Must-see attractions in Southern Patagonia

  • Historic cemetery.

    Cementerio Municipal

    Punta Arenas

    Among South America’s most fascinating cemeteries, with both humble immigrant graves and flashy tombs, like that of wool baron José Menéndez, a scale…

  • Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes

    Southern Patagonia

    The historic sites of Puerto Hambre (Port Hunger) and Fuerte Bulnes are the centerpiece of this privately managed park, an excellent introduction to…

  • Dawn with moon at the Torres del Paine massif at Lake Lago Pehoe, National Park Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

    Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

    Southern Patagonia

    Soaring almost vertically more than 2000m above the Patagonian steppe, the granite pillars of Torres del Paine (Towers of Paine) dominate the landscape of…

  • Tourists on a exploration cruise approaching the Balmaceda glacier on the Last Hope Sound, Bernardo O Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile.

    Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins

    Southern Patagonia

    Virtually inaccessible, Parque Nacional Bernardo O'Higgins remains an elusive cache of glaciers. It can be entered only by boat. From Puerto Natales, full…

  • Palacio Sara Braun on Plaza Munoz Gamero.

    Plaza Muñoz Gamero

    Punta Arenas

    A central plaza of magnificent conifers surrounded by opulent mansions. Facing the plaza’s north side, Casa Braun-Menéndez houses the private Club de la…

  • Single Magellanic penguin at Isla Magdalena.

    Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos

    Southern Patagonia

    The thriving Magellanic penguin colonies of Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos on Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta are well worth visiting, particularly if you…

  • Ship bridge replica in the Naval and Maritime Museum.

    Museo Naval y Marítimo

    Punta Arenas

    A naval and maritime museum with historical exhibits that include a fine account of the Chilean mission that rescued Sir Ernest Shackleton’s crew from…

  • Wagon at Museo del Recuerdo pioneer museum.

    Museo del Recuerdo

    Punta Arenas

    On display are a collection of antique farm and industrial machinery, a typical pioneer house and shearing shed, and a wooden-wheeled shepherds’ trailer.

  • Cueva del Milodón

    Southern Patagonia

    In the 1890s, German pioneer Hermann Eberhard discovered the partial remains of an enormous ground sloth in a cave 24km northwest of Puerto Natales. The…

  • Museo Regional de Magallanes

    Punta Arenas

    This opulent mansion testifies to the wealth and power of pioneer sheep farmers in the late 19th century. The well-maintained interior houses a regional…

  • Museo Río Seco

    Punta Arenas

    The pet project of the Caceres brothers, this funky homespun museum is a delightful detour for fans of natural history. Imaginative displays use fine…

  • Instituto de la Patagonia

    Punta Arenas

    Pioneer days are made real again at the Patagonian Institute's Museo del Recuerdo, part of the Universidad de Magallanes. The library has historical maps…

  • Rio Reubens

    Southern Patagonia

    Roughly midway between Villa Tehuelches and Puerto Natales on blustery, paved Ruta 9, Río Rubens is a fine trout-fishing area and, for travelers with…

  • Parque Nacional Pali Aike

    Southern Patagonia

    This oddball national park is a desolate landscape of rugged volcanic steppe. Its pocked formations gave it the name 'devil's country' in Tehuelche…

  • Museo Regional Salesiano

    Punta Arenas

    Especially influential in settling the region, the Salesian order collected outstanding ethnographic artifacts, but their museum touts their role as…

  • Museo Histórico

    Puerto Natales

    Worth a quick visit, this is a crash course in local history, with archaeological artifacts, a Yaghan canoe, Tehuelche bolas (throwing weapon) and…

  • Casa Braun-Menéndez

    Punta Arenas

    Facing the Plaza Muñoz Gamero’s north side is the Club de la Unión, which houses the former Palacio Sara Braun, now known as the Casa Braun-Menéndez.

  • Mirador Las Torres

    Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

    Take a moderate hike up Río Ascencio to a treeless tarn beneath the eastern face of the Torres del Paine for the closest view of the towers.

  • Mirador Nordenskjöld

    Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

    An easy hour's walk leads to Mirador Nordenskjöld, an overlook with superb views of the lake and mountains.

  • Cathedral

    Punta Arenas

    West of Plaza Muñoz Gamero.