Centro Artesanal Cusco: the big craft market on Avenida El Sol

If you want to buy souvenirs in Cusco and compare many stalls in one place, the Centro Artesanal Cusco is the most practical option. It's a large covered craft market with hundreds of stalls over several levels, at the corner of Avenida El Sol and Avenida Tullumayo, opposite the Pumaqchupan monument. You'll find textiles, alpaca clothing, ceramics, jewellery, instruments and almost any souvenir imaginable. This guide explains what to expect, how to shop well and how to combine the visit with nearby sights. Hours can change: check opening times before you go.

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Where it is and how to get there

The Centro Artesanal is at the bottom of Avenida El Sol, the main avenue running down from the Plaza de Armas past Qorikancha. Walking from the plaza takes about 15 to 20 minutes, all downhill, along an avenue with wide pavements. Going back is uphill, so many people take a taxi. The clearest landmark is the Paccha de Pumaqchupan, a monumental fountain topped with an Inca figure, right in front.

• Getting around Cusco: taxis, ride apps, city buses and colectivos
• Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun: tickets, hours, what to see and history

What's sold

• Textiles: blankets, tapestries, table runners, bags and cushions with Andean motifs.
• Alpaca clothing: sweaters, scarves, chullo hats, gloves and ponchos in different qualities.
• Ceramics: plates, jugs, figurines and Pucará bulls.
• Jewellery: silver, stones like chrysocolla or Huamanga stone, and costume jewellery.
• Instruments: quenas, panpipes, charangos and drums.
• Assorted souvenirs: keyrings, magnets, dolls, retablos, paintings and T-shirts.

Telling qualities apart

Not everything sold is the same. In the same aisle you can find a hand-woven alpaca garment and an industrial one with acrylic blend.

• Real alpaca: soft, slightly cool to the touch at first and not too shiny. "Baby alpaca" is the finest. Very cheap, very shiny items are usually synthetic.
• Hand-woven: look for small irregularities, a sign of handwork. Industrial weaves are perfectly uniform.
• Natural dyes: colours tend to be softer and more nuanced.
• Silver: sterling silver is stamped 925. Be wary of prices that seem too low.

Don't be shy to ask: many vendors will explain the difference between their products.

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Bargaining and prices

Bargaining is normal at the Centro Artesanal, but do it respectfully. Ask at several stalls before buying, since many sell similar products and prices vary. If you buy several items at the same stall, asking for a discount is normal. Some stalls accept cards with a surcharge, but most prefer cash in soles. We don't give prices because they change, but comparing three stalls gives you a good idea.

• How to shop at Cusco's markets: bargaining, yapa and safety
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When to go

It opens every day, from morning to evening. Mornings are quieter, and some tour groups arrive in the afternoon. It's a good activity for a rainy day since it's covered, or for the afternoon before you fly home, when you know how much space is left in your suitcase.

What's nearby

• Paccha de Pumaqchupan: the monumental fountain in front of the market.
• Qorikancha: Cusco's most important Inca temple, on the same Avenida El Sol.
• Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco: also on Avenida El Sol, near Qorikancha, a shop-museum of weaving cooperatives with a small free museum about the weaving process. The reference for quality, fair-trade textiles.
• Wanchaq market: a few blocks away, to see a local food market.

• Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun: tickets, hours, what to see and history
• Wanchaq Market: where Cusco locals really shop
• Ethical shopping in Cusco: fair trade, cooperatives and weavers

Other places to buy crafts

If the Centro Artesanal feels too big or repetitive, try other options: the workshops of San Blas, where artisans sell directly; the markets of Pisac and Chinchero in the Sacred Valley, with local weavers; or cooperative shops that guarantee fair pay.

• Cusco's artisan markets: San Blas, Centro Artesanal, Pisac and Chinchero
• Pisac: Inca ruins, craft market and how to visit from Cusco
• Chinchero: weaving, Inca ruins and market between Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Practical tips

• Carry cash in small notes.
• Keep your wallet safe in busy aisles.
• Check seams and finishes before paying.
• If it's a gift, ask them to wrap it; many stalls do it for free.
• Ask about sizing: Peruvian sizes tend to run smaller than European or North American ones.
• Don't buy products made from protected species or pieces that look archaeological: taking them out of the country is illegal.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).