Best Photo Spots in Ollantaytambo: 10 Locations Worth the Walk
Words by
Valeria Flores
I have lived in Ollantaytambo long enough to know which corners make people stop walking and reach for their cameras. The best photo spots in Ollantaytambo are not always the ones on the postcards. Some are tucked behind family-run workshops, others require waking up before the tour buses arrive, and a few only reveal themselves once you have walked the same street so many times that the residents start waving you in. This is a town where Inca stonework collides with colonial balconies, where agricultural terraces climb impossible slopes, and where the light shifts from golden to silver in the span of a single cloud passing over the valley. I have spent years chasing that light. These are the places that reward the effort.
The Main Plaza and Its Quiet Corners
The Plaza de Armas is where most visitors take their first photograph and then move on. That is a mistake. The square itself is framed by thick stone arcades and whitewashed walls that glow amber after 4:30 in the afternoon. What most people miss is the small side street called Calle Lares, just two blocks north of the plaza, where the original Inca foundations are visible beneath a colonial-era balcony. The contrast between the precision-cut polygonal stones and the wooden balustrade above is one of the most striking examples of how Ollantaytambo was built in layers, literally one civilization on top of another.
The Vibe? Calm in the mornings, chaotic by noon when tour groups flood in.
The Bill? Free to walk; a coffee at a plaza-side cafe runs about 8 to 12 soles.
The Standout? The view from the northeast corner of the plaza at golden hour, when the light hits the church wall and the mountains behind it turn pink.
The Catch? Street vendors set up souvenir stalls by 10 a.m., which clutters the foreground of most wide-angle shots.
Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Mondays and Thursdays are market days in the nearby streets, which means trucks and tarps dominate the frame. The best time for photography is between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m., when the plaza is nearly empty and the morning light rakes across the stone textures. A local detail most tourists never notice: the plaza's drainage channels follow the exact path of original Inca waterways. You can trace them by following the slight grooves in the cobblestones.
The Inca Terraces of Patacancha
The agricultural terraces rising on the eastern side of town are among the most photogenic places Ollantaytambo has to offer, yet most visitors only photograph them from the fortress above without ever walking among them. The Patacancha terraces begin along the trail that leads toward the community of Patacancha, about a forty-minute walk from the center of town along the Urubamba River. These terraces were built to grow maize at altitude, and their construction uses a different technique than the more famous terraces at Moray, with thicker retaining walls and a steeper gradient that creates dramatic vertical lines when photographed from below.
The Vibe? Silent except for wind and the occasional donkey.
The Bill? No entrance fee, but hiring a local guide for the full trail costs around 60 to 80 soles.
The Standout? The third terrace level, where a single eucalyptus tree frames the entire valley in a single composition.
The Catch? The trail is unpaved and dusty, and by 11 a.m. the sun is directly overhead, flattening all the shadows that give the terraces their depth.
Start walking at 5:30 a.m. if you want the terraces bathed in side light. The path crosses two small footbridges over irrigation canals that date to the Inca period. Most tourists do not know that the community of Patacancha still uses these canals on a rotating schedule posted on a hand-painted sign near the first bridge. If you ask at the textile workshop on the main trail, the weavers will let you photograph their dyeing process using cochineal insects, a practice that has continued in this valley for centuries.
The Pinkuylluna Storehouses
High on the hillside opposite the main fortress ruins, the Pinkuylluna storehouses are some of the most dramatic Ollantaytambo photography locations, and they are almost never crowded. These four stone qollqa (storehouses) were built by the Inca to store grain and dried potatoes at altitude, where the cooler temperatures preserved food for years. The structures sit on a near-vertical slope, and photographing them requires either a telephoto lens from the valley floor or a steep but short hike up the trail that begins near the bridge over the Urubamba River on the road toward Cusco.
The Vibe? Wind-exposed and eerily quiet.
The Bill? Free; the trail is unmarked but easy to follow.
The Standout? The interior of the second storehouse from the left, where the original ventilation slits create shafts of light after 3 p.m.
The Catch? There is zero shade, and the trail has loose gravel that makes it treacherous if you are carrying heavy camera bags.
The best time to photograph the storehouses is late afternoon, between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m., when the sun drops behind the opposite mountain and the stone turns a cool blue-gray against the warm sky. Most tourists never learn that the Incas oriented the storehouses so that the prevailing wind passes directly through the ventilation openings, creating a natural refrigeration system. You can feel the cold air flowing out of the doorways even on a warm day. This is one of the few Ollantaytambo photography locations where the engineering story is as compelling as the visual one.
Callejon de los Siete Borregos
This narrow alley, whose name translates to "Alley of the Seven Rams," runs between Calle Lares and the small plaza near the municipal market. It is one of the most concentrated examples of Inca residential stonework in the entire Sacred Valley, with walls that have remained structurally intact for over five hundred years. The alley is barely wide enough for two people to pass, and the overhead balconies from the colonial period nearly touch at the top, creating a natural tunnel of light that photographers find irresistible.
The Vibe? Intimate and slightly claustrophobic.
The Bill? Free.
