Exploring the San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires!
When it comes to exploring the San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires ~ also known as the San Telmo Feria, this is an adventure we stumbled right into because of our hotel choice. We checked into the Moreno Hotel on a Saturday, & woke up to absolute pandemonium Sunday morning! Because the hotel is located one block from Calle Defensa…& Defensa is THE main drag for the San Telmo Market. The street closes off to auto traffic, & vendor after vendor started setting up. Within an hour, there were literally thousands of people there!
Here, I’ll give you plenty of info about the San Telmo Market ~ along with my best tips for enjoying your day there.
Let’s go to Buenos Aires!

Welcome to the colorful, cobble-stoned streets of San Telmo!
Map of San Telmo Market
The map below highlights two popular destinations in Buenos Aires ~ Plaza de Mayo (a huge, central landmark), & the smaller, more quaint Plaza Dorrego, which is located right in the heart of San Telmo. Calle Defensa takes you from Plaza de Mayo down to Plaza Dorrego, & this is the route you’ll take when walking the San Telmo Market.
Plaza de Mayo
Plaza Dorrego
Quick Facts About the San Telmo Market
- Location: About 15 blocks along Calle Defensa, in the heart of San Telmo, starting by Plaza de Mayo & heading south to Plaza Dorrego. A few streets have off-shoots with vendors, but Defensa is the “main drag.”
- When: Every Sunday, weather permitting (if it’s raining, many vendors won’t set up). The San Telmo Fair should not be confused with the “San Telmo Mercado,” which is a brick-and-mortar establishment open every day of the week.
- San Telmo Market Hours: Approx. 10AM – 6PM (it’s busiest from 12-4PM).
- What Can You Buy? Antiques, old records, clothing, leather goods, journals, books, souvenirs, hand crafts, basically…anything you can think of! Most items have a Bohemian flair, much like the neighborhood of San Telmo itself.
- Best Tips for Enjoying San Telmo Fair: Bring plenty of cash! Wear comfortable, flat shoes (the cobble-stoned streets can be tricky in heels). Stop for a drink at one of the many bars along Calle Defensa & enjoy amazing people-watching. Make sure to stay for the late afternoon tango shows in Plaza Dorrego ~ they’re fantastic! And possibly take a taxi from Plaza Dorrego down to Caminito Street in La Boca (south of San Telmo), for more daytime tango shows & fun outdoor restaurants.
- What to Do After Visiting the San Telmo Market: Walk a few streets over to trendy Puerto Madero, & grab dinner overlooking the waterfront. Or head south to La Boca (if it’s before 7PM) to watch tango in the streets. Or, stay right in San Telmo & grab some famous Argentinian steak at a neighborhood bar, followed by watching jazz at the Bebop Club!
Exploring the San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires
Finally, a word on accommodations in Buenos Aires: many travelers choose to stay in trendy Palermo ~ which is definitely a great choice for high-end shopping, nightlife, & restaurants. But personally, I found that San Telmo better reflected the “real” Buenos Aires, with its richer sense of history & quaint streets…not to mention: more locals & less tourists.
I LOVED my time spent in San Telmo, & recommend it for those seeking a more authentic Buenos Aires experience!
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