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Experience The Essence of Buenos Aires in San Telmo

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
  • Group discounts
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

The colorful Buenos Aires district of San Telmo is at the very heart of the city's identity. Discover the history of the barrio, as well as its thriving contemporary culture, on this small-group tour. You'll admire its elegant architecture, browse its bustling market, discover its culinary and craft beer scene, and meet locals and hear their stories of local life.
  • Get a local's insider perspective on San Telmo, Buenos Aires
  • Small-group tour (maximum eight): A more personalized experience
  • Sample local dishes and craft beers around San Telmo
  • Discover the history of a thriving Buenos Aires barrio

What's Included

  • Snacks
    Empanadas, choripan or similar Argentine food snack + a drink.
  • Alcoholic Beverages
    Craft beer round, wine, soda drinks, water.

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • Parque Lezama
      Brasil, C1143 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

      Brasil and Defensa St. corner. Look for the big black statue.

    End point

    • Estatua de Mafalda
      9JMH+J8W, Defensa 700, C1065 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

      Mafalda's Statue, Argentine Cartoon's path of fame.

    Itinerary

    1

    Plaza Dorrego

    15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

    2

    Parque Lezama

    15 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

    3

    Mercado San Telmo

    40 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

    4

    Mafalda Statue

    10 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

    5

    El Zanjón de Granados

    10 minutesAdmission Ticket Not Included

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Most travelers can participate
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Reviews

    4.8
    based on 52 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Not worth the price

    Alison_L, Nov 2025
    While our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, we didn't get any drinks/snacks or entrance to some of the places that the tour listed. This tour was VERY expensive for what it was.

    Fun afternoon

    JULIE_R, Feb 2025
    Very friendly cool guide that felt like hanging out with an old friend. Interesting walking tour of San Telmo with some off the beaten path discoveries. Wish we had another day in town to go back and browse more

    Great tour!

    Craig_D, Jan 2025
    Rafa was a great guide and delivered an excellent tour of BA. He prob interesting historical and cultural commentary during our time with him, and he went out of his way to help us find a couple things to bring back home.

    Response from Host, Feb 2025

    Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that Rafa provided an excellent tour and went the extra mile to make your experience in Buenos Aires unforgettable. We hope to see you again soon!

    Great tour

    Martin_D, Feb 2024
    great half day tour of an amazing area of Buenos Aires. Ludmila was a great guide, and very enthousiastic about her city. San Telmo market is not to be skipped.

    Response from Host, Mar 2024

    Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your half-day tour of Buenos Aires with Ludmila as your guide. It sounds like she truly made the experience memorable with her enthusiasm for the city. San Telmo market is indeed a highlight, and we're glad you found it to be an unmissable part of the tour. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!

    Laura is the best!

    Elizabeth_P, Feb 2024
    We had an amazing time with Laura! She was so knowledgable and enthusiastic about Sen Telmo. And Laura took us to the best empanadas vendor! The best we ever ate. Thanks so much and HIGHLY recommend.

    Response from Host, Feb 2024

    Dear Elizabeth, thank you for sharing your experience! We are really glad that you enjoyed not only your host but the empanadas! Hope to see you back again soon!

    A great afternoon

    Phil_L, Jan 2024
    This was a great way to explore another great part of Buenos Aires! Santiago was great! He was knowledgable, patient and welcoming!

    Response from Host, Feb 2024

    Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Hope to seeing you very soon!

    Great cultural tour of San Telmo

    Richard_W, Feb 2023
    Francisco was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and eager to inform and answer questions. Also very personable and patient. Great tour for those who like to immerse themselves in the local culture including art, food and architecture.

    San Telmo Walking Tour With A Local

    DarleneS_I, Feb 2023
    Stephanie was waiting for me outside my hotel ahead of time. We took a taxi that was included & paid for by the tour company to San Telmo. We started at a park where she explained sites along with their history. We went to walk through a restaurant that had vintage motorcycles, race cars, & other items from the past. It was a weekend so there were many street markets. When I wanted to buy an item at the markets, she translated for me. She explained the history of various sites & buildings we walked past. We went inside a market where I had the best empanada I ever had & was included in the tour price. I also learned about life in Buenos Aires.

    Response from Host, Feb 2023

    Darlene, Thank you very much for your comments, it makes us very happy that you had a great time. Come back soon!

    Loved San Telmo!

    Beverly_P, Dec 2022
    Sebastian did a wonderful job of showing us around San Telmo and explaining about the area. Especially enjoyed the empanadas at the lively San Telmo Market, and seeing the streets full of people shopping on Sunday, along Calle Defensa. Sebastian made the experience comfortable, like a good friend showing us San Telmo. This area is definitely worth a visit!

    Response from Host, Dec 2022

    Thanks for coming Beverly, I'm glad you had a great time!

    Excellent tour of San Telmo!

    Robert_S, Mar 2022
    Jorge was a great guide! He was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept things interesting! His commentary added a lot to all of the areas we visited during the tour.

    Happy Tourists from Washington DC

    etheobalds, Jan 2020
    I'm not always happy about private tours (only because I also enjoy other tourists on small group tours) but Juan was very engaging and made the tour very interesting. He is enthusiastic about history and gave us some really interesting facts about the San Telmo church, the San Telmo Sunday vintage fair and a helpful timeline about historical developments/changes in and around the area. I liked how he has a rapport with the owners of the stops we made at historical stops and for food on the tour and what was most notable is that they were family owned businesses. When I travel, I love to support local businesses, and Juan’s travels did that! My only thought to improve the tour is to make sure expectations are met about the timing of food stops (i.e., whether the food stops are early, intermittent or later - so we can prepare to eat). I totally recommend this tour because it takes us to places and fills in historical information that we would have overlooked during a stay in Buenos Aires! My sister lives in BA and Juan pointed out some places she had not seen before. Thanks, Juan!!

    Response from Host, Jan 2020

    Hello! Thank you so much for your review! We are taking notes of your feedback. Hope to see you soon!

    Good tour of San Telmo

    LuisRaul_D, Jan 2026
    Rafa and Irina were very good guides, very knowledgeable of the area, very attentive and friendly both, with a lot of willingness to answer all questions and questions
    Auto-translated

    Response from Host, Feb 2026

    ¡Muchas gracias por tu comentario! Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste la experiencia con Rafa e Irina.

    From $52.00

    per person

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

    Book ahead!
    On average, this is booked 29 days in advance.

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