The San Blas Market in Cusco is one of the city’s most authentic and traditional local markets, located in the heart of the famous artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets, art workshops, and colonial charm, this market offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience everyday life in Cusco while discovering local food, fresh products, and Andean culture.
Unlike the larger and busier San Pedro Market, the San Blas Market has a quieter and more local atmosphere, making it an excellent place to explore traditional Peruvian flavors, fresh fruit juices, handmade products, and affordable local meals prepared by neighborhood vendors.
Today, the market remains a popular stop for both travelers and locals who want to enjoy authentic Cusco gastronomy and experience one of the most cultural and artistic neighborhoods in the city. Its relaxed atmosphere and traditional character make the San Blas Market one of the best places to discover the local side of Cusco beyond the typical tourist routes.
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The San Blas Market is one of the oldest traditional markets in Cusco and has been part of daily life in the San Blas neighborhood for decades. Established in 1969, the market originally operated near the San Blas square, serving mainly the residents and local families of the area.
As the neighborhood continued to grow, local authorities relocated the market to its current location near Quinta Zárate in order to improve organization and provide better conditions for vendors and visitors. Most of the merchants were local residents of San Blas, helping preserve the authentic community atmosphere that still characterizes the market today.
The traders move to this market, generally the vendors of San Blas are the same citizens who live in this neighborhood. At the beginning, the market was only for the citizens who lived in San Blas, but when the public transportation company Cristo Blanco started to operate, people began to visit the different markets, such as San Pedro.
Over the years, the San Blas Market became increasingly popular among both locals and travelers looking for a more authentic alternative to the larger tourist markets in Cusco. Its traditional environment, local food stalls, and close connection to neighborhood life continue to make it an important cultural and commercial space in the city.
The San Blas neighborhood and its traditional market are excellent places to experience the local culture of Cusco while slowly adapting to the city’s high altitude. Many travelers choose to explore the historic center, artisan streets, and local markets during their first days in Cusco as part of their acclimatization process before visiting Machu Picchu.
👉 Discover here the best Cusco City Tours and explore the cultural highlights of the city while acclimating to the Andes.
The San Blas Market is located in Pumapaccha, Chihuampata Avenue; just one block from the chapel of San Blas, Cusco.
The San Blas Market offers visitors a local and authentic experience where traditional food, fresh products, and everyday life in Cusco come together. Inside the market, travelers can explore different sections filled with Andean ingredients, local meals, handmade products, and fresh juices prepared by neighborhood vendors.
One of the highlights of the San Blas Market is its traditional food section, where visitors can try affordable local dishes, homemade soups, Andean snacks, and classic Peruvian meals prepared by local cooks.
The market is also known for its fresh fruit juice stalls offering papaya, strawberry, orange, and mixed tropical juices. These small juice bars are especially popular among both locals and tourists exploring the San Blas neighborhood.
Visitors can find a variety of traditional Andean ingredients such as grains, vegetables, herbs, potatoes, and local products commonly used in Peruvian cuisine.
During weekends, the San Blas Market hosts small fairs where local vendors sell ornamental plants, flowers, and handmade crafts that reflect the artistic identity of the San Blas district.
Beyond shopping and food, the San Blas Market offers a unique opportunity to experience the everyday atmosphere of Cusco and interact with local residents in one of the city’s most traditional neighborhoods.
This market also has a fair on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays where plants and handicrafts are sold.
The market is usually open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. In the place you will see locals and also tourists who visit the market of San Blas, historic center.
There are two options to get to the San Blas market, one you can go by public transportation that leaves you at the height of the San Blas market and the other is to go on foot which gives you better views of the city and the San Blas square.
You have to head uphill from the Plaza Mayor of Cusco until you reach the Plazoleta de San Blas, on this road you will see the stone of the 12 angles, further up you will find the temple that bears the same name.
Once in the square you have to go down Carmen Bajo street until you go up Chihuampata street and in sight is the San Blas de Cusco market.
