Patagonia attractions

When Magellan passed through his eponymous strait bound for Chile for the first time, he cruised past the tiny Magdalena Island (Isla Magdalena). Today, travelers make it a point to stop at this scenic island just northeast of Punta Arenas to explore the rocky shores and observe the huge colony of Magellanic penguins at their critical breeding site.

The roaring waters of Chile’s Petrohué Waterfalls (Saltos del Petrohué) tumble through the lush, volcanic landscape of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park in Patagonia. The falls’ steps are made up of dramatic basalt formations, brought to the surface eons ago by the snow-capped Osorno Volcano, which rises photogenically above the cascade.

The Villarrica Volcanic Caves, sometimes called the House of Devil, snake hundreds of yards into the side of the Villarrica Volcano, Chile’s most active volcano. Take a trek into the caves, which are the hardened remains of historic lava flows, and enjoy the mountaintop scenery.

In spite of its ominous name, the Channel of Last Hope (Ultima Esperanza is a calm inlet stretching from Eberhard Fjord to Monte Balmaceda in Chilean Patagonia. The 16th-century Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero gave it its name in the belief that navigating it was his last opportunity to reach the Strait of Magellan.

Unforgiving winds, rugged coastline, and narrow passages made the Strait of Magellan one of the most deadly channels for early explorers of South America. Luckily, modern cruise ship technology means today’s travelers can safely cross the strait for a scenic voyage past rocky fjords, forested islands, and glaciers that spill into the sea.

Located in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Lake Todos los Santos is often referred to as Lago Esmerelda due to the vivid emerald color of its waters. Formed by both glacial and volcanic activity, the 69-square-mile (111-square-kilometer lake is ideal for kayaking, swimming, and fishing, and promises unobstructed views of the Osorno Volcano.

Thickly forested with diverse trees that include the native araucaria, laced with dozens of lakes, and home to the cone-shaped Lanín Volcano, Lanín National Park is a Patagonian treasure in the Argentine state of Neuquén. Travelers flock here to enjoy some of Argentina’s best hiking, kayaking, sport fishing of salmon and trout, and camping.

A few minutes west of Puerto Montt’s center, Angelmó is famous for its craft and fish markets. The colorful, bustling markets are crammed with vendors, making it a popular spot for visitors to stroll along the waterfront, browse for souvenirs, and grab a fresh seafood meal. It’s touristy but well worth a visit while in Puerto Montt.

One of two snow-capped volcanic cones rising above the town of Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Cabulco is also one of Chile’s most active volcanoes. Cabulco has had 36 confirmed eruptions, 13 of them since 1893. While not a perfect cone like neighboring Osorno Volcano, the sight of Calbuco is equally magnificent.

Situated in the popular Torres del Paine National Park, the Salto Grande Waterfall is fed by the ice-blue waters of Nordenskjöld Lake and tumbles 50 feet (15 meters) into Lake Pehoé below. Admire the Salto Grande Waterfall—one of the most impressive attractions in the park—during a beginner-friendly day hike and look out for grazing guanacos (camelids).

Only reachable via one of Patagonia’s most iconic treks, Laguna de los Tres is an ultra-marine lake with a backdrop of jagged mountains. The glacier lake sits in the shadow of Mt. Fitzroy, a mountain that threatens one of the planet’s most-challenging ascents. The trek to the lake is 15 miles (25 kilometers long.

Founded in 1893 by Salesian missionaries, the Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum preserves and offers insights into the cultural and environmental history of southern Chile’s Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region (also known as the Magallanes Region). It’s the third-oldest museum in the country.

Established in 1926, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park is Chile’s oldest national park. Natural highlights include the Osorno, Puntiagudo, and Tronador volcanoes, and Lago Todos los Santos, hailed as one of the most beautiful lakes in Chile.

This lavish and well-preserved mansion symbolizes the wealth and power of the influential Braun-Menéndez family during Patagonia’s Golden Age. Designed by French architect Antoine Beaulier in 1903, the former residence-turned-museum is home to a collection of artifacts exploring the history and culture of the Magallanes region, as well as fine furniture, tapestries, and statues.

Famed for its colony of adorable Magellanic penguins, Otway Sound (Seno Otway) houses one of the most easily visited penguin preserves in the world. In September, thousands of the smallish warm-weather penguins—all of them couples—make their way to this large inland bay in southern Chile and begin building nests.

The largest of the South Shetland Islands, King George Island (Isla Rey Jorge) is the first stop for many travelers making their way to Antarctica. Its scenic bays—which include Maxwell, Admiralty, and King George Bays—are home to much of the unique wildlife and scenery that draws intrepid travelers to the frozen south.

Stretching over 745 miles (1,200 kilometers), Carretera Austral, Chile's legendary Southern Highway, takes travelers through unparalleled landscapes, from majestic mountains to crystal-clear lakes and dense forests. A wide range of outdoor and cultural activities make it a Patagonian dream come true for nature lovers and thrillseekers alike.

Located on the Strait of Magellan, near the southern tip of Chile, Punta Arenas is a port of call for South American cruises and a departure point for Antarctica expeditions. Punta Arenas is best known as the gateway to southern Patagonia including Torres del Paine National Park and El Chalten and its proximity to the penguin colony at Isla Magdalena.

Founded by German colonists in 1853, the Chilean port city of Puerto Montt serves as the gateway to the Andes Mountains and Patagonia fjords. The city's architecture, culture, and cuisine are strongly influenced by its German past. The region’s lakes, mountains, and volcanoes offer endless activities for the outdoor adventure traveler.

Nature lovers in search of some of Chile's most prized birds love the natural wonder of Tres Puentes Wetland (Humedal Tres Puentes). More than 60 species of birds—including the Chiloé wigeon, white-tufted grebe, and the bubblegum-pink Chilean flamingo—reside in this unexpected gem located on the northern outskirts of Punta Arenas.