Photographing Cusco: Best Spots for Capturing the City’s Stunning Architecture and Landscapes
Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, is a photographer’s dream. Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, its vibrant mix of ancient Inca stonework, colonial architecture, and sweeping landscapes creates endless opportunities for stunning photography. Whether you’re wandering through cobblestone streets, scaling nearby mountains for panoramic views, or capturing the buzz of local markets, Cusco offers a rich palette for visual storytelling. This guide highlights the best spots in Cusco for capturing its architectural marvels and breathtaking landscapes.
1. Plaza de Armas
The heart of Cusco, the Plaza de Armas, is the city’s most iconic location. Surrounded by colonial-era buildings and framed by the towering Cusco Cathedral and Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, this square is a must for any photographer. Early morning light offers a soft, golden glow on the stone facades, while dusk brings out vibrant street scenes as locals and tourists gather in the square. The Plaza is equally impressive at night when the cathedral is illuminated, creating a dramatic contrast against the dark sky.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Early morning for soft light and fewer crowds, or at night for a moody, illuminated shot.
Perspective: Try shooting from the steps of the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús for a sweeping view of the entire Plaza.
2. San Blas Neighborhood
Just a short uphill walk from the Plaza de Armas lies the bohemian district of San Blas. Known for its narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and vibrant artisan shops, this area is perfect for street photography. The charm of San Blas is in its details: colorful doors, hanging flower pots, and old colonial balconies. The views from this elevated part of the city are also spectacular, offering a panoramic look over the terracotta rooftops of Cusco.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Late afternoon, when the warm light softens the shadows on the narrow streets.
Highlight: Capture the famous San Blas Church and its ornate pulpit, or shoot down from the Hatunrumiyoc Street, featuring the famous 12-Angle Stone.
3. Sacsayhuamán
The imposing ruins of Sacsayhuamán, an Inca fortress perched above Cusco, offer a fantastic combination of architectural and landscape photography. The massive stone walls, with boulders that weigh up to 200 tons, demonstrate the incredible engineering skill of the Incas. From Sacsayhuamán, you can also capture stunning panoramic views of Cusco, with the city sprawling below and the surrounding mountains in the distance.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Late afternoon, when the low sun casts long shadows across the stone walls.
Perspective: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the fortress or zoom in for detail shots of the intricate stonework.
4. Cristo Blanco
Overlooking the city from the hills above Sacsayhuamán, the Cristo Blanco statue offers a fantastic vantage point for panoramic shots of Cusco. The statue, a smaller version of the famous Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, stands tall with its arms outstretched, offering protection over the city. The sweeping view from this spot is perfect for sunset photography, where the fading light casts a warm glow over Cusco’s rooftops and mountains.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Sunset for dramatic light and glowing cityscapes.
Composition: Frame the Cristo Blanco statue with the city below, or focus solely on the expansive landscape view.
5. Qorikancha and Santo Domingo Convent
The Qorikancha, once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, is a remarkable example of the blend between Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. The Inca stone foundations of the temple, with their precisely cut and fitted stones, still remain, while the Convent of Santo Domingo was built on top by the Spanish. This juxtaposition of Inca and colonial styles makes for fascinating compositions.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer crowds.
Details: Capture the contrast between the smooth, precision-cut Inca stones and the rougher, colonial-era walls above.
6. Cusco’s Rooftops
One of the most iconic visual elements of Cusco is its sea of red-tiled rooftops. These rooftops, with their terracotta hues, are beautiful against the backdrop of the Andes mountains. For the best rooftop photography, head to elevated points around the city, such as the San Blas neighborhood, Sacsayhuamán, or the Cristo Blanco viewpoint.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Midday or late afternoon for strong contrasts between the rooftops and the mountains.
Composition: Use the rooftops to lead the eye towards a distant mountain or frame them with surrounding architecture.
7. San Pedro Market
For those seeking vibrant street photography and candid shots of local life, San Pedro Market is a goldmine. Inside this bustling market, you’ll find vendors selling everything from fresh produce to traditional Andean textiles, offering endless opportunities to capture the essence of Cusco’s daily life. The market is also a great spot to shoot the colors, textures, and patterns of the local goods.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Morning for the freshest produce and liveliest atmosphere.
Close-ups: Focus on details like hands preparing food, colorful fruits, or traditional clothing.
8. The Temple of the Moon and Inkilltambo
For a quieter, off-the-beaten-path photo shoot, explore the lesser-known ruins of The Temple of the Moon and Inkilltambo, located just outside of Cusco. These sites offer beautiful stonework and a more serene atmosphere, away from the tourist crowds. The Temple of the Moon, a sacred Inca site carved into the rock, is particularly photogenic during golden hour when the surrounding hills are bathed in warm light.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon for soft light and minimal crowds.
Textures: Capture the intricate carvings and textures of the stones, or frame the ruins against the dramatic Andean landscape.
9. Q'enqo
Another fascinating Inca site near Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo offers a more intimate setting for photography. This archaeological site is known for its labyrinth of carved stone channels and underground chambers, thought to have been used for rituals. The unique rock formations and play of light through the channels and crevices make Q'enqo an intriguing place for creative compositions.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Midday, when sunlight filters through the rocks for striking contrasts.
Close-ups: Focus on the mysterious carvings and stone patterns for abstract, detail-rich shots.
10. Tambomachay
Located a bit further out from the city, Tambomachay is known as the "Bath of the Inca." This small but impressive site features a series of aqueducts and terraces, with water still flowing through the stone channels today. The juxtaposition of flowing water and ancient stonework makes for visually engaging compositions.
Photography Tips:
Best time: Early morning for clear shots without tourists.
Movement: Use a slower shutter speed to capture the movement of water against the stillness of the stone terraces.
Conclusion: Capturing the Essence of Cusco
Cusco is a city that offers layers upon layers of photographic potential, from its ancient ruins to its vibrant local life. Whether you're framing the intricate stonework of Inca temples or capturing panoramic views from the city's hilltops, there is no shortage of breathtaking moments to preserve. As you explore the best spots for photography in Cusco, let the city's rich history, diverse architecture, and natural beauty guide your lens, ensuring you leave with both stunning images and unforgettable memories.