Best Things to do in Punta Arenas, Patagonia, Chile
There are many things to do in Punta Arenas, before, as most do, visiting the nearby Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
As one of Patagonia’s most southerly cities, Punta Arenas is the perfect destination for wildlife-spotting tours and walks, and it boasts a rich maritime history.
Punta Arenas also offers a series of lovely hotels and restaurants to enjoy between trips, making it perfect for an overnight or longer stay.
Find out the best things to do and see in this far-flung Patagonia city, whose history dates back to the mid-19th century (founded in 1848), and which still attracts diverse immigrants, helping it maintain its frontier feel.
Quick Punta Arenas Travel Guide: Best Tours and Activities
Forward planning is best when travelling to Punta Arenas. The best hotels and top trips do get booked up in advance. Among our favourite tours are:
- Visit the penguins on Magdelena Island.
- Travel to Tierra del Fuego to see King Penguins.
- Walk through ancient forests at Magallanes National Reserve.
Best Things to Do in Punta Arenas
Here are our favourite trips and tours from Punta Arenas, Chile. These are listed in no particular order, and the best activity for you depends on your likes and interests.
Need help? Contact us for more advice on your perfect Punta Arenas holiday.
Magdalena Island Penguin Trip
This half-day trip to Magdalena Island and Marta Islands to see their resident Magallanes penguins starts early, around 06.30am, and runs from November to March.
A drive is followed by a ferry journey across the Strait of Magellan. This crossing can be rough, so do take seasickness pills. Once on the island, keep your camera handy, as the 150,000-strong colony of penguins is famously photogenic as they go about their day on Magdalena.
Marta Island is renowned for its sea lions, Imperial Cormorants and hundreds of Southern Gulls. Return to Punta Arenas in time for lunch (not included) and then explore the city that afternoon.
Visit the King Penguin Colony on Tierra del Fuego
Part of the Tierra del Fuego island lies in Chilean territory and is home to a colony of King Penguins.
Across the Magellan Strait from Punta Arenas on Tierra del Fuego Island, 120km southeast of Porvenir, is a King Penguin Colony at the mouth of the River Marazzi. Full-day tours are available from Punta Arenas during the season, November through March.
This is a long day trip (12-14 hours in total), with a lot of driving, two ferries, and a stop in Porvenir. You’ll be close enough to the penguins to take some unforgettable pictures, but always keep a respectful distance.
The draw of this day trip is access to one of the most accessible King Penguin colonies worldwide, with other colonies in places like the Falkland Islands, Antarctica, and South Georgia.
An unforgettable day for anyone wishing to see the world’s second-largest penguin in its natural habitat.
Walk Through Ancient Forests at Magallanes National Reserve
Established in 1932, Magallanes National Reserve is a protected natural area covering 19,625 hectares on the doorstep of Punta Arenas.
Easy trails cut through native Patagonian forests of Lenga, Magellan’s Beech, and ñirre, which are home to diverse flora and fauna. The luck may spot pumas, culpeo foxes, and woodpeckers, along with ducks and other birdlife. The Andes Mountains, wetlands, and Patagonia plains make this a picture-postcard destination.
The Bocatoma Trail is popular, and the reserve is best visited in the summer months (Oct to March). Park entry fee required.
What Are the Best Museums in Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas and its surroundings have many wonderful, compact museums that chart the city’s fascinating history. These include:
- Nao Victoria: Private museum with a replica of Hernando de Magallanes’ famous boat, Nao Victoria (Victory), the first ship to circumnavigate the globe.
- Salesian Museum “Maggiorino Borgatello”: Learn about the rich ethnology, archaeology, wildlife and diversity of the region.
- Fuerte Bulnes: Magellan Straits Park. Located 56km south of Punta Arenas, this museum explores the history of colonisation in Southern Chile and offers walking trails.
- Museo de Historia Natural Río Seco (MHNRS): A collection of the natural and human history of southern Chile, with a focus on how the local environment shaped the local community.
- Museo Regional de Magallanes: This former palace is a trip back in time, showcasing original furniture and antiques once owned by the Braun Menéndez family.
- Remembrance Museum: A collection of historic machinery and tools from the birth of Punta Arenas onwards.
- Museum of Urban Architecture: Called the Mural Arquitectónico Urbano in Spanish and located across from the promenade, this small collection of impressive murals tells the city’s story.
Whale Watching Tour From Punta Arenas
There are several boat trips through the fjords offering the chance to see wildlife, including dolphins, sei, and humpback whales. There are also glaciers, penguins, sea lions, and marine birds to spot.
Most whale-watching trips last all day, with lunch included, while some dolphin tours last 3-4 hours.
