Best Markets To Visit In Argentina

Bursting with local color and rich in cultural heritage, Argentina’s markets are a great way to acquaint yourself with the country. Here are the nation’s best.

Patagonia: El Bolsón artist fair

Market

The Feria Regional de El Bolsón is a highly selective and therefore exceptionally good artists’ market in Patagonia’s hippie-loving town. Most items are made by hand and sold by the artists themselves. You’ll find everything from high-quality ceramics to exquisite little boxes made out of shells and nuts, handmade soaps infused with honey, handmade clothing, food stands, and more. Saturdays are the best day to go.

Buenos Aires province: Maschwitz market

Market

The Maschwitz market, located in the town of Ingeniero Maschwitz just outside the city of Buenos Aires, makes for a fun little day trip from the capital. Set up like an old-time town center, the quirky market offers an assortment of gourmet restaurants, small designers, and a number of vintage and second-hand stores with recreated and/or recycled items.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sundays 11am-8pm.

Córdoba: the art market

Market

Not to be missed on a visit to the city of Córdoba is the Paseo de los Artes, or art walk. A destination for nature lovers and artists alike, the city of Córdoba boasts a rich cultural life. The city’s main art market represents the work of 200 local artists and is located in the bohemian neighborhood of Güemes. The venue is an old general store from the early twentieth century that back in the day reportedly became a meeting point for musicians and vendors, a cultural heritage carried on by the Paseo de los Artes.

Hours: weekends and holidays 5pm-11pm (summer), 4pm-10pm (winter).

Salta: the handcrafts market

Market

Nearly 50 years old, the handcrafts market in the northern province of Salta was the first official artists’ market in the nation. Housed in a historic 19th century mill, the market offers leather goods, fabrics, ceramics and other goods at reportedly lower prices than in other parts of the country.
Hours: daily 9am-9pm.

Tigre: the fruit market

Market

The Tigre market, located in a beautiful river delta just north of the capital, offers everything from souvenirs (on the hunt for those? click here) to beautiful wood-worked furniture, home decor items, food stands, and more. The Puerto de Frutos, or Port of Fruits as it is called, is also a great place to people-watch and take in local color. A quick one-hour train ride from the city of Buenos Aires, the market is a popular daylong excursion from the capital city.

Hours: weekdays 10am-6pm, weekends and holidays 10am-8pm.

City of Buenos Aires: the solidarity market

Market

This list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the nation’s capital. Mercado de Economía Solidaria Bonpland in Palermo Hollywood is a sustainability-oriented biomarket offering a wide assortment of products. Featuring everything from all-natural cleaning products to organic fruits and veggies, through to handcrafts made by indigenous communities, the market unites social-good initiatives all over the country. It’s a worthy cause that’s also a delight to visit. If the stop leaves you hungry for more, check out these foodie Buenos Aires markets.

Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am-8pm.