Overview
San Blas is an artisan quarter reached by climbing steep, narrow alleys from Plaza de Armas. Workshops and galleries for pottery, textiles, and wood carving fill the neighborhood, and the winding lanes built on Inca stone walls are charming in themselves. The San Blas Church houses a famous pulpit carved from a single tree trunk. A viewpoint at the top offers panoramas of Cusco and the surrounding mountains, and atmospheric cafes and boutique lodgings make it one of the most popular areas to stay. Free entry (church separate). 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours (workshop and gallery hours vary)
Travel Tips
The lanes are very steep — walk slowly (remember the altitude). A handicraft market fills San Blas Plaza on Saturdays. The famous 12-angled Inca stone at Hatunrumiyoc is nearby and worth a quick visit.
Hotels near San Blas Neighborhood
Hotels and guesthouses in Cusco, San Blas, Cusco
Other attractions in Cusco
Machu Picchu
The Inca sky city perched at 2,430m in the Andes — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Sacsayhuamán
An Inca fortress built from massive stone blocks — the precision masonry is astonishing.
Plaza de Armas
The heart of Cusco — a central square dating back to Inca times, anchored by a striking cathedral.
San Pedro Market
A vibrant traditional market offering a window into the daily life of Cusco locals.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
A mountain at 5,200m with rainbow-colored stripes — Peru's hottest new trekking destination.
Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
The Inca Empire's most important temple, now overlaid by a Spanish church — a striking cultural fusion.
Sacred Valley of the Incas
A sacred valley along the Urubamba River, dotted with Inca ruins and Andean landscapes.