Cuenca is a historic city located in southern Ecuador’s Andes Mountain. It’s known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage as well as the Tomebamba river waterfront and handicrafts Hats and many other things.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca is surely a mesmerizing landmark which boasts beautiful cobblestone streets, picturesque plazas, and stunning churches. You will definitely feel more enthusiastic while exploring its famous traditional crafts, including colorful textiles and places surrounded by lush mountains.
As a backpacker it is very important to indulge in one of the ideal destinations for tourists and a vibrant place to those who wish to explore Ecuadorian history and culture.
History of Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca is the capital of the province of Azuay, nestled in the Andes in the southern region of Ecuador. City has a rich history that dates back to the Roman era. Let’s see some of the cities brief overview of some key historical events by century;
1. 8th century
According to historians and researchers, Cuenca is a city founded by the Moors who lived here during 8th century. Moors peoples who also built the fortress known as the Alcázar de Cuenca.
2. 12th century
During the 12th century Alfonso VIII of Castile captured Cuenca from the Moors, making it part of the Kingdom of Castile. It also became a part of the royal town and bishopric endowed with important buildings like Gothic cathedral, casas colgadas and sheer cliffs.
3. 18th century
Cuenca experienced a period of economic growth due to textile manufacturing and trade. However, the city successfully implemented the principles of renaissance urban planning.
4. 19th century
During 1833 Cuenca became the capital of the newly formed province of Cuenca. And most of the architecture of Cuenca dates from the 18th century, which was modernized in the 19th century. Modernized in economic prosperity of the 19th century as the major initiatives for cities major exporter of quinine, straw hats and other products.
5. 20th century
Cuenca suffered during the Spanish Civil War, with the city being heavily bombed. On the other side during the 20th century the city was more prosperous and continued to grow, promoting culture and educational sectors. Interestingly during 1999 this historic walled city of Cuenca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, Cuenca is considered as most visited and also contains well-preserved medieval architectural landmarks, with hanging houses, and stunning natural surroundings.
10 Things to Do in Cuenca, Ecuador
1. Discover Historic Centers
Cuenca’s historic Centers is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dated back to the Inca civilization, most of them are steeped in the rich cultural heritages. Its narrow cobblestone streets are really impressive and it opens up stunning colonial architecture, well preserved churches and vibrant plazas. Its museum of modern art is another landmark which showcases cities past and past history of colonial movements.
However Cuenca is a city that also played a crucial role in the liberation movements especially in the era of remnants. Top attractions like Parque Calderon, The Cathedral like (La Sagrada Familia in Spain) of the Immaculate Conceptions and Museo de las conceptas are just discovering sites.
2. Take a Tour the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Surely one of the awe inspiring structures in Cuenca which includes stunning blue domes of this iconic cathedral, which offers panoramic views of the city from its towers. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception located in Calderon Park, shows us a perfect symbol of cities’ religious heritage and Gothic and Romanesque architectures.
Stated to construct around in the 1880’s and completed around 1975, its notable blue sky domes which are 60 meters tall are considered as the key point for tourist attractions. Take a few more times to indulge in Cathedrals colorful stained glass window, towering ceilings, gold leaf and marbles and Catherine window.
3. Hike in El Cajas National Park
Never miss to immerse yourself in the beauty of El Cajas National Park. Total 28,000 hectares of land covered by the rocky green mountains with wildflowers of strewn paramo, polylepis trees and more than 786 water bodies. National Parks nature can be enjoyed by trekking through (total 15 official routes available inside the park) the Andean highlands.
With rocky green mountains, pristine lakes you can also explore the unique páramo ecosystem of this national park. As a backpacker you can spot around 157 different species like condors, parrots, Andean toucans, tangers and hummingbirds. However you can also explore animals like wolves, foxes, LLamas, deer and porcupines.
4. Experience Mirador Turi viewpoint
Located in bask where you can take a perfect and entire glimpse of Cuenca city. Mirador Turi means viewpoint in Quechua, a pre-colonial period. Not just capture breath-taking views of Cuenca and you can also explore surrounding mountains from this scenic spot or city 360 degree view. Located just a short drive from the city center and take a bus tour to reach the top of the Turi viewpoint.
It is important to savor its vista and capture different angles of the viewpoint, if you are a photographer. Never forget visual experiences and authentic Ecuadorian cuisines at any one of the nearest restaurants.
5. Visti to Museo Pumapungo
Museo Pumapungo is a museum which exhibits the rich history and culture of the region at this archaeological museum. It is home to the many world class collections of art, artifacts and more than 20 displays which houses exhibits of shrunken heads (eerie stanzas from the Shuar people of Amazonian). You will also see colorful animated dioramas and reconstructions of typical houses of Afro Ecuadorians from Esmeralda’s province.
