Smart Shopping at Argentina

When it comes to shopping, Buenos Aires is famous for antiques, leather goods and street market crafts. There are lots of artisan fairs where prices are very reasonable. The main one is the Recoleta Fair, which takes place at weekends.

Antique shops are mostly found in and around San Telmo. Feria de San Telmo (Plaza Dorrego) is San Telmo's Sunday fair and a variety of antiques such as jewellery, soda bottles and handmade arts and crafts can be found here. Tango dancers and mimes entertain those who feel the need to take a break from shopping. (Rock star Rod Stewart is reputed to be a great fan of San Telmo.) On Sundays, you can visit the "Feria de las Artesanias y Tradiciones Populares Argentinas" (Argentine Arts and Crafts and Traditions Fair) in Mataderos.

For more craftsy type gifts and souvenirs away from the fairs, the best place to go is Ultimo Taller (Jorge L. Borges 1975; 54 11 4831 4135), selling interesting street address plates, candles and markers.

Florida Street and Santa Fe Avenue are the busiest for shopping, but luxury boutiques can be found in the neighbourhood of Recoleta, on Alvear Avenue, which boasts a number of international haute couture brands.

Leather shops are concentrated around Santa Fe. The staff in Dalla Fontana (Reconquista 735; 54 11 4313 4354) are fluent in English, always a plus when trying to choose a bag or jacket. For leather shoes, try Flabella (Suipacha 363; 54 11 4322 6036). And if you're interested in tango shoes, this is also the place to go.

It is in this area, and on Avenida Corrientes downtown and Avenida Cabildo, that the big labels and designer stores cluster. There are two big designer label malls in Buenos Aires; Alto Palermo (Santa Fe 3251; 54 11 5777 8000) holds more than 180 shops behind its mirror-like exterior, while Abasto (Av. Corrientes 3247; 54 11 4959 3400) was built over an earlier market where the celebrated tango singer Carlos Gardel got his start serenading various fruit and meat vendors.

For a truly memorable souvenir, Savoy (Florida 872; 54 11 4312 8255) has an excellent stock of wine.

Other peripheral shopping areas are on Cabildo Avenue (Belgrano), and in recent years modern shopping malls have been built, such as Patio Bullrich (Av. del Libertador 750), Alto Palermo (Av. Coronel Diaz and Arenales), Galerias Pacifico (Florida and Av. Cordoba), and Abasto de Buenos Aires (Av. Corrientes 3247).

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