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Market · Pisac, Cusco
Mercado de Pisac
The plaza market of Pisac, with stalls selling textiles, ceramics, silver and alpaca goods, and the communities’ fair on Sundays, offering potatoes, corn and fruits that are still partly exchanged by barter.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mercado de Pisac
The Pisac market occupies the village’s main square and the surrounding streets, with stalls covered by tarpaulins under the plaza trees. It has been known in the Sacred Valley since the 1970s and operates every day, with stalls selling textiles, blankets and alpaca hats, ceramics, silver jewelry, musical instruments and souvenirs.
On Sundays, and to a lesser extent on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the market usually grows. The Quechua communities from the region descend from the mountains to sell potatoes, corn, broad beans and fruit, and some exchanges are still done by barter. On Sunday morning the communities’ authorities, the varayoc, usually attend Mass in Quechua at the church in the square, with their varas de mando decorated with silver.
Around the square there are bakeries with clay ovens, where breads and empanadas are baked, and small restaurants. The village streets have water channels running alongside the sidewalks, a legacy of the colonial layout.
The market is a good stop after descending from the ruins. Prices are negotiable, and stalls rarely accept cards: bring small change.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours for the market and the village streets.
Best time
Sunday mornings, when the communities' fair usually joins the craft market; there are also more stalls on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In the late afternoon the stalls begin to close.
How to get there
It’s in Pisac’s main square, a 5-minute walk from the bridge over the Urubamba, where vans from Cusco stop. Those who walk down from the ruins arrive in the village a few blocks from the square.
Tip
Try the empanadas from the clay-oven bakeries around the square. Compare prices before buying and haggle politely: it’s part of the custom.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mercado de Pisac
Does the Pisac market operate every day?
Yes. On Sundays, and somewhat on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is usually larger, with the regional communities' fair.
What to buy at the Pisac market?
Textiles and blankets, alpaca hats and gloves, ceramics, silver and musical instruments. At the Sunday fair: potatoes, corn and fruits from the valley.
Can you negotiate the price?
Yes, haggling is part of the custom at the market. Ask the price, compare, and negotiate politely.