The Standout? The seventh door on the left, which has an original Inca lintel carved with a serpent motif that most walkers miss entirely.
The Catch? Residents use this alley as a daily thoroughfare, so you need to be respectful and quick with your shots, especially between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. when families are heading to the market.
Photograph it on a Sunday morning, when foot traffic is lightest and the angle of the sun creates a natural spotlight effect about twenty meters into the alley. The stonework here is of a higher quality than what you see in the main plaza, because this was a residential area for Inca nobility. A detail most visitors miss: if you look at the base of the wall on the right side, you can see where the original Inca plaster, a reddish clay mixture, still clings to the stones in small patches.
The Ollantaytambo Fortress and Sun Temple
The fortress complex, known locally as the Temple Hill, is the most photographed site in town and one of the most Instagram spots Ollantaytambo is known for. The massive rose-colored stone blocks of the Sun Temple, some weighing over fifty tons, sit at the top of a series of six terraces that climb the hillside in a staggered formation. The construction was never completed, which means you can see the progression of Inca stone-working techniques in a single structure, from the roughly shaped base blocks to the nearly finished upper courses.
The Vibe? Awe-inspiring and physically demanding.
The Bill? Entry is included in the Boleto Turistico (tourist ticket); a partial ticket for just this site costs 70 soles for foreign visitors.
The Standout? The Wall of the Six Monoliths, where each block was individually fitted without mortar and the joints are so tight you cannot slide a piece of paper between them.
The Catch? The climb to the top takes about thirty minutes on steep, uneven steps, and there are no railings on the final approach to the Sun Temple. People with knee problems should reconsider.
Arrive at 7:00 a.m. when the gates open. By 9:30 a.m., the terraces are packed with tour groups and the light is already harsh. The best angle for photographing the Wall of the Six Monoliths is from the fourth terrace, looking up, which gives you the wall in the foreground with the valley stretching out behind it. Most tourists do not know that the unfinished state of the temple is attributed to the Spanish conquest, and that several of the blocks show chisel marks that were interrupted mid-stroke, frozen in time for nearly five hundred years.
The Huilloq Neighborhood
Huilloq is the neighborhood directly above the fortress, accessible by a steep staircase that begins near the entrance to the Temple Hill. This is where many of the workers who maintain the archaeological site live, and it offers a perspective on Ollantaytambo that most visitors never see. The streets are unpaved, the houses are a mix of adobe and concrete, and the views down over the terraces and the town's grid of colonial streets are extraordinary. It is one of the most photogenic places Ollantaytambo contains precisely because it is not curated for tourism.
The Vibe? Residential and raw.
The Bill? Free.
The Standout? The intersection of the two main paths at the top of the neighborhood, where you can frame the entire fortress, the town, and the valley in a single wide-angle shot.
The Catch? Some residents are uncomfortable being photographed, so always ask before pointing your camera at their homes or faces. A smile and a few words in Quechua or Spanish go a long way.
Visit in the late afternoon, around 4:00 p.m., when the shadows of the fortress terraces stretch across the valley floor. The light at this hour turns the adobe walls a deep orange. A local tip: the small chapel at the highest point of Huilloq has a painting of the Virgin Mary that incorporates Andean symbols, including a mountain deity figure at her feet. This syncretism is one of the most honest expressions of how Ollantaytambo's identity was formed, not through replacement but through layering.
The Bridge Over the Urubamba River
The old stone bridge near the entrance to town, on the road that leads toward the fortress, crosses the Urubamba River at a point where the water runs fast and turquoise against dark boulders. This bridge is not Inca, it dates to the colonial period, but it was built on Inca foundations and the proportions match the original engineering. From the bridge, you can photograph the river in both directions, with the snow-capped peak of Veronica (Waqay Willka) visible upstream on clear mornings.
The Vibe? Loud with rushing water and surprisingly peaceful.
The Bill? Free.
The Standout? Standing at the center of the bridge at 6:15 a.m., when the peak of Veronica catches the first direct sunlight and turns a deep rose color.
The Catch? The bridge has no pedestrian walkway, so you share it with motorcycles and the occasional truck. Stay alert and keep your camera strap tight.
The best day to photograph from the bridge is during the dry season, roughly May through September, when the sky is clearest and the mountain is most visible. During the rainy season, clouds often obscure Veronica until mid-morning. A detail most tourists miss: the large boulder in the center of the river, just downstream from the bridge, has a carved channel on its top surface that was part of an Inca irrigation system. You can only see it clearly from the bridge when the water level is low.
The Municipal Market
The Mercado Municipal sits two blocks south of the main plaza and is one of the most Instagram spots Ollantaytambo has for photographers interested in human subjects rather than landscapes. The market operates daily but is busiest on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when vendors from surrounding communities bring produce, herbs, textiles, and freshly made food. The interior is dim, with shafts of light entering through gaps in the corrugated roof, creating a natural chiaroscuro effect that is perfect for portrait and street photography.
The Vibe? Loud, fragrant, and alive.
The Bill? A full meal of soup, main course, and juice costs between 12 and 18 soles.
The Standout? The juice stall at the back left corner, where the woman running it has been blending fruit combinations for over twenty years and the colors of the drinks against the wooden counter are extraordinary.
