San Telmo - Buenos Aires - page 187

Neighborhood Top Five
Jostling with fellow shoppers at the Sunday Feria de San Telmo , where vendors sell
all manner of goods, and buskers and tango dancers compete for your spare change.
Taking a break in peaceful Plaza Dorrego - when it's not a Sunday.
Exploring the reconstructed tunnels at El Zanjón de Granados .
Visiting the Museo Histórico Nacional at historic Parque Lezama.
Strolling cobbled streets and taking in old-time atmosphere at places like Pasaje de la
Defensa .
Explore: San Telmo
Two central thoroughfares in this barrio are Balcarce and Defensa; they're where you'll
find most things of interest to travelers.
Everyone is drawn to Plaza Dorrego, the heart and soul of San Telmo. It's a nice leafy
place to snag an outdoor table under an umbrella and have a coffee or full meal (though
on Sundays the feria takes over and tables disappear). Sometimes tango dancers provide
entertainment for a few pesos, though you can also be hassled for spare change by beggars
or asked to buy items by roving vendors. Keep a good hold of your bag, just in case.
Generally everything of interest is reachable by walking in this neighborhood. From
Plaza Dorrego you can stroll up or down the main drag of Defensa, window-shopping for
pricey antiques or trendy new trinkets along the way. Several museums are also on or just
off this street. If you head south, you'll hit Parque Lezama, a local park where families
hang out at the playground and lovers smooch on benches. Heading north, you can be in
the Plaza de Mayo area in 15 minutes.
The adventurous can walk further south down busy Av Almirante Brown to La Boca
(note: this will take you along the gritty edges of this blue-collar neighborhood).