cusco.tips
PDF guides
Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas
Neighbourhoods and places

The streets around Cusco's Plaza de Armas: Procuradores, Plateros and more

Updated:

The Plaza de Armas is the centre of everything in Cusco, but much of a traveller's daily life happens in the narrow streets leading off it. Within a few blocks you'll find restaurants, travel agencies, mountain-gear shops, bars and some of the city's best Inca walls. This guide walks through the main streets and explains what you'll find on each.

Start here: Cusco tips · things to do in Cusco

Calle Procuradores

It leaves from the northwest side of the square and is known among visitors as "Gringo Alley" because of its many restaurants, agencies and tourist services. By day it's a lively street for eating or booking trips; at night it fills with bars and clubs, with promoters at the doors offering free drinks. It's very narrow and largely pedestrian.

Popular activities on GetYourGuide

Calle Plateros

Parallel to Procuradores, it's another of the most touristy streets. There are many trekking agencies and shops renting and selling mountain gear: backpacks, sleeping bags, poles and jackets. Check equipment carefully before renting it. At night it also has bars and live-music venues.

Calle Tecsecocha

One block up, Tecsecocha climbs towards the upper part of the centre. It has restaurants, cafés, vegetarian options and smaller bars. It's a good place for a cheap lunch away from the bustle of the square.

Calle Triunfo and Hatun Rumiyoc

Beside the cathedral, Calle Triunfo climbs towards San Blas and becomes Hatun Rumiyoc, home of the famous twelve-angled stone in the wall of the Archbishop's Palace. It's the natural route from the square to the artisans' quarter and one of the most photographed streets in the city.

Loreto alley

Southeast of the square, between the Compañía de Jesús church and the Amarucancha, this pedestrian alley keeps long Inca walls on both sides. It leads towards the Qorikancha area and Avenida El Sol.

Calle Mantas and Marqués

Southwest of the square, Calle Mantas leads to the church of La Merced and continues as Calle Marqués towards San Pedro market. It's a more commercial, everyday area, with shops, money changers and local restaurants.

Towards Regocijo and San Francisco

On the west side, short streets such as Espaderos and Heladeros connect the Plaza de Armas with Plaza Regocijo, a quieter square with gardens and the town hall. From there, a few blocks lead to Plaza San Francisco. It's a good alternative for walking with fewer people and finding less touristy cafés and restaurants.

By day and by night

The character of these streets changes a lot over the day. In the morning it's agencies, cafés and travellers heading out on tours. At midday the restaurants fill up. At night, Procuradores, Plateros and Tecsecocha become the nightlife zone, while Loreto and Hatun Rumiyoc are almost empty.

The square's arcades

The arcades around the square house shops, cafés, restaurants with balconies and agencies. The second-floor balconies give good views of the cathedral and the Compañía, especially at sunset. Prices are usually higher than a few blocks away.

Eating well without overpaying

Tourist menus abound in the streets right off the square. To eat better for less, walk two or three blocks away or look for set-lunch restaurants frequented by locals. Be wary of anyone who stops you in the street to steer you into a restaurant.

Safety

These streets are safe by day and in the evening, with plenty of people and police presence. At night, especially after midnight, the bar area is where problems cluster: spiked drinks, inflated bills and theft from drunk people. Watch your drink, don't accept open drinks from strangers and go back by app taxi or an identified taxi company.

Staying here?

Sleeping one or two blocks from the square is practical: everything is close and it's easy to walk back. The downside is night-time noise, especially near Procuradores and Plateros. If you're a light sleeper, ask for an inside room or choose a quieter street.

A one-hour walk

Start at the square, walk up Procuradores and down Plateros. Cross the square to Triunfo and Hatun Rumiyoc to see the twelve-angled stone. Head back to the square and finish in Loreto alley, towards the Qorikancha. In an hour you'll have seen the essentials of the centre.

Frequently asked questions

What is Calle Procuradores?
A narrow street beside the Plaza de Armas, known as "Gringo Alley", with restaurants, agencies and bars.
Where can I rent trekking gear?
Calle Plateros has many rental shops; check the equipment carefully first.
Is the area safe at night?
Take care in bars after midnight: watch your drink and go back in an identified taxi.
How do I get to the twelve-angled stone?
Walk up from the square along Calle Triunfo to Hatun Rumiyoc.

Book this plan

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).

Related guides