San Telmo In-Depth Walk

Overview

This GuruWalk tour leads through San Telmo, beginning at Parque Lezama and crossing the barrio over 2 hours 45 minutes. The framing is chronological: the story starts with the founding of Buenos Aires in 1536, moves through the colonial period and the 19th century, and finishes near the border with Monserrat.

Along the way the walk takes in the Russian Orthodox Church, buildings founded by the Jesuits and the Bethlehemites including the Parish of San Pedro González Telmo, and the San Telmo Market with its food patio. There are photo stops the guide points out, among them what he calls the narrowest house in Buenos Aires and a stretch of colourful umbrellas overhead. El Viejo Almacén, a traditional tango house, is one of the places the guide shows, describing a show with some of the country's best artists that runs there at night. The route finishes with Mafalda, in an area of bars, antiques and street life between San Telmo and Monserrat.

The tour suits travellers who want history and architecture rather than a quick circuit. It runs in English and Spanish, and it costs nothing to book: guiding works on a pay what you want basis, with guests tipping the guide at the end according to what they felt the walk was worth.

Itinerary

What To Expect From The Tour

The operator's description lays out how the walk runs and what to sort out for yourself, so most surprises are avoidable with a little planning.

• Getting there. Meet under the Monument to Cordiality in Lezama Park. The description suggests telling a rideshare driver the intersection of Irala Street and Martín García Avenue and then crossing into the park.
• Finding the guide. The guide carries an umbrella at the meeting point.
• Pace and length. The walk lasts 2 hours 45 minutes with a route of 16 stops, of which the description names the first few. Expect to be on your feet most of that time.
• Food and drink. The San Telmo Market and its food patio are part of the route, and the guide highlights the flavours and aromas on offer there. It is a natural point to try something during the walk.

• Pick your day. Sundays add the San Telmo fair to the route. If the fair matters to you, book a Sunday slot; if you would rather avoid it, any other day works.
• Booking and paying. Booking is free through GuruWalk and you pay the guide directly at the end, at whatever level you think the walk deserved.

Common issues. A few practical limits are worth knowing. There is no hotel pickup; everyone makes their own way to Lezama Park. The operator's description shows only the first stops of a 16 stop route, so much of the route is not detailed in advance. The Sunday fair section only happens on Sundays, so weekday walkers should not expect it.

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