This 3 days in Ushuaia itinerary covers top attractions and fun tours you shouldn’t miss on your visit to the city at the End of the World!

How long should you stay in Ushuaia? That is a great question!

Personally, I think 3 days in Ushuaia is the minimum amount of time you need to get acquainted with the southernmost city in the world.

This is also a good amount of time to play it safe for travellers embarking even further south on an Antarctica cruise.

As you might expect, the weather at the end of the world can be unpredictable and storms can delay flights, so it’s always best to arrive in Ushuaia a few days early to ensure you don’t miss your once-in-a-lifetime cruise!

Could you stay longer in Ushuaia? For sure!

On our very first Ushuaia trip, we spent a total of 2 weeks, however, I’ll be the first to admit that my husband and I favour slow travel and that may not be everyone’s style.

All this to say that there is plenty to see and do in Ushuaia, especially if want to tackle a few hikes and make time for a few day trips.

In this blog post, I’m going to provide a detailed breakdown of how I would spend 3 days in Ushuaia as a first-time visitor looking to get the most out of a short trip!

3 Days in Ushuaia Itinerary

Day 1 in Ushuaia

Ideally, you’ll have arrived in Ushuaia and checked into your hotel the night before.

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay at the end of the world, you can’t go wrong with Arakur Ushuaia Resort and Spa, but if you want a few more options have a look at our Ushuaia hotel guide.

Start off your first morning in Ushuaia with breakfast at your hotel and fuel up for an action-packed day!

Day 1 of your 3 days in Ushuaia is going to feature some iconic landmarks and activities that you simply cannot miss during your visit.

Cruise the Beagle Channel

If there’s one activity that can’t be missing on your Ushuaia itinerary, it’s a Beagle Channel cruise!

The Beagle Channel is the body of water that separates the main island of Tierra del Fuego from various smaller islands. It’s also one of three passages that connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean; the other two being the Strait of Magellan and the Drake Passage.

We had beautiful weather on the day of our cruise and we got to see sea lions sunbathing on a rocky outcrop, thousands of cormorants swirling over an island, penguins waddling on Martillo Island, and we had epic views of the mountains and Ushuaia Harbour.

We also sailed past the red-and-white-striped Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse, which is often mistaken for the Lighthouse at the End of the World.

There are lots of different Beagle Channel tours to choose from, however, it’s important to note that not all tours are created equal! All this to say, figuring out the best Beagle Channel tour for you does take a bit of research.

When it comes to vessels, you can choose between catamarans, sailboats and fishing boats – keep in mind that the smaller the vessel, the more you’ll feel the movement if the seas are rough.

Most importantly, while most tours approach the shores of Martillo Island to see the penguins, only one operator is licensed to disembark for a guided walk among the penguins. This is something that’s often not mentioned when you’re booking your tour.

The penguins tour is a small group tour with limited numbers to protect the penguins and their habitat. It’s a 1-hour walk with a guide where you get to Magellanic penguins and sometimes even Gentoo penguins. As you can imagine, it does come with a higher price tag.

This Beagle Channel boat tour focused on nature and wildlife is a 5-star best-seller. You get to sail past Isla Alicia, Isla de los Pajaros, Isla de Lobos, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and you disembark at Bridges Islands for a mini trek. (No penguins on this tour!)

Alternatively, this Beagle Channel cruise to Martillo Island includes the walk with penguins, plus you also get to visit Estancia Haberton. This tour involves a minivan ride to the estancia and then a boat ride aboard a Zodiak to reach Martillo Island. (No lighthouse on this tour!)

Tip: The End of the World sign is located just east of the port where the Beagle Channel tours depart from. Take a moment to snap your photo next to the sign either before boarding your cruise or upon your return. It’s a right of passage!

Lunch at Isabel

One restaurant we really enjoyed during our travels across Patagonia is Isabel Cocina al Disco. This is a restaurant that specializes in dishes cooked on a plow disk, a very traditional way of cooking with its roots in the working estancias.

