Ultimate Guide to Ushuaia, Argentina: Things to Do, Where to Eat & Travel Tips

Ushuaia is nicknamed "The End of the World" because it's one of the southernmost cities on Earth. It's also the main gateway to Antarctica, so if you're taking a cruise there, chances are you'll be departing from Ushuaia. Just knowing you're at the very bottom of South America is pretty incredible.

Here's everything you need to know before visiting Ushuaia, including where to stay, how long to spend here, how to get around, the best things to do, and where to eat.

Where to Stay in Ushuaia

We stayed in a modern Airbnb right in the heart of Ushuaia, and I honestly thought it was the perfect location. We could walk almost everywhere, there were plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, and the port was only a few minutes away on foot. I'd highly recommend staying in this area, whether it's the same Airbnb or another place downtown.

There are also some beautiful luxury hotels just outside the city with incredible mountain views and spa-like amenities. If you're looking for a relaxing getaway, those would be great options too. Personally, I preferred staying downtown because everything was within walking distance, and accommodations here are generally pretty affordable.

How Long to Stay in Ushuaia?

We spent three nights in Ushuaia, which gave us two full days to explore. For most people, I think that's the perfect amount of time.

The two biggest reasons people visit Ushuaia are to see the penguins and explore Tierra del Fuego National Park. Unless you're planning to spend several days hiking throughout Tierra del Fuego, you really don't need much more time than that.

How to Get Around Ushuaia

Getting around Ushuaia is very easy. You can walk to most places in town, take an Uber or taxi, or use public transportation.

If you plan on exploring more of Tierra del Fuego National Park or venturing outside the city, renting a car for a day could definitely be worth it. We didn't rent one because we only planned on hiking Laguna Esmeralda. We simply took a taxi to the trailhead, and when we finished, there were plenty of drivers waiting to take hikers back into town.

I will say that renting a car is almost always my favorite way to explore a destination because it gives you so much flexibility. But for this location, I didn’t think we’d really need one.

What’s the Weather Like in Ushuaia

The weather in Ushuaia stays pretty cool year-round and doesn't have the huge temperature swings that many of us are used to back home. For example, where I live we can see temperatures anywhere from -10°F in the winter to nearly 100°F in the summer. In Ushuaia, though, winter temperatures are usually around 20–30°F, while summer highs typically only reach 55–65°F.

One thing you should expect is constantly changing weather. It's not uncommon to experience sunshine, wind, rain, and even snow all in the same day. We definitely noticed how quickly the weather changed, it would be sunny one minute and raining just a few minutes later.

No matter what time of year you visit, I'd recommend packing layers. Bring a windbreaker or rain jacket, a few sweatshirts or fleece layers, and a warmer jacket just in case. Even though we visited during the summer, I wore sweatshirts and my rain jacket most of the time. The locals kept telling us we got incredibly lucky with the weather, so I'd definitely come prepared.

The wind can also make it feel much colder than the actual temperature, so dressing in layers is the best way to stay comfortable while you're exploring.

Things to Do in Ushuaia

Penguin Tour

Walking with penguins was the entire reason I wanted to visit Ushuaia. Penguins are my favorite animal, so this had been at the top of my bucket list for years.

Without a doubt, this was the highlight of our time in Ushuaia.

Check out my full blog on the Penguin Tour.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

The other must-do activity in Ushuaia is visiting Tierra del Fuego National Park. Located at the southern tip of Argentina, this beautiful park is filled with mountains, forests, waterfalls, lakes, and incredible scenery.

There are several hikes throughout the park, but we chose Laguna Esmeralda, which is a moderate 4-5 miles round-trip hike and took us roughly four hours to complete.

The trail ends at a stunning glacier-fed lake surrounded by mountains, and it was absolutely worth the hike.

If you're only doing one hike while you're here, I'd definitely recommend Laguna Esmeralda. It's the perfect half-day adventure and gives you a great taste of what Tierra del Fuego has to offer.

End of the World Train

One of the most popular attractions in Tierra del Fuego is the End of the World Train, a historic steam train that takes passengers through part of the national park. The ride lasts about 50 minutes one way, and tickets are usually around $50-$55.

We decided to skip it because I'd heard mixed reviews and felt it was a little expensive for what it was. We were much more interested in spending our time actually hiking through the park, which is free.

That said, I think this would be a really fun activity for families or anyone who prefers sightseeing over hiking.

Wine Host

This ended up being one of our favorite unexpected experiences in Ushuaia.

Wine Host is a small wine shop tucked inside a little shopping center. We did a wine tasting with Santiago, and he was incredible. The tasting was less than $15 per person and included six wines...although ours somehow turned into twelve because he just kept pouring more!

Not only was the wine fantastic, but we also grabbed sushi from another shop in the mall to enjoy with our tasting. We even found a bottle of wine with our last name on it, which we obviously had to bring home.

If you're looking for a fun evening in town, I highly recommend stopping here.

Husky Adventure

We didn't have time to do this, but it honestly looked like such a cool experience.

Located in Tierra Mayor Valley, there are husky parks that offer year-round adventures. During the winter, you can go traditional dog sledding through the snow. In the warmer months, they offer hiking and trekking experiences with the huskies instead.

Some tours also include snowmobiling in the winter, and many finish with hot chocolate back at the lodge.

If you're visiting Ushuaia during the winter, I think this would make an amazing half-day activity.

Where to Eat in Ushuaia

Ushuaia isn't known for having the same food scene as Buenos Aires, but we still found several places we really enjoyed.

Cafe Vagón

We came here multiple mornings for breakfast, and the pastries were so good. Definitely worth stopping by if you're looking for a quick breakfast or coffee.

Usushi

After eating so much steak throughout Argentina, I was more than ready for sushi. The fish was incredibly fresh, the service was great, and everything tasted amazing. Ushuaia does have good fresh fish with being right on the ocean.

One thing to note: I don't know if they've updated their location on Google Maps, so make sure you're going to the correct address before heading over, it’s the spot on Antártida Argentina.

La Casa de los Mariscos

One of the most popular foods to try in Ushuaia is crab, so naturally we had to give it a shot.

The restaurant itself is adorable with its bright pink exterior, and the prices were pretty reasonable. The food was good, although it wasn't one of my favorite meals from the trip.

If I were ordering again, I'd probably go with the crab legs instead of one of the prepared crab dishes.

Casimiro Biguá

If you're craving a classic Argentinian steak dinner, this is one of the top restaurants in Ushuaia.

It's definitely on the pricier side, but the food was excellent, and the atmosphere felt upscale without being overly fancy.

My Food Recommendation

One thing that surprised me about Ushuaia was how good the seafood was.

By the time we arrived, we'd already spent quite a while traveling through Argentina, and honestly...I was getting a little tired of eating steak every day. The sushi was such a refreshing change, and because you're right on the ocean, everything tastes incredibly fresh.

Whether you choose sushi, king crab, or another seafood dish, I don't think you can really go wrong with the food here.

Final Thoughts on Ushuaia

There's just something so cool about standing at the southern tip of South America knowing Antarctica is just across the ocean.

Between the unforgettable penguin tour, hiking through Tierra del Fuego National Park, and experiencing one of the most unique cities in the world, I absolutely loved our time in Ushuaia.

Would I travel all the way back just for Ushuaia? Probably not, unless I was taking a cruise to Antarctica. It's an incredible destination, but once you've experienced the main highlights, you've seen most of what the city has to offer.

That being said, I absolutely think Ushuaia deserves a spot on your Argentina itinerary, especially if you're planning a Patagonia trip. It's unlike anywhere else I've ever been, and I don't think you'll regret adding it to your travels.