Excursion Ushuaia's old prison on foot tour at Ushuaia

Discover the fascinating history of the End of the World on this walking tour of Ushuaia, including a visit to the Maritime Museum and the Old Prison as well as a refreshment stop in a local restaurant.

Ushuaia' HIstory

Situated at the foot of the Andes and bordered by the Beagle Channel, the history of the southernmost Patagonian city includes the times when the first European came through the region to settle here. Very far from any other populated town or city, and due to the harsh living conditions, the development of Ushuaia didn't start until the beginning of the 20th century.

Attempts to populate the area include Anglican settlements during the period of the evangelization of the indigenous Yamana people, followed by the creation of a prison serving all of Argentina. Finally the population increased thanks to an industrial promotion law during the late 70's early 80's.

Walking Tour

Begin your walking tour by visiting the downtown area, passing by Centenary Square, The Government House, the End-of-the-World Museum, followed by Saint Christopher Tugboat and its shipwreck where you will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the old churches, the port and "La Mision" neighbourhood.

Continue hiking to the upper "Deloqui & Rosas" view point, from where the views of the city and our ship are both memorable and panoramic.

Maritime & Old Prison's Museum

Proceed with a visit of the Maritime & Old Prison's Museum. The Prison at the End of the World ceased working in 1947 and is now housing the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, with a vast collection of exhibits relating to the maritime history of Tierra del Fuego from the arrival of the first explorers. The Prison Museum section highlights the history of the criminal and the lives of prisoners in each of the old cells. Visit The Antarctic section of the museum too, depicting exhibits on the expeditions of the most famous explorers like Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton, Nordenskjold.

Refreshment Stop

Following your museum's visit, proceed to a local restaurant for a hot drink and cake before returning to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Ushuaia, Saint Christopher Tugboat, La Merced Church, Maritime & Old Prison's Museum, Refreshment

Note

Please note: This tour is entirely conducted on foot and involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately 3 kilometres at times over uneven ground, including steep inclines and 50 steps to reach the viewpoint. Due to unpredictable weather, we recommend wearing a sweater or windbreaker and bringing a light raincoat. The order of venues visited may vary.