Like every major area (and even small towns) in Peru, the city of Cusco where travelers spend a little time planning their adventure to Machu Picchu has a bunch of markets.
There will always be a main market (Mercado Central in Spanish) that is set-up and regulated by the government, with shop owners paying a small fee to have a stand or a food stall in the food court. It is usually a place that evolves into a tourist attraction in and of itself – and Cusco was no exception.
I loved going to this market, especially in the early morning to sit and have a cup of black, syrupy coffee, at times with cheese on a fresh bread roll.
In addition to the main farmers market near Plaza San Francisco and across from the Orion grocery store (video above), there was a Sunday street market just outside its doors – blocks around the main market full of sidewalk vendors coming into town for the day to sell – and a bit difficult to navigate through when shooting a video.
There is also the Tupac Amaru weekend market at the Plaza of the same name (crafts, jewelry, food) and a second indoor municipal market, four blocks away from the main market: Mercado Ccasccaparo.
There was even a small arts and crafts market on the weekend in the park across from the hostal we stayed at and many others I wandered upon during our two month stay exploring Cusco. Sometimes half the fun is simply discovering something new by yourself!