Shopping

This is a high class shopping mall entirely dedicated to interior design. A good place to find European quality furniture, antiques and house wares, it is centrally located in Recoleta. Address: Avenida Pueyrredon 2501 Telephone: 5777 6000 Website: http://www.designrecoleta.com.ar/

This beautiful leather design gallery is the showroom for the items by famous Argentinian designer Gloria Lópes Sauqué. Her creations are sold in Paris and exhibited in various other countries. The store is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and is located in the Libertad barrio. Address: Posadas 1169 Telephone: 4815 3007 Website: www.glorialopezsauque.com

This chain department store has the best in anything you want. Cosmetics, clothes, house wares, it’s all here. Address: Calle Florida 202 Phone: 5950 5000 Website: www.falabella.com

In the Microcentro, the Avenue Santa Fe is the site of hundreds of shops which mainly sell gifts and clothes, but many other stores can be found there. There are also cafes and restaurants for a break.

Paseo Alcorta shopping center in Palermo is small but makes up for its size with sophistication. It has fashionable clothing stores for men and women along with great cafes, a Carrefour supermarket, and a movie theater. Address: Corner of Av. Figueroa Alcorta and J. Salguero Telephone: 5777 6500 Website: http://www.paseoalcorta.com.ar/shopping/

the biggest shopping centre in the city, also located in Palermo. It has a daring architectural design which is recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Its mirror-like external walls reflect the buildings in Coronel Diaz Street and Santa Fe Avenue. It plays host to hundreds of cafes and shops, and is one of the most popular malls in the city. Address: Arenales 3360 Telephone: 5777 8000 Website: http://www.altopalermo.com.ar/

This unique fashion boutique is located in the Las Cañitas neighborhood of Palermo, an expensive and high class area but the items in this shop are reasonably priced. Unique leather goods and jewelry can be found here. The shop is open Monday from 1:00pm to 10:00pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Address: Av. Arguibel 2890 Telephone: 4775 5570

Owned by an American book enthusiast, this charming used book store is an interesting place to spend a few hours if you’re waiting for something, or just want a book to read on the train. There are many English language books and if you look carefully you might find a rare treasure. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am to 8:00pm Address: Estados Unidos 617 Telephone: 4300 7135 Website: http://www.walrus-books.com.ar/

This shop sells luggage, bags and suitcases of all types so it is a good place to go if you’ve bought too many things on your Buenos Aires shopping spree. The shop is charmingly decorated and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 8:00pm, Sunday from 10:00am to 7:00pm. Address: Florida 250 Telephone: 5032 2578

Cabildo Patio Feria is a lovely festival to go to while sightseeing in the Plaza de Mayo area. It is held on Thursday and Friday from 11:00am to 6:00pm in the small garden patio behind the Cabildo, or old city hall. You'll find lots of locally made crafts here, especially pottery, stained glass, and jewelry. It’s also a nice place to relax and people-watch.

If you are holidaying on a budget and making your own food, be sure to visit Bio, an organic restaurant and food store. It's a great place if you are vegetarian or vegan to find some delicious snacks. All the constituent ingredients are known to have been grown or produced in Argentina. The store stocks organic chips, teas, cheeses, and even organic wine, but remember that they only accept cash.

A pair of Tango shoes can be a good souvenir, definitely for yourself or even a friend if you know their shoe size. Av. Suipacha has clusters of Tango shoe shops. Make sure not to be too much of a tourist and find out some prices before you go. Excellent handmade leather shoes can be bought in these shops, mostly for men, but some women’s shoes are also available. If you have time (about 2 weeks) you can ask them to make you a pair which you can have a hand in designing.

The most common non-alcoholic drink in Buenos Aires is Mate, and buying a friend a mate cup or other accessory would be an excellent souvenir. The cups are made from various materials, but most commonly from a dried vegetal core. Some are heavily decorated with gold or silver ornaments. They can be found in any touristy shop or market, primarily the La Boca markets which are held every day.

Offers a wide variety of CDs, books and DVDs and lots of things you wouldn’t expect to find. Old musical instruments, sheet music and furniture can be bought here as well. It’s a veritable treasure trove.

San Telmo is the place to go for weird and wonderful bric-a-brac and antiques. There are weekend Flea Markets that you can peruse at your leisure. The Plaza Dorrego also hosts one of the best antique fairs in the world every Saturday and Sunday. Just walking around San Telmo can also help you spot an interesting and unique item.

Nora Iniesta is an Argentinian artist famous for her loyalty to authentic Argentinian icons, the Gauchos, Tango dancers etc. Her artistry space is a calm collection of her work and good for a look through if you are interested in art. Some of her work is sold at Museo Evita.

This music shop caters for fans of every genre. There is some good Tango music available as well as CDs and tapes of old and new English and Spanish albums. Good to wander through if you are in the tribunales area.