San Telmo is largely known as the most picturesque part of Buenos Aires because it combines cobblestone streets with colonial buildings. It is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and this is reflected in its XIXth and XXth century architecture. San Telmo used to a residential district during the Colonial period until the yellow fever epidemic in 1871 forced the upper classes to move to what is now The Recoleta neighborhood. Over the last years, San Telmo has again become fashionable as more people, primary artists and professionals have chosen to live, which has not deprived the area of its charming old-town atmosphere.

San Telmo is the traditional neighborhood where a great variety of shops and boutiques invites you to buy traditional Argentine products as well as very valuable collectible and rare objects. Sculptures, chandeliers, toys, jewels, silverware, bronze ivory objects, furniture, mirrors, arms and paintings are only a few of the many things that are on sale.

Just like in many top international cities, Buenos Aires has the most important antiques fair in South America as its main attraction. So, if you love antiques and vintage products you should go to San Telmo’s market which for the last 35 has been attracting visitors at Dorrego Square, between Defensa and Humberto 1º streets every Sunday from 10am to 5pm where dozens of booths sell almost everything. Similar markets operates on Pasaje Giuffra where handicraft stalls line Defensa and Humberto I streets and still another functions in Parque Lezama on Saturdays and Sundays where books, handicrafts, hand-made shoes, clothes can be bought.

Obviously, the antiques are not only sold in the market in Dorrego square. There are hundreds of antique shops in San Telmo having in common the tightly packed, overfilled premises, typical of this trade. They range from big establishments with impressively stocked windows fronting, mainly, onto Defensa and nearby streets, to tiny stores grouped along the various picturesque courtyard malls.

Another San Telmo's attraction includes its local old church, San Pedro Telmo built by the Jesuits in 1733.

A long the streets of Sant Telmo you can take a break in one of the many lively cafes and enjoy tango music and dance performances.

El Viejo Almacén -The Old Grocery Store. It is situated on Balcarce and Defensa Street. It used to be a grocery store and then a winery. Nowadays it is a restaurant that offers both local and international food as well as traditional tango shows with some of the city's best musicians. A fantastic place to enjoy tango.

On 1600 Defensa Street you can visit the National Historical Museum which shows Argentina’s history from the XVIth century to the beginning of the current century.

San Telmo is full of gastronomic options, ranging from a wide range of sidewalk, pizzerias, cafés, snack bars to restaurants, home-delivery services, take-outs, pasta shops and typical Argentine restaurants, parrillas, specialized in grilled beef.