Best Souvenirs From Argentina: What To Bring Back Home
When visiting Argentina, you may wonder what to buy in Argentina to bring back home. During my trips, I’ve scoured local markets, boutiques, and even grocery stores for authentic gifts. In this guide, I’ll help you discover the best souvenirs from Argentina and where to find them. From Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, from classic leather goods to delicious alfajores, you’ll find plenty of traditional things to buy in Argentina. Let’s dive in!
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Buying Argentina Souvenirs In Buenos Aires
Buying gifts in Buenos Aires is a pleasure in itself. The city is filled with markets, artisan shops, and specialty stores that offer unique and authentic Argentina gifts.
What to buy in Buenos Aires? Some of my favorite finds include Argentine leather goods, known for their quality and style, and my alpargatas shoes, which I will not trade for any other. Don’t miss buying alfajores cookies.
Where to buy souvenirs in Buenos Aires? There are lots of souvenir shops in Buenos Aires. They mostly sell the “made in China” stuff that you will find everywhere else in the world. I loved exploring the street markets instead. San Telmo Sunday Market, Mataderos Fair, and even smaller neighborhood markets are great for finding Argentina handicrafts, artwork, antiques, and local food.
Here are some ideas of what to buy from Argentina.
Argentine Leather Goods
Argentina is famous for its handcrafted leather goods, which are known for quality and style. During my visit, I found beautifully made leather wallets, purses, belts, and keychains at the street markets. These make the best gifts from Argentina.
If you’re looking for something unique, consider leather jackets or handbags. In Argentina, you will find a reasonably priced variety of leather goods. And the craftsmanship is unmatched!
Where to find Argentine handmade leather goods in Buenos Aires? The street markets offer a wide variety of wallets, belts, purses, and key chains. Check out the San Telmo Sunday market, the Mataderos Fair, and the street markets in Recoleta and Palermo. For leather jackets and handbags, visit the artisan shops in Palermo and Recoleta.
Mate Kits: Famous Products from Argentina
Mate sets are the best gift from Argentina. Mate is a traditional Argentine drink made from a type of dried leaves. The kits for preparing mate typically include a gourd and a bombilla (metal straw).
Drinking mate is a beloved tradition, and you’ll find a wide range of mate gourds and bombillas in markets and shops. During my trip, I picked up a beautiful handcrafted gourd with silver detailing. Some sets even come with yerba mate and storage containers, making them a perfect gift for beginners.
Look for authentic Argentina items made from materials like wood, ceramic, or traditional calabash. These make unique and practical gifts from Argentina. Don’t forget to buy yerba mate leaves to complement the mate kit.
Where to find authentic mate sets? Mate sets are popular products in Argentina. Souvenir shops all over Buenos Aires sell them, though they look like they were made for tourists. Buy handmade mate sets at the street markets. You will have traditional Argentine souvenirs and you will be supporting local artisans.
Authentic Argentina Souvenirs: Tango-Inspired Gifts
If you love tango, bringing home tango music and dance items is a great way to remember your trip. During my visit, I found beautiful tango figurines, vinyl records of Argentine tango classics, and even handmade tango shoes in specialty shops in Buenos Aires. You can also pick up posters featuring iconic tango performers like Carlos Gardel.
You can find handmade tango shoes in specialty shops. El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore has a great collection of vinyl records and CDs of Argentine tango. Tango figurines and posters can be found in the street markets.
Buy a Book in the Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World
If you’re a book lover, don’t miss El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It is often called the most beautiful bookstore in the world. In this stunning bookstore in Buenos Aires, you’ll find everything from Argentine literature in Spanish to translated classics.
When I visited, I picked up a couple of Spanish-language books for a friend of mine and myself. Even if you don’t read Spanish, the experience and ambiance are unforgettable. Pick up a book as a unique souvenir from Argentina and enjoy a coffee in the café located on the former stage.
Do you want to know which are the best hotels in Buenos Aires for every budget and taste?
