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Table of Contents (9 Sections)
- 1 Cusco markets at a glance
- 2 Our tips for Cusco’s markets
- 3 San Pedro Market
- 4 San Blas Market
- 5 Artisan Market (Mercado Artesanal)
- 6 Santurantikuy Christmas Market
- 7 Markets in the Sacred Valley: Pisac and Chinchero
- 8 Tips for shopping in Cusco’s markets
- 9 Frequently asked questions about Cusco markets
The best-known markets in Cusco are San Pedro Market, the city’s main food market, about 8 minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas; the small San Blas Market in the artisans’ quarter of San Blas; and the Artisan Market on Avenida El Sol, the place for souvenirs. On 24 December the Plaza de Armas fills with the Santurantikuy Christmas fair, and in the Sacred Valley the Pisac and Chinchero markets are worth a day trip.
Cusco markets at a glance#
| Market | Best for | Where | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Pedro Market | Fresh juices, local food, fruit, cheese, bread, some crafts | Calle Túpac Amaru, opposite San Pedro train station, about 8 min walk from the Plaza de Armas | Mon–Sat 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Sun 6:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| San Blas Market | Breakfast, fruit and groceries in a local setting | Calle Pumapaccha 231, San Blas | Mon–Sat 6:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., closed Sunday |
| Artisan Market (Mercado Artesanal) | Souvenirs, alpaca textiles and crafts | Av. El Sol 1226, at the corner with Av. Tullumayo | Sun–Thu 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri–Sat 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Santurantikuy | Christmas crafts and nativity figures | Plaza de Armas | 24 December, all day and night |
| Pisac Market | Crafts and a local produce market | Pisac, Sacred Valley | Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (biggest on Sunday) |
| Chinchero Market | Local Sunday market and textiles | Chinchero, Sacred Valley | Sunday, until early afternoon |
Opening hours can change on public holidays and during festivals, so check locally before you go.
Our tips for Cusco’s markets#
The markets we recommend most are San Pedro, San Blas and Wanchaq. At San Pedro, try a fresh fruit juice and the local cheese with bread. Go from Monday to Saturday in the morning, when the stalls are full.
- Carry soles in cash, in small notes.
- Bargain, but politely.
- Keep an eye on your backpack in crowded aisles.
San Pedro Market#
San Pedro is the biggest market near the historic center and the one most visitors mean when they talk about “the Cusco market”. It is a large covered hall on Calle Túpac Amaru, one block west of the Plaza San Francisco and opposite the San Pedro train station, about 8 minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas. Peru’s official tourism site describes it as the oldest market in the city and says it was designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, a story you will often hear in Cusco.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Best time: in the morning, when the stalls are full.
- Payment: cash in soles, in small notes.
What to find at San Pedro Market
- Fresh juices: the juice counters blend fruit from the region to order; a combined juice costs just a few soles.
- Fruit, vegetables and grains: Andean potatoes and corn, quinoa and tropical fruit from the jungle valleys.
- Cheese, bread, coffee and chocolate: try the local cheese with bread, one of our favorite snacks here.
- Food stalls: simple Cusco dishes and soups served at counters where locals eat.
- Crafts and clothing: textiles, alpaca accessories, jewelry and souvenirs, mostly near the entrances.
Local dishes to look for
The food counters and the bakeries in and around the market are a good place to taste Cusco cooking at local prices: quinoa soup, corn cakes and, on festival days, chiriuchu, the cold dish of Corpus Christi. Read more in our Cusco food guide.
The streets around San Pedro
The streets around the market are lined with stalls and small shops selling clothes, household goods, fabrics and food, used mainly by people from Cusco. It is a busy area: walk without rush, bargain politely and keep your belongings close.
San Blas Market#
The San Blas Market is a small neighborhood market at Calle Pumapaccha 231, in San Blas, the hillside quarter of artisans’ workshops about 8 minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas. It sells fruit, vegetables and groceries, with a few crafts, and it is a pleasant place for breakfast before a day of sightseeing. It opens Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.
For crafts, walk the streets around the San Blas church, where many artisans have their workshops and galleries, selling ceramics, paintings, textiles and jewelry. San Blas is one of the stops in our guide to what to do in Cusco.
Artisan Market (Mercado Artesanal)#
The Artisan Market, in a large red building at Av. El Sol 1226, at the corner with Av. Tullumayo, is the place to buy souvenirs in one stop: alpaca and wool textiles, ceramics, jewelry and paintings. It is almost entirely aimed at visitors and has a few places to eat inside. It opens Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Santurantikuy Christmas Market#
Santurantikuy is the Christmas fair of Cusco, held all day and night on 24 December in the Plaza de Armas. Its name means “selling saints” in Quechua, and it dates back to the 16th century. Artisans from around Cusco sell clay figures and decorations for nativity scenes, including the ceramic bulls of Pucará, and food stalls serve hot ponche. It was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2009.
See the other big dates of the year in our guide to Cusco festivals.
Markets in the Sacred Valley: Pisac and Chinchero#
- Pisac Market: held on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and biggest on Sunday. Craft stalls open from about 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the Sunday produce market usually ends by 3:00 p.m. Read our Pisac travel guide.
- Chinchero Market: held on Sunday and finished by early afternoon. Chinchero is also known for its weaving cooperatives. See our Chinchero guide.
Our Cusco Classic Tour 5 Days includes the Sacred Valley and Pisac, and you can explore more of the valley with our Sacred Valley guide.
Tips for shopping in Cusco’s markets#
- Carry cash in soles, in small notes and coins; most stalls do not take cards.
- Bargain politely. It is normal for crafts, not for food.
- Go in the morning, when the stalls are full and the food is fresh.
- Watch your belongings in crowded aisles and on busy days.
- Check alpaca labels: “baby alpaca” and “100% alpaca” cost more than blends, so ask and compare before you buy.
Frequently asked questions about Cusco markets#
What is the best market in Cusco?
For local life and food, San Pedro Market, near the historic center. For souvenirs in one place, the Artisan Market on Avenida El Sol. For a quieter, local market, San Blas.
Is San Pedro Market open on Sunday?
Yes. It opens every day: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Is the San Blas Market open on Sunday?
No. The San Blas Market opens Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What day is the Pisac market?
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Sunday is the biggest day, with a local produce market as well as the craft stalls.
When is the Christmas market in Cusco?
Santurantikuy is held on 24 December, all day and night, in the Plaza de Armas.
Written by Joel Cárdenas Gonzales
Founder & CEOFounder and CEO of Southern Peru Explorers since 2009. Born in Cusco and trained as an official tour guide at Instituto Khipu. About the author
