The enigmatic city of Cusco is a highly photographable place, this should not surprise us because the city enjoys great historical and natural beauty, is one of the most beautiful in Peru and the world. Its streets, mansions, corners, squares, water fountains and other elements make it a living museum.
If you are planning to visit the capital of the Inca empire and like every traveler you wonder, where to find those instagrammable places in the city? Discover with Auri Peru Travel some places that are trending in social networks and should not go unnoticed on your visit to Cusco.
San Blas Neighborhood, one of the most instagrammable places
The traditional neighborhood of artisans, as it is called, is located just minutes from the main square of Cusco. It was called Toqocachi in Inca times. Today it is a neighborhood that houses the most renowned master artisans of the city. Rising higher than much of the city, one encounters different angles and views of the Inca capital.
In the neighborhood, we find some beautiful water fountains, as well as one of the first temples that were built in the Andes. To this, we add its beautiful cobblestone streets, aqueducts and some remains of Inca units that give that Inca touch to a typical photograph in Cusco. San Blas is a must-visit place if you are looking for a photoshoot in Cusco or just take a little piece of the city in a beautiful photo.
Pumaqchupan Water Fountains
These water fountains are located to the south of the historic center, about 15 minutes from the main square of Cusco. They are easy to find and if you are staying in the monumental part of the city you should have no problem finding them. These beautiful water fountains complement perfectly with the landscape of large houses with ceramic tile roofs in the center of the city.
The fountain or paccha (as it is called locally) has a drop of 7 meters high and a width of 10 meters. At the top, you can see the Sun of Echenique and a beautiful mural with Andean elements like few similar monuments in Cusco. A picture that every Cusquenian keeps in their records and definitely should not be missed.
Siete Culebras Street
The name sounds very curious, it was already a product of the modern urbanization of the city. In Inca times, this street was called Amaru Ccata because of 14 snakes engraved on the Inca walls. Today these 14 snakes can still be found on this street. The street is located just five minutes from the main square. Like few streets in Cusco, this one is characterized by having Inca walls on both sides, and a beautiful arch of colonial elements. A very peculiar street that should not be missing in a photoshoot around the city.
Sapantiana Colonial Aqueduct
It is located between the traditional neighborhoods of San Blas and San Cristobal, about 15 minutes from the main square of Cusco following the street of Triunfo, Hatunrumiyoc and continuing the end of Choquechaca street. It was not until mid-2020, in the middle of the pandemic, that this colonial hydraulic engineering work ceased to go unnoticed. It turned out to be a boom for all photography lovers and invaded the social networks in a short time. The Sapantiana aqueduct, with its three levels of arches similar to a bridge, is built over the Saphi river, which descends from Sacsayhuaman. Both elements come together to give us one of the most beautiful photos of the city of Cusco.
Cristo Blanco (White Christ)
If you arrive in Cusco and find yourself in the main square, you are sure to notice a redemptive Christ on top of the neighboring mountain of Sacsayhuaman. This representation of Jesus Christ is called “Cristo Blanco” and is very similar to the Christ of Corcovado in Brazil. The figure is a symbol of the city of Cusco that reaffirms the Catholic faith of most of its inhabitants. From the location of this monument, you have one of the best views of the city. Here you will get a picture that will surely remind you of the Christ the Redeemer of Brazil or you will also get one of the most complete panoramic views of the city of Cusco.
Colcampata Inca Palaces
Returning to the neighborhood of San Cristobal, in its small square, we came across two imposing Inca walls superimposed. Limestone walls of what were the palaces of Colcampata in Inca times. Palaces attributed to the first Inca, Manco Capac. Next to the walls is located the temple of San Cristobal and from the same square, we have another beautiful view of the city. An unmissable place for all those elements that will give a spectacular touch to your photographs: Inca architecture, colonial architecture and panoramic views of the city, all in one place.
Hatunrumiyoc Street
This street is a coveted spot for both professional photographers and casual visitors. This Inca wall was part of the palace of the Inca monarch called Inca Roca. Today, the place is an essential stop to get a photo that shows that Inca mastery to fit stones of multiple angles to each other. In this case, 12 angles were captured in photographs that have traveled the world highlighting Inca architecture.
Hatunrumiyoc street is located a few minutes from the main square of Cusco, starting from Triunfo Street. An additional fact that we can mention is that parallel to the Hatunrumiyoc street we find the Inca Roca street, which, although it does not have a stone of 12 angles, it has beautiful Inca walls within closed planes.
The city of Cusco has many more places worthy of being portrayed. Auri Peru recommends you to wander aimlessly through its streets, we are sure you will find many more photographic gems in them. We hope that, in these mentioned points, you will take pictures that will remind you of all those magical sceneries of the Inca city of Cusco. Sceneries that, we are sure, will capture all the attention of your friends and family.
Come and see the strangest and most beautiful natural spectacles of Peru! Auri Peru Travel is happy to help with your travel plans to Machu Picchu and other places around the country. Come and enjoy your Peruvian Adventure with us!
