Must-see shopping in Argentina

  • El Ateneo Grand Splendid

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    This glorious bookstore in a converted theater continues to flourish in the age of the Kindle. The Grand Splendid theater opened in 1919 and was converted…

  • Autoría

    Buenos Aires

    This gallery-like store, stocked with edgy art books, fashion, accessories, whimsical leather desk sculptures, original artworks and unique handmade…

  • Ruta del Artesano

    Salta & the Andean Northwest

    Tafi's main diversion, aside from walks in the countryside, is this driving route to the home studios of area artisans, whose work includes ceramics,…

  • Mamuschka

    Bariloche

    Quite simply, the best chocolate in Bariloche. Don’t skip it. Seriously.

  • Casa El Gaucho

    Mar del Plata

    A gaucho-themed shop stocking leather goods galore, as well as ponchos, scarves, handbags, some nice shoes and berets – not to mention some lovely artisan…

  • Syquet

    The Pampas & the Atlantic Coast

    This charming corner emporium sells a tantalizing array of local cheeses, salamis and hams, along with other gourmet regional products. You'll spot…

  • Chalteños

    El Chaltén

    Bring home Chalteños' handmade alfajores filled with dulce de leche or homemade jams and your loved ones will forgive all your wanderings.

  • Mercado Artesanal

    Salta

    Good for souvenirs, this provincially sponsored market is set in a centuries-old complex that was once Salta's main flour mill. Within it are a collection…

  • Feria Artesanal Plaza Francia

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    Recoleta’s popular artisan fair has dozens of booths and a range of creative, homemade goods from leather wallets and silver jewelry to mate gourds and…

  • Comme Il Faut

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    If you're looking for quality tango shoes, this is the place to come. Not only are these shoes designed to withstand hours of dancing at the milonga, they…

  • Cafayate Artesenal

    Cafayate

    This is a mall of brick stalls piled with goods made from llama wool, leather and cactus wood. Here, handicrafts include artisanal journals, mate (a tea…

  • Memorabilia

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    For unique, fun and handmade Argentine items, explore the corners of this tiny boutique. The stock is ever-changing, but can include such things as…

  • Quelhue Wine Shop

    Ushuaia

    They don't seem to sell a bad bottle of wine in the whole place. This is a wine-lover's paradise, with floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked to the brim with…

  • Mercado Artesanal y Fábrica de Alfombras

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    For Catamarca’s characteristic hand-tied rugs, visit this artisans market, which also sells ponchos, blankets, jewelry, red onyx sculptures, musical…

  • Paseo de los Artesanos

    Ushuaia

    This indoor artists market sells handmade jewelry, wool crafts, traditional mates and other household items. The majority of vendors only accept Argentine…

  • Galería Bond Street

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    For the edgiest tattoos and piercings in town, you can’t beat this grungy mall. BA's skateboarder-wannabes, along with their punk-rock counterparts, also…

  • Centrico

    Buenos Aires

    Leonardo Mancuso designs these handmade leather shoes with a classic, traditional styling that emphasizes simplicity over showiness. Both men's and women…

  • CUM

    Salta

    The unfortunate English acronym should not keep you away from this charming boutique that trades in top-quality wool sweaters, shawls, blankets, throw…

  • Santeria San Jose

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    A mystical art shop with a rocky altar encrusted on its rooftop, dealing in both new and vintage iconic Christian art. Peruse the shelves of Virgin…

  • La Martina

    Buenos Aires

    In Argentina, polo is an unmistakable symbol of wealth and refinement. Even if you’ve never mounted a horse, it’s interesting to look around at the…

  • El Colmado

    Cafayate

    A stylish, casual clothing boutique steps from Cafayate's plaza with playsuits and dresses, scarves and jewelry, all of it well curated. The trick, as…

  • Arte y Esperanza

    Buenos Aires

    This store sells fair-trade, handmade products by Argentina’s indigenous craftspeople. It's an excellent place to shop for silver jewelry, pottery,…

  • Centro de Artesanos

    Along the Río Paraná

    Traditional artesanías (handicrafts) are on display and for sale here. There's some very high-quality ware, and prices are fair. Next door, the cultural…

  • La Olla de Cobre

    San Antonio de Areco

    Pick up an edible gift of artisanal chocolates or alfajores (cookies filled with dulce de leche) at the chocolate factory and store, La Olla de Cobre (The…

  • Zivals

    Buenos Aires

    This is one of the better music stores in town, especially when it comes to tango, folk, jazz and classical music. Listening stations are a big plus, and…

  • Boutique del Libro

    Puerto Madryn

    Stocks a good selection of regional Patagonia books, maps, and a few English-language novels and guidebooks. It's on the 2nd floor of a mall next to the…

  • Paseo Colonial

    Córdoba

    To find out what the city’s hip young designers have been working on, slip into this little arcade, featuring a variety of small shops selling clothes,…

  • Mercado Artesanal de La Rioja

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    La Rioja crafts are exhibited and sold here, as are other popular artworks at prices lower than most souvenir shops. It closes in the early afternoon…

  • Patalibro

    Bariloche & the Lake District

    A good selection of books on Patagonia in Spanish; some Lonely Planet titles and novels in English. Carries the excellent Sendas y Bosques guide and park…

  • Manos Correntinas

    Along the Río Paraná

    A friendly handicrafts gallery and shop that displays the work of a cooperative of local craftspeople. There's some excellent basketwork and leatherwork…

  • Fueguia

    Recoleta & Barrio Norte

    On Recoleta's most cheto (posh) avenue you'll find this suitably upmarket perfumery selling a large selection of in-house scents and candles.

  • Artesanías Neuquinas

    Bariloche & the Lake District

    This provincially sponsored store offers a wide variety of high-quality Mapuche textiles, silver jewelry and wood crafts.

  • Paseo de los Artesanos

    Bariloche & the Lake District

    Neuquén’s largest selection of regional handicrafts is at this outlet, north of the old train station.

  • Familia Avar Saracho

    Catamarca & La Rioja

    For upmarket woven goods, this familiy operation has reasonable prices, and arranges shipping as well.

  • Paseo Artesanal

    Bariloche & the Lake District

    Various Mapuche crafts for sale, including some beautiful polished woodwork and intricate weavings.

  • Paseo de los Artesanos

    Bariloche

    Local craftspeople display wares of wool, wood, leather, silver and other media here.

  • Manos Andinas

    Quebrada de Humahuaca

    Near Humahuaca's plaza, Manos Andinas sells fair-trade artesanía.

  • Artesanías Neuquinas

    Bariloche & the Lake District

    A Mapuche cooperative with high-quality weavings and wood crafts on offer.

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