When visiting Buenos Aires, there are so many great finds in the shops and from local vendors that you may be tempted to buy everything you see. From alfajores to tango music, here are some of the best souvenirs to buy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mate y Bombilla Set
The national drink of Argentina, mate is a very popular drink that is widely consumed throughout parts of South America. Mate is made from the dried leaves of a local plant called yerba mate which have been brewed in boiling water. Mate has deep roots in Argentinian culture, with its origins dating back to the indigenous Guaraní peoples. The practice of drinking mate was then later spread throughout the continent by European colonists. To this day, drinking mate together is a common social practice and is a symbol of friendship. Similar to coffee and tea, mate is a caffeinated drink and thought to have many health benefits.
Mate can be drunk hot or cold. Most commonly it is served hot and poured inside a gourd, also called a mate. It is served with a straw, called a bombilla, which acts as a strainer, so you don’t sip any of the leaves while drinking your mate. You can find beautiful mate y bombilla sets available to buy in Buenos Aires that make excellent gifts and are a great keepsake from your travels.
Dulce de Leche
Another ubiquitous item found around the Argentinian capital is sweet and indulgent dulce de leche. You can find jars of the delicious confection in almost every shop, cafe, and home in Buenos Aires. Dulce de leche is traditionally made by reducing down milk, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture becomes caramelized. A jar of dulce de leche makes an irresistible souvenir from your trip to Buenos Aires. Hint: buy more than one jar!
Alfajores
Alfajores take dulce de leche one step further and they make for the ultimate souvenir to buy when in Buenos Aires. Alfajores come in many different variations, but they are typically made with shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche then dipped in chocolate. A common phrase that can be heard locally is “traé alfajores,” or “bring alfajores!” Buy a box or two of alfajores and you won’t be sorry.
Chimichurri
If you’ve eaten steak, fish, chicken, or even grilled vegetables in Argentina, chances are it was served with a green sauce called chimichurri. Chimichurri is a versatile herbaceous marinade and sauce that goes well with almost everything. Chimichurri is typically made with parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes. It keeps very well stored in a jar and lasts for months, making it a great souvenir or gift from Buenos Aires.
Malbec Wine
The Malbec variety of grape thrives in Argentina’s high altitude and climate. Argentina is currently the world’s leading producer of Malbec wine, making this dry red wine a very popular souvenir to buy in Buenos Aires.
Alpargatas
Alpargatas are comfortable, casual shoes very popular with locals in Argentina. They are typically made from cotton and other natural fibers and come in many different colors and patterns. Buy a pair or two of alpargatas while in Buenos Aires.
Tango Music & Tango Shoes
Being the birthplace of tango music and its accompanying dance, it is no surprise that Buenos Aires is the best place to find all sorts of tango souvenirs, including tango music CDs, DVDs, and tango shoes.
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