Overview & visitor information
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.
Shopping
The Microcentro
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.
City guide
More shopping spots in Buenos Aires
Keep exploring Buenos Aires.
buenos-airesBuenos Aires Design
Plaza
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/
buenos-airesGloria Lópes Sauqué
Gallery
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
buenos-airesFalabella
Modest dress
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
buenos-airesPaseo Alcorta shopping center
Plaza
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/
buenos-airesAlto Palermo Shopping Mall
Plaza
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/
buenos-airesBakú
Modest dress
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
buenos-airesWalrus Books
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/
buenos-airesVoyager
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
buenos-airesCabildo Patio Feria
Market
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.
buenos-airesBio
Market
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.
More places in Buenos Aires
Keep exploring Buenos Aires.
buenos-airesWhat to do with Children in Tow
Activity
Although it may not seem that way at first, Buenos Aires is an extremely safe and child friendly city. There are many child-friendly eateries and lots of parks to explore. Porteños adore children; you are bound to get into some interesting conversations with the locals that never would have happened if not for your little ones. Keeping the kids busy for hours will not be difficult in Buenos Aires. A few suggestions for what you can do when travelling with the family:
buenos-airesThe famous Recoleta Cemetery
Cemetery
The famous Recoleta Cemetery is well worth a visit as it is the resting place of many Argentinian celebrities. It is open daily from 8am-6pm and you may even be able to catch one of the guided tours. Telephone: 4804 7040 Website: www.cementeriorecoleta.com.ar
buenos-airesRecoleta
road
It is the unofficial ‘centre’ of the city as it holds the Plaza de Mayo, the main square in Buenos Aires. This barrio also has some beautiful French style buildings and is one of the most expensive areas to live. The square is surrounded by the key commercial and shopping areas in Buenos Aires and contains a beautiful park with fountains and statues. The Casa Rosada, the Presidential palace is on one side of it, where many a revolution has begun. There is an attached museum that offers free guided tours and an interesting journey through Buenos Aires’ political history Telephone: 4344 3844 Website: http://www.museo.gov.ar/default.asp Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am-6pm, Sundays 2pm-6pm
buenos-airesThe Cabildo
Building
The Cabildo, situated opposite the Casa Rosada is the only surviving government building from colonial times so is worth the exploration, especially if you have an interest in architecture.
buenos-airesThe Reserva Ecológica Costanera
Garden
The Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur nearby, is a picturesque garden, and an excellent alternative, particularly for nature lovers.
buenos-airesPuerto Madero
Port
Similar in feel to the London docklands, Puerto Madero has a ghostly beauty to it. The antique port of Buenos Aires has been renewed however and now represents the latest architectural and entertainment trends of the city. The old red-brick warehouses now contain galleries, bars and restaurants (ranging from high end eateries to Franchises such as Hooters and TGIF). Old docking cranes and ships sit silently on either side of the dock, and the beautiful bridge 'Puente de la Mujer' (Bridge of the Woman) stands tall across the water. The newly opened Puerto Madero tramway now services the area and there are many high risers being built in the surrounds, which is a testament to the refurbishments happening.
buenos-airesThe San Telmo district
Town
The San Telmo district is a must-visit as it preserves the old Spanish style architecture and streets. The roads tend to be paved with cobblestones, lending a quaint and romantic feel to the area. You seem to be within a little slice of historic Europe. It is however, a very touristy area and don’t be surprised of you are offered ‘authentic’ Argentinian items for sale at sky high prices. There are markets held on the Plaza Dorrego every Sunday, be sure to catch them if you’re in the area, they have a great community feel.
buenos-airesThe Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art
Museum
The Buenos Aires Museum of Modern Art is worth a visit while you are here. It boasts a large collection of art and is situated on the main street of San Telmo: 350 San Juan Avenue. Entry is free.
buenos-aires
buenos-airesPlanetario de Galileo Galilei
Building
Planetario de Galileo Galilei is a beautiful building that could give you an exciting evening’s outing. There are plays and educational shows that take place there as well as the opportunity to gaze into the inky blackness above through an obscenely large telescope. Shows are normally around ARS10, general admittance is free. The Planetarium is open between 10:00am and 4:00pm Weekdays.
More restaurants in Buenos Aires
Keep exploring Buenos Aires.
buenos-airesLa Bourgogne
This classy restaurant is part of the Alvear Palace hotel and is one of the best in Buenos Aires. A French chef presides over the kitchen with skill and aplomb and there is a wide selection of dishes on offer. You can also try the excellent grilled meat on the rotisserie.
buenos-airesPrimafila
This is a nice place to take your partner for some good food and classy enjoyment. The thin crust pizzas are famously excellent since they are baked in a brick-oven. They also serve many other dishes including seafood, salads and pasta. Cuisine: Italian Address: Av. Puyerredon 2501 Telephone: 4804 0055
buenos-airesCabaña Las Lilas
An extremely upscale but proportionately (if surprisingly) comfortable place to eat. The specialty here is the steak and it’s not without reason that it is reputedly the ‘best place in Buenos Aires to eat steak’. The steaks are enormous, succulent, and must be tasted to be believed. They also have an extensive list of Argentine and international wines.
buenos-airesBar 6
A complete restaurant offering the highest quality meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the late hours, it is also a cocktail bar. The atmosphere is comfortable and the wait staff is quiet and efficient; this is the place to while away a whole day.
buenos-airesEl Farol
Go here to get the flavor of what a typical porteño likes to eat. There are large portions, lots of meat and some Spanish and Italian influences thrown in. The taste and quality of the food in El Farol is always superb and the staff tends to be jovial and talkative.
buenos-airesArtemisia
If you are getting tired of all the meat on offer, don’t fret as there are some carefully hidden vegetarian places in Buenos Aires too! In the Palermo Viejo district, this little haven of home-cooked food is relief to find. Simple dishes, organic ingredients and polite and attentive waitstaff make this restaurant always a pleasure to eat at.
buenos-airesBo Bo
This is part of the Bo Bo hotel and a warm, inviting place to go for a relaxed dinner or lunch. Some Argentinian dishes are on offer, as well as some middle-eastern delights. Food is well prepared and delicious.
buenos-airesLa Pharmacie
Renovated from an old pharmacy, this restaurant is just the right combination of perfect atmosphere and perfect food. They prepare an excellent pizza but the vibe is such that you feel able to drop in anytime for a coffee or a glass of wine. They also have salad and pasta dishes available and outdoor seating. Cuisine: Pizzaria Address: Charcas 3494 (@ Vidt) Telephone: 4823 0861
buenos-airesLa Vieja Rotisería
La Vieja Rotisería is the best place for cheap authentic Argentinian meat. The parilla café is very popular so be prepared to wade between the ranks of hungry porteños at lunchtime. Cuisine: Argentinian Address: Defensa 963, San Telmo Telephone: 4362 5660
buenos-airesAl paso Restaurants
When you are exploring the city, you’ll realize there are many al paso (walk through) restaurants where your meal is meant to be eaten quick, standing up or at a bar. This is good if you are travelling on your own and are more interested in Buenos Aires experiences other than food. There are a few meal options: hot-dogs (panchos), are quick and familiar, beef sausages (chorizos, or its sandwich version choripán), delicious but take a little getting used to, the humble pizzas, or milanesas (breaded fried cutlets) for the adventurous.