The Best Buenos Aires Markets You Should Visit

Buenos Aires is a city of art and food and music and history and culture, and this boils down to one thing: outdoor markets. From streets to plazas to parks, Buenos Aires knows how to do markets properly— and for the discerning traveler who seeks a souvenir more memorable than a Che Guevara poster from a corner store, the ferias and mercados can be treasure troves. Here are the top markets worth visiting.

Feria de San Telmo

Swing by the beautiful historic neighborhood of San Telmo on a Sunday morning to experience everything from antique furniture to artisanal jewelry and crafts to live music and tango dancing on street corners. Several vendors have entire stands full of sifóns de soda, or old-fashioned colored-glass soda bottles, which can make fun vases or drink dispensers. Buy an empanada to munch on and spend hours perusing the wares and crisscrossing San Telmo’s cobblestone streets. Feria de San Telmo, Defensa 1098, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina Con Soda, Feria de San Telmo | © _Teb/Flickr

Feria de Recoleta (Feria de Artesanos de Plaza Francia)

Market

Just moments from Recoleta’s famous cemetery is a sprawling market encompassing all of Plaza Francia. This market, taking place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12 to 6 pm, is on the bohemian side, and street performers, hippies, and live musicians are all common sights. Hit up Feria de la Recoleta in order to purchase high-end, handmade, artisanal items, such as an ornate mategourd and the accompanying metal straw, or bombilla.Feria de Recoleta, Plaza Francia, Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina La Feria de la Recoleta | © Libby Dowdall/Flickr

Feria de Plaza Serrano

Market

At the intersection of Calle Honduras and Serrano, in the happening neighborhood of Palermo Soho, crafts and souvenirs are sold on Saturdays and Sundays in the Feria de Plaza Serrano. Palermo is full of hip and trendy restaurants, many of which clear away their furniture during the afternoon siesta hours to make room for young, up-and-coming fashion designers to tout their wares in the stores as a sort of popup shop. Technically, the outdoor market shuts down at 6 pm, but many vendors will often stay open later to attract people arriving in the area for dinner. Feria de Plaza Serrano, Palermo Soho, Buenos Aires, Argentina Feria de Plaza Serrano, Palermo Soho | © Jennifer Yin

Feria de Mataderos

Market

Located in the far, suburban reaches of the city, Feria de Mataderos is a bit of a journey (an hour by bus, to be precise) from the city center, but it’s worth the trek in order to escape the tourist crowds and get to see the gaucho horseback-riding competition which occurs. Aside from Argentinian cowboys racing around, the market abounds in artisan handicrafts, secondhand wares, and musicians playing traditional folk music. If hunger strikes, fear not: there are a multitude of food vendors as well, hawking tamales, empanadas, cheeses, and more. Feria de Mataderos, Avenida Lisandro de la Torre & Avenida de los Corrales, Mataderos, Buenos Aires, Argentina Feria de Mataderos, Pochoclo Stand | © Meghan Hess

Feria Artesanal Palermo Viejo

Market

Stop by this market to snag one-of-a-kind jewelry, discounted clothes by local designers, and all kinds of quirky and fun items with a fashionable edge. With a park and playground adjacent, there’s entertainment for the little ones as parents peruse the fair’s high-class, stylish handicrafts. Feria Artesanal de Palermo Viejo, Plaza Armenia, Palermo Viejo, Buenos Aires, Argentina By Madeleine Bazil

About the author

Madeleine Bazil

Maddy is in her second year reading English at the University of St Andrews. Born and bred in Washington, DC, she retains an affinity for political intrigue, urban green space, and Ethiopian cuisine despite newly appreciating the British traditions of queueing, apologising, and Wimbledon. Maddy's freelance writing has been published in media such as Matador Network and Thistle Magazine as well as in St Andrews-based publications. She'll travel anywhere, just give her a moment to lace up her Adidas.