What to do in Cuenca

Activities, attractions and tours

View of Cuenca from Mirador de Turi, Canar Province, Ecuador, South America
Pumapungo ruins near Cuenca, Ecuador, aerial drone
View of the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, with it's many churches, on a cloudy day
Hanging houses of Cuenca panoramic. Spain. UNESCO World Heritage site
Cuenca

Cuenca Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Cuenca has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Cuenca is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Cuenca to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Cuenca Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Cuenca.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Cuenca attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Cuenca

Discover the most popular places to visit in Cuenca

Santo Domingo church at night, as seen from a rooftop on Park Calderon

Calderon Park

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Calderon Park is just one of the places to see in Cuenca, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around the area's riverfront or visit its cathedral.

Calderon Park
Cuenca, Ecuador - Stairs from Calle Larga to Rio Tomebamba

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga

4.5/5(8 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Cuenca with a trip to Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the cathedral in this culturally rich area.

Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga
Aerial View of New Cathedral in center of Cuenca, Ecuador

New Cathedral of Cuenca

4.5/5(12 reviews)

After visiting New Cathedral of Cuenca, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Cuenca. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the area's museums.

New Cathedral of Cuenca
Puente Roto

Puente Roto

You can find out about the history of Cuenca with a trip to Puente Roto. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its museums.

Puente Roto

Mall del Rio

You can do some window-shopping at Mall del Rio during your trip to Cuenca. Discover the museums and cathedral in this walkable area.

Mall del Rio

Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium

Catch an event at Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium during your trip to Cuenca.

Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium

San Sebastian Plaza

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Find out about the history of Cuenca with a stop at San Sebastian Plaza. Discover the museums and cathedral in this culturally rich area.

San Sebastian Plaza

University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden

2.5/5(2 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden, a lovely green space in Cuenca. Stroll along the riverfront or visit the cathedral in this culturally rich area.

University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden

Plaza Rotary Market

During your trip to Cuenca, you can enjoy retail therapy at Plaza Rotary Market. Discover the area's museums and cathedral.

Plaza Rotary Market

Explore areas of Cuenca

Downtown Cuenca

Downtown Cuenca

Travelers come to Downtown Cuenca for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden and Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga while you're in town.

Downtown Cuenca
Panoramic view of the historical center of city Cuenca at the valley with its many churches. Ecuador

Cuenca Historic Center

While you're in Cuenca Historic Center, take in top sights like Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga and jump on the metro at Gaspar Sangurima Tram Station to see more of the city.

Cuenca Historic Center
San sebastian Church in Cuenca, Ecuador

San Sebastián

While San Sebastián isn't home to many top sights, San Sebastian Plaza and University of Cuenca's Orchid Garden are some notable places to visit nearby.

San Sebastián
San Blas

San Blas

If you're spending some time in San Blas, Puente Roto and Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga are top sights worth seeing.

San Blas
Huayna-Cápac

Huayna-Cápac

While visiting Huayna-Cápac, you might make a stop by sights like Alejandro Serrano Aguilar Stadium and Cuenca Botanical Garden.

Huayna-Cápac
A breathtaking panoramic drone view of Cuenca, Ecuador, showcasing the city's vibrant architecture, lush green spaces, and the Tomebamba River winding through its heart.

El Barranco

While visiting El Barranco, you might make a stop by sights like Río Tomebamba & Calle Larga and Puente Roto.

El Barranco

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Frequently asked questions

Is Cuenca worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor activities and history, there are plenty of fun things to do in Cuenca. Don't forget to discover the area's blend of unmissable attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Cuenca?
Once you've checked off leading attractions like Amaru Zoo and Pumapungo Archaeological Park, spend the rest of your day enjoying Cuenca's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cuenca?
The top tourist attraction in Cuenca is Amaru Zoo, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cuenca?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city highlights, such as Amaru Zoo, Casa de los Arcos Art Museum and Galeria FVega. The average stay in Cuenca is three days. If you have the time to extend your adventure, Paute isn't far away.
Is Cuenca a walkable city?
Some major attractions in Cuenca, like Casa de los Arcos Art Museum and Galeria FVega, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 0.16 kilometres from central Cuenca is Downtown Cuenca and Cuenca Historic Centre is 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Cuenca with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Cuenca with kids.

What to do in Cuenca for adults?
Sombrero Museum and Museum of the Aboriginal Cultures are just a couple of the things to do in Cuenca. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cuenca?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Cuenca is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Mirador de Turi is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.

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