The main square is the obvious starting point for any walk around Rio Gallegos. It's a tidy rectangle of clipped grass and benches flanked by the cathedral, the government buildings, and a parade of low commercial blocks. On a calm day it fills up with families and dog walkers; on a windy one — which is most days — it empties fast.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Luján rises on the south side, a modest brick structure with twin towers and a striking blue-tiled facade. The interior is plain. Around the square you'll find most of the town's reasonable cafes and the tourist information office, which is worth a stop for the latest news on Cabo Vírgenes road conditions.