10:30 am: We will meet at the Tangol Office located in the neighborhood of San Telmo to go to the San Telmo Antique Fair. Since 1970, this fair has been held every Sunday in Plaza Dorrego and mainly on Defensa Street, which becomes pedestrian-only for this grand event. More than 10,000 people, including many tourists, visit the 270 stalls every Sunday. You will find everything from furniture to regional crafts, antiques, clothing, and leather goods. We will enjoy tango orchestras with their dancers, living statues, and other street performances that, along with the antiques and cultural importance found here, make this fair an ideal setting to explore.
We will also visit the San Telmo Market, ideal for buying souvenirs as you can find original and unique products there.
12:30 pm: After experiencing and enjoying the charm of the San Telmo Fair, we will depart in the afternoon towards the southwest of Buenos Aires to reach the renowned Mataderos Fair, which was created 30 years ago and has been successfully running ever since, being a true celebration of "Gaucho Culture." It consists of three areas, as well as a food patio: Traditional Crafts, Artistic Festival, and Gaucho Skills, around which different activities such as workshops, talks, and exhibitions are offered.
Over 300 stalls run by the artisans themselves sell traditional folk products such as mate gourds, llama or alpaca ponchos, blankets, and leather and silver items.
We will have some free time to visit the "Criollo Corral Museum." This rural-style museum gives us an idea of how gauchos live in the pampas: their clothing, tools, and everyday objects. It will also show us how Argentina has developed into a major exporter and world leader in the meat industry. We will be able to see weapons, knives they use, carts, animals, and countryside paintings. (This activity is optional, and the purchased tour does not include museum entry).
As soon as you arrive at the fair, you will notice that it is full of grills where asadores (barbecue cooks) prepare delicious meats and other typical dishes. It will be time to have some tasty empanadas accompanied by a drink included in the tour.
We will continue visiting the handicraft stands: accessories, everyday objects, and musical instruments. Both the products and regional foods (jams, liquors, alfajores, cheeses) can be obtained at a much more affordable price than in stores in other parts of Buenos Aires.
The gastronomy and crafts of the Mataderos Fair perfectly complement the folk music and dances performed on-site, as the fair is also known for its art festivals and demonstrations of gaucho skills. On special occasions, you can watch horse races and even participate in tango classes!
05:00 pm: After approximately three hours at the Mataderos Fair, we will conclude this great day by returning to the Tangol Office located in San Telmo.