Casa Mínima, Buenos Aires Travel Guide

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Discover Buenos Aires' smallest house, a curious architectural gem with a fascinating history in the heart of San Telmo.

Casa Mínima, or the 'Smallest House,' is a curious historical landmark in the San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Measuring just 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide, it's a testament to the city's architectural resourcefulness and a reminder of its complex past.

A brief summary to Casa Mínima

San Lorenzo 380, Buenos Aires, San Telmo, Comuna 1, Buenos Aires, C1064, AR
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Monday 1 pm-4 pm
Tuesday 1 pm-4 pm
Wednesday 1 pm-4 pm
Thursday 1 pm-4 pm
Friday 1 pm-4 pm
Saturday 1 pm-4 pm
Sunday 1 pm-4 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Casa Mínima.

Casa Mínima is easy to miss, so keep a close eye out for number 380 on Pasaje San Lorenzo.
Visit on a Sunday to experience the vibrant San Telmo Market, which fills the surrounding streets with antiques, crafts, and street food.
Combine your visit with a tour of El Zanjón de Granados, located nearby, for a deeper understanding of the area's history.

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Explore Casa Mínima on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Casa Mínima, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

Casa Mínima is located on Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, in the heart of San Telmo. From Defensa Street, a main thoroughfare in San Telmo known for its antique shops, turn onto Pasaje San Lorenzo. Walk a short distance, and you'll find Casa Mínima nestled between two larger buildings. It's easily identifiable by its narrow facade and green door.
Public Transport

To reach Casa Mínima via public transport, take the Subte (Subway) Line C to San Juan station. From the station, walk several blocks towards Defensa Street and then onto Pasaje San Lorenzo. The bus is also a convenient option. Several bus lines stop near Defensa Street in San Telmo. Check a local transit app for the best route from your location. A 'Sube' card is required for bus and subway travel; the card costs a flat fee, and rides are a few cents.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Buenos Aires. Simply provide the driver with the address: Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, San Telmo. A short taxi ride within San Telmo typically costs between ARS 3,500 and ARS 4,800. Be aware that Uber is not officially recognized as a legal taxi business in Argentina.

Discover more about Casa Mínima

Tucked away in the historic San Telmo district, Casa Mínima stands as a quirky testament to Buenos Aires's architectural history. This incredibly narrow house, located at Pasaje San Lorenzo 380, measures a mere 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in width, earning it the title of the city's narrowest house.Casa Mínima's origins are shrouded in local legend. The most popular story suggests it was built in the early 1800s and given to a freed slave after Argentina's abolition of slavery. While this tale adds a layer of intrigue, historical studies suggest a more prosaic explanation: the house is a remnant of a larger property that was gradually subdivided. Over time, the divisions resulted in this unusually slender slice of land, which was then developed into a small, standalone dwelling.Despite its diminutive size, Casa Mínima is a captivating sight. Its simple facade features a green wooden door and a tiny second-floor balcony with iron railings. The building's white paint peels away in places, revealing the original clay bricks beneath, adding to its rustic charm. While the house is a private property and not open for interior visits, it remains a popular spot for photographs and a reminder of San Telmo's resourceful early residents. The house is often visited as part of a tour that includes the adjacent El Zanjón de Granados, offering a broader perspective on the history of the area.