Buenos Aires: San Telmo Walking Tour & Market Comics Route

Summary

Walk cobblestone streets, meet Mafalda, taste San Telmo’s market life

You’ll stroll Buenos Aires’ oldest streets with an English-speaking guide, see comic strip legends like Mafalda up close, taste life inside San Telmo Market, and—if it’s Sunday—get swept up in the street fair’s music and color. Expect laughter, local stories you won’t find in guidebooks, and maybe a moment or two that sticks with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought I knew Buenos Aires pretty well — but walking through San Telmo with our guide changed that. We started at this old Jesuit church (San Ignacio de Loyola), and the air was thick with incense and something like old wood. Our guide, Martín, had this way of pointing out stories hiding in plain sight — he showed us a small grave tucked behind some iron bars. “That’s Belgrano,” he said, almost whispering. I didn’t expect to feel so quiet in the middle of the city.

The streets here are uneven and noisy under your shoes — those chunky cobblestones make you walk slower, which is probably the point. At one corner Martín stopped to show us a little statue of Mafalda on a bench. He asked if we’d read Argentine comics before; I shook my head but tried to say her name right (“Ma-fal-da”). Li laughed when I tried in Spanish — probably butchered it. There’s something about seeing these cartoon characters just sitting there among real people that makes you smile for no reason.

We wandered into the San Telmo Market next — it smells like coffee and old fruit crates, kind of sweet and sour at once. The ceiling is iron and glass; sunlight comes through in patches that make everything look softer than it really is. Martín explained how immigrants shaped this place, not just with food but with all these little details — hand gestures, bits of Italian or Spanish floating around. You can hear vendors shouting over each other, but it doesn’t feel rushed somehow.

If you’re here on a Sunday (we were), the whole neighborhood turns into this wild patchwork of music and stalls and tango dancers spinning on the pavement. It’s loud but friendly — someone handed me a piece of empanada as we passed by. I still think about that view down Defensa Street: colors everywhere, people laughing at nothing in particular. The tour ended close to where we started but I stayed behind for lunch because honestly, I wasn’t ready to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore San Telmo's history and market

• Introduction to Colonial Buenos Aires
• Learn about British invasions and flag history
• See comic strip characters including Mafalda
• Visit San Telmo Food Market
• Walk San Telmo Sunday street fair

Top questions

How long does the San Telmo walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours from start to finish.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, the tour includes an English-speaking local guide throughout.

What attractions are visited during the tour?

You’ll visit San Ignacio de Loyola Church, see comic strip statues including Mafalda, walk through San Telmo Market, and experience the Sunday street fair if available.

Does the tour include food or lunch?

No food or lunch is included during the tour itself, but you finish near the market so you can stay for lunch afterward if you wish.

Is this walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as distances are short and pace is relaxed.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to both start and end points of the tour.

What happens if I join on a Sunday?

If you join on Sunday you’ll also experience San Telmo’s famous street fair with live music and art stalls.

What’s included

Your day includes an English-speaking local guide who leads you through San Telmo’s historic streets and market; while meals aren’t included during the walk itself, you’ll finish close to plenty of options if you want to grab lunch after exploring together.