Buenos Aires: 16 Shopping Ideas for Travelers (2024)

1. Mate Set

2. Asado Knives (Facones)

3. Leather Bag

4. Cowhide Rug

Not only does Argentine cowhide makes nice bags and jackets, it also makes for very stylish rugs which are another popular souvenir item in Buenos Aires. The soft, silky hides come in different colors and markings, from black and white splodges to speckled browns and stripes, depending on the breed of cow. The most common come from Holando, Hereford and Charolais cows. Funky homeware store Calma Chicha in the Palermo neighborhood sells a large collection of cowhide rugs that come in three sizes (small, medium and large). The small and medium sizes are easy to roll up and transport home. There are short haired rugs available during the summer and longer-haired rugs in the winter. Price: from ARS $990 to ARS $1,190, depending on the size.

5. Dulce de Leche

Anyone with a sweet tooth will fall instantly in love with Dulce de Leche, the country’s famous caramel sauce. It literally translates as “sweet milk” and is made from condensed milk. The average Argentine eats it at least once a day, either spread on a tostado for breakfast, stuffed in croissants or cakes or poured over ice-cream or other desserts. In fact, you’ll be hard pushed to find an Argentine dessert that doesn’t contain that all important sweet sauce. Tikal Chocolate’s creamy Dulce de Leche concoction is arguably the best in the city. Their special homemade recipe is free of any preservatives and contains delicious chunks of chocolate made from 100 percent Belgian chocolate. (You might also want to indulge in some of the artisanal boutique’s exquisite handmade chocolates while you’re there. They did take over 50 hours to produce.)

6. Box of Alfajores

Alfajores are another one of Argentina’s guilty pleasures and the perfect sugary snack with a coffee. Different to the original Spanish cylinder-shaped confection which traditionally contains honey, almonds and spices, the Argentine version is circular and falls somewhere between a cookie and a cake. It most commonly consists of milk, dark or white chocolate-coated layers of biscuit filled with chocolate, Dulce de Leche, jam or even mousse. You’ll find alfajores in virtually every “kiosco” in the city, but the alfajores from Argentine food company and coffee shop chain Havanna, in business since the 1950s, are regarded as some of the best in the country and come in a variety of flavors. Price: A box of 12 alfajores costs AR$55.

7. Tango Shoes

As any professional tanguera will tell you, you can’t dance tango well without a good pair of tango heels – something that combines comfort and durable soles with elegance and a heavy dose of sparkle. And nowhere else do they make them better than the birthplace of tango itself, Buenos Aires. Numerous tango shoe designers have appeared on the scene in the last few years catering to the younger, hip crowd of tango dancers, but one of the best in town is Comme Il Faut, founded by shoe and tango devotee Alicia Muñiz. The local brand’s elegant yet comfortable shoes, designed by dancers for dancers, appeal to both professional tangueras and women generally seeking an eye-catching one-of-a-kind pair of evening shoes. Their exotic limited edition designs are colorful and incorporate high quality leather and other textured materials, and come in a range of sizes. Price: available on request

8. Rhodocrosite (Rodocrosita) Jewellery

Rhodocroiste is Argentina’s national pink stone. It’s considered a gemstone of love and wearers of it are thought to attract love so it’s frequently used in jewelry design. You’ll often hear it being referred to as the “Inca Rose” as the Incas believed it to be the blood of their ancestors turned to stone. The quality and price of the stone varies, depending on the flaws and the color which, in turn, ranges from a light pink with white streaks to a deeper and more expensive shade of reddish pink. You’ll find a lot of rhodocrosite being sold on the streets and in the markets, but if you’re looking for something a bit more special (and valuable), check out Delgè boutique’s exquisite collection of rhodocrosite jewellery. Designer and founder Ignacio Pateman incorporates a shiny, dark pink version of the stone into delicate earrings, necklaces and rings, combined with sterling silver or 19-kt gold and, sometimes, other precious and semi-precious stones, such as black onyx and pearls. Price: available on request

