Punta Arenas★★€€
Punta Arenas — The City at the End of the World
Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on the Chilean mainland (120,000 inhabitants) and is located on the Strait of Magellan — the legendary strait that Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to sail through in 1520. For most travelers, Punta Arenas is just a transit point on the way to Torres del Paine, but the city deserves at least half a day.
Sights
- Plaza de Armas: The central square with a bronze statue of the navigator Hernando de Magallanes. Legend says: Whoever kisses the shiny foot of the indigenous figure at the base will return to Punta Arenas. The foot is accordingly polished
- Cementerio Municipal: One of the most beautiful cemeteries in South America — with well-kept cypress avenues, monumental tombs of wealthy sheep barons, and a labyrinthine layout. Free entry
- Museo Nao Victoria: Faithful replicas of historical ships — including the Nao Victoria (Magellan's ship, the first to circumnavigate the world), the Beagle (Darwin's ship), and James Caird (Shackleton's lifeboat). You can go on board and experience the incredible tightness. 8,000 CLP
- Museo Regional Braun Menéndez: In the opulent palace of a sheep baron — shows the history of the Magellan region, from the Selk'nam indigenous people to the sheep farmers. 3,000 CLP
- Zona Franca: Punta Arenas is a free trade zone — electronics, clothing, and outdoor equipment are significantly cheaper than in the rest of Chile. Last stop for trekking gear before Torres del Paine!
Excursions from Punta Arenas
- Isla Magdalena (Penguin Colony): From October to March, the island in the Strait of Magellan is home to over 120,000 Magellanic penguins. The boat tour (2h there, 1h on the island, 2h back) costs about 40,000 CLP and is an unforgettable experience — the penguins come within arm's length
- Fuerte Bulnes: 62 km south — reconstruction of the first Chilean settlement on the Strait of Magellan (1843). Wind-swept and lonely, with views of Tierra del Fuego
- Tierra del Fuego: By ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Porvenir — the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego with gold rush history and king penguins at Parque Pingüino Rey
Food & Drink
La Marmita · Plaza Sampaio 678 — The best restaurant in town: Patagonian lamb, Centolla (king crab), local wine. Centolla al natural (whole crab) 25,000 CLP. Reservation needed.
Café Tapiz · O'Higgins 1027 — Cozy café with good coffee and cake (German heritage!). Slice of cake 3,500 CLP.
Lomit's · Menéndez 722 — Fast, good food: Huge Lomitos (sandwiches) and burgers. Lomito completo 6,500 CLP.
💡 Tipp
Punta Arenas is the best place to eat Centolla (Patagonian king crab) — fresher and cheaper than anywhere else. And: The city is the starting point for Antarctic expeditions — if you dream of a journey to the end of the world, this is the starting point.