An obelisk on the Muelle Turistico commemorates the formal procedure undertaken by Commander Augusto Lasserre when he raised the Argentine flag for the first time October 1884. Just along from here on Maipu 173 is the Museo del Fin del Mundo which recounts the island’s history through various exhibits on the indigenous peoples as well as the missionaries and pioneers. Open Nov-Apr daily 9am-8pm and May-Oct Mon-Sat 12pm-7pm.

At the back of the Naval Base on Yaganes with Gobernador Paz is the Museo Maritimo y Presidio. It has a collection of scale models and artefacts and the Presidio, a former penal colony, houses an array of exhibits about its former inmates, among them anarchists, murderers and revolutionaries. The anarchist Simon Radowitzsky was once imprisoned here, whose stay was recounted by Bruce Chatwin in In Patagonia. Also, there is a full-size replica of the Lighthouse at the End of the World as described by Jules Verne in his novel. Open daily 9am-8pm. Tel: +54 (0) 2901 437481.

On Rivadavia 56 is the Museo Mundo Yamana, an attractive little museum which details the history of the archipelagos inhabitants from pre-Colombian to the first European settlers through maps and photographs. Open daily from 9am-8pm. Tel: +54 (0) 2901 422874. The Antigua Casa Beban on Maipu with Pluschow to the southwest of town is a prefabricated house bought from Sweden in 1913. It stages photo and art exhibitions and hosts the Ushuaia Jazz Festival each November. Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 4pm-8pm.

There is a fabulous view of the city and its spectacular setting from the top of Cerro Martial. In order to get there, either take the chairlift from behind the Cumbres del Martial or the bus which leaves from the Muelle Turistico. Alternatively, you can walk seven kilometres along the Luis Martial road. From the top you can hike to Glacier Martial, one-and-a-half kilometres away.