9. Leather Jacket

A classic leather jacket never goes out of fashion and is a good solid style investment. In Buenos Aires, there are leather jackets to suit every taste imaginable, but the quality and tailoring of the jackets varies, depending on where you go, so be sure to shop around. For some of the best leather products in town, try family-run Rossi & Caruso, in business since 1862. Their products are distinguished by top quality workmanship and attention to detail. In particular, their leather jackets and vests, for men and women, come in a range of classic cuts and colors and are crafted from top notch leather that’s beautifully soft to the touch. Price: Women’s leather jackets start at around $1,400

10. Bottle of Malbec Wine

11. Polo Boots

12. Tango Art

13. Fernet

For those who prefer hard liquor to the grape, Argentina has harbored a love for Fernet, a bitter, aromatic spirit, since the 1800s. The syrupy drink’s original purpose was to cleanse the system after a heavy meal or rid the body of contaminants in the water. And even today, Fernet is touted for its medicinal benefits and is believed to alleviate stomach pains and hangovers due to its herbal contents.It’s made from around 40 to 50 different herbs and spices, such as myrrh, chamomile, cardamom and saffron, and characterized by a medicinal, earthy taste (not dissimilar to mouth wash). The Argentines most commonly like to mix it with Coca Cola (and a few cubes of ice) or have it as a digestif on the rocks, but it goes well with soda water too. For a long time, the Italian brand Fernet Branca was the most popular Fernet on the market, but the Argentine brand 1882 has recently emerged and attracted a strong following of Fernet drinkers. Price: A 750cc bottle of Fernet 1882 is ARS $36

14. Polo Shirt

Preppy polo fashion is popular in Argentina on and off the pitch. Whether you’re after a polo shirt, as sported by Argentina’s national team for a budding polo fan, or something more fashionable to wear on the weekends, head to La Martina, the country’s luxury polo brand and official sponsors to the polo team. The luxury polo and sportswear brand, which has boutiques in numerous locations across the city, offers a collection of fetching polo shirts in a range of styles that strike a balance between sporty and stylish and come in a palette of colors to match the season. Price: available on request

15. Boca Juniors Football Shirt

Argentina’s passion for football is up there with its love of red wine, steak and tango. The locals are fervent football fans, and take the game very seriously. One of the city’s most beloved and successful teams is Boca Juniors from the colorful La Boca neighborhood in the south of the city, where the famous Diego Maradona started his football career. The team’s strip is bright blue and yellow (legend has it that the colors were inspired by the Swedish flag, the first boat to arrive in the La Boca harbor). You’ll see Boca Juniors football shirts on sale all over the city, but to ensure you’ve got the real thing and not a fake, it’s advisable to buy one from a sports shop rather than a street stall or tourist stall (otherwise it may have fallen apart at the seams before you’ve even got it home). Price: ARS $369

1. Argentina Soccer Jersey - Soccer-mad Argentina boast a proud World Cup history, having won the prestigious trophy two times! The famous sky blue and white of Argentina, worn by legends like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, is one of the most recognized jerseys in the world.

2. Argentine Tango CDs - The world's symbol for Argentina, traditional tango is played on a solo or duo guitar, or accompanied by an ensemble of two violins, flute, piano, double bass, and at least two bandoneóns (imported accordion-like German instrument). Totally improvisational, Argentine tango is the soul of Buenos Aires expressed through a song, in which the city's inhabitants have given up their sorrow to the music.

3. Yerba Mate - Mate is a tea-like beverage much popular in Argentina as well as in the neighboring Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, where it is a rival alternative to coffee. The infusion is brewed from the dried leaves of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a native plant of subtropical Latin America, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, contains more antioxidants than green tea, and less caffeine. A perfect balance to start a day!

4. Chimichurri Sauce - A staple ingredient of Argentinean food culture, Chimichurri is a mix of fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar and oil. This is a perfect marinade and condiment for beef, chicken, pork or seafood. Magnificently bold and complex in flavor, it makes an excellent dipping sauce for bread or addition to your rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, and omelets.