What to do in San Telmo
What to do in San Telmo, a list with all the places you can’t miss in this traditional neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Considered the second oldest in the city and, despite its small size, it concentrates a large percentage of the traditional spirit of the Colonial city, with the mix produced by immigration and its diverse culture.
Traditions such as the Sunday fair continue, although you can visit the neighborhood any other day of the week and enjoy it equally. Obviously, the Fair gives it an extra charm!
An excellent plan is to join our San Telmo & Market Tour, to learn even more about the history and the most important sites of this beautiful neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Now yes, let’s start with the detail of What to do in San Telmo:
San Telmo Market
It is one of the few large markets that is still in operation. Originally from the end of the 19th century, it was built in 1897 thanks to the architect Buschiazzo. Its function, at that time, was to provide vegetables, fruits and food.
Its building has a huge structure of iron arches worth seeing. Currently, the market has become a mixture of food stalls such as greengrocers and butchers, among a variety of antique dealers since the residents of San Telmo began organizing the Antiques Fair in the 70s. Over the years, it began to become a varied gastronomic hub, very rich in offers of sandwich shops, cafes, grills and all the options of food at the bar and at the pace you can imagine.
Without a doubt, it is worth a visit, since you are going to love walking through it, paying attention to its details and even delighting your palate with something rich and traditional.
San Telmo Fair and Dorrego Square
As we told you above, the day of the Fair is Sunday par excellence. Initially, it was the idea of the architect Peña to rescue the neighborhood and keep its traditions alive, while creating a space to explore its details on one of the days known worldwide as rest and leisure.
Originated around Plaza Dorrego, one of the most famous in San Telmo, the second oldest in the city, with Plaza de Mayo at its head.
Every Sunday, lot of stalls are planted that offer a variety of artistic, antique and unique objects of the type you can imagine, for all tastes! Surrounded by picturesque and traditional buildings, with the characteristic colonial style of old Buenos Aires, which gives your walk a wonderful setting.
In the Plaza you will be able to admire many Tango dancers, as this neighborhood is also traditional in its music and art.
San Pedro González Telmo Church
Protector of sailors, this neighborhood took its name thanks to Saint Pedro González Telmo, to be baptized as “San Telmo”.
The church that bears his name is a few meters from Dorrego Square, and is one of the most beautiful churches in the city.
Originally built by the Jesuits, in a colonial style, covered between the 19th and 20th centuries with a Baroque-Iberian façade.
Inside, you will be able to observe endless paintings of the saints with the characteristic porteño filleting style.
Defense Passage and the Ezeiza Family House
Arriving towards Independence Avenue, on the famous Defensa street, this old mansion whose construction dates back to 1876 is located. It is one of the last residences of the Argentine aristocracy, which was built in the neighborhood during the time when many families of high purchasing power migrated to the Recoleta neighborhood. Here, the Ezeiza Family resided.
The place has lined patios, Italian style, iron columns and a cistern that is still standing today.
Listed as one of the most picturesque places in the neighborhood, it is the commercial gallery of Defense Passage, where you will find craft shops, antiques and clothing.
French Solar Gallery
If you are looking for a place to instagram good pictures, this is the place! A commercial promenade that is located in the Solar where Domingo French lived, hence its name.
Maintaining the old layout of this house, with consecutive patios full of flowers and plants, covered by a roof of colored umbrellas that provide an extra magic to the place, you will want to take photos of absolutely everything!
Minimal House
Known as the narrowest house in the city, it has only 2.5 meters of façade and is located in San Lorenzo Passage.
The legend of this place tells that it was the home of a freed slave, but, in reality, it is a subdivision of an older larger property, in small parcels.
Despite this history, it is a charming place to visit, given its curious physiognomy and the stories that can be invented about its origin.
Mafalda
At the intersection between Chile and Defensa streets, there is one of the characters created by Quino, most loved by all: Mafalda. The girl who does not like soup and who won the hearts of the whole world, is part of the well-known “Cartoon Ride”, a series of statues that recall the great characters of Argentine comics from the 60s and 70s .
When you see her, you will want to have your photo with her!
Lezama Park and the National Historical Museum
Originally, Lezama Park was the garden of José Gregorio Lezama’s house, donated to the city by his widow. In a romantic style, with roundabouts, statues, winding paths, an old amphitheater and many vases that adorn the place.
Here, you will find the monument in honor of Pedro de Mendoza, as well as the Russian Orthodox Church on Brasil Street, with its Muscovite style.
On the side of Defensa Street, there is the old house of Lezama with its Italian style, which currently houses the National Historical Museum, a must-see for those interested in the History of Argentina.
