Cusco is the historic heart of the Inca Empire, a breathtaking Andean city perched at 3,400 meters above sea level in southeastern Peru. The city blends ancient Inca stonework with Spanish colonial architecture, creating a unique urban landscape that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. As the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is one of South America's most visited and culturally rich destinations.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Alpaca wool products
Sweaters, scarves, blankets, and hats knitted from baby alpaca wool, the softest natural fiber in the world. Available in natural undyed colors and vivid Andean dyes.
Price: $15-80
Where: San Blas artisan workshops, Centro Artesanal Cusco, Pisac market
Cusco School paintings
Replica or original paintings in the distinctive colonial Cusco School style, featuring religious and Inca themes in vivid gold and jewel tones
Price: $20-200+
Where: San Blas galleries, Calle Hatunrumiyoc art dealers
Andean pottery
Hand-painted clay pieces featuring Inca motifs, Pachamama figures, and traditional Andean designs. Cusco workshops produce high-quality ceramics.
Price: $10-50
Where: San Blas workshops, artisan markets
Peruvian chocolate and superfoods
Craft chocolate made from Peruvian cacao, dried quinoa, kiwicha, maca powder, and native freeze-dried fruits make excellent edible souvenirs
Price: $5-25
Where: Choco Museo, grocery stores, markets
Silver and stone jewelry
Handcrafted silver jewelry often incorporating colorful Andean stones, Inca symbols, and traditional designs
Price: $10-80
Where: San Blas jewelry workshops, Centro Artesanal
Quena flutes and charangos
Traditional Andean instruments - the quena (bamboo flute) and charango (small stringed instrument) are authentic cultural mementos
Price: $15-100
Where: Music shops near Plaza de Armas, Mercado San Pedro
Hand-woven Andean textiles
Traditionally woven fabrics using backstrap loom techniques unchanged for centuries, featuring complex geometric patterns with symbolic meaning
Price: $20-200
Where: Chinchero weaving demonstrations, Centro de Textiles Tradicionales
Peruvian coffee
High-quality Peruvian specialty coffee beans and ground coffee from highland growing regions near Cusco
Price: $8-20
Where: Specialty cafes, supermarkets, San Pedro Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Pisac Artisan Market
The most famous artisan market in the Sacred Valley with hundreds of stalls selling textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and crafts. Busiest and most colorful on Sundays.
Where: Plaza Constitución, Pisac, Sacred Valley (1hr from Cusco)
Hours: Daily (busiest Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Mercado San Pedro
Cusco's main traditional market blending local produce, prepared food stalls, handicrafts, medicinal herbs, and everyday goods. Authentic local atmosphere.
Where: Calle Cascaparo s/n, Cusco city center
Hours: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Centro Artesanal Cusco (El Centro)
A large covered market with dozens of artisan stalls selling all types of Peruvian handicrafts. Prices are negotiable and selection is excellent.
Where: Avenida El Sol, Cusco
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Chinchero Textile Market
An authentic market in the traditional weaving village of Chinchero where local women sell their handwoven goods after demonstrating the weaving process.
Where: Plaza de Armas, Chinchero, Sacred Valley
Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Sundays best)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
San Blas Neighborhood
The cobblestone streets of San Blas are lined with artisan workshops, ceramics studios, and jewelry makers - the best area for authentic handmade crafts
Best for: Original art, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry from independent artisans
Calle Hatunrumiyoc
The famous street of the 12-angled Inca stone is also lined with souvenir shops and small galleries selling Cusco School paintings and crafts
Best for: Cusco School paintings, replicas of Inca art, and souvenirs
Plaza de Armas arcades
The colonial arcades surrounding the main square house a mix of souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and artisan goods at tourist prices
Best for: Quick gifts and mass-market souvenirs; higher prices but convenient location
Avenida El Sol
Cusco's main commercial boulevard with banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, and a mix of local and tourist shops
Best for: Everyday needs, pharmacies, banks, and local shopping
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Centro Artesanal Cusco
The largest artisan market in Cusco city with dozens of stalls - not a traditional mall but serves a similar function for handicraft shopping
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Real Plaza Cusco
Cusco's main modern shopping mall on the outskirts of the city with clothing brands, supermarket, food court, and cinema
Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and normal at all markets and most artisan shops
Start by asking for 60-70% of the initial asking price and negotiate from there
Walking away often prompts the vendor to drop the price significantly
Buying multiple items together gives you more negotiating power
Do not bargain aggressively for very low prices - artisans deserve fair pay for skilled work
Fixed prices apply at upscale boutiques, hotel shops, and the Chocolate Museum
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: You cannot legally export genuine pre-Columbian artifacts or antiques without permits. Customs strictly enforces this - buy only modern reproductions.
Tax Refund: No tourist VAT refund scheme operates in Cusco
Duty Free: Standard Peruvian customs allowances apply when leaving: limited alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods
Shipping: Most artisan shops in San Blas can arrange international shipping for larger purchases. Expect shipping to cost $30-80 for Europe/USA.