15 Best Things to Do in Cuenca, Ecuador (2026 Guide)

In case you are considering whether the things to do in Cuenca, Ecuador make it worth a visit, the straightforward answer is a big yes. Cuenca is Ecuador's most enchanting colonial town and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It is mainly famous for its New Cathedral with magnificent blue domes, narrow streets paved with cobblestones, and close proximity to Cajas National Park. Located in the Andes at an altitude of 2,560m, it combines Spanish colonial architecture and Andean culture. It is also the origin of the Panama hat.

This guide contains in-depth coverage of must-see places, day trips, family-oriented activities, and essential tips to ensure you will have a delightful trip to Cuenca.

Let's get into it!

A trip to Cuenca is ideal for travelers interested in colonial architecture, artisan culture and a slower-paced Andean atmosphere. It is the third biggest city in the country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1999, and popularly referred to as the "Athens of Ecuador" due to its cultural and intellectual legacy.

The historical area is compact, safe and easily accessible by foot, whereas Cajas National Park is less than an hour's drive away. Due to its altitude of 2,560m (8,400ft) in the southern Andes, Cuenca has spring weather throughout the year.

Most travellers planning to see Cuenca's major attractions usually allocate 2 to 3 days. Although the old town area is quite walkable, it is the neighbouring day trips that really give you the best reasons to stay longer.

Based on how much time you have here, you can schedule your visit:

Coming from the low-altitude Guayaquil? Plan for an additional day on your arrival just to get used to the altitude. Cuenca's elevation affects visitors harder than they expect.

Cuenca is able to fit an incredible amount of activities in a small, pedestrian-friendly city. This list combines some of the best things to do in Ecuador alongside hidden gems that will give your visit to Cuenca a more original touch. We have also included some information like ticket prices, travel times, and local insights. 

The historic centre is the heart of a Cuenca trip and the place where visitors spend most of their time. In 1999, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of a network of narrow streets paved with cobblestones, colonial balconies, baroque churches and picturesque plazas that showcase the essence of Ecuador culture & history.

You can discover the neighbourhood by walking around slowly. Here the buildings reflect a merge of Spanish-colonial architecture and French influences, a vestige of the 19th-century imports style that was introduced across the Andes via indigenous people carrying the goods on their backs.

Local tip: Your first stop should be Parque Calderón. From here, you can slowly take in everything that the centre has to offer. All the major attractions are less than a 15-minute walk.

Cuenca's most prominent New Cathedral, with the three pastel-blue domes, can be seen from any part of the city. Construction began in 1885, it was only finished nearly a hundred years later, in 1975. At present, it is considered the 5th largest cathedral in Latin America and is home to the largest bell in Ecuador.

You can go up to the terrace and enjoy a magnificent view of the historic centre. Once inside, you should not miss the stained-glass windows that depict a captivating mix of Christian and native symbols.

Interesting fact: During construction, the architect found out that the foundation of the building was not strong enough to hold the entire height of the towers as per the original design and so, they had to be shortened.

Overlooking the entire city, Mirador de Turi stands as the top panoramic spot in Cuenca and a must visit place, Especially during sunset. Perched on a hill just south of the city, this is where you will be able to admire a wide view of the red-tiled colonial roofs of the historical centre, surrounded by the Andean peaks.

You can reach it in 10–15 minutes if you go by taxi. The viewpoint also has a glass-floor lookout (Puente de Cristal), craft stalls, and food vendors.

Local tip: Have a warm canelazo, a hot cinnamon-and-aguardiente drink, from a vendor to enjoy along the view as the city lights are switched on.

Museo Pumapungo in Cuenca is a really understated attraction and a perfect way to begin your trip, as it shows you the region's history before you get to the rest of the city. The complex is unusually layered: an ethnographic museum (where the well-known exhibit of shrunken heads is located), a set of Incan ruins, terraced botanical gardens, and a small bird sanctuary.

A minimum of two hours should be scheduled if you want to appreciate it fully. The ethnographic part introduces you to the various indigenous groups of Ecuador through life-sized scenes and historical artefacts, while the outdoor ruins give you a glimpse of the most important Incan administrative centre in northern Ecuador.

Best part: Entry is completely free.

Parque Calderón is the soul of Cuenca and the city's main social meeting point. It is nestled between the New Cathedral on one side and the Old Cathedral at the other. It is a place where locals gather, vendors sell snacks, and tour buses depart. The park is also unexpectedly biodiverse, with more than 2,000 species of plants in this very small square.

