Like La Boca, the central barrio of San Telmo is one of Buenos Aires’ tango haunts.
Formerly an up-market residential area, the area’s crumbling mansions and atmosphere of faded glory form the perfect backdrop for the city’s artists and musicians who now call this inner-city enclave home.
Visit on Sundays to browse the enormous Plaza Dorrego antiques fair, clap along to the tango buskers and relax with a drink at one of the surrounding cafes.
The streets here are picturesquely cobbled, and the fascinating little shops are well worth a browse. Visit San Telmo at night to take in a tango show in one of the area’s many clubs.
San Telmo is six blocks south of the main city square, Plaza de Mayo. It’s a few streets north of La Boca.
The closest metro stations are Independencia and San Juan, a few streets to the west near Avenue 9 de Julio.
