Avenida El Sol (Sun Avenue), Cusco

Sun Avenue is one of Cusco's main thoroughfares, known for its blend of commerce, history, and tourism. Stretching from northwest to southeast through the city's Historic Center, the avenue follows the course of the once-visible Saphy River, which was channeled during the Inca era. Today, the avenue is a bustling hub lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and tourism-related businesses. It serves as a major route for public transportation, with frequent bus and taxi services. During the peak tourist season, the avenue can experience heavy traffic congestion.

Originally following the channeled course of the Saphy River, Sun Avenue developed into a major thoroughfare between 1911 and 1931. By 1927, it had been extended as far as Wanchaq Station. The construction of the Municipal Theater in 1930 and other important developments helped establish it as one of the city's principal streets. By 1940, the avenue had been paved and was home to several institutional and commercial buildings, including the Gibson Bank, the Popular and Agropecuario Bank, the Cusco Club, and the Savoy Hotel.

Sun Avenue's historical and cultural importance has received both national and international recognition. Since 1972, it has formed part of Cusco's Monumental Zone, which was declared a Historical Monument of Peru. In 1983, as part of Cusco's historic center, the avenue was included within the area designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2014, it received further recognition through its association with the Qhapaq Ñan, the extensive Andean road system that was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.