This is the best place to take a break, buy a coffee at a nearby coffee shop, and watch people while sitting under the tall pine trees. Most of Cuenca's famous landmarks are only a few minutes' walk from here.

Local tip: The atmosphere is at its most lively on Sundays, when families come together, musicians perform, and the streets around the park feel very alive.

The Old Cathedral, or Iglesia de El Sagrario, one of the first churches of Cuenca, is located on the other side of Parque Calderón from the New Cathedral. Built in 1567, it has been converted into a religious art museum exhibiting art, sculptures, and liturgical objects spanning several centuries.

What really puts the church on the map is the church bell tower. It was used by the 18th-century French Geodesic Mission, which measured the Earth's shape and the equator. A scientific expedition that was among the most ambitious of its time.

Fun fact: The measurements were slightly off, placing the official equator line in the wrong spot.

The Rio Tomebamba flows through Cuenca just south of the historic centre, and the walk along its banks is among the city's most atmospheric experiences. The northern side is facing casas colgadas, colonial houses on stilts that hang dramatically over the river. This stretch belongs to El Barranco, a favourite spot of photographers, full of colourful façades, little art studios, and riverside cafés.

The walk is easy all the way. Your first point should be Parque Calderón, then take the pedestrian stairs at Calle Larga, after that go along the path to the east towards the Museo Pumapungo.

Local tip: Plan your walk around golden hour so you can enjoy the warm light falling on the colonial buildings.

Do you know that the famous Panama hat is not from Panama? It's made in Ecuador, and Cuenca is the leading city in the world for the production of these hats. They are made by hand weaving toquilla straw, a trade so significant that it has been included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Homero Ortega factory is the top choice for tourists. It gives free guided tours that take you through the whole process, from harvesting the straw to the blocking of the final hat. If you don't want the sales pitch, Museo de la Paja Toquilla is a smaller and a more laid-back option. An authentic handmade hat will cost you at least $40 and the price can go up to several thousands for top-quality Montecristi Superfinos.

Quick fact: There are less than twelve master weavers who can make the highest quality of Panama hat in the world.

Cajas National Park is one of the highlights of Ecuador nature & wildlife travel and one of the best places to visit in Ecuador, only a 45 minute to 1 hour drive away.. Its páramo landscape seems otherworldly and includes rolling tundra, glacial valleys, and over 200 lakes. Hiking trails range from easy lakeside loops to moderate climbs over 4,000m, making the park a highlight of adventure travel in Ecuador.

The top hike is the Laguna Toreadora Loop (11.5 hours), which starts right at the visitor centre. The weather can become very different at this altitude so bring layers, a windbreaker, and good shoes even if it looks like a sunny morning.

Local tip: Catch any Guayaquil-bound bus from Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre and ask the driver for a drop off at the visitor centre. The cost difference with a taxi or organised tour is quite significant.

Chordeleg and Gualaceo in the east of Cuenca are two of Ecuador's most delightful artisan villages. Chordeleg, which is only an hour away, is a UNESCO Creative City, renowned for its handmade filigree silver and gold jewelry. The central square is surrounded by tiny workshops where you can observe silversmiths making jewelry and buy unique mementos.

Gualaceo, just ten minutes away, is famous for its traditional weaving and a vibrant Sunday market selling textiles, fresh produce, and Ecuadorian sweets. Altogether, the two towns provide a simple, but engaging cultural day trip.

Local tip: Share the hire of a taxi for the day with another traveler, as it usually costs the same as a group tour but you get complete flexibility.

Around two hours driving north from Cuenca, Ingapirca is the most significant pre-Columbian archaeological site of Ecuador and the biggest known Incan complex in the country. The ruins are at an altitude of 3,160m in the province of Cañar and are surrounded by beautiful green hills. The main attraction of the site is the Temple of the Sun, a stone building in the shape of an ellipse, showcasing the Incan's high level of skill.

Compared to famous sites of Peru, it is smaller and quieter, which is part of its charm. You will probably have the place to yourself most of the time. The entrance is about $2 and a guide will lead you around for an hour.

Local tip: Buses going straight to Ingapirca leave Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre numerous times a day. Tours arranged from Cuenca generally cost $40 - $50 and include a meal.

Trying hornado (slow-roasted piglet), accompanied by a traditional mix of mote (hominy), llapingachos (cheesy potato patties), and crispy crackling, is a must when in Cuenca. Mercado 10 de Agosto, only a few blocks south of Parque Calderón, is the most popular place in the city to eat it. Go upstairs to the food court and find Doña Elsita Cardenas's stall, a well-known figure in the city.