Well, this restaurant has locations across several Patagonian cities, so we ended up visiting a few of them!

Their menu in Ushuaia features one of the local specialties which is centolla or king crab. They also have other seafood options like trout and hake. Plus, you can choose if you want your dish with potatoes, rice or noodles.

We tried the king crab plough which was super succulent. We were impressed by the rather generous pieces of crab meat!

Be warned, these dishes are for sharing! They say a plough can feed 2 people, but I think you can even feed 3. We found it to be a lot of food, especially considering they bring you a freshly baked loaf of bread to the table!

Old Ushuaia Prison

Another attraction not to be missed on a trip to Ushuaia is the Old Ushuaia Prison, better known as the Prison at the End of the World.

Ushuaia was founded as a penal colony for repeat offenders and hardened criminals, and the first prisoners began to arrive in 1884.

Why build a prison at the very bottom of Argentina? Well, this was done by the Argentine government as a way to ensure control over Tierra del Fuego and to increase the Argentine population in such a remote part of the country.

The prisoners helped build their own prison. They had to transport rock and timber from the nearby forests, first using wagons pulled by oxen and later travelling aboard the narrow gauge railway, today known as the Train at the End of the World, but more on that later.

Today, the Ushuaia Prison is a major tourist attraction that houses several museums. Each of these five museums has its own wing and these converge in a central hall.

During your visit, you can wander through the Prison Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Antarctic Museum, the Art Museum and the Art Gallery.

You should allot at least a couple of hours to explore Ushuaia Prison in depth.

Take the Double Decker Bus Tour

If you only have a few days in town, the Ushuaia double-decker city bus tour is a good way to see the city beyond the downtown core.

This tour runs 1 hour and 10 minutes in length, but to be clear, this is not a hop-on-hop-off tour.

This is a sightseeing tour where you drive past some landmarks and you only disembark at two points: first at the Devil’s Lagoon, which is a green space in the city outskirts, and then at the Ushuaia Aeroclub where you get nice panoramic views of the city.

A narrated audio guide plays for the duration of the tour where you get to listen to commentary about Ushuaia’s history and the landmarks along the way.

Some of the attractions you’ll get to see include the Malvinas Monument, the first graveyard, the first school, and the harbour. However, you’ll also get to see quotidian places like the hospital, the university and residential neighbourhoods.

If you want to see Ushuaia’s less touristy side, this is a nice, short tour that ticks the box.

You can prebook the Ushuaia double-decker bus tour here, or buy tickets in person at the bus. If you opt for the latter, make sure you arrive early, especially if you’re visiting during high season as the bus can fill up.

Dinner at Taberna Del Viejo Lobo

For dinner, check out Taberna del Viejo Lobo, the southernmost tavern in the world. This is a quirky tavern with an attached thematic gallery featuring dioramas.

We went for a picada which is Argentina’s version of a snacking board featuring lots of little bites. This one had crab cakes, mussels, breaded shrimp, chicken sticks, deli meats, cheeses, roasted peppers and more. Even though this is considered a snack, it was a meal in and of itself!

We also got dessert and let me tell you, their vanilla cake with dulce de leche, whipped cream, peaches and merengue was simply divine!

Day 2 in Ushuaia

Day 2 of your 3 days in Ushuaia is all about exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park and enjoying some of the activities inside the park including hikes and a rather famous train ride!

Ride the End of the World Train

The Train at the End of the World is also known as the Train of Prisoners and the Southern Fuegian Railway.

This steam train is the southernmost functioning railway in the world, so if you’re a train aficionado, you’ll want to make time to travel aboard!

Personally, I love travelling aboard trains – especially heritage trains that have so much history behind them. Having already tackled two famous train rides in Patagonia – the Old Patagonian Express and the Tren Patagónico – I knew I wanted to experience this one as well.

The End of the World train is a 50-minute journey that travels the final 7 kilometres of the original prisoner’s train route. This is the same journey the prisoners would have completed on a daily basis to log the forest in order to build their prison and also provide firewood.

