Perched in the extreme south of Chile stands Punta Arenas, a sprawling metropolis 1000 miles from Antarctica - the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers seeking adventure. Founded in 1848, it is the largest town on the Strait of Magellan and is home to colonies of penguins, fascinating museums and several indigenous tribes. Check out our collection of the best places to stay in Punta Arenas below, from intimate chic to classic grand dame.

At the centre of the main square stands the Statue of the Native. Legend has it that if you kiss the feet of the statue, you will return again. Surrounding it are the grand townhouses built by the city's founders in the late 19th century, and to the east is the harbour, where travellers dock from trips to the South Pole, thronged with quayside bars. Due to its extreme southern position, there is a duty-free zone called the Zona Franca, where you can buy a huge variety of international goods available at unbelievably cheap prices.

There are a great many museums in Punta Arenas. The Nao Victoria Museum boasts life-size replicas of the ships used to circumnavigate the globe, using immersive and interactive multimedia displays for a lively experience. The Braun-Menendez Museum is where you go to learn about local history - from the original tribes that lived in the region to the Europeans who displaced them. It also boasts some beautiful artworks from the last few hundred years.

People tend to come to Punta Arenas to experience a natural world unlike anywhere else on the globe. You can kayak to Magdalena Island, or head 70km north of the city to see the spring time penguin colony of Seno Otway. Hiring a boat and gliding out to Carlos III Island to spot whales should also be high on your priority list. If you're a fan of hiking, be sure to trek through the Tierra del Fuego, where the indigenous tribes of the Kawesqar and Selk'nam people live; for beautiful walking spots, look no further than the Reserva Nacional Magallanes, only 5km outside town and full of utterly spellbinding scenery.

Punta Arenas is the quintessential base for an adventure holiday, whether you're hiking, sailing or kayaking. If you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Punta Arenas, do your homework and book well ahead - this is a suprisingly popular destination!

The best places to stay in Punta Arenas

Chic boutique

• La Yegua Loca: a charming property, quirky with personality, of just 8 rooms with magnificent views, decorated in rustic-chic style, with wood-panelled walls, antiques and objets d'art. Dine at the superb restaurant and explore the town from this centrally located base.

For families

• The Almasur Punta Arenas hotel offers good family suites in a central location. Rooms are spacious, there's an excellent restaurant, and they have a spa.

For romance

• Hotel Jose Nogueira is a classic grand dame, an elegant hotel which was formerly the residence of royalty and which makes for a perfect romantic getaway. Built in the neoclassical style with a wood panelled bar, the hotel offers fine dining and access to a range of expeditions in the area.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area, if you think that you'd prefer a self-catering option.

Travel information

• During the winter, it snows a great deal; during the summertime, you should expect wind, rain and sunshine in a single sitting. During the summer, (from November to February) the temperature ranges between 6 and 16 degrees.
• Fly from Buenos Aires to Ushaia, from where you can take a flight to Punta Arenas.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Chile
• if you like the extreme south, search for the best places to stay in Ushuaia
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.