Buenos Aires Shopping Guide: What to Buy and Where to Shop

What to buy in Buenos Aires

So what should you buy in Argentina, and specifically what to buy in Buenos Aires? There are so many goods that are unique to Argentina that make perfect souvenirs to take home. Here, I’ll outline a few of the things I loved buying as memories of my time living in Argentina.

Before you shop! Buenos Aires is still a cash-friendly city, and you’ll often get a better deal paying in USD cash in small boutiques or private studios (especially for custom leather). In malls, cards are easy, but you may be asked for ID when you pay. If you’re shopping at markets, keep your wallet tucked away and don’t flash a thick wad of notes – buy what you want, then step aside to pay.

1. Leather

Argentina is famous for its leather products, and leather goods are one of the best things to buy in Argentina.

If you’re visiting Buenos Aires for a few days, most leather shops can turn around a custom-made leather jacket in 48-72 hours. 

And it’s not just leather jackets: these stores can make leather skirts, leather boots, leather gloves, leather overnight bags – really, anything you want.

You can choose from cow, sheep or the softer goat leather, or even carpincho leather, which comes from the capybara rodent. Avoid the synthetic leather that some stores use – use the smell test if you’re not quite sure.

I’ve had two leather jackets made – all far cheaper than if I had bought something in a store in the United States or Australia or Europe. There are many leather shops in Buenos Aires, and recommendations for custom-made leather jackets include:

• Bettina Rizzi (Maipu 935) – this is where I got both my jackets made
• Uru Recoleta (Vicente López 2132) – my husband had his leather jacket made here
• Silvia Eisele (Recoleta, by appointment only)

Bring with you photos that specifically show the design you want. They’ll be able to do a design based on those images.

Also, make sure you have time for multiple fittings. While it’s far cheaper than back home, you’re still going to be possibly shelling out a couple of hundred dollars and you want to make sure your new leather clothing item is absolutely perfect.

If you don’t have time to get a leather jacket made, there are plenty of jackets you can buy off the shelf.

Or find a beautiful handbag to take home. Nimes is famous for gorgeous leather bags and accessories.

2. Jewellery

For handcrafted jewelry, Astoria Joyería has a beautiful collection in a private studio. You can also ask Buenos Aires designer Paula Pereiro, the owner of Astoria Joyería (and one of the most delightful humans I’ve ever met), to custom design something for you if you have the time.

I have several pieces of Paula’s, including rings, delicate earrings and a gorgeous necklace that loops around my neck.

3. Distinctive fragrances

If you’re after a new scent, Fueguia 1800 on fancy Avenida Alvear has something for you. This store is the flagship for this luxury fragrance brand, which also has boutiques in New York, Tokyo, London and Milan.

Stepping into the store you’ll be overwhelmed by the myriad of scents on offer, all sold in gorgeous bottles and wrapped in a beautiful box. The staff can guide you through all the scents until you find just the right one for you.

My husband bought a bottle of fragrance as a going-away gift when we moved from Buenos Aires. It’s the most beautiful souvenir.

4. Dulce de leche

If you’re bringing home one edible souvenir from Buenos Aires, make it dulce de leche. It’s one of the most popular foods in Argentina to try.

This creamy caramel spread is everywhere in Argentina – spooned over pancakes, swirled through ice cream, layered into cakes… and yes, many locals (and I) will happily eat it straight from the jar.

While you can buy decadent dulce de leche from stores like Dulce de Leche & Co , I’m actually a fan of a jar of supermarket dulce de leche. For a classic, crowd-pleasing option, look for La Serenísima dulce de leche “estilo campo” at any supermarket. It’s rich, thick and reliably good.

But if you do want something more “giftable” then head to Dulce de Leche & Co or Havanna stores.

Top tip! Dulce de leche is usually sold in glass jars, so wrap it in clothing and pop it in the middle of your suitcase. If you’re travelling carry-on only, you can usually find a jar at the airport after security.

5. Alfajores

No Buenos Aires shopping list is complete without alfajores. These are sandwich-style biscuits filled with dulce de leche (told you it was everywhere!), often coated in chocolate or dusted with powdered sugar.

If you’re buying for colleagues, friends, or as an easy “thank you” gift, alfajores are perfect: inexpensive, universally liked and easy to share.

Havanna is the easiest place to start for a recognisable Argentine brand (and you’ll find stores all over the city).

My go-to supermarket pick is Jorgito alfajores — simple, classic, and consistently good (the chocolate ones are hard to beat). I also love the gold-wrapped Cachafaz brand. In all honesty, I’ve never actually met an alfajor I didn’t like.

6. Mate gourd and bombilla

Spend any amount of time in Buenos Aires and you’ll notice Porteños carting around flasks of hot water and sharing sips from a squat and round cup in parks, on the streets, in government agencies (yes, seriously) – anywhere Argentines gather really.

This is mate and it’s similar to tea.

