Cusco’s Plazas
In the historic center of Cusco, my favorite plazas are the 1. Plaza de Armas, 2. Plaza San Francisco, 3. Plazoleta Regocijo, 4. Plazoleta Tricentenario, 5. Plazoleta Nararenas and 6. Plazoleta San Blas.
Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, empty during quarantine in 2020.
Plaza de Armas
Cusco’s Plaza de Armas was also the central square of the ancient Inca city, called Haukaypata. Today it’s still the center of the city’s cultural life, hosting dozens of important festivals, holidays, dance competitions, art fairs and book fairs.
Plaza San Francisco
This is a large plaza full of trees on the way from the Plaza de Armas to the San Pedro Market. It’s usually empty, except during the weeks before Christmas when it fills with vendors who sell the supplies to make traditional Cusqueñian Nativity Scenes.
Plazoleta Regocijo
Just one block from the Plaza de Armas, up Calle del Medio, you’ll come to this plazoleta with the town hall, behind me, above. It’s always much calmer than the Plaza de Armas and has bigger trees for better shade on hot days. It hosts occasional artisans fairs, below.
Plazoleta Tricentenario, above, is very small and doesn’t have any shade so it’s not great to hang out in but is fantastic for photography. The location above the Plaza de Armas and next to the cathedral gives great views and the fountains are fun to photograph.
Plazoleta Las Nazarenas
This tiny plaza is the quietest of all. It’s surrounded by my favorite museum the Pre-Columbian Art Museum and several of Cusco’s best hotel: Palacio Nazarenas, Monasterio, Casa Clara and Inkaterra La Casona.
A lovely little plaza next to the San Blas church. It is usually very quiet, but every Saturday fills with the neighborhood’s artists selling everything from handmade leather purses and sweaters to painting and ceramics.
