Punta Arenas is the regional capital of the Magallanes y Antártica Region, in Chilean Patagonia, one of the southernmost cities in the world. It's the largest city in Chilean Patagonia, and has developed into a tourist center in far southern America rivaling Ushuaia in Argentina. It's an important starting point for trips to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Punta Arenas (formerly Punta Arenosa, "Sandy Point") is located on the Brunswick Peninsula and was founded in 1848 by José de los Santos Mardones. With a population of around 125,000 (2015), it is the largest settlement on the Strait of Magellan and is 1418 km from the coast of Antarctica. The history and economic growth of the city is based on maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep breeding. The city has all kinds of facilities, in particular an abundance of banks, shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, hiking gear shops and a duty free zone called "Zona Franca". Don't trust the weather forecast, usually you can get rain, wind, and sun all in the same day.
The city is built around its main square "Plaza de Armas" where the imposing monument of Hernando de Magallanes is located. There is also a monument of a Magellan native, or Ona, that according to local legend if a tourist touches his foot it will return once again to the city. Another local legend to come back to the city is to eat Magellan Barberries (calafate), similar to blueberries. Many of the main public buildings such as the town hall or the Union Club (Club de la Union) are found around Plaza de Armas. In general, Punta Arenas is compact and walkable, but it can get really windy. You will only need transportation for lengthier trips outside of it.
1 Cerro de la Cruz. A 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas, the Hill of the Cross viewpoint (Cerro de la Cruz) gives a panoramic view of the city. (updated Apr 2020) 2 Austral Brewery (Cerveceria Austral), Patagonia 508, ☏ +56 61 245727. Learn about and enjoy the traditional production process and a beer-tasting session at the southernmost brewery in the world. Call ahead for tour times and availability (minimum 2 people). Lasts 60-90 minutes and tastings are generous with their measures. 4,000 pesos. 3 Museo Regional de Magallanes, Hernando de Magallanes 949. Regional museum, with historical artifacts and part of the Braun-Menéndez Mansion.
1 Isla Magdalena Pinguinera (penguin rookery). One of the top natural attractions of the region is the penguin rookery at Isla Magdalena, part of Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos. The island is a breeding site for hundreds of thousands of magellanic penguins. You can also see cormorants, seagulls and sea lions. The lighthouse has a small exhibition of the local fauna. A 5-hour trip. Two hours each way by boat and one hour on the island. Humans must stay on the path, but the penguins ignore it and will practically step on your feet as they waddle by. October - April. To get there, take the ferry from 3 Terminal de Tres Puentes.
Sheep are the only farm animals that can be raised in the region and as such lamb has a central part in the local cuisine. It can be prepared in many ways, but the classical dish is asado patagónico, lamb barbecue. Seafood is also popular, common ingredients including salmon, trout, crab and other shellfish. 1 Kiosko Roca, Presidente Julio Roca 875, ☏ +56 61 223436. M-F 07:00-19:00, Sa 08:00-13:00. A very small place near the Plaza de Armas. Here you can eat "choripan", grilled sausage on French bread, and "leche con plátano" a milk beverage with the addition of bananas. The food is so good that the place is full almost all day.
Punta Arenas has an interesting nightlife. You can go out to dance, have a drink, or gamble in the casino 1 Café 1900, Avenida Colón 617, ☏ +56 61 226500. Daily 10:00-02:00. A small place in the Tierra Del Fuego Hotel in the center of the city. 2 Bull Blood, Avenida España 0480, pubbullblood@tie.cl. Nice environment, with great drinks and food. It has a small dance hall and karaoke all night. 3 Club Madero, Bories 655. With karaoke and live music. (updated Apr 2020) 4 Casino de Punta Arenas, Costanera s/n, ☏ +56-2-2346 4300. A casino with gambling, and an entertainment center with national and international artists regularly performing, and several bars.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
Top-rated tours and tickets from €31 — book ahead for the popular ones.
Tours and tickets provided by Viator (a Tripadvisor company). Some links earn Stayonomy a commission.
In Aug, Punta Arenas typically sees ~6°C daytime highs and 11 rainy days.
Cheapest destinations travellers searched recently — refreshed daily.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-08-11. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
stayonomy