The 16 things to do in Punta Arenas

Have you ever dreamed of leaving at the other end of the world? Come and visit Punta Arenas and you will not be far away!

Located in the extreme south of Chile, on the Brunswick peninsula, in the heart of the famous Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas is one of the most southern cities in the world. However, temperatures, although fresh, are only rarely below zero. Punta Arenas is also a place associated with many fantasy places: Cape Horn, Southern Patagonia, Antarctica, etc.

What to do in Punta Arenas? Today, one of the main points of departure of the expeditions to Antarctica, the city is not just a place of passage and transit. It is also a resolutely modern city and a colorful one to discover for itself, and for the treasures surrounding it.

En route to the south of the southern hemisphere!

1. La Plaza de Armas

Visit Punta Arenas without passing through Plaza de Armas ? A nonsense! As in many Latin American cities, the main square is a must.

Located in the historic heart of the city, the square is surrounded by beautiful buildings dating from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century: the cathedral, the government palace, the Palacio Sara Braun, the residence José Ménendez, the Palacio Jose Montes, the Résidence Blanchard, etc. In the center of the Plaza de Armas the bronze statue of Fernand de Magellan , made in 1910.

2. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart

Enjoy your visit to the Plaza de Armas to discover the buildings surrounding it. Built in 1901, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is made entirely by workers from Europe. You can admire, inside, the half-cross of the church, on which Christ Almighty is represented. Beautiful Corinthian pyramids separate the naves from this romantic building.

3. The Palace Sara Braun

A former residence of a rich family that made a fortune in sheep breeding, the Palace Sara Braun is another must, if you want to visit Punta Arenas.

The neoclassical building was built on the order of Sara Braun, after the death of her husband, José Nogueira. Completed 1905 , it was erected with European materials and furnished with furniture of the same origin.

4. Regional Museum Braun Menéndez

The Regional Museum Braun Menéndez elected home in the Palacio Braun Menéndez, a superb French neoclassical building. The museum allows the traveller who wishes to visit Punta Arenas to learn more about this city and the southern Magallanes region.

5. Résidence Blanchard

Another residence of a rich local family, located outside the Plaza de Armas, the building was built in 1892 by Antoine Beaulier, a French architect. The latter also designed the Palacio Braun Menéndez. The Residence now houses the Chilean Antarctica Institute .

6. Municipal Theatre José Bohr

What to do in Punta Arenas for show lovers? Put the course on the Municipal Theatre José Bohr inspired openly by the style of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. Built by José Menéndez and completed 1899 , the theatre was renovated in 2012.

7. Punta Arenas Cemetery

Visiting Punta Arenas through its cemetery seems strange to you? Yet, it takes up the codes of the cemeteries of Latin America, which make these places real havens of peace where it is pleasant to walk.

The site is topped by large avenues lined with cypress trees, leading to the magnificent mausoleums of the many bourgeois families of the city. A true open-air museum, the Punta Arenas Cemetery conceals architectural treasures and will teach you about the history of the city. You can also come to discover the tomb of the unknown Indian, an important place for community gathering.

8. La Zone Franche de Punta Arenas

You can visit Punta Arenas without limiting yourself to buildings and museums. If you want to do a little shopping and buy free-of-tax products, come spend a few hours in this amazing place that stretches on close to 30 hectares !

The free zone houses the huge shopping center Zona Austral including more than 80 shops on two floors.

9. La Calle Presidente Roca

Come and stroll along Calle Presidente Roca which will lead you, by access in part pedestrian, to the port of Punta Arenas. The buildings are elegant and you can see the port and Strait of Magellan in the distance.

10. The port and the Strait of Magellan

Are you still wondering what to do in Punta Arenas? See the Strait of Magellan, of course! From Costanera , you can see the cruise ships coming to Punta Arenas. Nothing more pleasant than walking along the harbour, heading south, and admiring the Strait.

11. The Salesian Museum Mayorino Borgatello

Founded by Salesian missionaries in 1893 , Salesian Mayorino Borgatello Museum is organized on 4 levels. It presents a collection of various pieces from the history and ethnography of Southern Patagonia, photos, crafts, fossils, tools, etc.

12. Le Cerro de la Cruz

Located a few blocks west of Plaza de Armas, the Cerro de la Cruz and its mirador let the colorful roofs of the city discover themselves. Visiting Punta Arenas is also admiring it from another angle. If you're lucky, maybe you can see the Earth of Fire!

13. Nao Victoria Museum

If you always look for what to do in Punta Arenas, get away from a few kilometers and visit the impressive Nao Victoria Museum . Whether you're a fan of boats or just curious about nature, you'll probably be surprised to discover the nature-size reconstructions of 4 of the famous ships of the fleet of Fernand de Magellan.

It is on their board that at the beginning of XVIth century the explorer and his expedition were the first to discover the Southern Patagonia, including the famous Strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

14. Isla Magdalena National Park

A little further away from Punta Arenas, wildlife lovers can visit Isla Magdalena National Park . Located in 30 kilometres northeast of Punta Arenas, it will be necessary to count 2 hours to reach Puerto Gaviota. Some local sailors will then lead you to discover the beauties of Magdalena Island and nearby islets, including the famous Magellan Manchots.

15. Laguna Parrillar National Reserve

Visiting Punta Arenas is also enjoying the jewels of nature that are more behind. This is the case of Laguna Parrillar National Reserve visiting for the lagoon that gives its name to the site, surrounded by wild nature.

16. Cruises-trips from Punta Arenas

If you want to combine the observation of humpback whales with the beautiful decors of Magellan Strait, you have chosen the right destination! The excursions usually last one day. You leave the port of Punta Arenas and navigate to the Earth of Fire.

From Punta Arenas you will be able to reach Alberto de Agostini National Park and his fjords, Cabo de Hornos National Park and its glaciers (Balmaceda and Grey), or Karukinka Park with its fauna and beautiful forests.

To access Cape Horn , you will have to take a plane to Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams, then board a boat that will take the Beagle Canal. From there, he will join the archipelago formed by the Wollaston Islands. For the most adventurous, nothing prevents you from going to Antarctica!

How to get to Punta Arenas?

From France

Discover Punta Arenas is worth it. Indeed, more must be counted 24 hours travel to get there. The Swiss Air, Latam or Iberia companies offer flights with two or three stopovers, one to one Santiago Chile. If you want to get the best rates, don’t hesitate to get ahead and use flight comparisons such as Ulysses

From the airport to the city centre

L’ airport Carlos Ibañez del campo is located 17 km Punta Arenas. To get to the city centre, two options are available to you:

• By taxi

Airport taxis will take you to the city centre for about 9 000 pesos (about €11.53). Choose your vehicle by turning to official taxis.

• By bus

Several bus companies connect the airport to the city centre. The ticket costs between 3,000 and 4,000 pesos (about 6€). Stops are made upon request by passengers. Departure times are adjusted according to the schedule of flights.

Where to sleep in Punta Arenas?

You want to know where to stay in Punta Arenas ? If you wish to be close to the main attractions of the city, it is interesting to choose accommodation in the Historic Centre . If you prefer calm, head towards the North of the Plaza de Armas . You can also choose to swim in the harbour atmosphere and choose accommodation in one of the many pedestrian streets of this neighborhood.

With regard to the types of accommodation, the most classic will turn to hotels. Don’t hesitate to use a Compare hotels to find the one that will best match your expectations. If you want something more atypical, turn to the Airbnb . From the wooden hut to the modern duplex there is for all tastes!

Ready to visit Punta Arenas?