Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego Province and the country's southernmost city, set between the snow-dusted Martial Mountains and the northern shore of the Beagle Channel. Often called 'the End of the World,' it is a compact port city and the main departure point for Antarctic expedition cruises.

The city's identity is shaped by its maritime and frontier past. Founded in 1884 and later home to a penal colony, Ushuaia preserves that history in the Maritime and Prison Museum, housed in the former prison buildings, alongside its working port and naval heritage.

Key landmarks and experiences include Tierra del Fuego National Park, the narrow-gauge End of the World Train, boat trips on the Beagle Channel past Les Éclaireurs Lighthouse and sea lion colonies, and hikes to the Martial Glacier or the emerald waters of Laguna Esmeralda.

The compact centre around Avenida San Martín and the waterfront concentrates hotels, restaurants, tour agencies and museums, while surrounding valleys offer mountain lodges and access to nature. Local dining centres on centolla (southern king crab), Patagonian lamb and fresh seafood, with craft beer and chocolate adding to the city's food scene.

For travelers, Ushuaia combines Patagonian adventure with a role as a logistics and service hub for Antarctica. Summer brings long days for trekking and boating, winter attracts skiers to Cerro Castor, and year-round the city welcomes both expedition passengers and independent explorers.