My husband and I stayed only a few blocks from Calle Florida for two weeks last month. We walked the street almost daily so I became very familiar with what it has to offer.
I believe the street is about a mile long from Avenida de Mayo to San Martin Plaza. You will find all kinds of services along with the shopping.
There are, of course, the leather shops up and down the street. As another reviewer stated, there were people trying to get you to come into their stores but a firm no thank you was usually enough. The best bargain, in my opinion, is men’s leather dress shoes. My husband bought four pair while we were there.
Galerias Pacifico is a mall on Florida at the end near San Martin Plaza. It should not be missed for its beauty and architecture. Be sure to go in and look at the dome with the painted ceiling even if you don’t want to browse the shops. I posted a review on it with some photos.
We enjoyed several restaurants in the area and coffee shops. There are also several movie theaters where you can see a recent release for about $2US. We had several eyeglass frames fitted with prescription lenses for a very good price at an optical shop. My husband had a manicure at one of the salons. There are also banks, hotels, internet places called locutorios, shoe shine stations, etc.
There are young people who perform tango on the street and pass a hat. Artists sell their paintings. So you see, Calle Florida is much more than stores. You can still go there and have good time without stepping inside a store. Just go and enjoy the architecture and the people while you have a cafe con leche and an alfajor at one of the sidewalk cafes.