Archaeological Park is another site where we can see extensive ruins of extensive buildings and most of them belong to the indigenous Cañari and Inca civilizations (Machu Picchu). Unfortunately Spanish conquests are demolishing most of the stones and buildings to build Cuenca.
6. Shop at the Mercado 10 de Agosto
Ecuadorians is one of the traditional markets where you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of Cuenca’s largest market. Its location is really amazing, surrounded by the villages and you can buy fresh vegetables, meat from the butchers and flowers.
Beyond just markets Mercado 10 de Agosto is home for fresh produce and these markets are well known for fresh produce and allow you to get local vendors and offer to learn Spanish. Never miss exploring to find local handicrafts and traditional food.
7. Walk along with the Tomebamba River
Most of the beautiful colonial buildings are lined in the Calle large street which runs parallel and above the Tomebamba River. So, therefore, taking a leisure walk along the Tomebamba River not only relaxes your mind but also opens up your unique colonial architecture. It is always better to start on Calle Larga, where they can enjoy nearby architectural marvels.
While you stroll with the Tomebamba River, you will not just be blessed to explore architectural buildings, you are also blessed with a picturesque riverbank, lined with historic landmarks, green parks, and lively cafes, offering a peaceful escape in the heart of the city.
8. Explore the Panama Hat Museum
Hat has played more importance in Cuenca people’s day to day life. Therefore it has a fascinating history in Ecuador, especially the Panama hats. Panama hats are specially made by hand-woven in the nearby town of Montecristi, or “The Magic of the Hat”, a museum project prompted by the company called Homero Ortega. Museum contains a total of 3 rooms, first one to the history of the straw hat, second one for its processing and third one the trajectory of the company.
Due to its ideal business premises, customers or visitors can come and shop directly for quality straw hats. Moreover, the Hat museum is an institutional member of ICOM Ecuador and ICOM Paris. ICOM is an international organisational body of the organisation of museums associated with UNESCO.
9. Taste traditional Ecuadorian cuisine
Indulge in local, flavors, ingredients and traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. Ecuadorian cuisine foods are delights of ceviche and encebollado. The hug of locro de papa tells us about the sweetness and richness of Ecuadorian cuisine. Traditional Ecuadorian soup is a more popular one, it’s a combination of fresh fish, with the infusion of onions, tomatoes and coriander.
Traditional Ecuadorian foods like Chaulafan, Llapingacho, Hornado, Seco de Chivo, Ceviche, Cuy Asado and Bolon. Never miss to taste along with traditional specialties such as cuy (guinea pig) at authentic restaurants throughout Cuenca. While you are eating Ecuadorian cuisine you can also drink some of the Ecuadorian drinks like Canelazo and Chicha.
10. Buy amazing flowers at Cuenca flower market
Most colorful plaza is located in front of the Santurio Mariano Church. Market well known in the National geographical and considered as a top ten outdoor flower market in the world. Historic plaza overflowing with lucid colours and enchanting aromas, moreover it is the prettiest market in the world. Never forget to visit here to buy potted plants and trees among masses of diverse and heavily greenery.
Cuenca flower market offers roses, orchids or lilies to you. There are dozens of flower stalls available for their explosion of color, variety of flowers and aromas. Due to its vastness and variety of flower collections Cuenca flower market stands in the one of the 2014’s “top 10 outdoor flower markets” in the world.
Cuenca, Ecuador Weather
Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an altitude of 2550m at the southern end of the famed avenue of Volcanoes. City involves around 20℃ temperatures (mostly spring) year round and nights are much cooler due to its altitude.
June to August are considered as the driest months, sometimes you can expect afternoon rain in these months. However these months exhibit open sunny blue sky days, when we can freely and easily explore the city’s flower plaza, beautiful churches and cobblestone streets.
Mid Feb to April are the wettest period, but during the wet season mornings are still sunny and you will see clouds and rain in the afternoon.
Best Time to Visit Cuenca, Ecuador
As we said in the weather analysis of Cuenca, Ecuador, probably you will get an idea about when you should be there. Average temperature varies from 10℃ to 20℃ throughout the year. It is better to visit when there is low rainfall and cloud cover, normally during June to September.
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Q: Is Cuenca, Ecuador worth visiting?
A: Surely worth visiting one with its well-preserved colonial architecture and rich cultural heritage, Hat museums, Tasty cuisines, beautiful cobblestone streets, picturesque plazas, and stunning churches are must exploring sites.
Q: What is Cuenca, Ecuador known for?
A: City known for many architectural and historical marvels like Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, stunning colonial architecture, well preserved churches and vibrant plazas, museums and historical buildings in the bank of Tomebamba river.
Q: Is Cuenca, Ecuador safe?
A: Ecuador is a 2nd safest country in the whole South America and Cuenca is safest city in the Ecuador. You can see very less crime rates and pick-pocketing in in Cuenca city.
