Why Feria de Mataderos is the Best Market in Buenos Aires (2026 Guide)

Last visited: May 2026 | Every Sunday, March–December | Free entry

You’re probably looking for an authentic fair experience in Buenos Aires, perhaps cheaper, less crowded and more traditional than the one in San Telmo.

You tasted tango culture, and now you are looking for gaucho culture. You’ll find cheap empanadas, live gaucho music and dancing, handmade crafts, and an old bar that’s been pouring drinks since 1900. Here is everything you need to know before you go to the Feria de Mataderos, or the Mataderos Market. Use the table of contents below to look through quickly the sections of this guide.

Feria de Mataderos: Quick Facts

  • When: Every Sunday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Season: March through December (closed January and February)
  • Address: Av. Lisandro de la Torre & Av. de los Corrales, Mataderos, Buenos Aires
  • Entry: Free
  • Best time to arrive: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm to beat the afternoon crowds

Affiliate note: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I’ve personally used or trust.

How to Get to the Feria de Mataderos

Mataderos is in the southwestern corner of Buenos Aires – about 45 minutes to an hour from most central neighborhoods.

If you’re staying in Colegiales, Belgrano, or Chacarita, there is a direct line. Use Google Maps or Moovit to find the stop nearest you – both apps handle Buenos Aires colectivos well.

  • The Bus: Catch the 63 (A or B).
  • Cost: 899 ARS each way. That is around 65 cents USD each way.
  • Payment: Just tap your SUBE card or a contactless credit/debit card.
  • Time: It’s a an hour or more ride depending on where you are, but it drops you right at the action.
Getting to the market by bus

What to Eat at the Feria de Mataderos

Come hungry. The food at Mataderos is some of the best market eating in Buenos Aires, and it’s remarkably cheap compared to anything near the city center. Look here for 2026 updated prices in USD.

I ate one of the best empanadas I’ve ever had here! Find the María Doña stand near the main square. The empanadas costed $2,000 ARS each! An amazing steal in Buenos Aires. That is $1.43 USD.

I walked around and found other empanadas that costed $3,000–$3,500 ARS. Why pay more when there is a cheaper option?

Order the Carne Suave if you normally avoid beef empanadas because of onions – the filling is smooth and mild, with none of that chunky onion texture. I really appreciated it as I am not a huge fan of onions. The Jamón y Queso (ham and cheese) is a safe and satisfying backup.

Empanadas and Parilla at Market in Buenos Aires
Left: Less than $2 USD Empanadas. To the right: Parilla that looked amazing inside, with great reviews and food.

Other Must-Try Foods

  • Choripán: A chorizo sandwich slathered in chimichurri. Classic Argentine street food. Around $8,000 ARS = $5.70 USD
  • Bondiola: A bondiola sandwich, similar to Capicola in New Jersey, that is another staple in Argentina. Around $12,000 ARS = $8.57 USD
  • Locro: A hearty traditional stew from the north of Argentina. Rich and filling, great on a cooler day.
  • Humita: Creamy corn mixture cooked in a corn husk — a solid vegetarian option.
  • Regional empanadas: Look for stands selling empanadas from Salta and Tucumán – different spice profiles than what you’d find in most Buenos Aires restaurants.

Bar Oviedo: A 120-Year-Old Bar Notable

On Lisandro de la Torre 2407, Bar Oviedo has been open since 1900. It’s one of Buenos Aires’ official Bares Notables – a city-designated list of historically important bars and cafés.

Originally a meeting point for slaughterhouse workers and cattle drivers coming in from the countryside, it was also a stage for payadores — folk singers who’d improvise between the tables. The whole street around it carries that same old-school gaucho energy that’s hard to find anywhere else in the city.

A coffee costs $3,000 ARS, ($2.14 USD), which is cheap by current Buenos Aires standards. Stop in even if you’re not thirsty to see the inside.

Bar Notable called Oviedo, historical and cheap.

Feria de Mataderos vs San Telmo: Which Should You Go To?

