Cusco City is perhaps the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. Thanks to its rich history, living legacy on every step you take, beautiful colonial buildings, inca architecture, and more surprises, it is the perfect destination in the Peruvian Andes and Peru.
Thanks to Cusco’s colonial and Inca melange, it has become a favorite spot for photographers, pros, and amateurs.
Inside the city, you can find several aesthetic spots to take the best shots or to share on your social media! So, join us as we explore this article, Cusco’s eight most Instagrammable spots.
Prepare yourself, as amazing views, charming alleys, and historic sites await! Also, we’ll share some pro tips based on an article written in Spanish, written by a professional photographer.
San Blas: The Bohemian Neighborhood
To begin with, we have San Blas, a picturesque, artsy neighborhood with narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and charming blue balconies.
This lively quarter is popular for housing many local artisans, boutique cafés, and stunning viewpoints. Inside the tiny but vibrant market, you can have a glimpse of Peruvian street food, and in the church, you can realize the mix of cultures.
Andean syncretism is how we call this fusion of cultures, which is present anywhere in the city, and from this viewpoint, you can have great vistas of the Andean city.
Photo Tips
Best shot: “Siete Borregeuitos Street,” one of Cusco’s most picturesque and Instagrammable spots, is located in the San Blas neighborhood.
This street, filled with history, is one of the favorites for photographers. The narrowness and stairways create beautiful lines that bring depth and energy to our compositions.
Photo Pro Tip: Use a 50mm lens for detailed and intimate shots of façades and textures, and a wide aperture to add emotion to portraits.
Creative Tips
Show Movement: Photograph artisans at work to highlight the neighborhood’s artistic vibe.
Change Perspective: Try low-angle shots for dramatic views of balconies or shoot from the viewpoint for stunning aerials of Cusco.
Go Wide: A wide-angle lens helps capture the narrow streets and plazas.
The Twelve-Angled Stone: A Hidden Architectural Wonder
Then, located on Hatunrumiyoc Street, one of Cusco’s most historical and fascinating streets, it keeps another legendary stone, one of Cusco’s most famous symbols.
The 12-angle stone perfectly cut angles fit seamlessly with the surrounding stones, showcasing the Incan mastery of stonework.
Photo Tips
Best shot: A detailed close-up of the stonework. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a local dressed in traditional Andean attire, adding an extra cultural element to your shot.
Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 – f/4) for close-ups, highlighting the stone’s precision and texture while softening the background.
Creative Tips
Play with Light & Shadow: Afternoon sunlight creates dynamic contrasts—try slow shutter speeds (1/15s) for a motion blur effect.
Polarizing Filter: Reduce reflections on the stone and enhance colors.
Long Exposure: Capture the movement of passersby to reflect daily life.
Use Low Angles: Emphasize the height of the walls and textures.
San Pedro Market: A Burst of Colors and Culture
San Pedro Market is the most traditional and colorful market in Cusco. Designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the same architect behind the Eiffel Tower!), this bustling market is filled with exotic fruits, Andean textiles, fresh flowers, and delicious street food.
Photo Tips
A flat-lay of colorful fruits, a portrait of a smiling vendor, or a street food close-up (try an empanada or a cup of freshly squeezed juice!).
Colors & Textures: Get close-up shots of vibrant textiles and fresh produce for a lively feed.
Must-Try: The giant chuta bread—great for a funny food shot!
Storytelling: Capture vendors in action—pouring chicha, stacking fruits, or laughing with customers.
Creative Tips
The market aisles are perfect to practice your best shots. Try to catch every detail you’ll see, from vendors in motion, food, fruits, veggies, and more. This market promises to fill your camera memory. Believe us when we tell you it bursts in colors and movement!
Cristo Blanco: The Ultimate Sunset Spot
Although it may look like you’re in the Redeemer, in Brazil, you’re in the Peruvian Andes. Towering over Cusco, Cristo Blanco is a massive white Christ statue that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. This huge statue is a gift from the arab community to our city, and it has been standing it over 80 years.
Photo Tips
Best shot: A silhouette shot against the sunset or a wide-angle capture of Cusco’s red rooftops.
Cityscape Composition: Use a telephoto lens to compress the city view and capture Cusco’s rooftops in stunning detail.
Night Photography: Bring a tripod and shoot long exposure to capture the city lights twinkling below.
Pro Tip: Visit at blue hour (just after sunset) for a soft, dreamy cityscape with twinkling lights.
Creative Tips
To really capture the beauty of the city, try using a wide-angle lens (16-35 mm). This will help you include both the statue and the lovely landscape in your photos.
