Many tourists traveling to different destinations in Patagonia pass through Punta Arenas. This beautiful city of 135,000 inhabitants, the capital of the Magallanes region, was founded in 1848 and at that time represented Chile’s first act of sovereignty in a distant and unexplored territory.
More than 165 years have passed, and today Punta Arenas offers a wide range of tourist attractions to entertain visitors who wish to explore this charming city.
1.- Muñoz Gamero Plaza (Plaza de Armas)
Muñoz Gamero Plaza, also known as Plaza de Armas, is a public space located in the heart of Punta Arenas. The plaza is named after Governor Benjamín Muñoz Gamero, who met a tragic death during the bloody mutiny led by Lieutenant Miguel José Cambiazo in the turbulent year of 1851.
At the center of the plaza stands an imposing bronze sculpture representing the navigator Hernando de Magallanes. On one side, you can see the Patagonian native with his big toe shining and golden due to the countless kisses and touches from tourists who believe that by doing so, they will receive a bit of good fortune and a guarantee that they will one day return to Punta Arenas.
The monument consists of eight bronze figures, including dominant human figures (Hernando de Magallanes at the top), two Patagonian and Fuegian natives on the sides, and a mermaid holding the coats of arms of Spain and Chile. On the opposite side of the mermaid, behind Magallanes, is a representation of the world crossed and conquered by the navigator’s expedition. A plaque at the base explains the nature of the sculptural tribute.
The plaza was declared a Typical Zone in 1991 by the National Monuments Council. The bronze sculpture was inaugurated in 1920.
2. Old Ship (English Sailing Ship Lonsdale)
On the southern shore of Punta Arenas, within the urban landscape, lies the hull of the English sailing ship Lonsdale, built in 1889. This steel vessel with a three-masted frigate rig was constructed in 1899 at the Bigger shipyard in Londonderry, Ireland, for the firm J. H. Iredale. It had a registry of 1,889 tons.
In 1894, it was transferred to the firm Peter Iredale & Porter. During a voyage from Hamburg to Mazatlán, the ship caught fire in Puerto Stanley on October 6, 1909, and had to be sunk to extinguish the flames. It was later acquired by a local merchant, who sold it to Braun & Blanchard of the same port for use as a wool pontoon in the Strait of Magellan until it was eventually sold for dismantling. Only the bow with the bowsprit and a section of the keel remain. These remnants, located on the beach, are considered a Historical Relic.
3. Magdalena Island (Penguins Everywhere)
Magdalena Island is a small island in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. Along with Marta Islet, it forms one of the most important penguin colonies in southern Chile, known as the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument. Fishing is prohibited around the island to preserve its ecosystem, and the area is supervised and managed by CONAF, which also maintains the Isla Magdalena Lighthouse.
If you want to visit the penguins, you can book one of our tours, available here.
4. Nao Victoria Museum
At the Nao Victoria Museum, you can find various replicas of historic vessels, such as the Nao Victoria, the James Caird, and the Goleta Ancud. The museum is located on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, 7.5 km north of Punta Arenas.
The museum is privately owned, and its founder was awarded the Bicentennial Medal by the President of Chile for his work in promoting national identity during the country’s Bicentennial celebrations. Additionally, the Spanish community in Punta Arenas awarded the entrepreneur the “Hispanic Identity” prize. On December 19, 2012, both the museum’s founder and the chief carpenter were honored with the “Outstanding Citizen 2012” award by the Municipality of Punta Arenas, which also declared the museum a priority tourist site for the city.
5. Punta Arenas Municipal Cemetery
One of Punta Arenas’ main attractions is the Municipal Cemetery, whose entrance features a portico donated by philanthropist Sara Braun. The entrance leads to a plaza that distributes the avenues lined with cypress trees.
The cemetery was declared a National Monument in the category of Historic Monument on November 26, 2012.
6. Sara Braun Palace
Sara Braun Palace is a historic building in the center of Punta Arenas, located opposite Muñoz Gamero Plaza.
Today, the palace houses the José Nogueira Hotel, the Union Club, and the La Taberna restaurant.
7. Kayaking in Agua Fresca
A few kilometers south of Punta Arenas, you can enjoy an unforgettable kayaking adventure in the Strait of Magellan. You can book these tours on our website.
8. Andean Ski Club
If you visit Punta Arenas in winter, don’t miss the Andean Ski Club. It is one of the few ski resorts in the world with an ocean view. The resort is open year-round, offering activities such as trekking, canopy, and mountain biking in the summer.
9. King Penguin Park
King Penguin Park is a private conservation initiative dedicated to protecting and studying a growing colony of king penguins. It was established to provide a safe environment for the penguins while allowing visitors to observe them without disturbing their habitat. Unlike the smaller Magellanic penguins commonly seen in the region, king penguins are the second-largest penguin species in the world, standing around 90 cm (35 inches) tall.
10. Monument to the Shepherd
The Monument to the Shepherd is a multi-figure bronze sculpture consisting of twelve life-size figures. It is located in the central median of Bulnes Avenue, near the municipal cemetery. So, if you visit the cemetery, don’t miss the opportunity to see this beautiful monument.
Other Exceptional Tours You Can’t Miss from Punta Arenas
Full Day Torres del Paine – The Eighth Wonder of the World
Torres del Paine National Park was created in 1959 and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. It is located between the Andes Mountains and the Patagonian steppe, with altitudes ranging from 20 m to 3,050 m.
Did I miss any? Comment below! 😊
