On Sundays, San Telmo’s main drag is closed to traffic and the street is a sea of both locals and tourists browsing market stalls and soaking up the atmosphere of San Telmo’s biggest day of the week. There’s music, street performers, hundreds of stallholders and plenty of spots to stop for snacks and people watching along the way.
The Market
It started in 1970 as an antiques fair but today you’ll find all manner of items, mostly focused on hand-crafted objects. There's everything from art and crafts to souvenirs, jewelry, leather pieces and vintage clothing – plan to spend the day because it is 1.5kms of road to stroll and shop.
The antique and collectable stallholders are centered around Plaza Dorrego. You’ll find other arms of the market that lead off from Defensa, like the artists market on Humberto Primero and the indigenous crafts market on the other side of Av San Juan.
Plaza Dorrego
Plaza Dorrego is the city’s second-oldest plaza and was originally a pit stop for caravans bringing supplies into the city from around Argentina. At the turn of the 19th century, it became a public square surrounding by colonial buildings which survive to this day.
During the week it is a peaceful and shady spot with plenty of seating (for the surrounding restaurants) so you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere. There are often tango students dancing here for tips and a few hippie street vendors which only adds to the relaxed vibe.