While some think wine is the national drink of Argentina, I’d say that mate actually is.

Buy packets of the yerba mate (if you like its taste, it’s not for everyone) or simply the mate gourds, some of which are clad in beautiful leather, embossed and lined with silver. They, along with the silver bombillas (straws) make for a beautiful souvenir.

7. Wine

If you didn’t make it to Mendoza or Cafayate on your visit, then the next best thing is to take a bottle of Argentine wine (or two) home with you.

Bottles of Argentine wine are also great to take home. While you can find Argentine wines in most countries, I was once told – by a viticulturist – that Argentina keeps its best stuff and exports the rest.

There are wine stores that dot the city and supermarkets that stock a great range of local wines at affordable prices.

Pain et Vin (Gorriti 5132) has tastings and will help you choose the perfect bottle, whether you’re after a deep Malbec or a fruity Torrontés.

8. Pinguino

For serving your Argentine wine, pick up a pingüino, a penguin-shaped wine carafe that used to be found in all cafes and restaurants in Argentina. It’s the perfect mix of kitsch and funky.

I love these so much that we have three of them!

You can buy a pinguino at homewares stores, antique stores, markets like the San Telmo Market and some wine stores.

9. Books

Argentina is well-known for its literary leanings and globally recognised authors.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s worth your time to visit El Ateneo Grand Splendid (Avenida Santa Fe 1860), which I (and many others) consider to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world.

This former theatre is dazzling, and is now filled with shelves and shelves of books instead of tango singers and their admiring audiences.

Pick up some classic Argentine authors, including Noble Prize-nominated Jorge Luis Borges novels, or take home a puzzle or notebook as a reminder of your trip to Buenos Aires. Or simply sip a cortado in the café where the stage once was.

10. Apalgartas

Alpargatas are fantastic Argentina souvenirs: practical, lightweight and local without screaming “tourist purchase”. They’re the classic canvas espadrille-style shoe – the style of shoes that the Toms brand is inspired by.

They pack flat, they’re comfortable straight away, and they’re a nice little reminder of Argentina that you’ll actually use back home.

Just keep in mind that sizing can be a little different to what you’re used to, so it’s worth trying them on rather than guessing. 

I’d also give the soles a quick look before buying. Some are made as proper everyday shoes you can wear outside, while others feel more like slippers.

11. A facón (gaucho knife)

A facón is a beautiful souvenir — a traditional gaucho knife with a real sense of heritage behind it. You’ll still see gauchos to this day walking around with a facón tucked into their pants, but they can also be a decorative piece. 

The craftsmanship varies – everything from simple, workman-like knives to ornate versions with carved handles, detailed sheaths and intricate metalwork.

Look for a solid, well-finished sheath and a handle that feels balanced and comfortable in the hand, even if you’re buying it purely as an object to display. 

Also, of course, this is one souvenir where a little common sense goes a long way when it comes to travelling home – it’s not something you’ll want to put in carry-on.

12. Fileteado sign

If you want something that’s unmistakably Buenos Aires, a fileteado sign is hard to beat. 

Fileteado porteño is the city’s iconic decorative style — all bright colours and scrolling flourishes. Fileteado started as a way of decorating carts and buses and became part of the city’s visual identity, and today it’s turned into everything from art prints and magnets to hand-painted signs you can hang at home.

What makes a fileteado piece such a great Argentina souvenir is that it can be as small or as statement-making as you like. Purchase a small plaque with a phrase or look for a larger hand-painted sign that you can hang in a kitchen. 

While you can buy a sign that’s already pre-made, it’s worth getting something custom made if you have something in mind. 

Shopping in Buenos Aires: A neighbourhood guide

Buenos Aires is a big city and each neighbourhood is known for its own unique shopping focus.

Palermo

At some point during your trip to Buenos Aires you’ll end up in trendy Palermo. Actually made up of various sub-neighbourhoods (Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Chico and so on), this barrio is full of boutiques that offer both high-end and more affordable clothing. Some of the best shopping in Buenos Aires can be found in this area.

Recoleta

The most upscale neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, in Recoleta you’ll find rows of luxury stores here. Of course, all at luxury prices. This is the area to go to if you have some serious cash to drop. It’s easy to be distracted by the handsome French-inspired architecture as you wander the streets, but if you look carefully you’ll find boutiques selling beautifully made leather goods, handcrafted shoes and glamorous accessories.

San Telmo

Famed for its Sunday market, San Telmo is also home to hundreds of antique stores. Here, you can pick up chandeliers, colourful vintage seltzer siphons and crystal glasses, all of which make great (although delicate) souvenirs. There are also a number of boutique stores that sell vintage clothing.

Centro

The shopping in Buenos Aires’s downtown area tends to be focused on cheaper stores selling Buenos Aires souvenirs for tourists, tango CDs, cheap electronics and knock-off soccer jerseys. It’s worth a stroll down Calle Florida where you may spot a couple passionately dancing the tango (for a viewing fee, of course).

