El Zanjon de Granados
Defensa 755, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Travel centuries back in time with a visit to Buenos Aires’ El Zanjon de Granados, the site of one of the city’s earliest settlements. It was built over a series of tunnels, cisterns, and sewers above a river and eventually left to disarray. Now, it is a gorgeous museum depicting the history of Buenos Aires—a must-see for all visitors.
The basics
To visit El Zanjon de Granados, you'll need to take a guided tour, either through the site or as part of a larger Buenos Aires tour that explores more of San Telmo and other places like colorful La Boca. At El Zanjon, you'll explore the brick tunnels and courtyards with a guide to see historical displays and get a feel for Buenos Aires over the centuries.
Things to know before you go
All levels of El Zanjon are accessible by elevator, except for a few sections of the tunnels.
Service animals are welcome.
Families are welcome as long as kids are supervised.
How to get there
You can take a bus from Buenos Aires to San Telmo or take the subway (called the subte) to Line C, get off at the Independencia stop, and walk east about seven blocks. Vehicle and bicycle parking is available in the area but not on-site.
When to get there
Guided tours in English are generally at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm, so plan your trip accordingly. Tours last around an hour. You need to book your tour in advance, which you can do online or at the museum at least 15 minutes beforehand. There are different entrance fees for residents and non-residents or cheaper fares for students, seniors, and teachers living in Argentina.
Casa Minima
Combine a visit to El Zanjon de Granados with a visit to the narrowest house in Buenos Aires, Casa Minima. It’s just about 8 feet (2.5 meters) wide. Local legend is that this tiny house and others like it were built for freed enslaved people. Check out the small balcony and the bright green door and imagine living in a slice of a building.
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