Buenos Aires Shopping: Where to shop till you drop

Visitors to Buenos Aires choose Argentina as a destination not only for its amazing landscapes and cultural activities but also for the advantages they enjoy with a favorable exchange rate. Travelers arriving with dollars or euros can stretch their savings and enjoy a vacation with a few more splurges and a touch of luxury, if they so choose. Brazilian, North American and European visitors have discovered that Buenos Aires is an ideal place to vacation, with endless options for art and culture, entertainment, and restaurants. And with the increased buying power that foreign currency brings, most travelers set aside a portion of the travel budget to take advantage of some of Buenos Aires fantastic shopping venues and unique products.

Here is a list of recommended spots for shopping in Buenos Aires, with something for every taste and budget.
Street Fairs and Craft Markets:

1. Calle Florida (Florida Street):
Shoppers and people watchers can´t afford to miss a walk down the pedestrian mall known as Calle Florida, located in the downtown area. Every evening, this already crowded street and shopping mecca floods with street vendors selling hats, scarves, trendy clothes, handmade shoes, souvenirs, and handbags while the stores try to attract customers with music and promotions. Street artists complete the scene, creating an unforgettable sightseeing and shopping adventure.

2. Feria de San Telmo (San Telmo Fair):
Antiques and all manner of curiosities can be found in Buenos Aires´ largest street fair in San Telmo. Covering the length of Calle Defensa from Avenida Belgrano (two blocks from Plaza de Mayo) to Plaza Dorrego, the Sunday fair features street musicians, buskers, antique sellers, local artists and more. Although the fair winds down around 8pm, the flea market in Plaza Dorrego wraps up at 5pm to make way for those looking to show off their best tango moves in a sort of open-air milonga. San Telmo Fair is probably the best place to buy souvenirs ­ there´s something for everyone.

3. Plaza Serrano Fair:
This small square in Palermo plays host to a funky and fabulous fair on Saturdays and Sundays. Though craft vendors still set up in the square itself, the unique aspect of this fair is that many of the bars and restaurants that dot Plaza Serrano give over their space to young designers selling an array of hip clothing and accessories at reasonable prices.

4. Feria de Mataderos (Mataderos Fair):
For an authentic taste of gaucho culture, visit this fair in the Mataderos neighborhood of Buenos Aires, held every Sunday from March through December. At the Feria de Mataderos, you´ll be treated to samples of Argentine folkloric music and dance and gaucho traditions. You´ll also find authentic handicrafts, traditional foods and gaucho accessories for sale. The fair´s location at the far western edge of the city limits its accessibility to tourists to a certain extent, given the distance from the city center; however, if you´re feeling adventurous, the Mataderos Fair is accessible by public transportation or taxi. Please keep in mind that the fair is not held on days with inclement weather.

5.Feria Plaza Francia(Recoleta Fair:
Every Saturday and Sunday, Plaza Francia is filled to the brim with hundreds of musicians, street artists, and craftspeople selling a wide variety of pottery, leather, wood and metal articles. Combine a visit to the fair with a tour of Recoleta Cemetery. The fair´s posh Recoleta location comes at a price ­ the goods are a bit more expensive here in comparison to other artisan fairs in the city.

Outlets, Boutiques, and other Shopping Areas

1. Avenida Córdoba Outlets:
Discover local brands at affordable prices at the outlets along Avenida Córdoba, beginning at the street´s intersection with Calle Lavalleja. The shopping area extends for ten blocks north up to the intersection with Calle Uriarte and offers a perfect choice for travelers looking for a safe shopping environment with a fair price/quality relationship. The outlets are located very close to Palermo Soho, so you can cap off a shopping adventure with a coffee break or dinner at a spot in this trendy neighborhood.