Villa Crespo

The so-called leather district of Buenos Aires, Villa Crespo is where you will find leather goods of all kinds. Murillo Street has the highest concentration of leather shops in Buenos Aires, and is also the place to go if you are looking for outlet stores.

Top tip! If you’re looking for well-known, international brands in Buenos Aires, be warned that they’re going to be expensive. Imported goods cost more here. I recommend bringing everything you’ll need with you. If you don’t pack your hiking boots just so you can save some space, be prepared to pay a whole lot more than you would back home.

The best markets in Buenos Aires

Some of the best shopping in Buenos Aires can be done at the local markets that spring up around the city on the weekend. Read on for the best markets to visit in Buenos Aires.

Feria de San Telmo

Every Sunday, some streets in San Telmo are blocked off and the neighbourhood turns into a huge, lively outdoor street market.

You can buy leather goods, cute handcrafts like knitted cactus “plants” (the only plant I can’t kill), cowhide rugs and so much more. Start at Plaza Dorrego and sift through the table loads of unique antiques.

If you’re not visiting Buenos Aires on a Sunday, don’t despair because the permanent San Telmo Market offers plenty of intriguing goods. This iron work building the size of a city block houses fresh produce, coffee shops and stall after stall of antiques for sale.

Calle Defensa

Feria de Plaza Francia

Each Saturday and Sunday and on public holidays, Plaza Francia in Recoleta comes alive with rows and rows of stalls selling handmade leather bags, ponchos, hand-carved wooden boxes and edible treats. There’s usually some kind of street performer or live music to entertain the crowds. It’s located right near the Recoleta Cemetery.

Plaza Francia, Avenida Libertador

Mercado de las Pulgas

A permanent marketplace, this flea market (pulga means flea in Spanish) is a haven for antique lovers. Search through the individual stalls to find distinctive souvenirs to take home, including light fixtures and ornately-framed mirrors. The market also has vendors who craft handmade furniture – which unfortunately won’t fit in a suitcase.

Avenida Dorrego 1650

Feria de Mataderos

In the working class neighbourhood of Mataderos, about an hour from the city by bus, this market brings the country to the city. Stallholders sell beautiful mates, ponchos, cow horn-handled knives and silver goods. You can try Argentine food including steak and locro, a traditional stew. Gauchos (Argentine cowboys) on horseback perform for the huge crowds that visit each week. It’s open on Sundays and public holidays from March to December.

Avenida Lisandro de la Torre and Avenida de las Corrales

The best shopping malls in Buenos Aires

Argentines love to shop, so there’s no shortage of malls and shopping centres across the city. Here are some of the most popular shopping malls in Buenos Aires – for all budgets and styles.

Top tip! In shopping malls in Buenos Aires, major credit cards are accepted. You’ll usually need to show some form of ID when you pay with a credit card.

Galerías Pacífico

Located in El Centro (the downtown area), this shopping centre is in one of Buenos Aires’s most picturesque buildings. An exquisite fresco painted in 1945 covers the ceiling of this old, restored building and it’s worth a visit just for this. Aside from its beauty, it’s home to stores selling clothing, books, jewellery and much more.

Corner Avenidas Córdoba and Florida

Patio Bullrich

In upscale Recoleta, at the chandelier-bedecked Patio Bullrich you can expect to find exclusive brands – and for exclusive prices. As well as local brands, the mall has international brands including Salvatore Ferragamo and Zara. It’s much smaller than other shopping malls in Buenos Aires and usually far less hectic.

Posadas 1245

Alto Palermo Shopping Centre

This shopping mall is exactly what you’re used to back home – filled with young kids hanging out on weekends. It’s far more accessible for all budgets, and has food courts, a cinema, restaurants and bars, as well as both Argentine and international brands.

Santa Fe 3253

Paseo Alcorta

With more than 300 stores, you’re bound to find a souvenir or hot new clothing item at Buenos Aires shopping mall, Paseo Alcorta. This mall is in Palermo Chico, a neighbourhood of the larger Palermo barrio.

Jeronimo Salguero 3172

Abasto Shopping Centre

A little off the beaten path, the Abasto Shopping Centre is inside a stunning art deco building dating back to the end of the 19^th century. Stores sell men’s and women’s clothing, sports gear, perfume and technology.

Corrientes 3247

Buenos Aires shopping: FAQs

Is clothing expensive in Buenos Aires?

Yes, clothing is generally more expensive in Buenos Aires than in the United States. That’s particularly the case for imported brand-name clothing.

Can I pay in US dollars?

At many independent stores in Buenos Aires you can pay in US dollars. You might even be able to get a discount by paying in cash. This isn’t the case everywhere, however, so check before you shop.

So, what are you planning to buy in Buenos Aires? Let me know in the comments below if you’ll soon be shopping in Buenos Aires!

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