Argentina
Best of Buenos Aires 3-Day Walking Tours
La Boca Shared Walking Tour · Recoleta Cemetery Shared Walking Tour · Palermo Graffiti Shared Walking Tour
From
US$39
≈ €33 · billed in US$ ≈ £29 · billed in US$ per person
In short
San Telmo is the oldest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires: cobbled streets, an 1897 covered market, antique shops and the tango halls locals actually use. Sunday is the fair on Defensa street; every other day it is quieter and better. Half a day covers it, which is why it pairs with Caminito.
The neighbourhood was the city's wealthy quarter until the 1871 yellow fever epidemic pushed those families north to Recoleta. What they left behind — colonial houses turned into conventillos, then into antique shops and studios — is why San Telmo looks nothing like the rest of the centre.
The Mercado de San Telmo, built in 1897, still works as a market: produce stalls, a butcher, and a dozen small kitchens that have made it the best cheap lunch in the city.
And it is the tango neighbourhood — not the arena shows, but small halls with a live orchestra where the dance floor is the point and dinner is not an afterthought.
What San Telmo is known for
- Mercado de San Telmo, 1897, still a working market
- The Sunday antiques fair down Defensa to Plaza Dorrego
- Tango halls with live orchestras and a real dance floor
- Colonial houses and cobbles from before the 1871 epidemic
- Ten minutes on foot from Plaza de Mayo
Practical detail
- Best day
- Sunday for the fair, any other day for the neighbourhood
- How long
- Half a day, or an evening for tango
- Where
- South of Plaza de Mayo, along Defensa
- Combines with
- Plaza de Mayo, La Boca and Caminito
What a trip to San Telmo costs
Per person, including hotels, transfers and the guided days each trip lists. International flights are never included.
Argentina
3-Day Buenos Aires Budget Tour Package
Buenos Aires
From
US$140
≈ €120 · billed in US$ ≈ £103 · billed in US$ per person
Argentina
Best of Buenos Aires 3 Day Tour Pakcage
Buenos Aires
From
US$425
≈ €364 · billed in US$ ≈ £312 · billed in US$ per person
Argentina
Buenos Aires Traditional 5 day tour package
Buenos Aires
From
US$535
≈ €459 · billed in US$ ≈ £392 · billed in US$ per person
Argentina
Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls 9 Day Tour Package
Buenos Aires
From
US$1,957
≈ €1,678 · billed in US$ ≈ £1,435 · billed in US$ per person
Argentina
Buenos Aires & Mendoza 9 Day Tour Package
Buenos Aires
From
US$2,107
≈ €1,806 · billed in US$ ≈ £1,545 · billed in US$ per person
| Package | Length | Price p/p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best of Buenos Aires 3-Day Walking Tours | 3 days | US$39 | Book |
| 3-Day Buenos Aires Budget Tour Package | 3 days | US$140 | Book |
| Best of Buenos Aires 3 Day Tour Pakcage | 3 days | US$425 | Book |
| Buenos Aires Traditional 5 day tour package | 5 days | US$535 | Book |
| Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls 9 Day Tour Package | 9 days | US$1,957 | Book |
| Buenos Aires & Mendoza 9 Day Tour Package | 9 days | US$2,107 | Book |
No package matches that search.
Frequently asked
Is the San Telmo fair worth it?
On a Sunday, Defensa street closes for about ten blocks of antiques, crafts and street tango. It is crowded and it is the single busiest tourist moment in Buenos Aires — worth it once, but the neighbourhood is better on a Tuesday.
Where should you see tango in Buenos Aires?
San Telmo, in a small hall with a live orchestra rather than a stadium show. The difference is a dance floor people actually use and dinner that was cooked rather than plated.
Is San Telmo safe?
By day and in the evening on the main streets, yes, with normal city sense. Keep your phone away on the crowded Sunday fair, which is where the pickpockets work.