Bring Home Dulce de Leche or Alfajores
Dulce de leche is a must-try and the perfect edible gift from Argentina. Dulce de leche is a creamy caramel spread and a favorite treat for locals and tourists alike.
I made sure to grab a few jars of dulce de leche. They made excellent gifts for friends!
Where to find dulce de leche? Dulce de leche is one of Argentina favorite products. You can find it in local grocery stores and specialty shops.
If you don’t feel like carrying jars, get a box of alfajores. Alfajores are two cookies glued together as a snack with dulce de leche.
Be careful how you stack them in your luggage. The cookies are quite fragile. My two boxes of alfajores arrived battered and a bit crumbled after more than 24 hours in the air. However, they were eaten with great gusto.
Where to find Alfajores? I bought mine in a Havanna shop. In my opinion, Havanna makes the best alfajores. Havanna coffee shops are not among the historic bars in Buenos Aires. Nevertheless, if you go to a Havanna coffee shop, don’t miss trying one of their specialty coffees. They are the best!
Argentine Wine and Local Delicacies As A Gift From Argentina
Argentina is famous for its world-class Malbec wine and delicious local food. Bringing home a bottle of Argentine wine is a must, especially from regions like Mendoza.
Pick up a bottle of Malbec. If you prefer white, get Torrontés. It is a crisp white wine. Pair it with local delicacies like artisanal salami, cheese, or local honey.
You can find them at the street markets such as the Feria de Mataderos or at gourmet shops in Buenos Aires. A wide selection of wines is available in grocery stores. And the prices will be a pleasant surprise! Wine is one of Argentina’s cheap souvenirs.
Before buying food as souvenirs from Argentina, check whether your country allows food products to be imported from abroad!
Artisanal Crafts: Handmade Souvenirs from Argentina
If you’re looking to buy a souvenir that is unique, you’ll love the variety of handmade gifts in Argentina. You will find woven textiles from the Andes, beautifully carved wooden items, stunning handmade jewelry, pottery, and even traditional Argentine ponchos and musical instruments.
Where to find traditional handmade items from Argentina in Buenos Aires? At the street markets – San Telmo Sunday market, Mataderos market, and the street markets in every neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Alpargatas: Comfortable Argentine Footwear
Speaking of Argentine handicrafts, alpargatas shoes deserve a special mention. Alpargatas are traditional Argentinean footwear commonly associated with the country’s rural and cultural heritage. They are simple and light. Alpargatas are made with an upper of canvas or cotton fabric and a flexible sole.
I bought a pair at the market in San Telmo. The stall had such a variety of colors and patterns that it was a challenge to choose just one pair. Alpargatas are easy to pack and make a practical yet unique gift from Argentina.
Alpargatas are known for their comfort and breathability, making them ideal for Argentina’s warm climate. Trust me when I say I’ve never had more comfortable summer footwear!
Where to find alpargatas? Look for local artisans at the San Telmo Sunday Market or the Mataderos Fair for the best quality. Some of the artisans have shops in Buenos Aires, but they sell their alpargatas at the markets for lower prices.
Buy Argentina Football Gifts: A Must-Have for Fans
For football fans, Argentine football gifts make an exciting keepsake. From Argentina soccer merchandise like national team jerseys and scarves to memorabilia featuring legends like Lionel Messi, there’s plenty to choose from.
My son told me the one gift he wanted me to bring back for him from Argentina was a Boca Juniors jersey. Sure enough, I bought one and he loved it.
Where to find Argentina soccer merchandise? You will see tons of options in the souvenir shops, including jerseys, key chains, mugs, and flags. Look for official merchandise in the official stores to ensure authenticity and quality. I picked up an official Boca Juniors jersey at an Adidas store in Buenos Aires.
Mafalda-Themed Gifts: Best Souvenirs from Argentina for Kids
If you’re shopping for children in Buenos Aires, Mafalda-themed gifts are a charming option. Mafalda is Argentina’s beloved cartoon character. She and her friends appear on everything from mugs and notebooks to T-shirts and toys.
