Antiques, art, artesanal goods, the Buenos Aires outdoor markets are a big draw to both tourists and locals alike. Whether in a plaza, park, or even on a random sidewalk, the city hosts a number of wonderful outdoor markets or ferias. Flea markets and artisan stands draw everything from silver lined boleadoras, traditional gaucho wear and yerba mate dispensers, to antique fountain pens, unique art and leather goods.
It’s time to check out the best markets in Buenos Aires and begin to dig around some of our favorite mercados and ferias. Here’s a top 7 list of the best of the best:
1. Recoleta market
A.K.A. Feria de Artesanos de Plaza Francia
Location: Plaza Francia, near the Recoleta cemetery
When: Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to sunset + Holidays
Total number of stands and set ups: 150-200
Generally offered: High quality artisan goods ranging from silver, yerba mate gourds, leather, pottery and jewelry, ritzy Recoleta’s outdoor market covers both traditional and modern products. Music, food vendors, hippies, acrobats and street performers can all be found wandering around or setting up shop within close proximity. The main sloping hill that the market wraps around often features musicians on sunny afternoons where you can relax and figure out who else you need to buy a gift for.
Worth a visit?: This is the best outdoor market to find genuine, high quality hand-made goods in Buenos Aires. The fair prices you find will be reinforced when you see that many of the same goods are found in Recoleta’s high-end stores marked up 150%.
2. The San Telmo Market
A.K.A. Feria de San Telmo
Location: Defensa Street, from Plaza de Mayo to Plaza Dorrego
When: Sunday from 10 am to sunset, some activity on Saturday at Plaza Dorrego
Total number of stands and set ups: 250-300
Generally offered: In the crumbling mansion district of San Telmo there’s a heavy focus on antiques. Stretching away from Plaza Dorrego in either direction you’ll find street performers, tango dancers and hundreds of rogue sidewalk vendors. Street foods like empanadas, choripan and even a mobile Colombian coffee vendor all circulate the market. The hand-made goods and art section of the fair tucked away on side streets are prime areas for gifts. Keep your eye out for a sifón de soda (old school soda water dispenser), pingüino (penguin) pitcher for wine and other traditional Argentine household goods that have faded out with the advances of tech.
Worth a visit?: San Telmo has that classic, old school vibe in Buenos Aires that many visitors hope to see. With its charming cobblestone streets, street light lanterns, hundred-year-old facades, San Telmo is a must see during your trip to Buenos Aires. Don’t miss the “Mercado San Telmo” located at Defensa 961- it’s a large more permanent flea market, open all week 10 am to 7 pm.
3. Feria de Palermo Viejo
Location: Plaza Armenia, Malabia and Costa Rica in Palermo Soho
Total number of stands and set ups: 35-50
When: Saturday and Sunday + Holidays, 10 am to sunset
Generally offered: A mixture of hand-made goods, clothing and random creative products can all be discovered in this happening area of BA. This market is a great add-on to your shopping day in Palermo Soho.
Worth a visit?: If you are in Palermo Soho (Palermo Viejo) this is a nice stop for general outdoor market exploring and keepsakes. I have personally picked up a few wedding and birthday presents here. Be sure to follow either Malabia or Armenia towards Cordoba (ask someone if you do not have a map) to lead you to the heart of the neighborhood’s designers and modern shops.
4. Feria de Plaza Serrano
aka Feria Cortázar
Location: Plaza Serrano, corner of Serrano or Borges and Honduras in Palermo Soho
Total number of stands and set ups: 35-50
When: Saturday, Sunday + Holidays 11 am to sunset
Generally offered: The popular Palermo round-about is lined with bars and restaurants that temporarily convert into designer clothing shops and boutiques for the afternoon. Ideal for picking up some unique, one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories from local designers, you’ll have the bonus stands set up in the center of the plaza snaking up Honduras street. Sticking with its roots, Plaza Serrano offers a lot of alternative jewelry, “tobacco” pipes along with hand-made goods.
Worth a visit?: The outdoor market at Plaza Serrano is conveniently a few blocks away from the Palermo Viejo fair so make a day of your Palermo exploration. There are tons of cafes and restaurants nearby to take 5 and relax a bit. We recommend “Chori” (just a few blocks away at Thames 1653) who serve up Argentina’s 2017 championship chorizo sandwiches. Or swing by the hipster cafe “Lattente” (Thames 1891) for a proper flat white.
5. Feria Artesanal de Parque Centenario
Location: Patricias Argentinas y Machado, Parque Centenario in Caballito
Total number of stands and set ups: 300+
When: Saturday, Sunday + Holidays 11 am to sunset
Generally offered: A very wide variety of Argentine goodies can be found in this locals’ focused market. The area is a massive circular park with the majority of the outer sidewalk and street lined with stands. This market will be more flea market themed with new and used clothing, tools, artisan liquors and the like.
Worth a visit?: This is one of the ferias that doesn’t see many tourists. A truly off the beaten path market that serves the more frugal needs of the Buenos Aires’ residents this is for the diggers and travelers who are seeking something different. Some real gems can be found and could be a perfect day of exploration if you have more than a couple of weeks here and want to venture off the tourist track.
Bonus: The park is quite pleasant to cut through, stroll by the pond and find a nice bench to relax with a book.
6. Feria Puerto Madero
Location: Av. Calabria y Rosario Vera Peñaloza, in Puerto Madero
Total number of stands and set ups: 150
When: Saturday, Sunday + Holidays, 11 am to sunset
Generally offered: Virtually unknown to most of Buenos Aires residents this outdoor flea market is tucked away behind the modern Puerto Madero skyline. With used goods galore you’ll find musical performances nearby at the main intersection nearby, random carnival games and bike rentals at the Ecological Reserve entrance.
Worth a visit?: One of the more random markets in Buenos Aires, this feria is worth a pass through if you’re already in Puerto Madero perhaps heading to the Ecological Reserve. The grassy marsh boardwalk houses some of BA’s greatest barbecue stands in the city. Great for photographers and those seeking some fresh air.
7. Feria de Mataderos
Location: Av. Lisandro de la Torre y Av. de los Corrales, in Mataderos
Total number of stands and set ups: 150 – 200
When: Sundays, 11 am to 8 pm + Holidays (Different schedule during summer, closed most of January)
Generally offered: The hidden gem among the outdoor markets, the Feria de Mataderos is where travelers who seek a “real” feria go. Hosting a more “gaucho” country theme you’ll find Buenos Aires residents feeling like a tourists. Artisan goods, regional cuisine, gaucho (Argentine cowboy) competitions with horses, folklore dancing, traditional live music and festive feel.
Worth a visit?: This outdoor market is an authentic fair created by more rural Argentines for Buenos Aires locals. It can be quite far especially for those staying in San Telmo, Centro or Recoleta, but well worth the trip! Time for an Uber.
Updated May 2018
