Top Things to do in Punta Arenas
Top Restaurants in Punta Arenas
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Punta Arenas, Magallanes Region
Overlooking the Strait of Magellan, this isolated city in southern Patagonia bustles with windswept trekkers en route to glacier-filled Torres del Paine National Park or an Antarctic cruise. Before transiting, take note of the mansion-lined main square, Plaza Muñoz Gamero; the City Cemetery, with its elaborate tombs; and the Sara Braun Palace and Braun Menendez Residence, a preserved slice of the city's wealthy pioneer past. Daily flights connect the city with Santiago and Ushuaia.
Restaurants in Punta Arenas
1. Parque del Estrecho de Magallanes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 839 reviews
The Magallan's Strait Park is a protected area of almost 250 hectares. The primary objective is the conservation and divulgation of the natural and historical heritage within it. The places of interest within the Park are: - Museum 'Of the Strait' (Interpretation Center): The landscape’s centinel, with its 1.600 square meters which include cafeteria, souvenir shop, panoramic terrace and an interpretive-multimedial display. - Fort Bulnes NHM Site: Two kilometers beyond the Interpretation Center and covering an area of 4 hectares, lies the reconstruction of the first chilean settlement of the territory. - Coastal Trail: Low to medium difficulty pedestrian-only trail extending for about one mile that runs through the woods and rocky parts around the Fort. - Wind Forest Trail: Low difficulty pedestrian-only trail extending almost 300 meters (330 yards) leads to the famous Del Estrecho lookout.
Reviewed By manuelaE3038WG - Montevideo, Uruguay
Great experience: high quality museum, picturesque fort and nice walk. It is also very well managed. We went with our rented motorhome and got assistance all the way to make sure we could drive smoothly
2. Plaza Munoz Gamero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 657 reviews
The central plaza of Punta Arenas, where local vendors sell homemade crafts.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
The Plaza Muñoz Gamero, also known as the Plaza de Armas, is the main public space in Punta Arenas. The square was declared a Typical Zone in 1991, by the Council of National Monuments. In the center there is a bronze sculpture that was inaugurated in 1920 and that represents the navigator Hernando de Magallanes. It is a busy square with lots of locals and tourists. Most travelers in Punta Arenas will visit this square. Certainly very highly recommended to walk around the square and taking some pics.
3. Cementerio Municipal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,556 reviews
Reviewed By Mahal2013 - Berwick, Australia
this without doubt is one of the best cemetery I have been too. I really enjoyed exploring graves and mausoleums walking along the manicured cypress trees. Wide variety of tombs and lots of history as well as great photo opportunities. Well worth spending an hour or so wandering around. In fact, I have a spare 30mins now, I think I will go back!
4. Centro Cultural Braun-Menendez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
This is a great little museum showcasing on one side the house itself, and on the other side the original inhabitants and the history of the town and the Noruega, Braun and Menendez start and production and sheep empire. The house was build by this clan, which through intermarriage combined the 3 wealthiest families of the region. The house was build with materials from Europe, and must have as such cost a fortune. The house is not that large. It is in pretty good state of repair, has nice stained glass ceilings and some extravagantly decorated rooms. Also part of the cellar, or servants quarter are open. The other part gives a good overview of the founding of Punta Arenas and it being a prisoners colony. It also gives a good overview on a touch screen about the 5 tribes that originally inhabited this area as well as Tuera de Fuego nearby. On display are some of the artefacts that remain from these tribes that were completely wiped out on the Chilean side (and very nearly completely on the Argentinian side). In the current there is a nice garden, they were renovating part of the outside of the mansion.
5. Reserva nacional Magallanes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By S3391SOelenas
The reserve is near Punta Arenas and you can get there by public transport. Just go to the small bus station in Chiloé with Carrera Pinto where the local buses departs (estación municipal). It only costs 300 pesos and takes less then half an hour (as per 2020). The route is "el Andino" and is an orange minibus. The timetable can be found in their Facebook or in the station. I took it on Sunday and actually stopped at the entrance of the park so there was no need to be dropped at the junction of Y-570 with Y-580 as other reviews mention, so check with the driver. Entrance to the park is 5000 pesos for foreigners, but it's worth it. I did the longest hike they offered called circuito las Lengas which is about 10km in addition to Mirador de las Minas. Highly recommended. The hike for people with reduced mobility is interesting as well as it have signs with info of the park and local vegetation and animals.
6. Nao Victoria Museo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,040 reviews
The Nao Victoria Museum is a private museum. fee cost $ 4000 It aims to provide a real experience in replicas of the most important ships in the Magallanes Region. There are four open replicas to visit in the Museum: Nao Victoria, the only fleet commanded by Ferdinand Magellan completed the first circumnavigation of the globe. James Caird, originally a lifeboat Endurance that sailed from Elephant Island to South Georgia during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton 1916. Goleta Ancud, the ship, under the command of Manuel Bulnes, President of Chile, took the sovereignty of the Magellan Strait to Chile with the construction of Fuerte Bulnes. HMS Beagle, the famous British Navy brig, under the command of Captain Fitz Roy raised cartography work of Magallanes Region. Aboard the boat mythical young Charles Darwin began writing his theory of evolution. surround sound, and many replicas of ancient weapons that can be used by visitors to take pictures
Reviewed By RMJ42 - Santa Rosa, United States
We were on a tour in the rain and did not have enough time to visit this very interesting site. They have a Magellan vessel, a Darwin vessel and Shackleton vessel, all full size with interesting descriptions in Spanish and English. You could spend a lot of time just exploring the ships and getting a history lesson as you read.
7. Palacio Sara Braun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Palacio Sara Braun is a museum dedicated to Latvian born former Chilean business woman near the main square of Punta Arenas. It is impressive and stands out amongst other buildings. Could view it from the outside only. Will certainly consider visiting inside during my next visit to Punta Arenas.
8. Faro San Isidro
9. Isla Magdalena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
We are specialists in navigating the Strait of Magellan and the Sub-Antartic insular area. Nature and adventure are put at your reach by exploring places of great interest due to their diversity of sea wildlife and landscapes. Enjoy the millenary glaciers and Cape Froward, the most southern place of the American continent. Hear the sound of the wind and the humpback whales, and walk among thousands of Magellan penguins.
Reviewed By BillPNo1 - Friendswood, United States
Our visit to the Magdalena Island Pengiun Reserve was one of the best tours of our entire South American Cruise. We were able to walk among the penguins and their burrows all over the small island while thousands of Magellanic Penguins kept us company, walking nearby or standing and watching us watch them. Solitary and in pairs, the penguins clustered and scampered about while some rested in the entrances to their burrows. Down at the shore, the penguins can be seen in the water and frolicking in the shallow water adjacent to our boat and dock.The Island Reserve is also home to three species of sea-birds: skuas, kelp gulls, and cormorants. who live and nest near and adjacent to the penguins on the island. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve. It's Great!
10. Mirador Cerro De La Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 365 reviews
Reviewed By 863SueM - Williamsburg, United States
As part of our walking tour of Punta Arenas, we climbed the hill to get to this spot to overlook the city and surrounding body of water. A great view if it’s a clear day.
