Stanley (Falkland Islands)

Stanley, formerly known as Port Stanley, is the capital of the Falkland Islands. This city was founded in 1843, and as of 2012 the town had about 2,100 inhabitants, about three-quarters of the archipelago's inhabitants.

Understand

Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, Stanley was a major repair stop for boats travelling through the Straits of Magellan. The rough waters and intense storms found at the tip of the continent forced many ships to Stanley Harbour, and the ship repair industry helped to drive the island economy. Later, support for the Antarctic sealing and whaling boats became a major industry. Today, the vast majority of the town's residents are employed by the government, with tourism also being a major source of employment; on days when two or more large cruise ships discharge their passengers by tender, the tourists may outnumber the local residents.

In 2022 Stanley received official city status, as part of the celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.

Climate

It's rainy and cool around the year with strong westerlies, so pack warm and weatherproof clothes. Located in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are inverted from Europe or North America, however hot summer days or double-digit negative temperatures during the winter are practically unheard of. Also, monthly amounts of precipitation are pretty much the same with 11 to 17 rainy days each month.

Get in

Get around

By foot

Stanley is a small town, so walking is probably the best option for seeing the sights.

By taxi

There are two taxi services operating within Stanley that service the town and the surrounding area.

Bonners Taxis, +500 51126.
Town Taxis, +500 52900.

See

The Jetty Visitor Centre, -51.69227°, -57.85631°. Oct - Mar: M-F 09:30 - 17:00, Sa 09:00 - 17:00, Su 10:00 - 16:00; on some cruise ship days these hours are extended; Apr - Sep: M-Sa 10:00 to 15:00, Su 11:00 - 15:00. Information centre and shop. 2016-06-26
The Falkland Islands Museum, -51.69088°, -57.86516°, +500 27428. Extensive information about the 1982 conflict, as well as history of the Falklands and some exhibits on Falkland Islands flora & fauna.
Christ Church Cathedral, -51.6923°, -57.8586°. daily 08:00- 17:00, Sunday services 10:00 and sometimes 08:00 & 19:00. This cathedral is the southernmost cathedral in the world. The cathedral was built in 1890-92, on the site of an earlier church destroyed in an 1886 landslide.The much-photographed arch in front of the cathedral is made from the jawbones of two blue whales, and was made in 1933 to celebrate 100 years of British rule on the islands. 2016-06-27
St Mary's Church, 12 Ross rd, -51.69173°, -57.86377°. The wooden cathedral from 1899 is the only Catholic church on the Falkland Islands. On the western wall there are oil murals by the local artist James Peck. 2023-01-02
Government house, -51.69185°, -57.87261°. The mid-19th-century residence of the governor is listed on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, and was also where Ernest Shackleton stayed during his Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This is the private home of the governor. 2016-05-24
1982 memorial, -51.6915°, -57.8674°. Falklands War memorial, erected to the memory of the British troops. There are several other Falkland War memorials around the town. 2016-05-23
1982 Memorial Wood, Watson Way, -51.69456°, -57.84686°. A wood planted by the local scouts. Each tree represents a British serviceman killed in the 1982 conflict. 2016-06-28
Stanley Cemetery, -51.6936°, -57.8472°. The final resting place for islanders who died in both World Wars and British Falklands War casualties. Also features a war memorial. 2016-05-24
Gypsy Cove, -51.6756°, -57.8078°. A fifteen-minute drive from town that can be easily arranged by taxi, Gypsy Cove is often the first place that visitors to the Falklands will encounter penguins.
1914 Battle Memorial, -51.69046°, -57.87550°. A memorial erected in 1927 commemorating a World War I naval battle in which a British squadron sank 4 German cruisers resulting in 1,817 German and 10 British fatalities. A ceremony is held here every 8 December. 2016-06-26

Do

Stanley Leisure Centre, -51.6932°, -57.8708°. M–W: 07:00–21:00; Th 09:00–14:00, 16:00–21:00; F: 07:00–20:00; Sa Su: 08:00–16:00. The town's community centre has a sports centre including the only public swimming pool on the islands, a library and a grass football pitch with regular games. 2016-06-24
Stanley Marathon, Starts at Standard Chartered Bank, Stanley. March. Run 26 miles, 385 yards (42 km), in this annual event, the most southerly road marathon in the world. Advance entry required. 2020-05-21

Buy

The majority of shops in central Stanley cater to the huge number of cruise ship passengers that pass through the town in the summer. There are a lot of souvenir shops.

