On a Sunday in Buenos Aires? Then be sure to visit the San Telmo Fair, known in Spanish as Feria de San Telmo. It’s a weekly fair stretching from Plaza de Mayo, where the presidential palace is located, all the way to the heart of San Telmo. Spanning 1.5 km (almost one mile), this vibrant street is filled with handcrafted gadgets and is the perfect place to find antiques. In this post, I share my tips on the iconic Sunday fair in Buenos Aires and where to start your visit.
| My Quick Recommendations for your travel to Buenos Aires!๐ ๐ก Find the Best and Most Affordable Stays in Buenos Aires here! ๐ Rental Car: The top Argentina & Budget companies are listed on this page. ๐ฑ Connect: Stay connected, and get a 5% automatic discount, with the Argentina eSim! ๐ The Best tango show ticket prices available in Buenos Aires. |
Feria de San Telmo Opening Hours
The opening hours of the Feria de San Telmo are Sundays, all year round, even on holidays or rainy days, from 10:00 AM to 17:00 (05:00 PM). Want to avoid big crowds? Then, go in the morning between 10:00 and 11:00 or in the evening, about an hour before it ends.
However, the best time to visit the San Telmo Fair is around midday. Have lunch at the San Telmo Market (Mercado de San Telmo) and then take a stroll through the charming cobblestone streets. Around 13:00, many street artists begin their performances.
Where is the Feria de San Telmo?
The Sunday Fair in Buenos Aires stretches along the entire length of Calle Defensa (link to Google Maps). The street begins (or ends, depending on where you start) at Plaza de Mayo and extends all the way to Avenida San Juan, near the Museo Moderno.
The best way to get there is by subway, as you can pay for your ticket contactless with your credit card at the station. If you’re coming from Palermo or Recoleta, take subway line D to the final station, Catedral. If you’re staying in Puerto Madero or the city center, it’s best to walk. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Want to learn more about getting around Buenos Aires easily? Check out this post.
If you’re taking a taxi, I recommend telling the driver: “Avenida San Juan y Defensa.” This way, you’ll start at the beginning of the fair and can walk all the way up. If you simply say “Feria San Telmo,” they may drop you off somewhere in the middle. A full “taxi guide in Buenos Aires” and how to avoid scams, you can read here.
What is the Sunday Fair in Buenos Aires?
Let me start with a bit of history. Back in the 1970s, San Telmo was known as the “forgotten” neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Many colonial buildings were abandoned and left in decay. This was quite a contrast to its past, San Telmo was once the wealthiest neighborhood in the city until the yellow fever outbreak in 1871 forced wealthy families to relocate to Recoleta and other northern districts.
In 1970, historian Josรฉ Marรญa Peรฑa launched the San Telmo Antique Fair in Plaza Dorrego, bringing new life to the area. Even today, Plaza Dorrego remains the go-to spot for antique hunting. Over the years, the fair expanded, and now more than 270 stalls showcase a mix of handcrafted goods and antiques. Youโll find handmade shoes, bags, clothing, and other creative artisanal products.
Find your way quickly on the San Telmo Fair and secrets places
The San Telmo Fair is divided into two sections. You find the antique stalls around Plaza Dorrego and extending up to Avenida San Juan. But between San Telmo Market and Avenida Independencia, you wonโt find any stalls. This gap exists due to a long-standing dispute between store owners. They claim that market stalls blocked access and visibility to their businesses. Instead, this stretch of the fair is filled with street performers, including tango dancers and musicians, adding to the lively atmosphere.
For a more immersive experience, explore the side streets like Pasaje Giuffra or San Lorenzo, where you’ll find hidden gems like Casa Mรญnima, the smallest house in Buenos Aires, definitely worth a visit! These quieter streets also host a handful of artisan stalls offering beautifully crafted goods. If you have some spare time, check out the hidden underground tunnels of San Telmo at El Zanjรณn de Granados. A really interesting guided tour. More info here.
From Avenida Independencia up to Plaza de Mayo, the traditional fair resumes, featuring the iconic stalls often seen in Instagram photos. A perfect spot for capturing the essence of San Telmo.
Blue – Side street fairs
Orange – Handcraft goods fair
How do you pay at the fair?
Cash is always king in Argentina. Bring some Argentine pesos or foreign currency with you. But if you donโt want the hassle of carrying cash, donโt worry; youโre still covered. Many street vendors accept credit cards. Look for the “MercadoPago” logo on their stand, and youโll be able to pay with your card.
Wondering where to best exchange money in Buenos Aires or get the Dollar Blue rate? Check out my post about the best places to exchange your money in Argentina.
Do you need to negotiate prices? Thatโs not common at the fair. However, you might get a discount if you pay in cash.
My favourite tip about San Telmo
Do you really want to enjoy the Buenos Aires vibe? Book your stay in San Telmo! I can truly recommend it. Waking up on Sunday morning with the fair near you is just great. Going for a coffee around the corner at Nica’s and start to explore the fair.
Looking for the best places to stay in San Telmo? Iโve got you covered! Check out my post on the best hotels in San Telmo and pick your favorite. By the way, San Telmo is also the perfect centrally located neighborhood, putting you within walking distance of Buenos Aires’ main highlights.
