Mountains behind, the ocean in front. When you arrive in Ushuaia, you quickly understand why the city is nicknamed "the end of the world."
Technically, it is not the southernmost city on the planet, as Puerto Williams in Chile is still a bit further south. But Ushuaia remains the last major city before Antarctica. And you can really feel that.
Behind the city, the mountains of Tierra del Fuego. In front, the Beagle Channel and the ocean. The scenery is raw, sometimes almost dramatic depending on the light.
Ushuaia, at the end of the world
The city itself is quite unique.
It is neither like a traditional resort town nor a typical Argentine city. There are no artificial decorations, no large shopping centers, but it is also not a small isolated village.
It is a happy medium that is ultimately quite pleasant.
If you don’t want to miss anything, we have made a list of the must-sees in Ushuaia!
ARGENTINA
Buenos
Aires
Ushuaia
A surprisingly safe city
One of the elements that surprised us the most in Ushuaia is the feeling of safety.
The locals, like the taxi drivers, readily say: the city is safe. And it shows in small details.
For example, at the large Ushuaia sign, a small tripod is set up so that visitors can place their phone and take a picture. It’s a detail, but it speaks volumes about the climate of trust in the city.
Settling in for a few days
We arrived quite late in the organization of this stage, so the choice of hostels was already limited. We finally found a bed for 22 euros a night in late January 2026, which is quite typical for Ushuaia. With a little advance, one can sometimes find around 16 euros.
Our hostel was not exceptional. The beds were comfortable and the place was clean, which is still important. But the atmosphere was non-existent and it was difficult to get information or simply chat with someone.
Nothing dramatic, but it is not a place we would necessarily recommend.
Our experience of the city
Ushuaia is discovered quite quickly. The main street, Avenida San Martín, concentrates the majority of restaurants, shops, and excursion agencies.
It’s a pleasant street to stroll, look at the shop windows, and feel the atmosphere of the city.
One can also visit some places like the Museo del Fin del Mundo or the Museo Marítimo y del Presidio, located in the former prison.
But quite soon, one understands one thing: Ushuaia is not a city where one stays for the city itself.
The real interest lies around.
Going to explore the surroundings
Most travelers come here to explore the region.
The Tierra del Fuego National Park is one of the must-sees. A whole day is already enough to enjoy it well.
From the bus terminal in Ushuaia, shuttles make it easy to get there and for much less than a taxi. Departures are frequent in the morning, but returns are more limited, often around 3 PM and 6 PM, so you need to pay close attention to the time.
The hike to Laguna Esmeralda
Another very popular outing is the hike to Laguna Esmeralda.
The path is well marked and accessible. You just have to follow the trail for about two hours to reach the lagoon.
If you have good shoes and a bit of energy, it is possible to go further to the Glaciar Ojo del Albino. The ascent then becomes much more demanding and adds about two additional hours.
But already, the lagoon is well worth the detour.
See Ushuaia from the sea
Another memorable experience is sailing on the Beagle Channel.
We went with Canoeros Embarcaciones, and with a promotion, the four-hour outing was really worth it.
The trip allows you to observe seabirds and see the city and mountains from the water. Some birds surprisingly resemble penguins, even though they are often cormorants.
Seeing Ushuaia from the sea provides a different perspective on this end of the world.
A city that mainly serves as a base camp
In the end, Ushuaia is not a city where urban activities are multiplied.
It is more of a starting point. A base camp to explore the far south of Argentina.
Two to three days are enough to enjoy the city and its surroundings. More if one wants to go on multiple hikes or boat excursions.
But one thing is for sure: arriving here really gives the impression of having reached a unique place on the map.
The end of the world... or almost.
