Free self-guided walk · Buenos Aires

Avenida de Mayo and San Telmo

A free self-guided walk from Buenos Aires' Congress building along Avenida de Mayo to the Plaza de Mayo, then south into San Telmo.

Distance
4 km
Walking time
54 min
Allow
About 2.5 hours with stops
Stops
6

Open the route in Google MapsBuenos Aires city guide

About this walk

Avenida de Mayo was the city's first grand boulevard, lined with belle-époque buildings and old cafés.

From the Plaza de Mayo, Calle Defensa leads into San Telmo, the oldest barrio, with its market and Plaza Dorrego.

  • Terrain: Flat throughout, with some uneven pavements and cobbles in San Telmo.
  • Best time: Sunday, when the Feria de San Telmo street fair fills Calle Defensa; otherwise a weekday morning.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Palace of the Argentine National Congress

    Start at the domed Congress building.

  2. Café Tortoni

    Pass the city's most famous historic café, opened in 1858.

  3. Cabildo

    The colonial town hall, now a museum.

  4. Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada

    The main square and the pink presidential palace.

  5. San Telmo Market

    Walk south along Calle Defensa to the old covered market.

  6. Plaza Dorrego

    Finish in San Telmo's square, with cafés and sometimes tango.

Tips

  • Keep your phone and bag close, especially in crowds.
  • Café Tortoni often has a queue; go early or late in the day.
  • The Casa Rosada offers free guided tours at weekends; book ahead.

Prefer a guide?

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.