Cuenca Guidebook
Sightseeing
See Cuenca's historic center and it's lovely outskirts! The views from the Mirador del Turi are a must!
Turibus en Cuenca / Cuenca City Tour
Simón BolívarSee Cuenca's historic center and it's lovely outskirts! The views from the Mirador del Turi are a must!
Kathedrale der Unbefleckten Empfängnis
Mariscal SucreMirador de Turi! This is a beautiful observation deck to see the valley of Cuenca, amazing during sunset! Restaurants and shops as well.
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Mirador de Turi
Avenida Mirador de TuriMirador de Turi! This is a beautiful observation deck to see the valley of Cuenca, amazing during sunset! Restaurants and shops as well.
Artisan Markets
Centro Municipal de Artesanias
General TorresThis is a great stop for artisan crafts and gifts for friends!
Great stop for a Sombrero de paja toquilla (did you know the "panama hat" is from Cuenca?)
Learn a little about the hat making process while you shop.
There's a great little cafe overlooking the river when you're done!
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Museum des Panamahuts
10-41 y Calle LargaGreat stop for a Sombrero de paja toquilla (did you know the "panama hat" is from Cuenca?)
Learn a little about the hat making process while you shop.
There's a great little cafe overlooking the river when you're done!
This is the best and largest mercado in the Historic Center! Local food and fresh fruit juices, try traditional Cuencano hornado (roasted pig), tigrillo, empanadas con morocho, among others.
Bonus activity: Tuesdays and Fridays experience a "Limpia" where Andean healers perform a sacred ritual with herbs and chants to release negative energies
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Markt 10 de Agosto
1147 Calle LargaThis is the best and largest mercado in the Historic Center! Local food and fresh fruit juices, try traditional Cuencano hornado (roasted pig), tigrillo, empanadas con morocho, among others.
Bonus activity: Tuesdays and Fridays experience a "Limpia" where Andean healers perform a sacred ritual with herbs and chants to release negative energies
Beautiful fresh flower market in the center!
The church next door offers goods through a wooden door on the plaza. Try an Agua de Pitimas, a fresh herbal infusion blessed by the nuns.
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Plaza de las flores
Beautiful fresh flower market in the center!
The church next door offers goods through a wooden door on the plaza. Try an Agua de Pitimas, a fresh herbal infusion blessed by the nuns.
Food Scene
Cafe San Sebas
1-94 Y Mariscal SucreGreat breakfasts right next door in the Plaza San Sebastian
Fantastic little gem of a restaurant in the Historic Center, local Chef Sofy passionately combines local ingredients with global dishes and flavors.
Sofy Glocal Cuisine
7-79 Simón BolívarFantastic little gem of a restaurant in the Historic Center, local Chef Sofy passionately combines local ingredients with global dishes and flavors.
This is a great hub in the city center: enjoy an espresso, a local brewery, or some local food at Consuelo Restaurante. Lots of good food choices here!
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Casa del Parque
702-800 Simón BolívarThis is a great hub in the city center: enjoy an espresso, a local brewery, or some local food at Consuelo Restaurante. Lots of good food choices here!
Delicious traditional street foods: Tamales, quimbolitos, humitas, try it with an artisanal hot chocolate!
La Casa de la Golosina
Delicious traditional street foods: Tamales, quimbolitos, humitas, try it with an artisanal hot chocolate!
Local Chef studies abroad to bring French cuisine to Cuenca's countryside. Delicious meals and fantastic wine pairings. Worth the trip!
Le Petit Jardin
San Miguel de PutushiLocal Chef studies abroad to bring French cuisine to Cuenca's countryside. Delicious meals and fantastic wine pairings. Worth the trip!
Panadería Cuatro Ríos
Mariano CuevaFavorite bakery in town!
Comforting handmade pastas and Italian dishes, this place really hits the spot when it comes to Italian food. It's a short walk from the apartment and highly recommended.
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Mangiare Bene
Estévez de ToralComforting handmade pastas and Italian dishes, this place really hits the spot when it comes to Italian food. It's a short walk from the apartment and highly recommended.
This restaurant is situated in a lovely historic house next door to the cathedral. The ambiance itself makes this the perfect place to relax and try some brick oven pizza and wine!
Filippo Wine Cheese & Bread
Benigno MaloThis restaurant is situated in a lovely historic house next door to the cathedral. The ambiance itself makes this the perfect place to relax and try some brick oven pizza and wine!
Experiences
This is a must! Relax in the thermal waters at this luxurious spa with clay baths, eucalyptus saunas, and underground caves.
A quick taxi ride from the condo. Check out the promos on their website!
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Piedra de Agua, Fuente Termal & Spa
s/n C. 1 de SeptiembreThis is a must! Relax in the thermal waters at this luxurious spa with clay baths, eucalyptus saunas, and underground caves.
A quick taxi ride from the condo. Check out the promos on their website!
This is a wonderful animal sanctuary on the mountainside. It is quite a hike so wear good shoes. Great views of the city!
Short taxi ride from the condo.
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Amaru Biopark Zoo
km 10 5 AlturaThis is a wonderful animal sanctuary on the mountainside. It is quite a hike so wear good shoes. Great views of the city!
Short taxi ride from the condo.
If you are looking for a little nature inside the city, highly recommend taking a stroll by the Rio Tomebamba.
From the condo, go down Simon Bolivar towards Plaza San Sebastián, and take a right on Coronel Guillermo Talbot, all the way to the stairs which will take you towards the river. Go left down the river walk! You will hit a few pubs and restaurants and the CIDAP museum. Don't worry if you go too far you can always grab a taxi back, it's worth the trip ;)
Rio Tomebamba
If you are looking for a little nature inside the city, highly recommend taking a stroll by the Rio Tomebamba.
From the condo, go down Simon Bolivar towards Plaza San Sebastián, and take a right on Coronel Guillermo Talbot, all the way to the stairs which will take you towards the river. Go left down the river walk! You will hit a few pubs and restaurants and the CIDAP museum. Don't worry if you go too far you can always grab a taxi back, it's worth the trip ;)
Museums
Museum highlighting the indigenous people. Spot some ruins and walk the gardens outside
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Pumapungo-Museum
182 Calle LargaMuseum highlighting the indigenous people. Spot some ruins and walk the gardens outside
Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno
& Coronel Guillermo TálbotModern art museum a block from the condo
Beautifully restored historic house in the center of Cuenca
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Museo Remigio Crespo Toral
1159 Calle LargaBeautifully restored historic house in the center of Cuenca
Coffee
Café Del Zaguán
12-69 Simón BolívarGood coffee close to the apartment, great selection of baked goods and desserts!
Neighborhoods
Welcome to your neighborhood!
This is a peaceful neighborhood with lots of delicious food options. Plaza San Sebastian offers a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and late night patios to enjoy a drink with friends and family!
Our favorites are Chicano, Osaka Ramen and Jodoco. Enjoy a nice breakfast at Cafe San Sebas.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
San Sebastian
Welcome to your neighborhood!
This is a peaceful neighborhood with lots of delicious food options. Plaza San Sebastian offers a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and late night patios to enjoy a drink with friends and family!
Our favorites are Chicano, Osaka Ramen and Jodoco. Enjoy a nice breakfast at Cafe San Sebas.