“Going to Peru is, well, if you ever have an opportunity in your life to go there, you should do it because it is absolutely mind boggling.”
Dean Stockwell, actor
In May 2019 I visited Peru and It was one of the most breathtaking destinations I have ever seen! Peru is one of the most instagrammable places in South America and it should be definitely on your list!
Basically every traveller visiting Peru, spends some amount of time in Cusco. It is a the city you have to fly to if you are visiting Machu Picchu and many people, including me, acclimate to the high altitude in Cusco to get ready for hike to Rainbow Mountain.
Cusco city, once a capital of Incan empire, still has many historical buildings with Incan stone foundations. Almost every corner of this town is picturesque!
Traveling to Cusco?
Wondering where the must-see photo spots are?
I put together a list of my best spots in Cusco for photography that I found during my visit! Of course as always, you can find all those spots on my Instagram as well. Let’s get started!
Here’s my list of the most Instagrammable spots in Cusco.
1) CUSCO CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin is located on the main square in Cusco, Plaza de Armas. When I arrived to Plaza de Armas, where I was staying in the cutest hotel during my time in Cusco, this cathedral was the first building that caught my attention. It is grand and very beautiful from outside, but also the interior is very impressive with many colonial paintings.
The Cusco Cathedral was built on the Inca Palace known as “Sunturwasi”, created during the government of Inca Wiracocha. The construction of the cathedral started in 1534 and it took more than 130 years until it was finished in the year 1668.
Best Time to Visit: Sunrise is the best and only time for taking pictures without any people in the background, but I have to warn you. Cusco is a very busy town even at sunrise and many locals are early birds, so you will have to be patient even at sunrise.
Opening Times: Mondays to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Entrance Fee: 25 soles – approximately 7 USD
My Secret Tip: If you enter the cathedral before 10am, you don’t have to pay the entrance fee.
Exact Location: Northeastern part of Plaza de Armas, Cusco 08002, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
2) SAN CRISTOBAL CHURCH
This photo spot is more about the view in front of the church than the church itself. The view from here is my favorite in Cusco! You get a really spectacular view of Plaza de Armas!
It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to get to this viewpoint from Plaza de Armas. It’s kinda a steep climb so go slowly and take deep breaths, especially if it is your first day in Cusco and at this altitude.
Best Time to Visit: You can get lovely pictures without people photobombing you at any time of the day.
Exact Address: San Cristobal Church, Resbalosa 525, Cusco 08000, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
3) SAN BLAS NEIGHBORHOOD
The San Blas Neighborhood is tucked away up to the north and northeast of Plaza de Armas. It is the prettiest area in Cusco and a must-see place. This neighborhood is completely different from other parts of Cusco. You will see a lot of blue and white.
There are many steep cobbled streets, many cute cafes, art galleries, workshops, and an observatory to see the entire city of Cusco.
Places you shouldn’t miss in the San Blas neighborhood:
Templo de San Blas – cute white and blue church
Plaza San Blas – main square in San Blas
Calle Carmen Alto – very picturesque street
Museo Taller Hilario Mendivil – pretty door
Taller Galeria Hnos Mendivil – another pretty door
L’Atelier Cafe Concept – the most adorable coffee shop, where they also sell beautiful clothes and accessories (I bought my brown hat there)
The Viewpoint to see the whole Cusco
Tocuyeros – cute cobblestone street with cacti
My Personal Recommendation: Watch out for many pretty blue doors! Don’t miss it!
Best Time to Visit: To get pictures in the streets with no people around, come at sunrise. Otherwise, you take photos with the pretty doors at any time.
Exact Address: Plaza San Blas, Cuesta de San Blas, Cusco 08003, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
4) INCA WALLS AND THE TWELVE ANGLED STONE
Walking through the narrow cobbled streets of Cusco next to the ancient Inca Walls is like walking through an open-air museum.
The best areas to see Inca Walls are along the streets of Loreto and Hatunrumiyoc.
Hatunrumiyoc street ( Hatunrumiyoc means “Tall Stones” in Inca language) is located northeast from the Plaza de Armas. This pedestrian-only street is famous for the 12 angled stone.
Did you know that Incas did not need to use cement, because the adjoining surfaces between two adjacent blocks fit so perfectly and exquisitely together. Furthermore, the stones were interlocked in a combination that could not be budged. The Inca architecture is really fascinating!
It is beyond impressive that they were able to build that without any modern-day tools. The masonry skills of the Incas were incredibly advanced. Inca stonemasons would work the stones until their shape fit perfectly alongside all of the other blocks.
My Personal Recommendation: Don’t miss the fascinating 12 Angled Stone in Calle Hatunrumiyoc.
Best Time to Visit: Hatunrumiyoc street is one of the busiest streets in Cusco because it leads to the San Blas area. If you want to enjoy the Inca Walls in peace and quiet and take pictures, you have to go there early morning.
