San Telmo essential free tour: Tango: History and legends, markets and museums

Discover the identity of Buenos Aires and its old-world charm led by a passionate local guide with strong historical knowledge and clear, fluent English. We will meet at 400 Adolfo Alsina Street (please check with another map in addition to the app map) on the corner of the Basilica San Francisco de Asis, see the oldest pharmacy in Buenos Aires, and then at the door of the Santo Domingo convent, we will talk about the British invasions.

From there, we will walk to the statue of Mafalda and, if the line is not too long, we will take the famous photo.

The next stop is “la casa mínima” (the smallest house), which is the smallest house museum in Buenos Aires, but not before stopping at the Zanjón de Granados, another museum where you can explore the underground tunnels of San Telmo. Here we will begin the tango chapter of this tour, passing by the iconic tango bars, “Michelangelo” and “El Viejo Almacén.” This will be our stop to talk about the history of tango and the legends of San Telmo, as this is where this wonderful dance was born. The mystique of tango lives and breathes in San Telmo. If you haven't decided which tango show to see, I can show you different options.

Returning to Defensa Street, our next stop is the famous “Mercado de San Telmo” (San Telmo Market). There we will see different stalls selling antiques, food, drinks, and regional items. We will be able to taste the delicious dulce de leche.

Then we will arrive at the famous square where we will also take some time to see the market and, perhaps, if we are lucky, we will be able to see street tango dancing.

We will stop to see the beautiful San Pedro Telmo Church and Penitentiary Museum (former Women's Prison).

The next stop will be the “Casa Ezeiza,” the famous “casa chorizo” open-air museum where you can explore antiques while I share with you the history of European immigration to Argentina during the 19th and 20th centuries and imagine how the first steps of tango were taken.

We will walk a little further until we reach the beautiful Lezama Park, where Buenos Aires was first founded, and finally we will say goodbye at the door of the incredible National Historical Museum.

My goal is not only for you to have a great time walking around this incredible neighborhood, but also for you to feel free to ask any questions about the city, what to do, where to shop, and the nightlife.

Sundays are a very special day, as San Telmo hosts a giant open-air market that runs throughout the neighborhood. It is definitely a day not to be missed when visiting this beautiful and historic part of the city.

I want to help you make the most of your visit to Buenos Aires, the city that never sleeps.

Note: San Telmo is a neighborhood full of tango, it is not uncommon to find dancers giving small performances for tourists, where you can even film them and, what's more, they may want to teach you a few steps. For this reason, it is important to give them a small tip as a token of appreciation and respect for their art.

NO debit card. Only cash or Paypal (5% charge)

Basilica San Francisco de Asis

La Estrella Pharmacy

Convent of Santo Domingo

Statue of Mafalda

Casa Mínima

Zanjon de Granados Museum

Viejo Almacén tango bar

San Telmo Market

Argentine Penitentiary Museum

Church of San Pedro Telmo

Casa Ezeiza

Museum of Modern Art