End of the World, beginning of everything.
Ushuaia is located at the end of southern Patagonia, it is the southern tip of Argentina, the end of the world or as some people call it: the beginning of everything. It is surrounded by the sea and the mountain range; from wherever you stand you can get to see either and be surprised by the colors and the immensity of nature present in the city.
As the capital of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands, Ushuaia is more than its landscapes of glacial valleys, peat bogs and ancient forests. The city offers you urban tours and places to enjoy the culture, gastronomy and thus delve into the history of this mythical corner of the world.
A little bit of history.
Formerly, Tierra del Fuego was inhabited by the Selknam or Onas, Haush, Alakalufes and Yámanas peoples. The latter, nomadic, moved in canoes through the waters of the Beagle Channel and the southern islands. The story goes that when the first European navigators approached this area, they saw large columns of smoke everywhere, which led to the name of the island "Tierra del Fuego".
It was not until October 12, 1884, in Ushuaia that the Subprefecture of the same was created, belonging to the Argentine State. From then on and through various actions, such as the penal colonization, Ushuaia began to be Ushuaia began to grow in population and infrastructure to become the thriving town we know today.
Learn more about the history of Ushuaia
Touring around the city
You go for a walk around the city center and Ushuaia never ceases to surprise you.
The waterfront is a quiet place to walk, ride a bike and learn a little more about the end of the world. Starting at the Bahía Encerrada Urban Nature Reserve, a natural, historical, cultural and bird nesting environment, you will feel very close to nature. If you cross the walkway that encloses the bay and gives it its name, you can admire Ushuaia's postcard from another perspective. In front of it is the Old Settlers' walk that contains old houses turned into museums, cultural exhibition center and itinerant exhibitions that transport us to other times of Ushuaia.
Among the curiosities found along the waterfront is the Saint Christopher, emblematic ship stranded on the shores of the Beagle; the Falkland Islands Memorial in tribute to the fallen in the war; the Paseo de las Rosas; the walk of artisans and the mythical sign that welcomes the city at the end of the world. At the end of this tour along the waterfront you reach the commercial pier and the Paseo Pioneros Antárticos.
Walking along the main street or nearby you can find houses that maintain their original facade and have been declared historical monuments; they are samples of the cultural heritage of the city. Some of them offer different services, transporting you to distant times.
If you prefer, you can visit these and other points of interest in a city tour, with tour guides who accompany the tour with their story, either in vehicles or on foot.
The main street called San Martìn concentrates the largest number of stores of all kinds: restaurants, agencies, souvenirs and more. There you will find the Open Air Gallery that consists of 4 blocks with vehicular traffic without the possibility of parking. It is a shopping promenade with all kinds of offers.
Approximately 15 blocks from downtown is the only shopping mall in the city, which can be reached by car or on foot through a pedestrian path that starts at Maipú and Yaganes street.
Martial Glacier
In less than 10 minutes you will arrive to a mountain path that looks like it was taken out from a fairy tale. Landscapes here are unique.
Are you starting to get hungry after all that walking? In Ushuaia the gastronomic offer is super wide. From cozy little bars to have a coffee to restaurants with typical dishes such as spider crab or Patagonian lamb.
If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that in Ushuaia there are options for all tastes, and unique experiences that will make your trip a lifetime memory.