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Handwoven Andean textiles at a market in Cusco
Neighbourhoods and places

San Pedro neighbourhood in Cusco: market, Santa Clara arch and churches

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Ten minutes on foot from the Plaza de Armas, San Pedro is the busiest, most everyday side of Cusco. It's home to the city's most famous market, streets packed with shops, colonial churches with stone façades and a constant flow of residents, vendors and travellers. It's a perfect area to see real city life, eat cheaply and buy local products. This guide helps you explore the neighbourhood, understand its history and decide whether to stay here.

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How to get there

From the Plaza de Armas, take Calle Mantas, pass La Merced church and continue to Plaza San Francisco. From there, Calle Santa Clara leads straight down to San Pedro market. It's about 10 minutes on foot, gently downhill. Coming back, the slope is mild.

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San Pedro market

The heart of the neighbourhood. A large covered market with a metal structure and sections for fruit, juices, bread, cheese, meat, medicinal herbs, ritual items and cooked food. Ideal for a breakfast juice, tasting Andean fruit or a cheap set lunch. There are also some craft and souvenir stalls.

Calle Santa Clara and its arch

Calle Santa Clara links Plaza San Francisco with the market. At the start you'll see the Santa Clara Arch, a stone arch from the republican era marking the entrance to this part of the city. Along the street are the Santa Clara church, with a surprising interior decorated with mirrors, and shops of all kinds: fabrics, kitchenware, clothes and party supplies.

Churches in the neighbourhood

  • San Pedro church: opposite the market, with a stone façade and two towers. Tradition says it was built with stones from nearby Inca structures.
  • Santa Clara church: famous for its interior decorated with small mirrors that reflect candlelight.
  • San Francisco church and convent: on the square of the same name, with an important collection of colonial art.

Plaza San Francisco

Between the centre and San Pedro, Plaza San Francisco is a wide, tree-lined space popular with students and families. Fairs and cultural events are often held here. A good resting point between the Plaza de Armas and the market.

A bit of history

In Inca times this area lay outside the city's ceremonial core, and after the conquest it became an area of parishes for the Indigenous population, with its own churches. Later, the arrival of the railway in the early 20th century and the construction of the market turned San Pedro into Cusco's great supply hub. Even today, many products arriving from the provinces are sold here first.

Useful shopping

Besides the market, the neighbourhood's streets are the best place in Cusco to buy practical things at local prices: simple warm clothes, sweaters and hats, backpacks, kitchenware, phone top-ups or party supplies. If you need something for a trek, like gloves or a rain poncho, you'll find it cheap here.

Eating in San Pedro

  • Inside the market: set menus, soups, juices and desserts at very low prices.
  • Surrounding streets: rotisserie chicken places, chifas and home-style restaurants for locals.
  • Bread and sweets: bakeries with pan chuta, empanadas and sponge cakes.

Staying in San Pedro?

The neighbourhood and its surroundings have hostels and budget hotels, often cheaper than in San Blas or around the Plaza de Armas. Pros: good value, close to the centre without steep hills, and a local feel. Cons: it's noisy during the day with heavy foot traffic, and some streets empty out at night. If you stay here, choose a well-lit street and take a taxi late at night.

Safety

As in any busy market area, there are pickpockets. Wear your backpack on your front inside the market and on Calle Santa Clara, keep your phone away and don't carry much cash. At night, avoid empty side streets around the market.

A half-day route

Start at eight on the Plaza de Armas, walk down Mantas to Plaza San Francisco and visit its church. Pass through the Santa Clara Arch, step into Santa Clara church if it's open and reach San Pedro market for a breakfast juice. Wander the fruit and herb aisles and finish with a look at San Pedro church before heading back to the centre.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the San Pedro neighbourhood?
On foot from the Plaza de Armas via Calle Mantas and Plaza San Francisco, then along Calle Santa Clara; about 10 minutes.
What is there to see in San Pedro?
The market, the Santa Clara Arch, the San Pedro, Santa Clara and San Francisco churches and Plaza San Francisco.
Is it a good area to stay?
It's affordable and central but noisy by day; choose a well-lit street and take a taxi at night.
Is the neighbourhood safe?
By day, with precautions against pickpockets; at night, avoid empty streets around the market.

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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).

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