Discover Stanley

When searching for hotels in Stanley, the time you plan to spend walking and taking excursions can be a useful point of comparison. A walking route takes in historic buildings and sights in the town; other routes lead beyond Stanley and take considerably more time. Guided walks and a stroll with tastings also offer different focuses.

Walking Routes and Strolls in Stanley

A walking route takes in numerous historic buildings, sights and unusual features in central and western Stanley. If you would rather explore the town with a guided group, Stanley on Foot offers guided walks in small groups. These include the Stanley Heritage Walk, a two-hour walk covering 2.5 kilometres.

The Solar System Sculpture Walk requires a different amount of time. It starts in Stanley and leads out of town; walking to all the planets takes a full day. This makes it possible to compare the short, clearly defined Heritage Walk with a full-day hike without treating the two as equivalent town tours.

Art, Tastings and Guided Experiences

Local sculptor and artist Rob Yssel designed and built the Solar System Sculpture Walk as a 1:1 billion scale model. He used recycled local materials. The art and the route go together: the model starts in Stanley, while the walk to all the planets leads beyond the town.

Walk & Smoko: A Taste of the Islands combines a stroll through central Stanley with tea, cake and produce from the Falkland Islands. This includes Falklands lamb, diddle-dee jam, teaberries, and locally grown fruit and vegetables. The experience therefore focuses both on the walk and on the regional tastings listed. Confirm the availability of the guided walk or Walk & Smoko before booking.

For sights in the area around Stanley, local guides can show visitors places on foot or in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. These guided excursions complement the routes in the town centre with options in the surrounding area; no specific routes are defined.

Maritime History and Remembrance

The shipwreck Lady Elizabeth lies at the eastern end of Stanley Harbour. Stanley Cemetery is a memorial site for members of the British armed forces who served and died in the 1982 Falklands War. The two places represent different aspects of Stanley’s history: the wreck reflects its maritime heritage, while the cemetery serves as a place of remembrance.

The Historic Dockyard Museum in Stanley also features temporary exhibitions about anniversaries and events in the Falkland Islands. Those interested in the history of the wider destination can therefore find connections here to events and commemorations across the islands.

Stanley and the Wider Falkland Islands Destination

The Falkland Islands are an archipelago of more than 700 islands. Their coastlines range from rugged cliffs to long stretches of white sand beaches. The coastline, around 1,300 kilometres long, can be explored by yacht, subject to local maritime requirements. These landscapes and activities are part of the wider Falkland Islands destination and should not be confused with the routes in central Stanley.

On the Falkland Islands, self-guided walking trails run over individual hills around Stanley. The “Pilgrimage Trail” can be adapted to include several hills and battlefield sites. Hiking and trekking are among the activities available to visitors to the Falkland Islands; diving and kayaking are also listed as options there.

Wildlife and birdwatching are also considerations for planning a wider trip to the Falkland Islands. The five breeding penguin species can be observed there, although their behaviour and visibility vary seasonally. The endemic bird species listed include Cobb’s wren, the Falkland flightless steamer duck and the tussac bird. Birdwatching also includes albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and geese. Individual bird sightings are not guaranteed and depend on the location and time of year.

The Falkland Islands can be reached by air or sea; check the specific operational details before travelling. A main course in the Falkland Islands may include locally raised, slow-cooked meat with home-grown vegetables.

For the wider travel overview: Falkland Islands.