What To Buy In Ushuaia, Argentina

1. Lighthouse snowglobes

The lighthouse of Les Eclaires is a popular tourist attraction that can be reached on short boat tours from Ushuaia. Charming snowglobes enclosing the conical shaped red and white lighthouse with rocks and the sea are found all around the city and are the ideal souvenir to get back home that will remind you of all the adventures at the end of the world. The cute, little snowglobes are lovely decorative items and get snowflakes swirling around the globe every time you shake it.

2. Handmade woolen knitwear

Tierra del Fuego is covered with sheep farms and is well known for its wool production. There are plenty of shops that can sell Patagonian woollen knitwears that are handmade by people that call themselves “Hilanderas del Fin del Mundo”(spinners at the end of the world). The hand-woven garments are intricately beautiful and are made with dyes from leaves, fruits, flowers, roots and barks in a sustainable way and should be on the souvenir shopping list of anyone inspired by the natural immensity of the region.

3. Pinguino

Ushuaia is one of the very few places in the world where you can walk alongside penguins, especially during the high season from November to February when the flightless, little birds flock to these shores. To commemorate your experience of viewing the cute aquatic birds, do not miss out on buying souvenirs of pinguinos, jars, cups and keychains in the shape of a penguin. Some of the pinguinos also have designs of penguins wearing scarves and beanies painted on them and are the cutest set of gifts you can get from Ushuaia.

4. Carved statues

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Being pulled by a set of four Huskies on a sledge through the forests of Tierra Mayor in Ushuaia is one of the popular experiences to take part in the region. After your Husky experience, you can choose to purchase a wooden statue carved in the shape of the sledge and four dogs pulling it in gift shops around the city. This is an ideal gift to take back home and have them displayed in showcases.

5. Jam

Patagonia is the only place where you can get Calafate jam, made from the native fruit of Calafate also known as Magellan barberry. The jam is made by boiling the fruit along with green apples that give it a distinctive taste and flavour. The yummy Calafate berries are native to the region and are a symbol of the Patagonian folklore and should not be missed out on during your trip in Ushuaia.

6. Handicrafts

Steps away from the port of Ushuaia, you will find an artisan market with more than 45 stalls of brightly coloured buildings with handicrafts including paintings and textiles. Most of these handicrafts are crafted on-site and are souvenirs that celebrate the local handicrafts tradition of the region. The local products handcrafted at the stalls are unique gift options at reasonable prices compared to the usual souvenirs like a T-shirt or a fridge magnet.

7. Chocolates

A visit to the chocolate shop is a must when you are exploring Ushuaia. Ushuaia is home to shops selling different combinations of chocolate flavours and artisanal chocolates that are the perfect gifts to treat your loved ones to. You can also get delicious hot chocolates that are the best after-ski snack to offset the gloomy, cold weather.

8. Snowglobe

Traditionally made of glass, snowglobes enclose a miniaturized landscape or a figure. In Ushuaia, you can find snowglobes of all sorts ranging from enclosed penguins that slide across the snow to Les Eclaires lighthouse that has snowflakes swirling around when shaken. These snowglobes are ideal souvenirs and take home remembrances and can be used for decorations or as collectable items. The snowglobes are a great stress reliever and will brighten up your homes and workspaces with its colours.

9. Perfumes

1/2 Perfumes

2/2 Duty Free Atlántico Sur Ushuaia

You can find fragrant perfumes in the main shopping district of San Martin and with low tariffs and duty-free prices, you can get them at a bargain. There are more than 50 brands that cater to gift-seekers and the ever-increasing number of travellers on their way to Antarctica. From Givenchy to Victoria’s Secret, you will find all types of fragrances to purchase at duty-free rates at the Atlantico Sur shop in San Martin.

10. Hand-brewed beer

Ushuaia is home to great beer brands such as Beagle and Cape Horn that is hand brewed using traditional recipes. They are made from an exclusive selection of the Patagonian hop and glacial water with no chemicals and are a must-try in Ushuaia. The breweries are characterised by their hygienic and neat atmosphere with the strong, aromatic hand-brewed beers making their way to most of the restaurants and bars around the city.

Shop at the end of the world

With a shopping district and numerous souvenir shops around the city, Ushuaia offers the best items that souvenir-seekers and travellers to Antarctica would want to get their hands on. From Patagonian wool wear to jams made from Calafate berries from the surrounding forests, the above list of things to buy in Ushuaia, Argentina lists all the best items that you can purchase as remembrances from your trip to the southernmost city in the world. Take your pick and get them at low prices in the tax-free port city.