Last updated on December 20, 2023.

A pleasant area of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cusco worth visiting is San Blas. It’s a pleasant walk uphill from Plaza de Armas.

San Blas, Cusco, Peru
A road through San Blas

The neighborhood was once used as a residential area for the Inca elite. After Spanish conquest, it became a colonial parish and lots of colonial buildings were constructed. It’s now a mostly quiet residential area, although there are still lots of tourists, restaurants, hostels, and hotels. It’s also home to several artisan shops selling a range of locally made crafts.

With narrow alleys and whitewashed homes, and many good restaurants it’s a great place to spend some time wandering. You won’t see as much traffic there as you would in the rest of the historic city center of Cusco. It just feels like a more relaxing area.

 

Plaza de San Blas

The focal point of the area is the plaza. It’s a nice open area filled with benches and a fountain, and is surrounded by many shops selling locally made crafts. There are also several restaurants nearby.

Plaza de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Plaza de San Blas
Plaza de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
View of the plaza

 

Church

The Church of San Blas (Iglesia de San Blas) was built between 1544 and 1563 over an old Incan temple dedicated to Ilapa, the Incan god of lightning and rain. It’s the oldest parish church in Cusco. Admission to the church is S/15 (as of July 2023) or included in the Religious Circuit Ticket (Boleto del Circuito Religioso). There is some beautiful artwork in the church, especially the pulpit, but photography is not allowed. Visitors are able to climb the bell tower for great views of Cusco and the plaza.

Iglesia de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Church of San Blas
View from the bell tower of Iglesia de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
View from the bell tower of the church

 

Wandering Around

My favorite thing to do in the neighborhood is to wander up and down the narrow cobblestoned alleys. You will find cafés, guesthouses, shops, and more along the way.

San Blas, Cusco, Peru
An alley
San Blas, Cusco, Peru
A narrow alley

 

Mirador

If you make it up to the top of the neighborhood, you will be rewarded with some spectacular views of Cusco. This is called Mirador de San Blas, and you can spot many different landmarks in and around the city from there.

Mirador de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
Mirador
View from Mirador de San Blas in San Blas, Cusco, Peru
View from the mirador
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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