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Stanley & the Falklands
A small, colourful South Atlantic capital and the gateway to penguin colonies, wild beaches and 1982 history
A small, colourful South Atlantic capital and the gateway to penguin colonies, wild beaches and 1982 history
The southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world, consecrated in 1892, with an arch made from the jawbones of blue whales in its garden.
Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0
A white-sand cove a short drive from town where Magellanic penguins nest in burrows from about October to March. Stay on the marked paths.
Photo: amanderson2, CC BY 2.0
The Historic Dockyard Museum covers the islands’ maritime history, wildlife, Antarctic exploration and the 1982 conflict.
Photo: Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Try Falklands lamb and mutton, locally caught squid and toothfish, and a traditional smoko (tea break) with cakes.
Stanley has a handful of pubs, cafés and restaurants; book ahead on cruise days.
Mount Pleasant Airport is about 55km from Stanley. Flights arrive weekly with LATAM from South America and on the UK Ministry of Defence “Airbridge” from RAF Brize Norton. Many visitors arrive on expedition and cruise ships between October and March.
Visitors from the UK, EU, US and many other countries do not need a visa, but must have a return ticket, booked accommodation, sufficient funds and medical insurance. The currency is the Falkland Islands pound, at par with sterling, which is also accepted. Check current rules before you travel.
The Falklands are expensive to reach and to stay in; guided wildlife trips are the main cost after flights.
Excludes flights.
Town, penguins and battlefields.
Walk the waterfront, see Christ Church Cathedral and the whalebone arch, and visit the Historic Dockyard Museum.
Take a guided 4×4 trip to Volunteer Point to see the large king penguin colony, along with gentoo and Magellanic penguins.
Visit Gypsy Cove, then take a guided tour of the 1982 battlefields around Stanley.
Keep at least 6m from penguins and other wildlife, and never block their paths to the sea.
Tours and restaurants fill up when cruise ships are in; book ahead.
It is often windy and changeable, even in summer; pack windproof layers.
Flights are infrequent; build in spare time in case of weather delays.
Quick answers for planning time in Stanley.
Most Western visitors do not, but you need a return ticket, booked accommodation, funds and medical insurance.
The Falkland Islands pound, at par with sterling; British pounds are also accepted.
At Volunteer Point, about two and a half hours from Stanley by 4×4.
By weekly LATAM flight from South America, by the UK Airbridge from RAF Brize Norton, or on a cruise.
November to March, when the weather is mildest and penguins are breeding.
Planning a wider trip? Our Falkland Islands travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.