Ushuaia sits at the end of the world — the southernmost city on earth, where the Andes meet the Beagle Channel and the next stop south is Antarctica. Its unique abandoned heritage reflects that geographic isolation: a 19th-century prison built to hold Argentina’s most dangerous criminals at a point so remote that escape was considered impossible; derelict estancias from the Tierra del Fuego sheep ranching era on channels reachable only by boat; and the wreck of the Monte Cervantes cruise ship that sank in 1930 on the rocks of the Beagle Channel. The Maritime Museum of Ushuaia is housed in the former Ushuaia prison, which closed in 1947 and was declared a National Historic Monument in 1997 — a must-see during your visit. Discover the 5 best abandoned places in Ushuaia, selected from our Argentina Urbex Map — 200+ verified GPS locations.
Why Ushuaia Offers an Exceptional End-of-the-World Urbex Experience
The world’s southernmost city has a unique abandonment character defined by its extreme remoteness — the prison was built here precisely because no one could escape anywhere; the estancias were abandoned when sheep ranching became economically unviable in a landscape accessible only by boat or 4WD; and the maritime heritage of the Beagle Channel includes shipwrecks and lighthouses that mark the edge of navigable human geography.
1. Presidio (Former Prison) of Ushuaia – City Center — Built in 1896, the southernmost prison in Argentina, closed in 1947, declared a National Historic Monument in 1997, now the Maritime Museum (Known Location)
The Maritime Museum of Ushuaia is housed in the former Ushuaia prison, which closed in 1947 and was declared a National Historic Monument in 1997. The museum offers an in-depth look at the region's rich maritime history and the stories of those who lived and worked in this remote part of the world. Built at the end of the 19th century to hold Argentina's most dangerous criminals in a location so remote that escape was effectively impossible, the Presidio housed prisoners including the anarchist Simón Radowitzky. The prison cells, the penal labor railway (now the End of the World Train), and the preserved prison infrastructure create one of Argentina's finest heritage prison experiences — fully legal, with an admission fee.
2. Wreck of the Monte Cervantes – Beagle Channel, Near Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse — Cruise Ship Wrecked 1930, 1,500 Passengers Evacuated to Ushuaia, Visible at Low Tide (Known Location)
Around the base of the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse are the remains of the Monte Cervantes cruise ship which was wrecked in 1930 after failing to heed the advice of the lighthouse. All 1,500 passengers and crew survived the incident, although the captain disappeared afterwards under suspicious circumstances. The survivors had to be housed in Ushuaia for over a week — quite an event as at this time the town’s population was only 800, half of whom were in jail. The wreck of the Monte Cervantes is partially visible at low tide near the lighthouse. Accessible on Beagle Channel boat tours departing from Ushuaia's tourist pier.
🔗 Also read: Top 5 Abandoned Places in Argentina →
3. Derelict Tierra del Fuego Estancia – Beagle Channel or Lake Fagnano — Late 19th Century Sheep Ranch, Abandoned When Wool Prices Collapsed, Corrugated Iron & Stone Construction
The great sheep estancias of Tierra del Fuego were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by British, Scottish and Croatian immigrant families who built sheep ranching empires at the end of the world — some estancias running hundreds of thousands of sheep across the wind-scoured channels and valleys of the island. As global wool prices fell and the economics of remote ranching became untenable, several estancias were abandoned: the corrugated iron shearing sheds, stone farmhouses and fencing infrastructure of a pastoral economy at the edge of the habitable world standing empty in the extraordinary Fueguian landscape. GPS in our Argentina Urbex Map.
4. Old Ushuaia Anglican Mission Site – Tierra del Fuego — 19th-Century Protestant Mission for Yamana People, Earliest European Settlement in Tierra del Fuego, Archaeological Traces (Exclusively on Our Map)
Ushuaia itself was founded as an Anglican mission for the Yamana (Yaghan) indigenous people by Thomas Bridges in 1869 — making it one of the most remote European settlements in history. The original mission site and the early Yamana settlement areas around Ushuaia retain archaeological traces of this foundational encounter between European missionary culture and the southernmost Indigenous people on earth. Ushuaia features museums dedicated to the story of the Yamanas, and tours to visit the remains of some former settlements. GPS in our Argentina Urbex Map.
5. Derelict Industrial Building – Ushuaia Port Area — Early 20th-Century Territorial Infrastructure, Naval Heritage, Rusting Maritime Equipment (Off the Radar — Our Map Only)
Ushuaia's rapid growth from penal colony to Argentine naval base to tourist city has left pockets of early 20th-century territorial and naval infrastructure in the port area in various states of dereliction. Corrugated iron warehouses, former naval workshops and the specific maritime-industrial character of Argentina's southernmost port create a heritage experience that contrasts with the polished tourist infrastructure of the main waterfront. Find them on our Argentina Urbex Map.
❓ FAQ
What is the most famous abandoned place in Ushuaia?
The Presidio — the former prison of Ushuaia, now housing the Maritime Museum, closed in 1947 and declared a National Historic Monument. Built at the world's southernmost city precisely because escape was considered impossible, it held Argentina's most dangerous criminals in cells that now hold museum exhibits on the Beagle Channel's extraordinary history. For maritime heritage, the wreck of the Monte Cervantes in the Beagle Channel — where all 1,500 passengers survived but the captain mysteriously disappeared — is accessible on Beagle Channel boat tours.
How do I get to Ushuaia?
Fly directly to Ushuaia's Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH) from Buenos Aires (1.5 hours). There are daily flights with Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM. Most sightseeing is accessible on foot or by local taxi from the city centre; Tierra del Fuego National Park is 12km west and served by regular local bus.
What is the End of the World Train?
The Tren del Fin del Mundo runs along the original penal labour railway established to transport prisoners from the Presidio to forest labour camps in what is now Tierra del Fuego National Park. The 3-hour round trip provides a historically resonant way to understand the prison colony's geography. Station is 5km west of Ushuaia; accessible by taxi or booked tour.
Safety Tips
- Fueguian weather: Ushuaia's weather changes within hours — always carry waterproofs, warm layers and sunscreen regardless of conditions at departure
- Beagle Channel boat trips: sea conditions can be rough — choose a smaller boat for a more personal experience and check weather conditions before departure
- Remote estancias: access by boat or 4WD only; always carry sufficient fuel, food and water for the day plus emergency reserves
- Never explore alone — Tierra del Fuego has large areas of zero mobile coverage; always carry a satellite communicator for remote excursions
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