Must-see attractions in Cuenca

  • El Sagrario

    Cuenca

    Standing across the park from the new cathedral, the whitewashed El Sagrario is also known as the 'old cathedral.' Construction began in 1557, the year…

  • Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción

    Cuenca

    Also known as the ‘new cathedral,’ construction began on this vast cathedral only in 1885. Its giant domes of sky-blue Czech tile are visible from all…

  • Museo de las Culturas Aborígenes

    Cuenca

    This indigenous culture museum has more than 5000 archaeological pieces representing more than 20 pre-Columbian Ecuadorian cultures going back some 15,000…

  • Mirador de Turi

    Cuenca

    For a lovely view of Cuenca, take a taxi ($5) 4km south of town along Avenida Solano to the stark white Church of Turi. The views of Cuenca’s famous,…

  • Archaeological Park

    Cuenca

    Walk through the extensive ruins of buildings believed to be part the old Incan city of Tomebamba. Thanks to the Spanish conquistadors who carted off most…

  • Museo de la Ciudad

    Cuenca

    Housed in the former Escuela Central la Inmaculada, this beautifully preserved colonial building has been revamped with sleek, contemporary lines to house…

  • Río Yanuncay

    Cuenca

    About 1km south of the Old Town's La Escalinita staircase, this peacefully wending river has tree-clad bankside green space perfect for a picnic. Upriver,…

  • Centro Interamericano de Artes Populares

    Cuenca

    Just down the stairs on the riverbank, the Inter-American Traditional Art Center exhibits indigenous costumes, handicrafts and artwork from around Latin…

  • Inca Ruins

    Cuenca

    A patch of Inca ruins lies near the river, between the east end of Larga and Av Todos los Santos. Most of the stonework was destroyed to build colonial…

  • Church of San Francisco

    Cuenca

    Resplendently colonial, yet curiously ramshackle, plaza San Francisco's set-piece is the 19th-century Church of San Francisco, which features an…

  • Museo de Arte Moderno

    Cuenca

    On the south side of Plaza de San Sebastián, this fun museum was once a home for the insane. It now houses a highly regarded collection of Ecuadorian and…

  • Parque Calderón

    Cuenca

    A central meeting point and generally lovely place to relax, Parque Calderón is the central park of Cuenca.

  • Museo del Monasterio de las Conceptas

    Cuenca

    This religious museum in the Convent of the Immaculate Conception, founded in 1599, offers a glimpse into the centuries-old customs of the cloistered nuns…

  • Museo Manuel Agustín Landivar

    Cuenca

    At the east end of Calle Larga, this museum has archaeological exhibits and tours of the Ruinas de Todos Santos, which reveal Cañari, Inca and Spanish…

  • Orquideario

    Cuenca

    If you've any interest in the world's most outrageous and beautiful plant species, you'll love the Universidad de Cuenca's Orquideario. With over 400…

  • Prohibido Museo de Arte Extremo

    Cuenca

    El Vado, an up-and-coming area, has some unusual establishments, such as this Grim Reaper–themed gallery, bar and nightclub. Find it on the upper …

  • Puente Roto

    Cuenca

    Most of this bridge, above a pretty stretch of Paseo 3 de Noviembre, was washed away during a flood, but its stone arches make a nice venue for an open…

  • Church of San Blas

    Cuenca

    The only Cuenca church built in the form of a Latin cross, and one of the city's largest, the Church of San Blas sits at the eastern end of the slightly…

  • Church of El Carmen de la Asunción

    Cuenca

    The stark, white church just around the corner from Plaza de San Francisco was founded in 1682 and contrasts beautifully with the colorful flower market…

  • Church of Santo Domingo

    Cuenca

    This church, two blocks northwest of Parque Calderón, sports some fine carved wooden doors and colonial paintings. Although it looks older, the church was…

  • Church of San Sebastián

    Cuenca

    The 19th-century Church of San Sebastián stands on beautiful Plaza de San Sebastián, on the western edge of the historical center.

  • Planetario Ciudad de Cuenca

    Cuenca

    If you speak Spanish, Cuenca's planetarium screens its show twice daily. Morning screenings usually require a reservation.

  • Church of San Cenáculo

    Cuenca

    Two blocks east of Plaza de San Sebastián, this bare 19th-century church is worth a quick look if you happen to be passing by.

More destinations you need to see