FIC West Store, Dean St, -51.6922°, -57.8594°. M-F 08:30-20:00, Sa 09:00-18:00, Su 09:00-17:00. Open seven days a week and offering food (including Waitrose products from the UK), toiletries, phone cards, and other essentials. 2016-06-26
Capstan Gift Shop, Ross Rd, -51.6917°, -57.8597°. Located across from the West Store, offers all manner of Falkland Islands gifts.
Philatelic Bureau, Ross Rd (Town Hall), -51.6914°, -57.8644°. Falkland Islands stamps and first-day covers are known throughout the world and can be purchased directly from the Philatelic Bureau. Also, the Town Hall with the Post Office and telephone boxes outside is a sight in itself.
Standard Chartered Bank, Ross Road, FIQQ 1ZZ, -51.69143°, -57.86342°. M - F 08:30 – 15:00 except W 09:00 – 15:00. 2016-06-25
Seafood Chandlery, Chandlery Estate, Airport Road, -51.69763°, -57.84389°. Supermarket on the edge of town. 2016-06-30

Eat

Malvina House Hotel, 3 Ross Rd (across the street from Government Jetty), -51.6917°, -57.8663°, +500 21355. Dinner reservations may be required, especially during weekends. 2016-04-15
Shorty's Diner, Davis St East, -51.6957°, -57.8474°, +500 22855. M-F 10:00-20:30; Sa Su 10:00-20:00. Chargrilled burgers, steaks, curries, local fish and chips, local organic produce, homemade desserts. Also has an adjoining motel. 2016-06-26
Tasty Treats, John Street (Waverley House), -51.69293°, -57.85715°. Snack bar and bakery serving breakfast, fast food and snacks. 2016-05-24
Woodbine Cafe, 29 Fitzroy Rd, -51.69385°, -57.85691°, +500 21002. Fish & chip shop, also offering pizzas, burgers, chicken, empanadas, and a selection of beers.

Drink

Deano's Bar, 40 John Street, -51.69310°, -57.85965°. Reportedly a Stanley institution since over 20 years, with a wide range of bottled beers. On Friday and Saturday nights it becomes a night club. 2016-05-24
Globe Tavern, Crozier Pl, -51.69285°, -57.85654°, +500 22703. Located one block up the hill from the public jetty, offering beers as well as pub food such as fish and chips. Ask to meet all the lovely ladies that often pop in, and also go for the Karaoke on a Sunday night which is always good fun.
Victory Bar, 1A Philomel Hill, -51.69368°, -57.85716°, +500 21199. Beer as well as hot food.
The Narrows Bar, 39 Ross Road, -51.69429°, -57.83530°. Pub and restaurant. 2016-06-29

Sleep

Compared with nearby South America lodging in Stanley can be quite expensive. If you are on a strict budget inquire about pitching a tent; if allowed by the land owner the costs are often considerably less than paying for a room.

Kay McCallum's B&B, 14 Drury St, -51.69315°, -57.86394°, +500 21071, kay@horizon.co.fk. Clean and cozy, and Kay is very helpful with travel information and arrangements. 1 twin and 1 double room. Her gnome garden is a locally-famous attraction that includes one intrepid garden gnome who disappeared in 2004, but whose travels around the world were chronicled in photos sent anonymously to the local newspaper. 2016-06-29
Malvina House Hotel, 3 Ross Rd (across the street from Government Jetty), -51.6918°, -57.8659°, +500 21355, info@malvinahousehotel.com. Top-end accommodation including sauna room. Accepts credit cards. Rates vary by season and room type with prices from £84-220
Lookout Lodge, Keil Canal Road, -51.69858°, -57.84173°, +500 22834. Accommodation mainly for groups. Also has the Chandlery restaurant. 2016-06-29
Waterfront Hotel, 36 Ross rd, -51.6923°, -57.8574°, +500 21462, thewaterfronthotel@horizon.co.fk. Upscale hotel with 8 rooms. Rooms are equipped with TV and WiFi. £160- 290 including breakfast 2023-01-02

Respect

Due to lingering tensions from the 1982 war with Argentina, Spanish-speakers should avoid using Spanish names for places (for example "Puerto Argentino" or "Islas Malvinas"), as doing so will undoubtedly be offensive to the locals.

Go next

Kidney Cove 📍. Home to a small colony of Gentoo and King penguins, as well as several Magellanic penguins.
Volunteer Point 📍. A white sand beach that is home to King, Gentoo and Magellanic penguins.
Pretty much anywhere else in the Falkland Islands; Stanley Airport just outside the town is the hub for Falkland Islands Government Air Service (dead link: January 2023), flying to numerous places all over the archipelago:
- Goose Green, midway down East Falkland accessible by road or air, the site of a battle in the 1982 conflict.
- Carcass Island, a small island to the west of West Falkland
- New Island, a small island to the west of West Falkland
- Pebble Island, an island to the north of West Falkland
- Port Howard, on West Falkland, accessible by air or by road then a ferry
- Saunders Island, an island to the west of West Falkland
- Sea Lion Island, the most southerly inhabited island in the Falkland Islands
- West Point Island, a small island to the west of West Falkland
Go further south to South Georgia and then Antarctica, possibly on a cruise ship

Stanley (Falkland Islands) - capital of the Falkland Islands