Stanley (Falkland Islands)

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.

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.

Arrivals to Stanley either come by boat or from the airport. Most large cruise ships will discharge their passengers by tenders (the lifeboats) near the centre of town and allow passengers time to roam the city and possibly take trips by vehicle to nearby wildlife sites.
When arriving by air, passengers will come in from Mount Pleasant airport (MPN), which is located 56 km from town. As of 2016 LATAM flies there from Santiago de Chile, Punta Arenas and Rio Gallegos and the Royal Air Force also takes passengers on their flights from Brize Norton, Oxfordshire via Ascension. Taxis and a shuttle bus can drop passengers off anywhere within the town.

• Port Stanley AirportSmaller than Mount Pleasant airport but just outside of town is used for domestic flights by Falkland Islands Government Air Service, although it is possible to land on an international flight at Mount Pleasant airport and then take a domestic flight to Stanley.

• Penguin Travel Airport Transfers

  phone: +500 27630
  Airport transfers between Stanley and Mount Pleasant to connect with RAF and LAN flights, which must be booked 24 hours in advance. Also operate island tours.

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

  phone: +500 51126

• Town Taxis

  phone: +500 52900

• The Jetty Visitor CentreInformation centre and shop.

• The Falkland Islands Museum

  phone: +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 CathedralThis 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.

• St. Mary's Church

  address: 12 Ross rd
  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.

• Government houseThe 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 the explorer Shackleton stayed during his Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This is the private home of the governor.

• 1982 memorialFalklands War memorial, erected to the memory of the British troops. There are several other Falkland War memorials around the town.

• 1982 Memorial Wood

  address: Watson Way
  A wood planted by the local scouts. Each tree represents a British serviceman killed in the 1982 conflict.

• Stanley CemeteryThe final resting place for islanders who died in both World Wars and British Falklands War casualties. Also features a war memorial.

• Gypsy CoveA 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 MemorialA 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.

• Stanley Leisure CentreThe 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.

• Stanley MarathonRun 26 miles, 385 yards (42km), in this annual event, the most southerly marathon - advance entry required.

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

  address: Dean St
  Open seven days a week and offering food (including Waitrose products from the UK), toiletries, phone cards, and other essentials.

• Capstan Gift Shop

  address: Ross Rd
  Located across from the West Store, offers all manner of Falkland Islands gifts.

• Philatelic Bureau

  address: Ross Rd
  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 British telephone booths outside is a sight in itself.

• Standard Chartered Bank

  address: Ross Road, FIQQ 1ZZ

• Seafood Chandlery

  address: Chandlery Estate, Airport Road
  Supermarket on the edge of town.

• Malvina House Hotel

  phone: +500 21355
  address: 3 Ross Rd
  Dinner reservations may be required, especially during weekends.

• Shorty's Diner

  phone: +500 22855
  address: Davis St East
  Chargrilled burgers, steaks, curries, local fish and chips, local organic produce, homemade desserts. Also has an adjoining motel.

• Tasty Treats

  address: John Street
  Snack bar and bakery serving breakfast, fast food and snacks.

• Woodbine Cafe

  phone: +500 21002
  address: 29 Fitzroy Rd
  Fish & chip shop, also offering pizzas, burgers, chicken, empanadas, and a selection of beers.

• Deano's Bar

  address: 40 John Street
  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.

• Globe Tavern

  phone: +500 22703
  address: Crozier Pl
  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

  phone: +500 21199
  address: 1A Philomel Hill
  Beer as well as hot food.

• The Narrows Bar

  address: 39 Ross Road
  Pub and restaurant.

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

  phone: +500 21071
  address: 14 Drury St
  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.

• Malvina House Hotel

  phone: +500 21355
  address: 3 Ross Rd
  Top-end accommodation including sauna room. Accepts credit cards.

• Lookout Lodge

  phone: +500 22834
  address: Keil Canal Road
  Accommodation mainly for groups. Also has the Chandlery restaurant.

• Waterfront Hotel

  phone: +500 21462
  address: 36 Ross rd
  Upscale hotel with 8 rooms. Rooms are equipped with TV and WLAN (separate fee charged for use), the cheaper rooms have shared bathroom.

During 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 those who lived through that event.

• . Home to a small colony of Gentoo and King penguins, as well as several Magellanic penguins.
• . 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, 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