6 Flea Markets And Thrift Stores In Buenos Aires

As clothes can be fairly expensive in Argentina, second-hand stores and flea markets tend to thrive in Buenos Aires. In fact, you’ll find people selling their used things (mostly clothing) in many public parks. Whether you’re looking for vintage items, antiques, or just super-cheap clothes, you need look no further than these six spots in Buenos Aires.

Mercado de las Puglas

Market

Mercado de las Pulgas is a higher-end flea market in Palermo that’s Argentina’s answer to Etsy, the craft-vintage emarket. The market sells refurbished antique furniture, handmade items, vintage clothing, old trinkets and the like. It’s located in a very safe part of town and is enjoyable to browse, but expect prices to be higher than elsewhere.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm (May – August), 10am – 8pm (September – April)

Rivadavia treasure trove

Costume seekers and bargain-hunters alike will love this little gem in the unassuming working class neighborhood of Almagro. Items of clothing will cost you the equivalent of a few dollars (or less!), but watch out – most of them are decidedly not clean (in fact, you should probably wash your hands once you leave the place). Still, if you’re willing to root around a little bit – the clothing is literally in piles – it’s hard to leave empty-handed. Where: Rivadavia 3484, just down the street from the Line A “Loria” metro strop.

Lavalle Street

You could easily while away some time trying on vintage clothing along Lavalle Street (around where it intersects with Jean Jaures). Located behind the historic Abasto shopping mall, there are numerous little places to pop into. Just make sure you don’t go on a Sunday or during siesta (2pm – 5pm), when most will be closed.

Parque Centenario

Park

Parque Centenario is another good place to peruse. On weekends, vendors of all kinds line the perimeter of the park, selling everything from plants to fake designer clothes to old books and magazines.

Hours: Weekends from 11am – 8pm

Salvation Army

Buenos Aires’ Salvation Army, the El Ejército de Salvación – situated in the neighborhood of Pompeya – is well worth the trip because the place is huge. There you’ll find the expected assortment of random second-hand items, but they will be cooler, because you’re in Argentina. While in Pompeya, check out Cottolengo Don Orione, another non-profit donation store also offering a curious selection of random items.

El Ejército de Salvación, Aveida Sáenz 580, Pompeya, Buenos Aires
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am – 17:30pm. Saturdays from 8:30am – 12:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Cottolengo Don Orione, Cachi 566, Pompeya, Buenos Aires
Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 12pm & 1:30pm – 5pm; Saturdays 8:30am – 12:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Display of evening gloves in San Telmo, Buenos Aires

La Feria del anticuario

School

If you fancy being old-school, what better way to arrive at an antiques fair than by train? Located at the station Barrancas (take the Tren de la Costa), this fair offers no end of old-time novelties, from old cameras, hats, old glassware to unusual maps and more. It takes place in the Acassuso neighborhood every Saturday, Sunday and holiday, rain or shine.

Hours: Weekends and holidays, starting at 10am.