2. Calle Aguirre Outlets:
Located in the Villa Crespo neighborhood (near Palermo Soho), the strip of stores along Calle Aguirre serves up some of the trendiest outlet shopping in Buenos Aires, with international brand names such as Lacoste, Portsaid, Yves Saint-Laurent, and Christian Lacroix, plus famous local brands. Even though Calle Aguirre sits a bit off the beaten path, it´s easily accessible from subway line B. It´s also only a few blocks´ walking distance from the Avenida Córdoba outlets and Palermo Soho.

3. Palermo Soho:
Shoppers in search of the hippest styles will find plenty to choose from in Palermo Soho´s mix of urban and vintage boutiques. The prices in this neighborhood are higher than in other areas of the city, but its exclusive shops featuring young urban designers offer unique, original designs perfect for the traveler looking for stylish garments and accessories to add to his or her wardrobe. You´ll also find internationally-recognized designers sprinkled among the local boutiques. Palermo Soho is an attractive area for walking, eating and shopping, so don´t leave it off your shopping itinerary.

4. Avenida Santa Fe:
Probably the largest shopping area in Buenos Aires, Avenida Sante Fe, from Avenida 9 de Julio until Avenida Scalabrini Ortiz, is lined with stores for three kilometers. Shoppers will find clothes, handbags, shoes, and accessories for all tastes, styles and budgets. The most exclusive shops are located near Avenida 9 de Julio in the Recoleta neighborhood, but the stores in Palermo also offer a wonderful shopping experience.

Shopping Malls

1. Abasto Shopping:
Located in the neighborhood of Abasto in a restored building from the late 19th century, Abasto Shopping was once home to the city′s first fruit and vegetable market and served as an important regional hub for fresh produce. The area is historically connected to the tango, as well, and the mall is located just a few blocks from the house where tango legend Carlos Gardel was born. Today, his home has been transformed into a museum in his honor, and tango aficionados can find all sorts of tango souvenirs and accessories at very affordable prices. Abasto Shopping offers a free transfer service from hotels. Just call (011) 5777 6027. You can also take the subway [Line B - red line] to the Carlos Gardel stop.

2. Alto Palermo Shopping:
First opened in 1990, Alto Palermo shopping has since become the trendiest mall in Buenos Aires due to its proximity to Palermo Soho and Recoleta. Alto Palermo Shopping offers a free transfer service from hotels. Just call (011) 5777 6027. You can also take the subway [Line D - green line] to the Alto Palermo stop.

3. Paseo Alcorta:
Located in the upscale Palermo Chico neighborhood, a few blocks away from the Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA), the Paseo Alcorta shopping center has become a reference point for the latest Argentinean trends. The exclusivity of its stores and its modern design make it an obligatory stop for fashion lovers. Paseo Alcorta offers a free transfer service from hotels. Just call (011) 5777 6027.

4. Buenos Aires Design:
Just off Plaza Francia in Recoleta, Buenos Aires Design is entirely dedicated to interior design, architecture and housewares with high-end, exclusive design stores where you can find the most innovative and elegant articles for the home. After you′ve shopped your heart out, dine in style at one of the many chic eateries located on the beautiful terrace level. Buenos Aires Design offers a free transfer service from hotels. Just call (011) 5777 6027.

5. Patio Bullrich:
Patio Bullrich is probably the most stylish and exclusive mall in Buenos Aires. In its former life, this beautiful building, designed by the architect Juan Waldorp and built in 1867, was used as an auction house for cattle, pure thoroughbred horses, and even fine art pieces. This state-of-the-art shopping center, now owned by the Bullrich family, provides a complete luxury shopping experience. Patio Bullrich offers a free transfer service from hotels. Just call (011) 4814 7412.

Book a Buenos Aires activity package with BsAs4U and receive free private shopping tour to leather factories and international brand outlets located at different points off the tourist trail. Ask our customer support team how you can receive a free shopping tour!

Read More about Buenos Aires:
About Buenos Aires City
Buenos Aires Top 10 Places To Visit
Buenos Aires City Quick Facts
Buenos Aires Football
Buenos Aires Insider Tips
How to Choose a Tango Show in Buenos Aires