San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Favorite thing: Plaza Dorrego, in the historic San Telmo district, is the focal point of activities for this part of the city. It was a grey Tuesday, with intermittent showers, when we finally made it this far, so the square was not very busy.

Although the plaza is normally a quiet place for having lunch during weekdays, on Sundays, nearby streets are blocked off and the square comes alive with street-fair activity. Numerous stalls will have been set up to cater to the throngs of locals and tourists providing shopping opportunities for antiques and trinkets of all sorts. In addition, it is reported that puppeteers, musicians and street performers of all sorts put on a great show for the crowds!

Fondest memory: The cobblestone streets in this part of the city, and the historic 'preserved' buildings of San Telmo, once the spot where the rich lived, lend great atmosphere to Plaza Dorrego. We enjoyed a great pub lunch at one of the pubs surrounding the Plaza (see Restaurant tips).

Favorite thing: On your way between Monserrat and San Telmo and slightly towards Puerto Madero is the ultra tiny neighborhood of San Telmo Chico. I add this tip not so much because I think San Telmo chico is so wonderful, but to me it represents all of the wonderful little neighborhoods that are hidden in out of the way streets that the tourists never get to see. And as I got further towards the end of my trip, San Telmo Chico was like a beacon for me; a reminder that Buenos Aries has so much more to offer than just Recoleta, La Boca and all of the rest. I suggest (and I hope to follow my own advice next trip) that you take a walk down some random streets and just explore the real hidden beauty that exists in Bs As. And this is a good example.

Favorite thing: It's not a bad idea to begin your visit to San Telmo by starting in the Monserrat neighborhood. You can see some old churches and historical buildings, such as the Manzana de las Luces. And then walk all of the way up Defensa, slowly making your way through the San Telmo neighborhood. Try to go on a Sunday when the street market (La Feria De Plaza Dorrego) is in full swing. You'll find plenty of street performers (such as Carlito below) as well as antiques and collectables of all sorts. In the evening, one of the best steak houses in all of Buenos Aires is serving a Bife de Lomo for prices that will make you cry tears of happiness...really!! El Des Nivel is located Defensa 885, but be prepared for a line!

Favorite thing: If you are in Buenos Aires on a Sunday morning and are a fan of flea markets you might as well visit the Flea Market of Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo as all the shops in Florida is porbably still closed. Plaza Dorrego is at the corner of Defensa and Humberto (see Map on the left of the word San Telmo). If you missed a tango performance in Florida you'd probably catch it here. Pictured on the left again is police watching over tourist and citizens. Many cafes line the outskirts. Barely visible but behind, a woman prepares for a tango performance.

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Favorite thing: On sundays there is a feire there that you can't miss!!

Los domingos hay una feria que no te podes perder!!

Favorite thing: This for me was my favorite neighborhood San Telmo with its cobblestone streets and little cafes and shops. It kind of reminded me of Old Havana.

Favorite thing: San Telmo flea market - Sundays. You can even buy Russian matryoshkas and hats like this guy is selling.