Do not touch the Inca Walls! I know it can be tempting to touch these perfectly shaped rocks carved by the hands of the Incas, but it is a bad idea! The surface of the stones can be damaged by residues of sunscreen, lotions, insect repellents and other chemicals.
Exact Address: Calle Hatunrumiyoc 480, Cusco 08002, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
5) INGLESIA DE LA COMPAÑIA DE JESÚS
This stunning church is located on the main square in Cusco, Plaza de Armas. The church was built by the Jesuits in 1571, upon the palace of Huayna Cápac and it was reconstructed after the 1650 earthquake.
Best Time to Visit: Since it is located on the main and busiest square in Cusco, the only good time for pictures is early morning. And by early morning I mean sunrise. Anyways, already at this time you will have to be patient, because there are already many locals and cars.
Exact Address: Iglesia De La Compañia De Jesús, Plaza de Armas Cusco S/N, Cusco 08001, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
6) BASILICA MENOR DE LA MERCED
Basilica Menor de la Merced, also known as Convent of La Merced is Cuzco’s third most important colonial church. Unfortunately it was destroyed in the 1650 earthquake. The good news is that it was quickly rebuilt.
This convent has a really pretty and instagrammable courtyard, just begging to be photographed. I went to Peru alone, so I had to rely on my tripod a lot. Getting pictures of me standing at this courtyard from the first floor with a tripod was impossible. I had to wait like 30 minutes, until other travels came and I could ask them to take a picture of me.
Best Time to Visit: This convent doesn’t get very crowded so you can go there any time you want.
Opening Times: 8:30am-12pm, 2pm-5pm
Entrance Fee: 10 Soles
Exact Address: Basilica Menor de la Merced, Mantas 121, Cusco 08002, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
7) QURIKANCHA AND CONVENT OF SANTO DOMINGO
Qurikancha was once the richest temple in the Inca empire. Unfortunately, all that remains today from this temple is the masterful stonework.
Did you know that Qurikancha (Quechua for “Golden Courtyard”) in Inca times was literally covered with gold?
This temple was built in the mid-15th century during the reign of the 10th Inca, Túpac Yupanqui. Later the Spanish built the Covent of Santo Domingo on the site, demolishing the temple and using its foundations for the cathedral. Today’s site is a bizarre combination of Inca and colonial architecture.
Best Time to Visit: This is the top attraction in Cusco, which means it gets super crowded. Try to go as soon as they open or late in the afternoon before they close.
Opening Times: 8:30am-5:30pm
Entrance Fee: 15 Soles
Exact Address: Convent of Santo Domingo, Ahuacpinta 659-A, Cusco 08002, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
8) FOUNTAIN AT PLAZA DE ARMAS WITH STATUE OF PACHACUTI
The fountain is located in the middle of Plaza de Armas and the top is a Statue of Pachacuti. Pachacuti was the ninth ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco and later the Emperor of the Inca Empire.
Best Time to Visit: As I said before, Plaza de Armas is always busy so try to go as early as possible.
Exact Address: Monumento al Inca, Plaza Mayor del Cusco, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
9) STUNNING VIEWS FROM PLAZA DE ARMAS HOTEL
This is a lovely hotel in colonial architecture located on Plaza de Armas. I stayed at this hotel for one week and it was wonderful! The views from the small balcony in their breakfast restaurant and cafe are stunning! What’s more, they have an amazing rooftop terrace with wonderful views of Plaza de Armas and the whole city of Cusco.
You have to stay in the hotel to be able to access the rooftop, however, you can go to the cafe on the second floor and enjoy the lovely view of Plaza de Armas from the small balcony.
Exact Address: Hotel Plaza de Armas, Portal, Mantas 114, Cusco, Peru
Google Maps Location – click here
10) PRETTY AND COLORFUL DOORS IN CUSCO
You can find many pretty doors in the streets of Cusco! And the bonus is that they are very instagrammable.
I compiled a list of my favorite pretty doors in Cusco.
Green Doors of Cusco Cathedral
Blue Doors of Templo de San Blas
Blue Door in the street Calle Carmen Alto
Green Door of Basilica Menor de la Merced
Blue Door of Museo Taller Hilario Mendivil
Blue Door of Taller Galeria Hnos Mendivil
Green Door of Iglesia De La Compañia De Jesús
Best Time for Visit: For taking pictures with the doors you can go practically any time of the day! 🙂
BONUS – LLAMAS vs ALPACAS
Don’t forget to take a pic with cute llamas or alpacas! You can find me them in Cusco too, you just have to look!
Btw do you know what is the difference between a llama and an alpaca? Llamas are bigger than alpacas and their face is a bit different. Another fact is that alpacas are herd animals, but llamas are more independent-minded. Most importantly alpacas can survive at a very high altitude like over 5000 meters so if you go to Rainbow mountain, you will meet just alpacas there.
I hope you will find my list of top 10 most instagrammable places in Cusco useful! Comment below or contact me, if you have more questions or you need a piece of advice.
Happy Traveling!
XOXO,
Adele
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