The ride begins at the End of the World train station, which is located 8 kilometres west of the city of Ushuaia.

Along the way, you get to see landmarks like the Burnt Bridge, the Bull’s Canyon and La Macarena Waterfall where you have the opportunity to disembark for a few minutes.

The train then continues towards the national park boundary where you enter Tierra del Fuego National Park. Here you get to see the tree graveyard left behind by the logging work of the prisoners.

Finally, you reach the National Park Station, where you disembark once more so the train can turn around.

At this point, you can either get back on the train and return to the starting point, or explore the national park. I would recommend the latter!

Send mail from the Southernmost Post Office

From the Tierra del Fuego National Park Train Station, you can walk down to Bahia Ensenada Zaratiegui. This is where you’ll find the most famous post office in Ushuaia: the End of the World Post Office!

Set on the shores of the Beagle Channel, this tiny post office sits on a pier and is made of corrugated metal and wood. Inside, a wood-burning stove burns even during the summer months and the walls are covered in postcards for you to choose from.

As a heads up, it normally takes around 3 weeks for snail mail to reach your intended recipient, so be patient!

Aside from sending mail, you can also get your passport stamped here. I’ve heard people say you shouldn’t get these novelty stamps, but I’ve been doing it for years in places like Machu Picchu, Checkpoint Charlie, and Easter Island and it’s never been an issue at border control. Do so at your discretion!

Hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Next up, let’s talk about hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park, which you can do independently or as part of a guided tour.

We spent two days hiking independently in different sections of the park, so I’ll give you a few options.

Option 1: Senda Costera

My favourite hike in Tierra del Fuego National Park is Senda Costera or the Coastal Path. This hike begins next to the End of the World Post Office on Bahia Ensenada Zaratiegui and ends at the Alakush Visitor’s Centre.

This is a beautiful 3 to 4-hour hike that’s considered medium-level difficulty. Along the way, there are lots of little beaches and coves where you can stop for a picnic or to have a rest.

The Coastal Path is also a great opportunity for bird-watching.

There are a few sections where the trail weaves through the forest, but for the most part, you are following the shores of the Beagle Channel.

While this isn’t a challenging hike, there are some uphill stretches and it can also get a bit muddy, so you’ll want to wear hiking boots. You can read more about this trail here.

Option 2: Lapataia Bay

Lapataia Bay marks the end of the road on the American continent. Here you’ll find a sign that marks the end of National Route 3, which is also the final stretch of the Panamericana. You can drive all the way to Alaska from this point! But let’s focus on the hiking.

The Lapataia Bay sector of the park is home to 6 short hiking trails. You’ll probably end up visiting some combination of these trails if you sign up for a guided tour of Tierra del Fuego National Park.

The hiking trails in this sector include:

• Paseo de la Isla – good for viewing aquatic birds
• Laguna Negra – black lagoon in the process of becoming a peat bog
• Mirador Lapataia – short but steep climb to the Lapataia Bay lookout
• Del Turbal – home to bogland and abandoned beaver lodges
• Castorera – where you can see beavers hard at work
• Senda de la Baliza – boardwalk that turns into a trail

Pack a picnic or have a snack at Alakush

We packed a picnic for our full day of hiking at Tierra del Fuego National Park, however, we also visited the cafeteria because we were hungry after tackling some of the different hikes.

Inside the park, you’ll find the Centro de Visitantes Alakush or Alakush Visitor’s Centre. This is a great place to get some info, have a rest, use the washrooms and visit the small displays that delve into the history of this park.

There’s also a cafeteria-style eatery inside the visitor’s centre where you can have lunch. The meals here are simple – think empanadas, tortillas, cake and hot and cold beverages. Not amazing by any means, but it’ll get you out of a pinch if you’re hungry.

Dinner at Kuar 1900

Kuar 1900 is another restaurant we thoroughly enjoyed in Ushuaia. We even went back a second time to sample more of their seafood pasta menu!

We really enjoyed the king crab risotto, which was rich and creamy and featured giant chunks of crab meat. That may be the best dish on their menu!

