Before you step aboard our expedition vessels and begin your Antarctic adventure, you'll likely spend at least one night in the city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the gateway to the white continent! Located in Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia may be small, with a population of around 82,000, but it's a city bursting with things to do and see both before and after your expedition voyage ends.
Our expedition team has put together a handy guide to the cultural hotspots and must-dos of Ushuaia - ideal for your next trip to the place known as the 'end of the world!'
Ushuaia's street art and murals
Despite being small and so far-flung, Ushuaia has a surprising number of painted murals scattered across the city. You'll find artwork celebrating local history, indigenous heritage, Antarctic exploration, and Patagonian wildlife, making walks around the city pop with color!
Ushuaia's Waterfront and Port
You'll find these murals along Avenida Maipú and around the industrial waterfront buildings. They're large-scale artworks painted on warehouses and port walls, bright, bold, and highly visible from the street or walking paths, making them easy to spot. They're easy to access from the port or central areas, and are great for quick street photography.
Look out for
- Intense colours and graphic lines.
- Great backdrop for photos, with views of the bay or mountains.
- Represents the link between Ushuaia and polar expeditions.
San Martín Street & City Center
Artwork can be found in the side alleys and building walls branching off San Martín, the main commercial street in Ushuaia. Many of these are smaller murals depicting Fuegian culture, early settlers, indigenous Yahgan (Yámana) symbolism, abstract shapes, and contemporary urban art. Their central location makes these a convenient stop or photography session, while shopping or warming up in a café or restaurant.
Look out for
• Human figures, traditional canoes, colourful abstract patterns.
• Vibrant city atmosphere - an excellent backdrop for photos.
• Street art mixed with cafés and shops.
Residential & Upper Town Areas
Venturing beyond the center of Ushuaia provides glimpses into everyday life here at the bottom of the world. In streets rising toward the mountains, you'll find a variety of murals integrated into neighbourhoods, including school walls, retaining walls, and staircases. Many of these are created by local artists and result from community projects.
The upper town of Ushuaia is the ideal setting for slightly longer walks, and for those seeking a view back across the city and the surrounding mountains.
Look out for
• Artwork depicting local wildlife (foxes, geese, cormorants).
• Mountain landscapes and cultural symbolism.
• Smaller and more intimate artworks.
Ushuaia's Landmarks and Key Monuments
Guerra de las Malvinas War Memorial (Monumento a los Caídos en Malvinas)
This is an important national monument dedicated to the fallen soldiers and sailors of the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas), fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The memorial includes plaques, symbolic sculptures, and a flame, facing the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia played a key role in the conflict, and it was from here that the ARA General Belgrano departed before being sunk in the South Atlantic Ocean by HMS Conqueror on 2 May 1982, in one of the most controversial actions of the war.
The war memorial can be found opposite the waterfront, to the east of the city center. It's easy to access and ideal for reflective photos with the mountains as a backdrop, or for paying your respects to those who fell in the conflict. Visits should be respectful and actions appropriate.
The Ushuaia Sign
This iconic “Ushuaia – End of the World” sign is found on the waterfront promenade, in the direction of Playa Larga. It's a favourite photo spot for visitors, with a backdrop of both sea and mountains. You should expect other tourists, especially around sunset. At sunrise, you might beat the crowds!
Wooden “End of the World” Signs
These signs are another popular photo opportunity for tourists! The most popular is located close to the port. Others, such as in the National Park, differ slightly. They're rustic and celebrate the region's frontier identity.
Eva Perón Statue
This small bronze statue commemorates the former first lady of Argentina and celebrated political activist Eva Perón. It's a cultural and historical reference point within the city, and can be found near San Martín Street.
Ushuaia's Naval Base
This historic installation represents Ushuaia’s maritime heritage and continued regional importance. The exterior areas offer good photo opportunities, but access is restricted. The naval base is located on the eastern side of the waterfront, close to the port.
Ushuaia's Maritime & Prison Museum (Museo Marítimo y del Presidio de Ushuaia)
This museum is housed in a massive early-20th-century prison that closed in 1947, with long, cold corridors and preserved cells. It is considered one of Ushuaia’s most historically significant buildings.
The museum combines a maritime museum, a prison museum, an art gallery, and an Antarctic gallery. The maritime museum features models of ships, Antarctic exploration exhibits, naval history, and early voyages through the Beagle Channel. In the prison museum, you'll find reserved cell blocks, historical information about prisoners, life stories, and the harsh conditions of early Ushuaia. The art gallery hosts temporary exhibitions by local artists, while the Antarctic gallery has displays about wildlife, expeditions, and scientific research.
The museum is located inside the former Presidio de Ushuaia—the old prison that once held some of Argentina’s most notorious inmates. It offers deep insights into the region’s human and maritime history, and is great for half-day visits, especially in cold or rainy weather!
For photographers, the lengthy prison corridors offer excellent symmetry for shots, while the historic details and exterior are of interest to architectural photographers.
Antigua Casa Beban
This beautifully restored wooden mansion was built in the early 20th century by a pioneering family. Its architecture reflects the European-influenced style brought by early settlers to Tierra del Fuego. It is located near the waterfront, east of the city's central area. The mansion is often used for cultural events and exhibitions. Its characteristic white and red exterior makes for a great photography subject.
Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum)
This small but charming museum offers a look at everyday life in early Ushuaia. You'll find examples of domestic furniture, personal objects, maps, tools, and photographs illustrating the town’s growth from an isolated settlement to a modern regional city. The museum is located inside Casa Pena, close to the port. It offers some great historical context before you explore the waterfront.
Think Malvinas Museum
This is a small private museum dedicated to the Falklands (Malvinas) conflict, focusing on personal testimonies, memorabilia, letters, and artefacts. The museum is a good complement to the war memorial located at the waterfront. The aim is to preserve memory and promote reflection. It is located just a short walk from San Martín Street.
Monumento Antiguos Pobladores (Old Settlers’ Monument)
This statue honors the first settlers and pioneering families of Ushuaia. It depicts human silhouettes and figures with basic tools, representing the harsh conditions in which the town was built. It is located close to the port area and makes for a great stop on a walking tour of the city.
Obelisco (Ushuaia Obelisk)
This vertical obelisk commemorates the official founding of Ushuaia. It's less visited than the harbour signs, but it's historically significant. It is located near the central administrative district and can be incorporated into a city heritage walk.
Ready to explore what Ushuaia has to offer? Check out our expedition cruises to Antarctica, and plan your next visit!
Thank you to Régis Perdriat for providing imagery and original text used in this blog.