In life, there are those who love to shop ‘til they drop, and those who don’t like to shop at all. But when it comes to shopping, there is one thing that these two personality types will find they can agree on: they both enjoy shopping in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Why is it that those who don’t normally enjoy combing the shops will find that they change their minds in this beautiful, historic city? Well, first of all, Buenos Aires is known for being a bit fashion-obsessed. Eva Perón herself is certainly well remembered for her elegant and beautiful wardrobe. So if you are tired of seeing the same-old-same-old in American department stores, you will find that the array of different, unusual, and unique clothing items, jewelry, and antiques in Buenos Aires are definitely enough to keep you interested. Argentines are known for dressing very nicely, so you many find inspired to select new duds just by being surrounded by so much fashion.
Secondly, the prices are definitely right here. You can find items such as a cool pair of suede shoes in the $20 range. In fact, everything is reasonably priced here, due to the exchange rate of the Argentine Peso to the US dollar. Not only are all of the cool items you’ll find reasonably priced, but a full day of taxiing from one neighborhood to another to shop won’t run you much, either. The average taxi ride within the city will only cost you about $3.
Lastly, Buenos Aires has exciting and different ways to shop. There are many different shopping districts and neighborhoods, each of which is unique and has its own trademark deals and bargains. Some of the best sopping spots to hit up are:
San Telmo- Many of the buildings here are Romanesque in style and date back to the country’s colonial period. So you’ll definitely find yourself gazing around at the neighborhood’s romantic architecture while you shop. This is the perfect place to shop for art and antiques. In fact, you can find more than 500 different art and antique merchants here. On Sundays, a street fair takes place, and the main street is closed to vehicles, so you can wander down the cobblestone street among street performers and peddlers. At the center of the street fair is the Plaza Dorrego. This is a wonderful place to find collectibles such as bottles made of colored glass, stickers, toy cars, brass jugs, crystal drinking glasses, and porcelain urns. Right off the plaza you’ll also find Gil Antigüedades, which is the perfect place to look for vintage clothing.
El Microcentro- This area is the place to go if you are looking for inexpensive clothing and/or electronics. Here you’ll also find Suipacha, which is known as the city’s tango supply street. So if you’re looking for a dashing suit or pair of 4-inch red spiked heel shoes to dance the night away in, here is where you will find them. Many of the shops will even custom-make tango clothing for you. Make sure to also check out the Calle Florida, which is a pedestrian-only street filled with quaint little stores and shops. Here you will find Plata Nativa, which sells a gorgeous mix of new jewelry made from semi-precious stones and interesting antiques.
Palermo- Palermo is known as the party district of the city. Residents here operate on Spanish hours, where dinner begins at 10 pm, and people may not come crawling out of bars and nightclubs until sunrise. Many of the bars around Plaza Serrano in Palermo Viejo have found a way to make money even in the afternoon. During the day, they become clothing bazaars. Because this is a trendy and hip area, it is a great place to find clothing that reflects this. You’ll find items such as tee shirts, jackets, handbags, and dresses that have been designed by young local designers. Just a short walk away are some trendy boutiques, too. You can find jeans made by Rapsodia, the Argentine label of choice, and a large selection of leather bags an purses.
With all of the places to shop in Buenos Aires, you are sure to find exactly what you are seeking, along with some treasures that will surprise you, and that you didn’t even know you were looking for.
