San Blas

Cusco

San Blas which includes a city
San Blas featuring animals and street scenes
Cusco featuring street scenes
San Blas
San Blas showing a city

Take a walk through the heart of Cusco’s artisan district, one of the city’s most beguiling and lively areas. 

San Blas is an animated neighbourhood packed with artist studios, galleries, historic attractions, and excellent dining and nightlife. This district draws visitors throughout the day with its picturesque cobblestone streets and intriguing shops, but truly sparkles at night when its bars and restaurants hum with an infectious energy.  

During Incan times, San Blas was one of Cusco’s 12 administrative centers. Following the Inca’s defeat by the Spanish, the area’s architecture and culture blossomed with a mix of local and Spanish influences. It suffered widespread destruction during a 1950 earthquake restoration work continues to this day. Many of the neighbourhood’s charming colonial houses have now been transformed into trendy shops, restaurants and hostels. 

Most attractions are found around the hilltop Plaza San Blas. Stop by this scenic plaza on Saturday, when an open-air market of contemporary and traditional jewellery, art and handicrafts takes place. Musicians often gather to provide entertainment for shoppers. 

Explore the neighbourhood’s pleasant streets, noticing the beautiful contrast between the whitewashed walls and bright blue doors of the adobe houses. Look inside workshops of sculptors, potters and weavers. The narrow pedestrian-only streets are perfect for an afternoon stroll. Look for the remains of Incan walls. 

Be sure to check out the Iglesia de San Blas, originally constructed in the 16th century. The church’s exterior is relatively modest, but inside you’ll find an impressive pulpit carved from a single cedar trunk. Notice the lovely gold-leaf work on the church’s Baroque main altar. 

Find the Plazoleta San Blas on the southeast side of the church. This beautiful fountain is shaped like an Incan cross. Come at night when the fountain is illuminated with an enchanting light display. Then have a drink at one of the district’s casual pubs or cocktail bars.

Reach San Blas by following a short, steep flight of stairs from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. There is an admission fee to visit the Iglesia de San Blas.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in San Blas

Antigua Casona San Blas
Antigua Casona San Blas
4 out of 5
Calle Carmen Bajo 243, San Blas, Cusco
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cusco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
"An unparalleled experience!!!! Every single moment of being in the hotel, I felt so well taken care of. From check in to check out. The staff are amazing. I couldn’t recommend this hotel enough. There are really great dining options close by (although the hotels restaurant itself was phenomenal). ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun, 2025

Antigua Casona San Blas
Atoq San Blas Hotel
Atoq San Blas Hotel
3 out of 5
Calle Atoqsaycuchi 278, Esquina con Calle Tandapata, San Blas, Cusco
The price is S$140 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$140
20 Jul - 21 Jul
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Cusco. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite spa services, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (545 reviews)
"Buena localización y el servicio es excelente."

Reviewed on 24 Jun, 2025

Atoq San Blas Hotel
Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Casa Andina Premium Cusco
4 out of 5
Plazoleta De Limacpampa Chico - 473, Cusco, Cusco
The price is S$295 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
S$295
12 Jul - 13 Jul
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in Cusco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Conveniently located."

Reviewed on 7 Jun, 2025

Casa Andina Premium Cusco
Hotel Encanto de San Blas
Hotel Encanto de San Blas
3 out of 5
Calle Carmen Alto, San Blas - Cusco, 149, Cusco, Cuzco
The price is S$57 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$57
13 Jul - 14 Jul
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Cusco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"The staff were so friendly and went out of there way to answer questions and help with taxi's etc, even though there was a language barrier. It was a last minute booking for me and they accommodated a late checkout for a small fee. It made my last couple of days wonderful. PS. the price is great, ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jun, 2025

Hotel Encanto de San Blas
Casa de Campo Cusco
Casa de Campo Cusco
3 out of 5
Calle Tanda Pata #298, Cusco, Cusco
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Cusco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market are located ...
7.2/10 Good! (70 reviews)
"Very beautiful place and views. there's no heater in the rooms, so is very cold, but everything went out find! Also too many stairs to climb after a long day walking and tours, but we mange it well too. We love the surrounding near the Hotel and breakfast was good. In general love the place."

Reviewed on 27 Jun, 2025

Casa de Campo Cusco
Illa B&B
Illa B&B
3 out of 5
Kiskapata - Barrio de San Cristobal, 250, Cusco, Cuzco
Stay at this 3-star B&B in Cusco. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (36 reviews)
"The property was clean, cozy, and in a great area. I woke up to a beautiful view of Cusco every morning. The gentleman at front desk was kind and always responsive. Overall, great stay."

Reviewed on 6 May, 2025

Illa B&B
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around San Blas

Default Image

Quinta Toccocachi

While there might not be top attractions in Quinta Toccocachi, you can explore the larger area and discover places like San Blas Viewpoint and Plaza de las Nazarenas.

Quinta Toccocachi
Default Image

Lucrepata

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lucrepata and surrounding area, you can visit Plaza San Blas and San Blas Viewpoint.

Lucrepata
Default Image

San Cristóbal

While visiting San Cristóbal, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza de las Nazarenas and Museo de Arte Precolombino.

San Cristóbal
Default Image

Zaguan del Cielo

While there might not be top attractions in Zaguan del Cielo, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Plaza San Blas and San Blas Church.

Zaguan del Cielo
Default Image

Tahuantinsuyo

When in Tahuantinsuyo, you can plan a visit to Plaza Tupac Amaru and Plaza San Blas, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Tahuantinsuyo
La Merced Church showing a city

Cusco Historic Center

4.5/5(62 area reviews)

Cusco Historic Center is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Santa Catalina Convent and Coricancha, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cusco.

Cusco Historic Center

San Blas