The Falklands reward travellers who are willing to go beyond Stanley. The capital is pleasant enough, but the real draw is out in the countryside and on the outer islands.
Volunteer Point on East Falkland holds the largest king penguin colony on the islands — more than a thousand birds — alongside gentoo and magellanic penguins. Getting there requires a four-wheel-drive journey across private farmland; most visitors go with a guided day trip from Stanley. It is one of the finest wildlife experiences in the South Atlantic.
Saunders Island, off the northwest tip of West Falkland, packs an extraordinary amount of wildlife into a small area. You'll find black-browed albatross nesting alongside rockhopper and gentoo penguins, king penguins, and Magellanic penguins, all within walking distance of each other. The island is privately owned and has a small lodge.
West Point Island, also in the northwest, is one of the most accessible places to see albatross colonies. Around 2,000 pairs of black-browed albatross nest alongside rockhopper penguins on dramatic clifftops. Cruise ship passengers often visit on day excursions.
Sea Lion Island, at the southern tip of East Falkland, is small and can only be reached by FIGAS. It has some of the best wildlife density on the islands — elephant seals, sea lions, five species of penguin, and excellent birding — and a well-regarded lodge.
Stanley itself has a handful of sights worth half a day: the colourful corrugated-iron houses, the Cathedral (the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world), the historic wrecks in the harbour, and the 1982 war memorials. The Falkland Islands Museum on Ross Road covers the islands' history well.