Argentina is known to have the very best shopping in all of South America.

In almost every town you’ll get a chance to buy local products, mainly leather and local, semi precious stones. Credit cards are generally accepted, as well as Euros and dollars.

You’ll find funky markets and hidden-away gems all through the country, but if you’re after some serious plastic burning you might want to head straight for Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires

The city is popularly referred to as Latin Paris, which is reflected in both fashion and architecture. It’s easy to forget where you are as you’re strolling the European-style streets, sipping a cappuccino and browsing the colorful boutiques.

The boutiques are many, and grand. Start by getting your heart rate up at calle Florida. This mile long shopping paradise is going to keep you busy for as long as you can keep going.

The prices are quite stiff, but the quality is high. Calle Florida is where you can make the best buys of leather and fur, measured to fit in just a few days.

However, with all the beef they consume in this country, you’re bound to find leather everywhere. There are heaps of leather markets all around town and you are guaranteed to find something that will suit your wallet.

If you find calle Florida to be a bit too hectic, Patio Bullrich might be a good alternative as it’s equally fancy, but much less crowded.

On Avenida Corrientes, right next to Estacion Carlos Gardel, you’ll find Abasto. This is a state-of-the-art shopping mall featuring 250 name-brands. The history if this impressive building dates back to the late nineteenth century. You’ll find twelve movie-theatres, a giant amusement park, and an interactive educational museum for the kids. This is a great place to take the family for a fun day out, while you get some shopping done in peace and quiet. After all, the holiday is meant to be fun for everybody!

If you are among the lucky few who don’t have to worry about credit card bills, Avenida Alvear, is the place for you. Located in the barrio of Recoleta, it extends for seven blocks, from the Plazoleta Carlos Pellegrini to the memorial of Alvear. Here you’ll find all your favorites from Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and the rest, lined up for your enjoyment. This is a highly elegant street that might be worth the visit, even if it’s just for window-shopping.

The Hippie Fair in Plaza Francia near the Cemetery Recoleta is on every weekend and public holidays starting around noon. This is where you should come if you’re looking for something more alternative to take home. You can also have your future read in tarot cards! The Hippie Fair is an artistic twist on the average market experience. You’ll find anything from hand-made jewelry and clothes to art and souvenirs.

Even if you’re not the souvenir type, you really should consider bringing home a “mate” cup from Argentina. Mate a strong tasting tea made out of leaves from Brazilian holly. The cups are not souvenirs in the traditional sense, because as you’ll see, the locals use them frequently. Some are in metal with carvings on the surface; others are hooves of cows, but the most common ones are the simple hollowed-out gourds. It comes with a metal straw known as Bombilla. The tea is shared socially, and is refilled with hot water as the cup goes around in circle.

Mendoza

Compared to Buenos Aires, the shopping in Mendoza is modest. Due to a big earthquake about twenty years ago, much of the architecture is new, and can therefore not compare to Buenos Aires either. However you can be sure to find great markets with a more personal atmosphere than in the capital.

The weekend handicraft market at Plaza Espania has got an Andalusia atmosphere and is possibly the most diverse and interesting in the area. You might stumble across beautiful ceramic tiles, fountains and street lamps.

The Puente del Inca market has a good quality range of standard items such as leather and knitwear, pottery and stone carvings. But you can also find more unique treasures like golden minerals and religious crucifixes. Close by you’ll also find an indoor food hall, containing all the Argentinean goodies, such as olives, sauces and sweets.

In the past there were big flea markets in Mendoza but today many of them have been removed. One example is the big handcraft market of Independencia square, suggested by several travel guides. Unfortunately recent visitors report that this doesn’t exist anymore, so check with locals before heading there.

When eventually you get tired of the busy market atmosphere, you should visit Paseo Sarmiento. This is a green pedestrian walkway lined with shops and restaurants. The atmosphere is great for both shopping in the day and dinner at night. Or why not combine the two? As the wine region of Mendoza is world famous, you should allow yourself a sip or two in between all the shopping!

If you thought you could come to Mendoza and escape the shopping malls and fuss, you were wrong. However, in Mendoza you’ll find more spacious areas, which might leave room for a better combination of shopping and pleasure.

Walk along the Sarmiento pedestrian street, San Martin, Las Heras and Godoy Cruz Avenues and the Mercado Central where you’ll come across several shops and galleries.

Also just a few minutes from the city centre you’ll come to the most important shopping malls; Mendoza Plaza Shopping and Palmares Open Mall. The elegant atmosphere, stylish bars and restaurants as well as modern cinemas, will put your mind right back in big-city-mode.

Location:
Argentina

Other Activity Types:
Shopping and markets

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