Falkland Islands

Capital of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic: just beyond this colorful British town lie Magellanic penguins at Gypsy Cove, the king penguin colony at Volunteer Point and Falklands War battlefields.

Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic (called the Islas Malvinas by Argentina; sovereignty is disputed and the islands are currently administered by the United Kingdom). It sits at the northeastern corner of East Falkland, has a population of about 2,500 and is the only town in the islands. The town stretches along the south shore of Stanley Harbour, with brightly roofed tin-clad cottages, the red-brick cathedral and its Whalebone Arch, British pubs and the post office — all easily covered in half a day. The real attractions are outside town: Magellanic penguins at Gypsy Cove on the eastern outskirts, more than a thousand king penguins at Volunteer Point to the north, gentoo penguins at Bluff Cove Lagoon and Kidney Cove, and the 1982 Falklands War battlefields on Mount Tumbledown, Mount Longdon and elsewhere. The best season is the Southern Hemisphere summer, Nov–Mar, when penguins are breeding, days are long and winds are relatively light; winters are cold and windy, and many farm tours stop running. Getting there: weekly flights arrive at Mount Pleasant Airport (about 55 km from town) from Punta Arenas, Chile (LATAM, some stopping in Argentina), and from RAF Brize Norton in the UK; many Antarctic cruises also call here for a day. Plan on 2–4 days. Most sights outside town require a 4×4 tour or a farm booking, so book early for cruise-ship days. Note: the currency is the Falkland pound (on par with sterling); all former minefields have been cleared, but you should still stick to the paths. Visitors must show a return ticket and proof of accommodation on arrival.

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