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!
Photos of the San Telmo Market
One of our favorite things to do was to grab a drink at one of the many bars along Defensa…& then people-watch!
Beautiful turquoise glassware on display in Plaza Dorrego ~ the heart of San Telmo.
Exploring the San Telmo Market in Buenos Aires
Admire Buenos Aires’ beautiful old buildings while walking the streets of San Telmo…
Make sure to linger in the afternoon at Plaza Dorrego…for free, outdoor tango exhibitions.
Plaza Dorrego.
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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