Mafalda and her friends are a fun alternative to more traditional souvenirs. They’re colorful, playful, and a perfect gift from Argentina for kids. They are sure to bring a smile to a child’s face.
Where to find Mafalda-themed souvenirs? Look for them in gift shops and bookstores.
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Where To Find Authentic Argentina Gifts in Buenos Aires?
Wondering where to find authentic Argentine souvenirs in Buenos Aires?
The San Telmo Sunday Market is the place to go for handmade things to buy in Buenos Aires. The street market is packed with Argentina popular products such as leather goods, mate sets, handmade jewelry, and antiques. This historic market is located in the heart of the San Telmo neighborhood. San Telmo district is known for its colonial architecture and bohemian vibe and is a must-see in Buenos Aires. The market is only open on Sundays.
In addition to shopping, the San Telmo Market is a great place to experience the local culture and see tango dancers performing in the streets.
Whether you’re looking for a unique souvenir or just want to soak up the atmosphere of Buenos Aires, San Telmo Sunday Market is a must.
Mataderos Fair is a vibrant and colorful Sunday market located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. If you are looking for off-the-beaten-path things to do in Buenos Aires, hop in a taxi on a Sunday and go to the Mataderos Fair.
The Mataderos Fair stalls sell a variety of souvenirs from Argentina such as yerba mate, ponchos, alpargatas, and homemade food. You can also find hand-carved wooden gifts and even gaucho knives.
At Mataderos Fair you will also find a stage with local musicians performing traditional music and dances.
Plaza Serrano Market in the Palermo neighborhood is another great spot for high-quality artisanal items, such as handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, and clothing by local designers.
TIP: In the local markets, not all vendors accept credit cards, so always bring cash in Argentine pesos and check the blue dollar rate before exchanging currency.
Must-Have Gifts From Patagonia
If you’re heading to Ushuaia, don’t miss the chance to grab authentic souvenirs from Patagonia.
Handmade wool products: Patagonia in Argentina is famous for its high-quality wool. Pick up a traditional poncho, hat, scarf, or pair of gloves made from locally sourced wool.
Local art: Patagonia is home to many talented artists who create stunning paintings, sculptures, and pottery inspired by the region’s natural beauty.
Patagonian Handmade Chocolate is one of the best products from Argentina to buy as a gift in Ushuaia.
Postcards and photos: Don’t forget to capture the stunning landscapes of Patagonia with postcards, photos, or prints to remember your trip.
Planning a trip to Argentina? Check out this Argentina travel guide.
Where to Find Authentic Gifts in Ushuaia?
If you are seeking authentic Patagonian souvenirs, look at el Paseo de los Artesanos. It is a covered market near the pier.
For the best Patagonian artisanal chocolate, go to the Mercado del Jardin. A small shop at the end of the market, on the left side sells a variety of handmade chocolates. I tried a few and bought five packages of assorted chocolate bars. They gift-wrapped my purchases, and the chocolate made it safely to my home.
And stop at La Ultima Bita souvenir shop. La Ultima Bita is the most popular gift shop in Ushuaia. They can even exchange your currency, or send your postcards.
FAQ
Popular souvenirs to buy in Argentina include mate sets, Argentine leather goods, Patagonian wool products, dulce de leche, Malbec wine, tango-themed items, and football jerseys.
Visit local markets like San Telmo or Feria de Mataderos for authentic Argentinean gifts.
Argentina souvenirs for kids include Mafalda-themed gifts, football jerseys, colorful alpargatas, or penguin-themed toys from Patagonia.
Conclusion
Choosing souvenirs from Argentina to bring back home is a real pleasure. There are so many unique popular products from Argentina to buy for a present or as a keepsake! And the best places to find them are the local markets.
So, whether it’s a bottle of Malbec, a handcrafted poncho, a football jersey, or artisanal chocolate, make room in your bag for a piece of Argentina!
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