Before you go

Your trip to Stanley.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Stanley – Malvina Oriental (East Falkland) Capital

How to get there

Mount Pleasant Airport (MPN) Mount Pleasant · 55 km
Port Stanley Airport (PSY) 5 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Regular flights typically depart from Punta Arenas, Chile, and land at Mount Pleasant, about 55 km from Stanley, connected to town by road; arrange transfers with your accommodation. Stanley airport handles internal flights to the outer islands. Cruise ships disembark at the town pier.

How many days

Three days: one for Stanley town centre and the museum, one for Gypsy Cove and the Lady Elizabeth, and a full day for Volunteer Point. Cruise visitors usually have one day in town.

When to go

From October to March, during penguin season and long daylight hours, with temperatures typically between 10 and 15°C. From April to September it gets colder and days are short. The wind blows strongly at any time; bring a windproof jacket.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not for the town centre, which is walkable, nor for Gypsy Cove, reachable on foot along the waterfront or by taxi. For Volunteer Point the route includes off-road sections and is made in a 4x4 with a local guide. Traffic drives on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Stanley

Morning
Ross Road and the cathedral
Walk along Ross Road, the waterfront street with colorful houses, to the Catedral de Cristo and the arco de ossos de baleia.
Afternoon
Historic Dockyard Museum
After lunch, visit the Historic Dockyard Museum, with farm life, maritime history and an Antarctic hut.
Late afternoon
Lady Elizabeth
Follow the waterfront east to Whalebone Cove to see the hull of the Lady Elizabeth in the late-afternoon light.
Evening
Dinner in Stanley
Dine in one of the pubs or restaurants in the town centre, with local fish and lamb from the farms.

3 days in Stanley

Day 1

Morning
Stanley town centre
Ross Road, Catedral de Cristo and the arco de ossos de baleia.
Afternoon
Historic Dockyard Museum
Visit the museum and walk the streets just above the waterfront.
Late afternoon
Stanley waterfront
Walk along the waterfront with views of the harbour.
Evening
Pub
Dinner in a central pub.

Day 2

Morning
Lady Elizabeth
Walk along the waterfront to Whalebone Cove to see the Lady Elizabeth.
Afternoon
Gypsy Cove
Head to Gypsy Cove to see Magellanic penguins between October and March, using the marked trails.
Late afternoon
Return via the waterfront
Return to Stanley along the waterfront or by taxi.
Evening
Rest
Early dinner: the trip to Volunteer Point starts in the morning.

Day 3

Morning
Heading to Volunteer Point
Leave early in a 4x4 with a local guide for Volunteer Point, about three hours of road and track.
Afternoon
King penguins
Spend the afternoon at the king penguin colony and the white-sand beach, keeping a respectful distance from the animals.
Late afternoon
Return to Stanley
Return to Stanley in the same 4x4.
Evening
Dinner
Dinner in central Stanley.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Are Stanley and Puerto Argentino the same town?

Yes. Stanley is the name used on the islands; Puerto Argentino is the name used by Argentina.

Can you see penguins near Stanley?

Yes. Gypsy Cove, about 6 km from the town centre, hosts Magellanic penguins between spring and summer, and there are gentoo penguins in the area. King penguins are at Volunteer Point, about three hours by road and track.

How many days to stay in Stanley?

Three days covers the town, Gypsy Cove and a day at Volunteer Point. With more time, fly to an outer island.

How to get from Mount Pleasant airport to Stanley?

It's about 55 km by road. There's no regular public transport: arrange a transfer with your accommodation or a local taxi before arriving.

What to do in Stanley on a cruise day?

Walk along Ross Road to the Catedral de Cristo, visit the Historic Dockyard Museum and continue on foot or by taxi to Gypsy Cove. Trips to Volunteer Point on a single-day stop depend on the ship's schedule; book in advance.

Back to Stanley