Feria de San Telmo

Location:
Plaza Dorrego
San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

City Walk

By Andrew Behrendt

Put on a smile and head to San Telmo on Sundays for the festivities of the feria, a neighborhood-wide flea market offering antiques, artesanias and good times for all. Stroll down the cobblestone of Calle Defensa between Parque Lezama and Avenida Belgrano, and awaken all of your senses in one of Buenos Aires’ most cultural and historic neighborhoods. Along the way, anchor yourself in the rhythms of a twenty-piece percussion band parading through the fair, or swoon with the softly emanating sounds of tango classics, produced by young and old admirers alike. Foot traffic is the only traffic in Plaza Dorrego, where rickety stalls overflow with antiques and outdoor seating provides constant diversion for the most avid of people watchers.

The verve continues down numerous side streets dedicated to the proliferation of art, while street performers entertain the masses en route; the puppeteers are particularly captivating, though all brands of buskers can be found. Continue down Defensa, idling at street vendor stations selling homemade jewelry, leatherwork and used books. Enjoy some of the city’s infamous ice cream as you walk, and be sure to step into any number of designer shops and art galleries along the way. End the evening back in the plaza, watching the fluidity of the tango as you while away the remainder of your weekend. Salud!

Travel Skills: None

Traveler Reviews of Feria de San Telmo

A wonderful taste of BA

Rating: 100%

I lived in San Telmo for about a month and always looked forward to the Sunday markets. The street performers, tango dancers, vendors peddling everything from antique bottles to underwear... All of it was a vibrant slice of life in Buenos Aires.

By V!VA User from New York, Feb 11, 2008