If you’re choosing between the two on a Sunday, here’s the honest comparison:

  • Mataderos is cheaper. Empanadas for $2,000 ARS vs inflated San Telmo prices.
  • Mataderos is more local. The crowd is overwhelmingly Buenos Aires residents, not tourists.
  • Mataderos has better atmosphere. Live music and dancing give it an energy San Telmo just doesn’t have.
  • San Telmo is easier to reach. One short Subte ride vs a 60-minute bus to Mataderos.

If you only have time for one Sunday market during your trip, go to Mataderos, and explore San Telmo when its less crowded. Mataderos is further, but it’s the one that actually sticks with you.

Shopping: What’s Worth Buying in Mataderos

The stalls spread out from the main square in every direction. If you want Argentine souvenirs that aren’t mass-produced, this is a better hunting ground than San Telmo.

  • Leather goods: Belts, wallets, and mate cup holders — good quality at fair prices.
  • Facón knives: Traditional handmade gaucho knives. A proper Argentine keepsake.
  • Mate cups and bombillas: Wooden, leather-wrapped, and gourd styles all available.
  • Regional foods on Avenida de los Corrales: Small-batch olive oil, salami, cheeses, and dulce de leche liqueur. Walk slowly and taste things along the way — the dulce de leche liqueur is the one to seek out.
Guacho shopping at market in Mataderos

Gaucho Music, Dancing, and the Authentic Atmosphere of Mataderos

Buenos Aires is famous for tango, but Argentina has a rich folk music tradition from its other regions – and Mataderos is one of the only places in the city where you can experience it live, for free, every Sunday.

The stage and dance floor sit at the center of the market. A gaucho MC runs the schedule and introduces the performers. You’ll hear chacarera from the province of Santiago del Estero and chamamé from Corrientes – joyful, energetic music that’s nothing like the melancholy you get from downtown tango shows.

Some people come in street clothes. Others arrive in full gaucho gear: leather boots, bombachas (traditional wide-leg pants), pañuelos, and ponchos. They’re not performing for tourists – they come back every week because they genuinely love it. That’s the thing that sets this market apart from anywhere else in the city.

Guacho folklore dancing at the fair of mataderos

Tips Before You Go

  • Arrive between 11am and noon. It gets significantly busier in the afternoon, and popular food stands can run out.
  • Check their Instagram before going. They post weekly performer lineups and any holiday closures.
  • Pay with card on the bus. SUBE card or contactless — no cash needed.
  • Bring Cash. Easier to pay at the stands, in the cafe, and restaurants, where you will get discounts. Some places don’t accept credit card.
  • The market is closed January and February. Plan your Buenos Aires trip accordingly.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. Hours on your feet on cobblestones.

Final Thoughts

The Feria de Mataderos is one of those experiences that makes Buenos Aires feel like more than just tango shows and parrillas. This is where the Argentine countryside still meets city life – and where locals come every week not because it’s a tourist attraction, but because it’s genuinely theirs.

Eat well, walk slowly, listen to the music, and stop for a coffee at Bar Oviedo. You’ll thank yourself for making the trip out here.

Related Argentina Guides

Travel Resources

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✈️ FLIGHTS | Skyscanner is my go-to for finding the best fares

🚌 BUS TICKETS | Busbud for long-distance buses across Argentina – comfortable, affordable, and bookable in advance.

🚗 RENTAL CARS | Discover Cars to compare rental rates — essential if you want to road trip from Buenos Aires.

🏨 ACCOMMODATION | Booking.com has the widest selection for Buenos Aires.

📱 eSIM / DATA | Airalo is the easiest way to get data in Argentina without swapping SIM cards. Buy before you fly, activate on arrival.

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🛡️ TRAVEL INSURANCE | SafetyWing — the Nomad plan is built for slow travelers and remote workers. Covers medical, travel emergencies, theft and more at very reasonable rates.

🎟️ TOURS & ACTIVITIES | GetYourGuide for Buenos Aires tours and guided experiences in the region.

Sean is a digital nomad and slow traveler writing about the places he actually lives in — not just passes through. nomadicsean.com

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