The Best Museums In Cuenca Ecuador

The Athens of Ecuador, as Cuenca is nicknamed, has a museum dedicated to almost every era from pre-history to modern day. Each one helps place this UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its ancient roots and colonial heart – in context, adding a richness to every tourist’s experience.

1. Museo de las Culturas Aborígenes

Museum

Located on one of the most visited streets in Cuenca, Calle Larga, the Museum of Native Cultures has more than 5,000 ancient treasures displayed in 15 different rooms. The museum exhibits objects from the most ancient cultures in Ecuador to the Inca, who invaded the region around Cuenca in the late 1400s.

Museo de los Culturas Aborígenes, Calle Larga, Cuenca, Ecuador

Cashaloma Pitcher, Museo de las Culturas Aborigenes, Cuenca | ©Jen /Wikicommons

2. Museo del Banco Central

Museum, Ruins

This indoor museum is often confused with the outdoor Museum of Pumapungo because they share the same ground. However, while the collections at the Central Bank Museum include explanations of the Inca-Cañari ruins, they deserve a visit on their own. The eclectic selection of exhibits includes an explanation of Ecuadorian currency, an impressive display of ancient archaeology treasures, a small compilation of religious art and an exhibition of the many different native tribes of Ecuador.

Museo del Banco Central, Calle Larga, Cuenca, Ecuador

Ponchos, Museo del Banco Central, Cuenca | ©Jen /Wikicommons

3. Parque Arqueologico del Pumapungo

Park, Ruins

The Archaeology Park of Pumapungo is home to the Incan-Cañari ruins of Cuenca. The impressive terraced land looks out over the surrounding river valley, providing some of the best views of the city. The grounds also include a garden of native plants, walking trails, waterways that utilize the ancient aqueducts and a small aviary of native birds. The gate on 3 de Noviembre is open on weekends and holidays. Otherwise, the only open entrance is found next to the Museo del Banco Central.

Parque Arqueologico de Pumapungo, Calle Larga, Cuenca, Ecuador

Gardens of Pumapungo, Cuenca | ©David Brossard /Flickr

5. Museo de la Identidad Cañari

Museum, Ruins

The Cañari are the native tribe that lived in the region around Cuenca before the arrival of the Spanish. Many local ruins, like Ingapirca, have been attributed to the Inca but have roots in Cañari culture. The Museum of Cañari Identity is dedicated to the preservation of Cañari culture, both ancient and modern.

Museo de la Identidad Cañari, Presidente Cordoba 6-26 y Hermano Miguel, Cuenca, Ecuador

6. Museo de la Casa de la Cultura - Núcleo del Azuay

Founded in 1945, the Casa de la Cultura in Cuenca promotes the arts. The majority of their work focuses on theatre arts, but one room is dedicated to an ever-changing temporary exhibit.

Museo Casa de la Cultura, Mariscal Sucre y Benigno Malo, Cuenca, Ecuador

7. Casa Museo Remigio Crespo Toral

Museum

Recently re-opened to the public, this museum was once the home of poet, diplomat and Cuenca native, Remigio Crespo Toral. His extensive collection of ancient artifacts and Colonial religious art are on display in several of the rooms of this historic residence along the Rio Tomebamba.

Casa Museo Remigio Crespo Toral, Cuenca, Ecuador

8. Museo de la Catedral Antigua

Cathedral, Church, Museum, Ruins

Partially built from stones that came from the Incan-Cañari ruins of Tomebamba, the Old Church dates back to 1557. The museum holds a collection of religious art, including paintings and wood carvings from the well-known Escuela Quiteña and other well-known artists like Miguel Velez, Gaspar Sangurima, Daniel Alvorado and Nicholas Vivar.

Catedral Antigua, Mariscal Sucre, Cuenca, Ecuador

High Altar in the Old Cathedral, Cuenca | ©Valerius Tygart /Wikicommons

9. Museo de las Conceptas

Building, Museum

The modern day museum of Las Conceptas opened in 1986. It is a small portion of a much larger building, the largest home in Cuenca when it was given to the religious order in 1599. In 19 different rooms, once the infirmary, the museum presents the history of the religious order of these Catholic nuns and explores the daily life of the many women who entered these protective walls.

Museo de Las Conceptas, Presidente Borrero, Cuenca, Ecuador

10. Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla

Market, Market

The world famous Panama Hat is a misnomer. When American President Teddy Roosevelt visited Panama to see the construction of the canal, he saw workers wearing hats woven from toquilla straw. These hats had been imported from Ecuador. Learn more about the history of the “Panama” hat, its hand-made construction and the different quality of weave that can lead to huge price differences at the local market.

Museo del Sombrero de Paja Toquilla, Calle Larga, Cuenca, Ecuador

The Casa del Sombrero, Cuenca | ©Alex Proimos /Wikicommons

11. Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno

Building, Museum, School

The Modern Art Museum of Cuenca is housed in a building constructed in 1876. It has served as a school, a jail and rehabilitation center for alcoholics. Today, it is home to an eclectic collection of modern art and temporary exhibits.

Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno, Coronell Guillermo Talbot, Cuenca, Ecuador

Museum of Modern Art, Cuenca | ©Mcollado /Wikicommons

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.