10 Best Markets in Cuenca: Shopping, Food + Artisans

Shopping in Cuenca often begins in the mercados. These lively spaces are more than places to buy produce. Cuenca markets are also a place to find an inexpensive meal and experience a touch of daily life. 

Beyond the markets, there are dedicated shops in Cuenca to buy Panama hats, alpaca clothing, and other artisanal products. The challenge for visitors is knowing which shops and mercados in Cuenca are worth your time and what to look for once you’re inside.

In this guide, I’ll share the shops and markets in Cuenca Ecuador that stood out to me, along with tips on what to buy so you leave with more than just a bag but a memory of the city.

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Traditional Cuenca Markets

If you only have time to visit one market in the city, make it one of these traditional mercados in Cuenca. Whether you’re sitting down for a plate of hornado or picking up exotic fruits to try, these are the places where you’ll get a true sense of daily life.

One thing that stands out right away is how clean and organized the Cuenca markets feel. Signs clearly mark each section, guiding you to produce, meat, or prepared foods.

Many even have escalators or elevators, which is a far cry from the more chaotic markets in Mexico City that I’ve explored. It makes the experience easy to navigate, even if you’re visiting for the first time.

1. Mercado 10 de Agosto Cuenca

Some people come for the produce. Others head straight upstairs for a cheap almuerzo or fresh juice. And then there are the curious ones, like me, who’ve heard that if you visit on the right day, you can get a limpia under the escalator (more on that later).

The ground floor is dedicated mostly to fresh ingredients—think mountains of fruit, rows of vegetables, and butcher counters where cuts are made to order. Upstairs, it’s all about quick meals and snacks. You’ll find food counters serving traditional dishes like hornado (slow-roasted pork), fresh juices, and almuerzos (set lunches) that are both filling and affordable.

Living in Oaxaca Mexico, I’ve had limpias before, but I was curious how the experience might differ in Ecuador. My friend and I planned our visit for a Friday, one of the days a limpia is offered under the escalator. But no one was there, and I suspect it was because of Semana Santa. I even returned the following Tuesday, still hoping to get one, but again found the space empty.

2. Mercado 9 de Octubre

At first glance, Mercado 9 de Octubre feels similar to other local Cuenca markets. And as you climb from one floor to the next, it slowly reveals the layers of daily life in Cuenca. 

The basement level is where you’ll find fresh meat and seafood. Head up one floor and you’re surrounded by produce. One more level brings you to the food stalls, where the scent of slow-roasted pork lingers in the air.

This is where I finally decided to try hornado, one of the most traditional dishes in Ecuador. I scanned the row of vendors for a busy stand, but I also let my eyes and nose guide me. The woman behind the counter was happy to offer a sample, and that first bite sealed the deal. Rich and tender, it lived up to its reputation.

I happened to visit during Semana Santa, and the scene was full of added texture. Several vendors were selling dried fish for the holiday, which gave an even more vivid sense of the market’s place in local life.

Tip – Not sure what to order? Follow the locals. The busiest stalls usually serve the best traditional food of Ecuador. And don’t skip the juice stands. It’s an easy and refreshing way to try fruits you might not find back home.

3. Feria Libre Saturday Market

If you’ve never stepped into a massive Latin American market, Feria Libre is your chance. This commercial center is open daily, but Saturdays bring even more energy as vendors from surrounding villages join the mix.

When my friend and I visited on a Saturday, the outer areas felt like a typical busy market with stalls packed with everything from household goods to snacks. But then we reached the central courtyard, where groups of Indigenous vendors had laid out their produce. 

Here we slowed down, asking questions and sampling fruits we had never seen before. It was a reminder of just how much variety grows in Ecuador, and how these markets connect the city with its surrounding communities.

Artisan Markets Cuenca

The artisan markets in Cuenca are the places to shop for crafts, textiles, and handmade souvenirs. They’re smaller and more relaxed than the city’s food markets, with a mix of traditional items and the occasional unexpected find. 

While not every stall highlights true artisanal work, you’ll find a handful with pieces that reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of the region. These spots add variety to shopping in Cuenca beyond the traditional mercados.

4. Mercado de Artesanías Rotary

Just a short walk from Mercado 9 de Octubre, the Mercado de Artesanías Rotary is a small artisan market in Cuenca that’s easy to browse. It’s outdoors but covered, so you can shop comfortably even if the weather turns. When I visited in late April, a light rain started to fall and it made all the difference.

Most stalls focus on handmade crafts: bags, baskets, ponchos, hats, and smaller souvenirs. Mixed in are a few household goods you might not expect at a craft market, but overall the emphasis stays on traditional items. The atmosphere is relaxed, the walkways are simple to navigate, and vendors are friendly, making it a pleasant stop if you’re shopping in Cuenca.

