also usually see sea lions, cormorants, and other wildlife, as well as famous landmarks like the Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse.
Just being on the water witnessing the majestic scenery is worth every penny!
This is the most popular and highly reviewed tour of the Beagle Channel
Explore Tierra del Fuego National Park
If you’re looking for amazing hiking opportunities you’ve come to the right place. Tierra del Fuego National Park has some of the best hikes you can do. I wont say they rival the ones in El Chalten, but that also means there are less people along the trails.
You’ll find some of the region's most beautiful landscapes, including forests, lakes, rivers, mountains, and dramatic coastlines along the Beagle Channel.
If you want to do many hikes on your own while in the area, I recommend renting a car to get you to and from the various hiking trails. You can take taxis to the various trails, but it’s hard to book something back unless you've already agreed on a pick-up with a driver.
There are lots of different trails to choose from for every level and I loved how peaceful it felt compared to other and more popular Patagonian parks. Below are some of the best hikes you can do inside Tierra del Fuego National Park.
- Coastal Trail (Senda Costera) – Scenic & Rewarding
- Hito XXIV Trail – Lake & Forest Stroll to the Border
- Pampa Alta Trail – Views Over Channel & Mountains
- Cerro Guanaco Summit – Panoramic High-Elevation Trek
Explore Martial Glacier
Even though I personally didn't do this, I’m still adding it because it seems like an incredible experience. I was already heading to El Calafate to see the Perito Moreno glacier there so I decided to spend my time and money on other things in Ushuaia.
If you’re not heading to other parts of Argentina or if you have extra time in Ushuaia I would definitly add this to my itinerary. The views are supposed to be amazing.
This is the guided tour I would’ve booked to visit the Glaciers if I went back to Ushuaia.
Explore Ushuaia City
Ushuaia city center is relatively small so you don’t need much time to walk from one end of the city to the other. I do however think it’s worth setting aside some time to just wander around here, because the city in itself is incredibly charming.
Avenida San Martín is the Main Street and you’ll find plenty of cafés, shops, bakeries and small souvenir stores. It’s also where most people end up in the evenings relaxing at one of the citys many cute restaurants.
If you have time, head slightly uphill into the residential areas. The views from here are beautiful and it's nice to see a more local side of the city as well.
If you don’t have time to explore the city on foot, you can choose to take a double decker bus that takes you to all the best locations and sights for about one hour.
Rafting along the Olivia River
If you want to explore the area a bit differently, you can opt for a half day rafting tour.
It combines trekking with rafting and doesn’t require that much physical effort. The trek is pretty easy, and you don‘t need to have any rowing experince to be able to join the rafting either.
You’ll just let yourself be carried away by the calm water and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding Andes mountain.
Ride the End of the World Train
The End of the World Train follows part of a route that was once used by prisoners from Ushuaia's infamous penal colony. However, today it's a slightly touristy, but fun and scenic journey that takes you to parts of the landscape that would otherwise be difficult to access.
If you don't want to spend your time hiking I think this is a great way to experience some of the beautiful nature in the area.
You can choose to do just the train ride for a couple of hours, or add on a guided tour in the national park.
This is a ticket only for the train, not entrance to the national park and guide
This is a ticket to the End of The World Train as well as a guided full day tour of the national park
Visit the End of the World Sign
Right outside the city you’ll find the famous “End of the World” sign. You can easily walk there from the city. The walk itself will give you some really nice views of the bay too so it’s absolutely worth it. And the photo is of course fun to have.
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Enjoy the Views Along the Waterfront
One of my favorite things to do in Ushuaia cost absolutely nothing. The area is so beautiful that even a walk along the waterfront is stunning.
You’ll get some amazing views of the beagle channel with boats going in and out with the mountains behind.
Around the End of The World Sign you can walk to another island and wander around and you’ll most likely spot horses wandering around in fields of flowers. At least we did, and it was truly beautiful and so peaceful.
If you're a runner, this is also the perfect place for a run. I found myself returning here several times, especially in the evening when the light softened and the mountain peaks glowed in the distance.
Visit the Maritime Museum
If you're interested in history this is a great addition to your stay in Ushuaia. You can find the Maritime Museum inside a former prison and you’ll be able to learn more about the city's origins, Antarctic exploration, and the prisoners who helped shape this settlement.
Experience Ushuaia's Famous Seafood
If you love seafood, this is the right place for you! It really doesn't get much fresher than what you can get here.
One of the things Ushuaia is especially know for is the King Crab, so if you haven't tried that before, this is a good opportunity.
But honestly no matter what kind of seafood you order here, you’ll most likely love it.
If you’re visiting during high season and you're a bigger group I highly recommend booking tables in advance.
Some great restaurants to try are:
- El Viejo Marino
- Tía Elvira
- Chiko
Best Places to Stay in Ushuaia
If you’re going to splurge, Arakur should be at the top of your list. Set above Ushuaia in a private nature reserve with its own trail network, it feels like a mountain lodge and a luxury spa all in one. The views are extraordinary, the spa is perfect after long days of hiking, and the setting is truly unique.
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A longtime favorite in Ushuaia for travelers who want more comfort without a luxury price tag. Spacious rooms, excellent service, and panoramic views over the Beagle Channel make it a standout. The location is perfect just a few blocks from the waterfront.
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This is a classic Patagonia luxury stay right on the Beagle Channel. The location is unbeatable, with sunsets over the water that are worth every penny. Rooms are spacious and elegant, and the spa and experience programs (like guided hikes or boat tours) add extra value.
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Is Ushuaia Worth Visiting?
I arrived in Ushuaia expecting to see penguins, but I left wondering why people don't talk about how incredible this place really is.
From hiking to Laguna Esmeralda and exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park to sailing through the Beagle Channel and spending time with wild penguins, Ushuaia really is far more than its reputation as a gateway to Antarctica.
Whether you're visiting Patagonia for a few weeks or planning a longer Argentina itinerary, I really think Ushuaia deserves more than a quick stop.
I hope this helps you plan your amazing adventure to Argentina and Ushuaia. If you have any questions about travel in Argentina, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!
-Ingrid