For the more intrepid, there is the chance to kayak alongside humpback whales in the Francisco Coloane Marine Park and its unspoiled landscapes.
Walking Highlights of Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is an eminently strollable city with many highlights to enjoy.
These walking tour highlights, easy to find under your own steam, include:
- Mirador Cerro de la Cruz: A short walk to panoramic views of the city and the Magellan Straits with Tierra del Fuego in the distance, with spectacular sunsets and sunrises over the Straits possible.
- Promenade and waterfront: Spot wildlife from the shore and stroll along this popular route.
- Mirador Del Estrecho: It takes about an hour to walk up to this viewpoint. The journey isn’t that pretty, but the views of the city and Tierra del Fuego are incredible.
- Plaza Muñoz Gamero: The city’s square is lined with Cedar trees and surrounded by some impressive 19th-century buildings, such as the Palacio Sara Braun. If you want to return to the city in the future, make sure you kiss the bronze statue’s toe in honour of Hernando de Magallanes.
- Visit the Punta Arenas cemetery: Beautiful architecture (Gothic, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau) and the resting place for prominent local figures make this small yet attractive cemetery a must-see.
Where Are the Best Places to Eat in Punta Arenas?
Try the great food at Luan’s Restaurant, the empanadas from Nanuc, or choripans at Kiosco Roca. Other unmissables are the churros and chocolate caliente at The Chocolate Café and, for meat eaters, Restaurante La Yegua Loca.
Top Things to Know When Travelling to Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas (population approx. 150,000) sits near the tip of Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region, on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Many travellers use the city as a base to explore the surrounding wilderness, enjoy cruises through nearby fjords, or fly to Antarctica on a fly-cruise.
Locals may include Croatians, Swiss, French, British, Spanish, and Germans, among others. That’s thanks to the city’s history as a maritime port and a vital shipping stopping point before the Suez Canal was completed in 1869.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Punta Arenas?
The best time to visit Punta Arenas is during the summer months of November, December, January, and February, when there are long daylight hours and warmer temperatures. It’s also the most popular time to go—avoid the crowds by heading in spring (October) or autumn (March).
That said, the weather can always be lively this far south into Patagonia. Summer can be windy, cold, and rainy, and when the sun shines, it can be intense. Sun cream, sunglasses, and windproof clothing are a must for visiting Punta Arenas.
Average summer daytime temperatures are around 14°C (57°F). Winter (May to Sept) sees short days, long nights, and temperatures plummeting to just above or below freezing.
How Do I Get to Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas has a small but well-connected international airport, with cafés, small shops, and several departure gates.
LATAM, Sky Airlines, and DAP are the principal airlines, and destinations include:
- Santiago
- Porvenir
- Puerto Williams
- Antarctica
The airport is about a 20-minute drive from the city centre, with taxis and buses available.
Punta Arenas also connects to Patagonia through several international and domestic buses. Destinations and arrivals include:
- Puerto Natales (2-3 hours) is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and onward buses to El Calafate, Argentina.
- Ushuaia, Argentina (12-14 hours)
- Rio Grande, Argentina
- Punta Arenas airport (25-30 minutes)
You can also sail into Punta Arenas on a 4/5 day cruise from Ushuaia.
Where to Stay in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas has a wide range of hotels, from shared-dorm hostels to 2-, 3-, and 4-star hotels.
Our favourites include Big Sur, Yegua Loca, and Hostal Puerta Roja. Classics include Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Hotel José Nogueira, and Diego de Almagro.
How to Get Around Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is a very walkable city. There are taxis available, as well as buses to and from top destinations like Punta Arenas airport and Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park.
You can also hire cars if you prefer to move around under your own steam.
Punta Arenas: Practical Travel Information
Chile uses the Chilean Peso for most daily transactions. It’s common to see prices in USD because they’re easier to gauge—there are around 800-900 Chilean Pesos to the USD (Feb 2026).
Many places take debit and credit card payments, including the national parks for park entry fees. You will need some cash for tips, taxis, and other small expenses such as bread or drinks.
Avoid high mobile roaming charges by using hotel, café, and restaurant WiFi, or consider buying an e-SIM for compatible mobiles or a physical SIM card if not.
Top Things to Do in Punta Arenas
These are some of our top things to do in Punta Arenas: whale watching, walking in national parks, visiting museums, eating well, and enjoying the outdoors.
Our travellers often spend a night or two in Punta Arenas before heading off to Torres del Paine National Park, perhaps to trek the Paine W or stay in the EcoCamp.
Punta Arenas and Patagonia have much to offer visitors. Contact us for more.