The price of a big plate will be about $3 to $5, one of the best food deals you can get in Ecuador. Besides, locals normally have it with a mug of fresh morocho (warm corn-and-cinnamon drink) or fresh fruit juice.

Local tip: Have an early lunch (around noon) the best stalls are usually out of stock by mid-afternoon.

Cuy is the traditional roasted guinea pig of the Andes. Generally, the whole cuy is served crispy with potatoes and corn. For centuries, it has been a ceremonial dish in Ecuador and Peru, even going back to pre-Incan times. If you are interested in sampling it, the first choice in the city centre is Salón Tres Estrellas and it is also one of the few places offering it everyday.

Since cuy needs to be cooked with great care, the restaurant calls for reserving by phone or coming in half an hour in advance. The price for a half cuy (which is quite a generous serving for two) is around $25 - 35.

Local tip: Order half rather than whole on your first try. The portion is bigger than it looks.

Only 8km southwest from the historic core, Baños, a small town (not to be confused with Baños de Agua Santa in central Ecuador), is by far Cuenca's favorite thermal-spring getaway. The mineral-loaded waters here have been attracting the locals for many years and are a great way to relax after a hike in Cajas.

A couple of the most visited spa centers are Piedra de Agua and Novaqua Spa. Basic pool access is usually $10 - $20, while more extensive spa packages include uses of steam rooms, mud baths and massages. Both have restaurants on-site so making a half-day outing is very convenient.

Local tip: Taking a taxi from the centre is roughly $5 each way, a lot cheaper than tour packages.

For people who only have one or two days in Cuenca, guided tours are the quickest way to get things done. Daily free walking tours leave from Parque Calderón, last about three hours, and include the main sights, history, and food culture of the historic centre. They are tip-based, with a tip of about $5 - $10 per person being the standard.

If you want something more laid-back, the double-decker bus tour runs for about 1 hour 45 minutes and includes a 25-minute photo stop at Mirador de Turi. Tickets cost about $8 and can be purchased right at Parque Calderón.

Local tip: Get a tour on your first day. You will be able to identify the places you want to visit on foot later.

Cuenca is ideal for family travel in Ecuador: small enough to get around, very safe, and filled with open-air places where children can expend their energy. The old town is walkable, taxi fares are low, and the local people are very friendly. Below are the most fun activities you can do with children in Cuenca.

Local tip: At 2,560m, give kids a slow first day to acclimatise. Light meals, lots of water, and no big climbs.

Cuenca experiences spring-like climate throughout the year, with the temperature ranging from 18 - 21°C (64 - 70°F) during the day and the nights remaining quite cool consistently. There is no period that can be considered as a bad time for the trip. The dry season (June to September) is not only the best time to go to Cajas, do hiking and enjoy outdoor festivals like Corpus Christi in June but also the peak tourist season, so it is advisable to make your reservation ahead.

When planning your trip to Ecuador, April and May are the best time to visit, since they have fewer crowds and greener Andean landscapes. Plan your trip to Independence Day (November 3) for the parades and street foods, or Christmas time for the amazing Pase del Niño Viajero Christmas Eve procession.

Cuenca's Mariscal La Mar Airport (CUE) mainly operates flights between Quito (UIO) and Guayaquil (GYE). There are no direct international flights. If you're planning a trip to Ecuador that combines Quito, Guayaquil and the southern Andes, Cuenca fits naturally into a longer multi-region itinerary. Buses are a good budget option and they even run from Guayaquil in about 4 hours and from Quito in around 9 hours. They will drop you off at Cuenca's Terminal Terrestre.

When you get there, the historic center is very easy to get around on foot. Taxi fares are very cheap at just $2 - $3 for a trip across the center. Besides that, Uber runs well and the first tram system in Ecuador, although limited, serves a useful route. The currency of Ecuador is the US dollar. Don't forget to have some small bills with you for markets, taxis, and tips.

A few quick tips to make your Cuenca trip smoother:

The best things to do in Cuenca are not limited to museums and sights. They include day trips to national parks, exploring the local culture through its food and crafts, visiting thermal baths and taking in views from amazing locations. Two to three days are more than enough for most people and allow time to get acclimatized to the altitude.

So, are you ready to experience Ecuador by yourself? Talk to Tailored by Locals and share your needs, wishes, and expectations. A local expert will then design an itinerary that brings your vision of a trip to Ecuador to life.