Calle Florida
About
Calle Florida (Florida Street) is a pedestrianized street that cuts through the heart of downtown Buenos Aires (Centro), also known as Mircrocentro. It is well known as a bustling shopping district. Calle Florida is approximately one kilometer in length and runs from Plaza San Martin through to the historic Avenida de Mayo. Approximately halfway down, Calle Florida intersects with another pedestrianized street called Calle Lavalle. Lavalle offers a good spread of shops and eateries but is best known for its cinemas, which show the latest blockbusters.
Why visit Calle Florida?
What is so special about Calle Florida in Buenos Aires? Florida Street offers a large variety of shops catering to most styles and tastes along its length. There are also many shopping arcades leading off Florida, full of shops selling clothes, souvenirs, books, perfumes, and leather goods, to name a few. Spread along the street are several foreign exchange houses, making it a popular destination for currency exchange, commonly referred to as "calle florida cambio." As you walk along the length of Calle Florida, you will hear the word"cambio", shouted out by people representing currency exchange houses.
One of the most prestigious places to shop is at Galerías Pacífico, a three-floor shopping mall housed in a restored building that used to be the offices for the Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway Company. There are many designer brand shops here.
It will be hard to drag yourself away from Calle Florida, not only for the shopping but also for the variety of street performers who entertain passersby most of the day and into the night.
The shops and businesses along Florida Shopping Street usually generally open from approximately 10:00 am to 9:00 pm..
Did You Know?
The Harrods Department Store opened a branch on Calle Florida in 1914 and was welcomed with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the London firm sold its shares, and the store was eventually forced to close down. There has since been talk of reviving the store once more.
If you're interested in more popular places to visit in Buenos Aires, take a look at our Best Attractions in Buenos Aires.
How to get to Florida Street in Buenos Aires:
Subway:
Calle Florida is within close proximity to several metro lines along its route:
Linea A - Get off at Peru Station.
Linea B - Get off at Florida Station.
Linea C - Get off at San Martin or Lavalle Stations.
Linea D - Get off at Catedral Station.
Bus:
Routes 6, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 33, 54, 56, 61, 62, 64, 74, 91, 93, 105, 111, 126, 130, 140, 143, 146, 152, and 195 all pass within a close radius to Calle Florida.
To find out more about using public transport in Buenos Aires, including details on buses, subways, trains, taxis, ride-sharing services, and how to obtain and use the SUBE card, visit the Best Way to Get Around Buenos Aires section.