We also tried the black squid ink ravioli stuffed with salmon paired with a four-cheese sauce. A wonderful combination!

If you have room left for dessert, I would highly recommend their saffron pears with mascarpone and wild berries. It was simply divine.

Day 3 in Ushuaia

Having covered the main Ushuaia attractions on the first two days of this itinerary, I would recommend using the last of your 3 days in Ushuaia to book one of the many Ushuaia tours and day trips available, and there are lots to choose from!

Book an excursion from Ushuaia

Option 1: Hike to Laguna Esmeralda

This first option is for all the hikers out there.

There are so many hiking options in and around Ushuaia that it can be hard to narrow it down! Mountain passes, lagoons and glaciers – which should you choose?

Laguna Esmeralda is located some 20 kilometres northeast of Ushuaia, so it’s fairly accessible. Plus it’s a hike that you can do independently or as part of a guided tour.

The hike gets its name from the Emerald Lagoon, which is the reward at the end of a trek that spans 9 kilometres there and back.

This trek can take 3 to 4 hours round trip depending on your hiking pace and the number of breaks along the way.

Like with many trails in Ushuaia, this one can get quite muddy at times. You’ll want proper hiking boots and hiking poles! Also, dress in layers as the weather is ever-changing.

This small group hiking tour to the Emerald Lagoon includes transportation to and from Ushuaia. It’s limited to 10 participants and you get a packed lunchbox to enjoy during the hike.

Option 2: Paso Garibaldi by 4×4

This next option is for those travellers looking for a bit of adventure! How about crossing Paso Garibaldi in a 4×4?

The Garibaldi Pass is a mountain pass and the only paved route across the Fuegian Andes. It’s also the highest point of Argentina’s Ruta Nacional 3.

If you’re arriving or leaving Ushuaia by bus, you’ll drive across this mountain pass.

However, for a truly epic experience, you can join a 4×4 tour that takes a detour and goes off-road following the shores of Lago Escondido before linking up to Lago Fagnano.

Lago Fagnano is a lake of glacial origin that stretches 98 kilometres across Argentina and Chile (it’s known as Lago Cami across the border).

This tour is also a bit of a cultural experience because you get to enjoy an Argentine asado or BBQ with a bottle of Malbec – the perfect pairing!

This 4×4 off-road tour of Escondido Lake and Fagnano Lake explores glacial lakes and features epic mountain vistas. It also includes a BBQ lunch on the shores of the lake.

Dinner at Bodegón Fuegino

You’ll find bodegones all over Argentina; these are traditional restaurants that focus on classic homecooked dishes and generally serve big portions.

We got the cod in a roquefort cream sauce with pumpkin puree, and also the pan-fried chicken breast in a mushroom cream sauce. The meal was hearty and filling, which was exactly what we needed after a busy day of exploring Ushuaia.

For dessert, we got the calafate ice cream which is made with a berry only found in Patagonia. Legend has it that if you eat calafate berries you will surely return to Patagonia!

So is 3 days in Ushuaia enough?

Hopefully, this 3 days in Ushuaia travel itinerary has given you a good idea of what you can see, do and eat in the city at the bottom of the world!

As I mentioned earlier, I think 3 days is the minimum amount of time you should give yourself to explore Ushuaia, visit the main sites and enjoy a day trip.

Any less and you’ll feel rushed or miss out on attractions, which would be a shame having travelled all this way. Who knows when you’ll be back again?

Of course, you can certainly choose to stay longer! You could allot 5-7 days in Ushuaia and still not run out of things to do because there are so many great hikes and day trips to go on.

If you’re thinking of staying a bit longer, check out our complete Ushuaia travel guide for more ideas of things to do in and around the city.

For those who want to explore beyond Ushuaia, the lakeside town of Tolhuin is a super relaxing destination and a great way to unwind for a few days after a busy travel schedule.

Now you know how to spend your 3 days in Ushuaia. Wishing you a wonderful trip!