Sitting on the western shore of the Strait of Magellan, close to the bottom of South America, Punta Arenas has long been a departure point for expeditions heading south to Antarctica. Many expedition cruise voyages begin their journeys here, and arriving a day or two early lets you recover from the flights, pick up last-minute supplies and see a city with a rich polar and maritime history.
1. Stroll Plaza Muñoz Gamero
The city’s main square is the best place to start. It’s surrounded by grand mansions from the wool-and-shipping boom of the late 1800s, and it’s shaded by tall, wind-shaped trees.
At its centre stands a monument to Ferdinand Magellan. Local tradition says that rubbing the toe of the Indigenous figure at its base brings good luck and ensures you’ll return to Patagonia, which is a nice thing to do before a trip like this.
2. Visit the Cementerio Municipal Sara Braun
Calling a cemetery an attraction might sound out of the ordinary, but Cementerio Municipal Sara Braun is regularly noted among the most beautiful in South America.
Its avenues of manicured cypress trees are lined with elaborate tombs and monuments. It’s also a good way to learn about the city’s history, since many of the names on the graves belong to the Croatian, British, and Spanish settlers who built Punta Arenas.
3. Climb to Cerro de la Cruz
For a simply stunning view over the city rooftops and the Strait of Magellan, walk up to this lookout that’s just a few blocks from the main square. On a clear day you can see across the water to Tierra del Fuego. It’s a short climb and a good way to stretch your legs after a long flight.
4. Tour the Museo Regional de Magallanes
Housed in the former Braun-Menéndez mansion, this museum shows how the region’s wealthiest families lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The preserved rooms, furnishings, and period details give you a good picture of the area’s boom years, when wool, sheep, and Strait shipping made fortunes.
5. Explore the Nao Victoria Museum
Seeing life-size replicas of famous ships brings the Age of Exploration to life. The Nao Victoria Museum features full-scale reproductions of Magellan’s Victoria, which completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, and of other historic vessels associated with the region. You can step aboard and imagine crossing these rough waters in a wooden ship.
6. Walk the waterfront and Costanera
A stroll along the Strait of Magellan is a good chance to get a feel for the place. Watch the container ships and fishing boats, breathe in the cold, salty air, and take in the wide southern sky. You may also spot seabirds, and the light here at the end of the world has a quality of its own.
7. Take a penguin excursion
Punta Arenas is one of the most accessible places on the planet to see Magellanic penguins before heading to Antarctica. Depending on the season, you can visit colonies at Isla Magdalena (reached by boat) or at Seno Otway (reached by road). Penguins generally come ashore to breed between roughly November and March, which overlaps with the main Antarctic cruise season. Check current schedules and book ahead, as tours can fill up and weather affects boat departures.
8. Visit Fuerte Bulnes and Puerto del Hambre
A scenic drive south of the city brings you to the reconstructed Fuerte Bulnes, the first Chilean settlement on the Strait, founded in the 1840s. Nearby is Puerto del Hambre (“Port Famine”), named for a 16th-century Spanish colony that failed so badly its settlers starved. It’s a sobering reminder of how harsh this region can be, and good context for the expedition ahead of you.
9. Stock up in the Zona Franca
If you’ve forgotten gloves, a warm hat, or other small items, Punta Arenas has a duty-free shopping zone and plenty of outdoor gear shops. Check your cruise operator’s packing list first, since many provide parkas and boots. For everything else, it’s a convenient last chance to fill the gaps.
10. Eat like a Patagonian
Finish each day with a taste of the local flavours. Consider restaurants like Restaurante La Yegua Loca, using regional produce for hand-me-down recipes, or Chilean-style seafood dishes from Restaurant La Casa De Doña María.
Look for centolla (king crab), slow-roasted Patagonian lamb, and fresh seafood from the cold southern waters. Pair your meal with a calafate sour, a pisco-style cocktail made with the region’s native berry. Local legend says that anyone who eats calafate berries will return to Patagonia.