5. Centro Municipal Artesanal Arts & Crafts

The Centro Municipal Artesanal is an indoor market set up like a collection of small shops inside one commercial hub. It’s an easy stop if you’re shopping for souvenirs in Cuenca, with plenty of variety under one roof.

That said, I found it a little mixed. Only a handful of shops seemed to highlight truly handmade, artisanal work. Others leaned toward items that felt more mass-produced. The stands that stood out most to me were set up like workshops, where you could actually see the production process. Those few made the visit worthwhile, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship behind the items.

Bonus: Parque de los Hippies

With a name like Parque de los Hippies, I couldn’t resist checking it out. Most stalls weren’t especially impressive, but one artisan stood out. He was carving pieces from tagua, a nut from a palm native to Ecuador’s Amazon. The dried seeds are white and dense, resembling ivory in both texture and color, which is why tagua has become known as an eco-friendly and sustainable material. Finding that bit of craftsmanship made the stop worthwhile.

Cuenca Shopping

Beyond the traditional and artisan markets, here are a few places I found for shopping in Cuenca. Whether it’s a Panama hat, alpaca clothing, or custom jewelry, you’ll find pieces that highlight the traditions of craftsmanship in the region.

6. Museo Del Sombrero De Paja Toquilla

Despite the name, Panama hats actually originated in Ecuador, and Cuenca is one of the best places to learn about them since there is a long history of Panama hat production here. 

Believe it or not, there is more than one Panama hat museum in Cuenca. At each you’ll see exhibits that explain the process of weaving paja toquilla into the iconic straw hats, as well as their cultural significance.

If you want to buy a hat, this spot functions more as a shop than a museum, with a variety of styles. Prices generally start at about $25, with higher costs for finer weaves. Another top place to shop in Cuenca for a traditional hat is Homero Ortega Hats, located near the airport and bus station (map).

7. All Things Alpaca

All Things Alpaca is one of the best shops in Cuenca to buy high-end alpaca clothing. They carry sweaters, scarves, socks, and more, all made from 100 % alpaca. The quality feels a step above many other places I’ve browsed, which you can sense as soon as you pick something up.

What makes this shop stand out is the story behind the products. The owner, Patricia, oversees the process from her own herd of alpacas on the Mazar Wildlife Reserve. She works with local women who carry on Andean textile traditions of spinning and knitting by hand. Knowing the pieces come directly from local weavers gives the shop a sense of authenticity that matches the craftsmanship.

The items here aren’t cheap, but they’re some of the finest alpaca goods I’ve seen in Ecuador. If you’re looking for a sweater or blanket that will last, this is the place to invest.

8. Guagua Challe

Guagua Challe is a unique shop in Cuenca where the focus is on artisan jewelry and handcrafted pieces. Cristian, the artist behind the name, is known for his creativity and versatility. He works with a mix of materials but mostly focused on semi-precious stones and found objects that he brings together in distinctive designs.

What makes this shop stand out is the opportunity for custom work. You can choose from his existing inventory or collaborate on a design of your own. It’s a good stop if you’re looking for jewelry in Cuenca that carries more meaning than your typical souvenir.

Other Cuenca Markets

9. Organic Farmers Market in Cuenca

On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, this small farmers market pops up in front of Dos Sucres restaurant. Vendors sell fresh produce, artisanal bread, homemade sweets, kombucha, and more. My friends who live in Cuenca make a point to come here at least once a week.

Certain items are in high demand and they disappear fast. If you’re hoping to snag hard to find items like kale, it’s best to arrive early. This isn’t the kind of market most tourists would stumble upon, but if you’re staying in Cuenca for a while, it’s a great option for picking up products you might not find in the larger mercados.

10. Flower Market in Cuenca

Tucked into a small plaza, the flower market in Cuenca centro, the Flower Market adds a splash of color to the city. Buckets overflow with sunflowers, roses, and a mix of seasonal blooms that reflect Ecuador’s status as one of the world’s top flower producers.

It’s worth stopping by just to take in the scene, but you might also want to pick up a bouquet to brighten your hotel room. And if you’re nearby, look for the convent at the edge of the plaza known for a refreshing herbal drink in Ecuador. It pairs nicely with a quick visit to the market.

Final Thoughts on Mercados in Cuenca + Shopping

Exploring the mercados in Cuenca and its artisan shops turns shopping into more than a task—it becomes part of experiencing the city. 

Whether you’re trying a plate of hornado in the market, picking out an alpaca sweater, or browsing Panama hats, each stop adds a layer of culture to your visit. 

By knowing which Cuenca markets and shops to prioritize, you’ll leave with souvenirs that carry a story and a deeper connection to the city itself.