Top Things to do in Cuenca
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10 Shopping in Cuenca That You Shouldn't Miss
Writers and poets have long flourished in arts-oriented Cuenca, the country's third-largest city and the capital of the Azuay province. Cafes and galleries are tucked among the narrow cobblestone streets. The main plaza hosts both the old cathedral, started in 1557, the year the city was founded, and the blue-domed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, dating to 1885. Locally made Panama hats get top billing at the markets, with centrally located Casa de la Mujer a shopping standout.
Restaurants in Cuenca
1. Galapagos Artesanias
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By sueb4bs - Portland, United States
A very special Ecuadorian "treasure house" of memories and gifts from this country-- I love this place! This quality is beginning to be very rare --to find the types of work, quality of weaving, and handmade products made by communities of indigenous all over Ecuador. This sweet place with Alejandro and his mother Laura give very good service and their prices are reasonable. Go see for yourself. Highly recommended for yourself and your family to visit and buy some special gifts !
2. Miguel Illescas Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
In "MIGUEL ILLESCAS C. ART GALLERY" you can find two and three-dimesional works made by ecuatorian artist MIGUEL ILESCAS C., an invitarion for the viewer to discover codes that will lead to a magicl an fantastic encounter. Permanent exhibition of national and international guest artist also silver jewelry designs. Visit us, we will glad to receive you.
3. Milenium Plaza
4. All Things Alpaca Ecuador
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
All Things Alpaca Ecuador is a family business created and managed by Patricia Espadero. Patricia uses fiber from our 500-alpaca herd, pastured in Cañar province. She shears, classifies the fiber, has it spun into yarn, and then produces an array of hand-made alpaca products, including sweaters, scarves, blankets, gloves and mittens, socks, knit caps, table runners and rugs. Her spinners and knitters are rural women who maintain ancient Andean traditions. All of Patricia's efforts are made with a deep sense of social and environmental responsibility.
5. Homero Ortega
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Reviewed By Dorito50 - Washington DC, United States
The free guided tour (in English or Spanish) of how the misnamed Panama hat of Ecuador is made is fascinating. Also welcome is the freedom to wonder among the workers to see what they do up close, ask questions and take photos. The tour ends, of course, in the company store, including the room where the finest and most expensive hats are on display. Hats at all price levels are available and, even if you don't buy, you can try them on for fun. If you happen to arrive at a time when no guided tour is available, there is good bilingual signage to self-tour. Panama hats are one of Ecuador's signature crafts. Homero Ortega offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about them and maybe take one home..
6. Eduardo Vega Galeria Taller
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By bwdmusic - Cuenca, Ecuador
Took a group of ladies here last week and everyone enjoyed seeing the beautiful artwork and most took a sampling home to enjoy.
7. La Casa de la Makana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By MagyarNC - Cuenca, Ecuador
La Casa de la Makana is just a half-hour from Cuenca, in the Gualaceo canton of Azuay. Think of a canton as a county. It is owned and operated by José Jiménez, a Gualaceo craftsman who is helping to keep the art of Ikat alive. According to the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, Ikat is a Malay-Indonesian term for a dyeing technique that is “one of the most complicated approaches to dyeing found anywhere in the world.” José demonstrated to our tour group of four people what it takes to make the dye. My wife held out her hand, and our gracious host squashed some tiny insects (Cochineal) in her hand. He added liquid, and... Voila! You have an intense "royal" red dye. I use the word royal as only Inca royalty was allowed to wear cochineal dyed clothing. All sorts of dyes are made from 'natural' sources that are created in lovely earthen pots. Lichens are for greens. Walnut shells make browns, and minerals from rocks produce greys. As for blue dye, Indigofera tinctoria is used. It is a species of plant from the bean family. As you can see... No chemicals!! Ikat is one of the oldest forms of textile design, and although it is common to many cultures around the world, the weavings produced in Ecuador are considered to be among the best. In Ecuador and other parts of the world the tradition is in steady decline. The work of José Jiménez is internationally recognized. There are so many beautiful macanas to choose from in their upstairs store! My wife and our good friend spent a good amount of time trying to narrow down their choices. Everyone should make the journey to La Casa de la Makana to appreciate the beautiful handcrafted textiles! The colors and craftsmanship will have you wanting some for your home and to wear. To top that off, take your time to enjoy the simple, but beautiful pottery that adorns this lovely "house." You will leave La Casa de la Makana with a huge smile on your face because you experienced some of the great culture and history of this wonderful country. And hopefully, you are bringing some of that back to your home.
8. Art Cuenca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Visit the artists, artisans and designers of Cuenca. Art Cuenca can plan a great visit into the studios, galleries or shops to see the process and learn from them. You can also buy the art straight from the artists paying a good price. Also visit our gallery located on Bolivar and Miguel HerediaVisite artistas, artesanos y disenadores de Cuenca. Art Cuenca puede planear una visita a los estudios, galerias y talleres para ver el proceso y conocer mas sobre el mismo. Puede compara el arte directamente del autor, pagando un buen precio.Tambien puede visitar nuestra galeria ubicada en la Simon Bolivar y Miguel Heredia.
