One of the most remote “barrios” or neighborhoods in Buenos Aires is in fact, San Telmo. Take a walk through the narrow streets and look up to the grandiose antique buildings, it is truly a remarkable experience to take a walk here, as it is the same as making a journey through history and art.
You will not regret a single photo taken here. Even if it’s just a sidewalk or a romantic take of you walking in front of the camera towards an artsy, cozy café in the background.
In San Telmo, it is best to capture photos during the weekdays if you want to just showcase the overall feel of the neighborhood and its architecture. But, if you want to experience more movement, tango, and ferias, you need to come here during the day on Sundays. Surely you will come back to San Telmo for a second try.
Sunday Feria
Each Sunday of the week, you’ll see how San Telmo’s main street (Calle Defensa) awakens to the noises and movement of the Sunday feria, packed with quirky artisans, selling their crafts, vintage clothing, antiques, traditional knick-knacks. Take a walk through the Sunday Feria and just find many interesting shots to take of the people, objects and colorful stands selling objects you didn’t even imagine existed.
Antique Shops
San Telmo is a historic neighborhood, and thanks to this, you will find many antique stores hidden in between the narrow streets. Most of them, located in antique buildings and even terraces of such breath-taking constructions. Don’t be scared, go into them! Those open to the public, are perfect spots for some unique photos on the terraces or laid on the artsy doors and windows of an antique store or indoor vintage clothing ferias.
The San Telmo Market
During San Telmo’s Sunday Feria, you will surely discover the Mercado de San Telmo, which is an indoor ancient market built in the 19th century. Inside, it is huge. It gathers elements from traditional foods to fruits & vegetables, to antiques and creepy dolls, to stands with old (but well kept) imported designer clothing such as bags, hats, clothing, and jewels.
If you’re looking to get some interesting shots in between anything vintage, visit the San Telmo market for sure. This market is now a National Monument due to the historic significance it holds.
Tango in the Heart of San Telmo
Within Plaza Dorrego, you will find stories being told and danced to. This, to the beat of such a sensual and traditional dance which is Tango. Picture this: Surrounding the quirky stalls and found in the heart of San Telmo is a plaza (Plaza Dorrego) where you can watch couples dancing Tango to the most iconic and traditional songs of Argentina. It will transport you. In this area, even smaller bars or cafés hire their own professional tango dancers and mount stages for spectacular performances. Photos here are marvelous.
Bar Plaza Dorrego
Located in one of the corners of Plaza Dorrego, discover one of the most iconic cafés in the city, the Bar Plaza Dorrego. It is way more than just a café, it is museum-like bar holds Buenos Aires’ history in its walls and all through the decoration, from the chairs to the vintage covered walls, to the playing of tango as ambient music.
Truly a conceptual bar, decorated with only elements found in Buenos Aires, in colors, dark wooden tables, old fashioned bars and walls covered in tango memorabilia. Enter and capture Bar Plaza Dorrego and take a trip into the 1920’s European Immigrant Buenos Aires.