The Catch? The floor is wet and uneven, and the aisles are narrow. Tripods are impractical here, and you will need to be comfortable shooting handheld in low light.
Go at 8:00 a.m. on a Monday, which is the biggest market day. The light through the roof gaps is strongest between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Most tourists do not know that the market was built in the 1960s on the site of a colonial-era tannery, and that the central drain still follows the path of the original water channel used to wash hides. If you buy a bowl of quinoa soup from the stall near the entrance, the owner will let you photograph her kitchen setup in the back, which includes a wood-fired stove that has been in continuous use since the market opened.
The Train Station and Surrounding Tracks
The PeruRail and Inca Rail station at the end of Avenida Ferrocarril is one of the most photographed spots in Ollantaytambo, not for the building itself but for the way the railway tracks disappear into the mountains on both sides. The station is the departure point for trains to Aguas Calientes and Cusco, and the platform is often lined with luggage carts, flowering shrubs, and travelers in colorful textiles. The surrounding area, including the small park across the street and the workshops that line the avenue, provides a different kind of photographic subject, one rooted in the town's role as a transit hub.
The Vibe? Functional and slightly nostalgic.
The Bill? Free to photograph from the street; platform access requires a ticket.
The Standout? The view from the pedestrian bridge at the south end of the station, where you can frame a train entering the station with the fortress visible in the background.
The Catch? Security guards will stop you if you photograph too close to the platform edge without a ticket, and the area is extremely crowded between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. when multiple trains depart.
Photograph the station in the evening, after the last train has departed, when the platform empties and the mountains behind the station turn purple in the fading light. A local detail: the station clock has been stuck at 4:47 for at least three years, and nobody seems to mind. It has become an unofficial landmark in its own right.
When to Go and What to Know
The dry season from May through September gives you the clearest skies and the best mountain visibility, but the light can be harsh at midday. The rainy season from October through April brings dramatic clouds and greener terraces, but also overcast mornings that can last until 10:00 a.m. For photography specifically, the shoulder months of April and September offer the best balance of clear skies and interesting cloud formations. Bring a polarizing filter if you are shooting the terraces or the river, as the high altitude creates intense glare. Altitude sickness is a real concern at 2,792 meters above sea level, so spend your first day walking slowly and drinking coca tea before attempting any of the steeper hikes. The tourist ticket (Boleto Turistico) covers the fortress and several other sites and can be purchased at the entrance to the Temple Hill or at the municipal tourism office on the plaza. Carry small bills and coins, as many market vendors and small cafes cannot break large notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Ollantaytambo as a solo traveler?
Walking is the primary mode of transport within the town center, as most streets are narrow and pedestrian-only. The town is compact enough that you can reach every location described in this guide on foot within a single day, though the fortress climb and the Patacancha trail require moderate fitness. For trips outside town, colectivos (shared minivans) run regularly to nearby destinations like Cusco and Pisac from the main road near the market, with fares ranging from 5 to 15 soles depending on distance. Taxis are available but not metered, so agree on a price before getting in. There is no ride-hailing app operating in Ollantaytambo as of 2024.
Do the most popular attractions in Ollantaytambo require advance ticket booking, especially during peak season?
The fortress and Temple Hill require the Boleto Turistico, which can be purchased on-site and does not require advance booking. However, train tickets to Aguas Calientes sell out weeks in advance during June, July, and August, so book those through PeruRail or Inca Rail online if your plans include a train. The Pinkuylluna storehouses and the Patacancha terraces have no ticketing system and are freely accessible. The municipal market and the Huilloq neighborhood also require no tickets.
What are the best free or low-cost tourist places in Ollantaytambo that are genuinely worth the visit?
The Pinkuylluna storehouses, the Callejon de los Siete Borregos, the Huilloq neighborhood, the bridge over the Urubamba River, and the train station area are all free to visit and photograph. The municipal market costs nothing to enter and a full meal runs between 12 and 18 soles. The Patacancha terraces are free, though a guide for the full trail costs 60 to 80 soles. The Inca terraces visible from the fortress are included in the tourist ticket, but the lower terraces along the river path can be photographed without one.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Ollantaytambo without feeling rushed?
Two full days allow you to cover the fortress, the terraces, the market, the storehouses, and the surrounding neighborhoods at a comfortable pace with time for photography. One day is possible but requires starting at dawn and prioritizing the fortress and one or two additional locations. Three days let you explore the Patacancha trail, the Huilloq neighborhood, and revisit spots at different times of day for varying light conditions.
Is it possible to walk between the main sightseeing spots in Ollantaytambo, or is local transport necessary?
Every location in this guide is walkable from the main plaza within forty-five minutes on foot. The fortress is a twenty-minute walk from the plaza, the market is two blocks south, and the train station is a fifteen-minute walk down Avenida Ferrocarril. The Pinkuylluna storehouses require a steep but short hike, and the Patacancha terraces require a longer walk of about forty minutes each way. Local transport is not necessary for any of the spots described here, though taxis are available for those who want to skip the walk to the station or the start of the Patacancha trail.
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