11 Best Places to Shop in Argentina

A fair-trade agreement links this luminous town house to a team of craftswomen in northwest Argentina who spin, dye, and weave the exquisite woolen goods sold here. Some of the handmade rugs, blankets, and throws follow traditional patterns and use only natural pigments (such as yerba mate or beetroot juice); others are contemporary designs using brighter colors. Packable souvenirs include sheep-wool table runners, alpaca scarves, and knitted cacti. Ask about designing your own rug.

Sunlight and the smell of solder fill the rooms of this old San Telmo house, which doubles as a store and open workshop for celebrity silversmith Marcelo Toledo. A huge silver mosaic of Evita gives away who Toledo's main muse is: he has created replicas of her own jewelry (he is the only silversmith authorized by her estate to do so) as well as pieces inspired by her. Eva Duarte Perón isn't the only crowd-pleasing politician Toledo's been associated with: a local magnate commissioned cuff links as an inauguration gift for President Obama. He also designed a mate gourd especially for Prince William and his bride, the Duchess of Cambridge.

An artist-and-architect duo is behind these singular works, which are inspired by native Argentine art. They use an unusual papier-mâché technique to create boxes, frames, tapestries, and freestanding sculptures. The primitive-looking pieces, a vision of rich rusts and earthy browns, make highly original gifts.

Every Sunday, on Balcarce Street between Ríos and Ameghino, around 200 local artisans get together for this weekly handicrafts market. It's considered to be the most important in the north. Pick up ceramics, knitwear, rugs, shawls, and even furry llama toys. On Saturdays there are similar if smaller markets: Feria de la Plaza Güemes and the Paseo de Arte y Diseño, located at Paseo de los poetas.

Each weekend, artisans sell handmade clothes, jewelry, and housewares as well as traditional crafts at this sprawling open-air market that winds through several linked squares outside the Recoleta Cemetery.

This small handicraft shop is run by a non-profit organization that trades fairly with more than two-dozen indigenous communities in Argentina. The shop smells like the aromatic palo santo wood used to make the trays, platters, cutting boards, and hair combs they carry. Other offerings include carnival masks, handwoven textiles, beaten tin ornaments, and alpaca jewelry. Prices, though higher than in markets, are reasonable; quality is excellent (hence the name, meaning "the best" in the Wichi Indian language); and you know your money is going to the artisans. There's also a store in Belgrano at Vuelta de Obligado 1933.

Gustavo Stagnaro is a big name in San Antonio silversmithing. His majestic corner store sells both simple and ornate gaucho knives, no-nonsense silver jewelry, and finely crafted mate paraphernalia. Also be sure to check out his daughter Josefina's sculptures, wonderfully made from paper.

Argentina's legendary orefebre (silversmith) has made pieces for a mile-long list of celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Sharon Stone, Antonio Banderas, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis, and Spanish royalty. A set of ornate silver-handled steak knives is the perfect memento of cow country, although it will set you back several grand.

This non-profit organization sells work from Bariloche's local artisans, including jewelry, ornaments, and ceramics.

The quirky, postmodern souvenirs this store specializes in are a welcome variation from classic mate gourds or gaucho knives. Take the ubiquitous cow, which has been reformed into a leather vampire-bat key holder, or the piglet change purse. Beautiful bags, silver and steel bijouterie as well as tango-themed soaps are cute gift options. Head upstairs to browse clothes by a variety of designers.

Although Salta has all the usual high-street shops where you can stock up on sundries, provincial villages are a better bet for souvenirs and regional products. There are, however, a few proud exceptions to that rule—including the huge 1882 Jesuit monastery that holds the Mercado Artesanal and the open stalls across the street. Look for emblematic red-and-black salteño ponchos, alpaca knitwear and weavings, leather goods, wooden masks, carved animals, and fine silver from around the province. Everything is open daily 10–8:30.