The red rooftops of the city look amazing against the green mountains and cloudy skies, making for a unique picture.
Bring a tripod: This is really helpful for low-light shots, especially at sunset or during nighttime.
Get creative with your compositions: Including plants or visitors can add depth and context to your photos.
Qorikancha: The Temple of the Sun
Once covered in solid gold, Coricancha was the most sacred temple of the Incas. Today, its impeccably carved stone walls contrast sharply with the colonial Santo Domingo Church built on top—an iconic image of Cusco’s fusion of Incan and Spanish heritage.
When the Spanish arrived, they were stunned by Qorikancha’s golden walls, which were later melted down and taken to Spain.
Photo Tips
Best shot: Capture the contrast between the dark Incan stones and the bright Spanish church. The inner chambers, with their perfectly polished stone walls, are also incredibly photogenic.
Reflections & Shadows: The polished stones reflect light beautifully—use them creatively.
Close-up Storytelling: Focus on stone joints and architectural precision to showcase Incan craftsmanship.
Plaza de Armas: The Beating Heart of Cusco
The Plaza de Armas is the historic and social hub of Cusco, surrounded by grand colonial buildings, charming portals, and two of the city’s most iconic churches. Since pre-Inca and inca times, this square was considered sacred by ancient Peruvians.
Due to the story and lore this square holds, you can look for more info in the Plaza de Armas article we wrote for you!
Among the “plazas” or squares you can find in the city, this one is the most photogenic and instagrammable. Let’s see why!
Cusco Cathedral, a Baroque masterpiece built over an ancient Incan temple, is known for its intricate wooden altars and priceless colonial paintings.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, famous for its detailed facade and golden altars.
Photo Tips
Best shot: Capture a wide-angle view at sunset when the golden light illuminates the Cathedral’s intricate façade.
During festivals, the Plaza transforms into a carnival of colors, music, and traditional dances—the perfect moment for a vibrant action shot!
Bonus: Head up to the second floor of a balcony café, such as Cappuccino Café, for an elevated perspective of the Plaza.
Rainy Day Idea: Capture reflections of the cathedral in puddles for a creative and dramatic effect.
Creative Tips
You can try taking some pictures at these spots in the main Square:
Cusco Cathedral, a Baroque masterpiece built over an ancient Incan temple, is known for its intricate wooden altars and priceless colonial paintings.
Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, famous for its detailed facade and golden altars.
The Inca Fountain: The favorite spot for group pictures or watching the meticulous details you can find in the fountain.
The Portals: These aesthetic and photogenic arcades are great for taking lots of pictures. Follow our pro tips, and go through the 8 portals surrounding the plaza!
Sacsayhuamán: The Best Viewpoint in Cusco
This Inca fortress is not only an architectural marvel but also one of the best panoramic viewpoints of Cusco. The massive zig-zagging walls, built with enormous stones weighing up to 125 tons, showcase the incredible engineering skills of the Incas.
These and other reasons make Sacsayhuaman a wonderful place for amateur or professional photographers.
This fortress blends stunning architecture with breathtaking landscapes, giving you the chance to capture the beauty of Inca heritage in every shot.
Photography Tips
Best shot: Stand next to the giant stones to emphasize their scale, or take a drone shot for an aerial perspective of the site.
Perspective Play: Get low and shoot upwards to make the stones look even more massive.
Special Moment: Visit Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) in June to capture colorful Incan reenactments against the ancient ruins.
Sunset & Blue Hour: Late afternoon lighting adds depth to the stones, and blue hour creates a mystical glow over Cusco.
Creative Tips
Use low angles: Point your camera from the ground towards the walls to emphasize their monumentality and zigzag shapes.
Shadows and lines: Use the beautiful midday light to create lovely geometric shadows that show off the skill of Inca craftsmanship.
Look for details: Move in closer to the stones to showcase how perfectly they fit together.
Final Thoughts
We assure you you’ll love your stay in our country, and especially in Cusco! You’ll fall in love with all of the places we’ve shown you.
Try to follow our tips, based on a similar article written in Spanish by a professional photographer! Don’t hesitate to explore, try out different angles, and take in the experience of wandering through one of the most picturesque cities around.
Enjoy every moment in the most lovely city of the Peruvian Andes! Finally, to explore these and more places in Peru, you can count on Viagens Machu Picchu for that!
So, feel free to contact us to get more information about our packages, tours, deals, and more! Don’t wait too long; Peru and Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, are waiting for you!
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