Small coastal town with colorful houses and a harbor on East Falkland. Home to 2,000 residents, local pubs, and nearby beaches where penguins and seals gather.
Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, is a town of 2,460 residents where you'll find red British phone boxes along the streets and a distinctive whale bone arch framing the entrance to Christ Church Cathedral. The harbor front's Ross Road has rows of houses painted in bright reds, blues, and yellows, while rusting shipwrecks tell stories of maritime adventures. At nearby Gypsy Cove, Magellanic penguins waddle between their burrows and the sea. When cruise ships arrive between October and March, their passengers can double or triple the town's population.
Getting to Stanley
You can reach Stanley either by air through Mount Pleasant Airport, located 56 km from town, or by cruise ship. LATAM operates flights from Santiago, Punta Arenas, and Rio Gallegos, while the Royal Air Force runs flights from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Cruise ships anchor in the harbor, and passengers reach the town center by tender boats.
Walking Through Town
You can easily explore Stanley on foot. Along Ross Road, which follows the waterfront, you'll find the main points of interest. The Dockyard Museum displays exhibits about the 1982 conflict, local plants and animals, and the islands' Antarctic exploration history. Christ Church Cathedral, completed in 1892, contains intricate stained glass windows and kneelers hand-stitched with scenes from island life.
Wildlife Viewing
At Gypsy Cove, a 15-minute drive from town, you can watch Magellanic penguins emerge from their burrows and walk to the sea. The beach at Volunteer Point is home to three penguin species: King, Gentoo, and Magellanic. Sea lions often rest near the shore, and between December and March, you might spot whales in the harbor.
Weather and Clothing
Stanley has cool temperatures year-round and strong westerly winds. You can expect 11 to 17 rainy days each month. While the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, and summers stay mild. Pack warm, waterproof clothing for any time of year.
Local Life
Government jobs employ about one-third of Stanley's residents, with tourism providing many other jobs. The town maintains several British customs, including the annual horse races at Stanley Racecourse during Christmas holidays - an event that has run for over 100 years. At the community center, you'll find a swimming pool, sports facilities, and the islands' only public library.
Food and Drinks
The Globe Tavern and three other pubs serve meals like locally-caught squid, fish and chips made with South Atlantic cod, and roasted Falklands lamb. Three restaurants and several cafes provide hot drinks and meals, with many incorporating local seafood and lamb into their menus.
Maritime Past
Before the Panama Canal opened, ships rounding Cape Horn stopped in Stanley for repairs. The ship repair industry was central to the local economy, with many vessels seeking refuge in the deep harbor. Today, you can see evidence of this maritime history in the iron hulls of nineteenth-century ships still visible in the harbor waters.
