Cusco is known for its excellent variety of shopping and a wide variety of different markets, from where the locals shop to market stalls crammed with the stereotypical Machu Picchu monogrammed clothing, coca leaf teas and various woven goods. Small co-op souvenir markets can be found tucked into unassuming interior plazas, located anywhere a blanket can be spread or in massive warehouses on the outskirts of the city center. For those travelers eager to come to Cusco to experience the wide variety of shopping on hand, there are many opportunities for market discovery! Find below some main shopping markets in the Cusco city center:
San Pedro Market
MISSION VALLEY
Located only a five minute walk from the tourist-filled main square, the San Pedro Market is a massive warehouse filled to the brim with a wide variety of fresh produce, daily necessities, and the odd souvenir (many of which are edible). Various fresh produce is stacked in colorful piles, and visitors can also purchase the traditional Cusqueño cheese and round wheat bread, or try the fruits themselves at one of the many fruit juice stands lined along one corner of the warehouse near the top entrance.
Artisanal Market
Located at the base of Avenida El Sol, the massive Mercado Artisinal is an excellent location for last-stop shopping for those on a mission with a long list of purchases. Bright, clean, well-lit and organized; this is a place where travelers can stroll the aisles of roughly one hundred different stalls in search of the perfect gift in that must-have color or size.
San Blas Weekend Market
If on the lookout for something more unique, yet still in the market scene, walk up to the San Blas district on the weekend and make a visit to the more bohemian San Blas Market, where unique hand-made jewelry and original artwork can be found in multitude. Sometimes even live or piped music adds to the relaxed weekend atmosphere.
Feel free to enjoy the markets and beautiful handicrafts available in Cusco, but always be aware of pickpockets and petty crime. Happy shopping!
Top Cusco City Center Souvenir Markets MISSION VALLEY
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