For those planning a trip to Peru, visit Cusco is mandatory, whether you are going to the Machu Picchu or not. Among the top things to do in Cusco, are amazing historical sites and ruins to visit, so make sure to plan a 3 or 4 days stay in the Inca Capital.

To help you know what to do in Cusco, Peru during your stay there, and to make the most of your trip, here is a for you.

Also, don’t forget to download the completely free guide to Cusco, you just need to subscribe, and you will receive more than 10 pages of information including a list of the best trails and day trips to take!

Best 20 Things to do in Cusco, Peru

Considered the most beautiful city in Peru, Cusco is, besides beautiful, full of history. The city was built by the Inca Manco Capac in the 12th century to be the administrative capital of the Inca Empire, right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Located at an elevation of 3,400 meters, it is impossible not to feel the symptoms of Altitude Sickness when you get to Cusco. Especially if you are coming from the capital Lima.

It is normal to feel dizzy, tired, breathing difficulty, and other symptoms.

That’s why it is recommended to spend at least 2 days in Cusco resting and adapting your body to this new altitude, before taking any tour, such as visiting the Machu Picchu or trail, like the Inca trail.

History of Cusco

It was here that all the Incas used to live, as well as the main authorities in the Empire, which included the imperial council, consisting of around 8 people, many walls that we see today were once part of the palaces where these Incas used to live.

The palaces were scattered around the city, but most of them were located in the surroundings of the Plaza de Armas, the main square of Cusco.

When the Spaniards conquered the region, they used the bases of these palaces to build their new buildings, turning them into important administrative or religious buildings, two examples of these are the Cathedral and the La Campania

When Cusco was first built, it had the form of a puma, a sacred animal for the Incas, where Sacsayhuaman, a famous ruin that can be visited today (later on in this post), used to represent the puma’s head.

Cusco remained the capital of the Inca Empire until 1532 when it was invaded and looted by the Spaniards.

Nowadays, it is still possible to see many Inca ruins around the city center of Cusco, and nearby it. As some of the old Inca buildings were incorporated in the colonial Spanish buildings.

What to do in Cusco

Take a Free Walking Tour

This is the best way to get to know a city, Cusco has two groups of Free Walking Tour, both starting the first tour at 110: 00 am.

Free Walking Peru’s meeting point is in the Plaza de Armas, next to the fountain, while the other group, Free Tours by Foot meets at the Plaza Regocijo, also next to the fountain.

This is a fun activity where you will be able to learn more about the history of Cusco while visiting the most important points in the city while making friends along the way.

Plaza de Armas

The main square of Cusco, that’s where the Cathedral of the city is located as well as La Campania, one of the main churches in Cusco (read next).

The garden in the center is surrounded by flowers and has a beautiful fountain, picturing Pachacutec. It is in this square that all the important things, like celebrations, protests, etc happen.

It is a beautiful place to spend the sunny afternoons but also a lovely place to spend the night, there are many bars and restaurants and the atmosphere in this area at night is amazing.

Cusco Cathedral

The main cathedral in Cusco, located in the middle of Plaza de Armas, the main square. Built-in 1654, in the area, where once the palace of the Inca Wiracocha stood, the Cathedral houses nowadays the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco.

Inside you will also find small artifacts and relics from the Inca Empire and the Colonization era. To visit the Cathedral you have to pay a fee at the entrance, which is something around $ 30 soles.

La Campania

Another church located next to the cathedral in Plaza de Armas. It was built by the Jesuits in 1571 upon the palace of Huayna Capac, one of the last Incas of the empire.

The church was built to be the most beautiful in the city, however, the idea was turned down by the pope himself.

First, because the fact that the La Campania was not the main church in Cusco, second, it was located next to the Cathedral, which was supposed to be the most beautiful and sumptuous building in the whole city.

Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman, which is pronounced ‘Sexy Woman’, yeah that’s right, is an ancient Inca fortress, located close to the main square and can easily be visited by walk leaving from the city center.

There is a bus that takes you there as well as the other bad ones nearby which is way more convenient though.

Accordingly to archeologists, this site has been occupied by the Killke people since 900 CE, however, the fortress we see today was built by the Inca Pachacutec.

Sacsayhuaman has more than 4,000 square meters, and back in the time of the Incas, when Cusco used to have the form of a Puma, Sacsayhuaman used to be its head.

From the distance, it is still possible to recognize the form, including the teeth of the Puma.

Just like other Inca buildings, like Machu Picchu or the bad, that you find across Cusco, what calls attention is how close the stones were placed from each other, they fit in perfectly without any mortar, something that is impressive even for us nowadays.

To visit the Sacsayhuaman as well as the other bad next to it, it is necessary to buy a ticket that includes the entrance to all these bad in the city of Cusco.

Sacsayhuaman can be visited by buying the Tourist Boleto, which includes the visit to many of the bad near Cusco

Qenqo

It is believed to be a religious site related to death and blood sacrifices, the temple was carved into a cave and is considered the most important temple in the region, as it is known that many noblemen and leaders where mummified here.

In which it is possible to see the stone table where the mummifications of these important figures took place.

Which was also used for different celebrations as well as sacrifices. The famous tradition was the sacrifice of the Black Llama. Black was considered the purest color to the Inca people (in contrast to the white of nowadays).

During August, when it was used as a place for the Fertility Ceremony, to celebrate the earth, water, as well as the solstices and equinoxes.

It can be visited with the Boleto Turistico.

Tambomachay

Located at 3,765 meters above sea level. In Tambomachay you will start feeling the symptoms of altitude sickness again, you will notice you get tired way faster!

Tambomachay from the Quechua “Bath of the Inca”, was the place where the Incas used to go to purify their bodies and souls from bad spirits.

In this site, it is possible to notice all the hydraulic technology the Inca people already had back in their days.

The water that is stored in Tambomachay comes from a lake 25 km away from the site!

A visit to Tambomachay is included in the Tourist Boleto.

Pukapucara

Located next to Tambomachay, Pukapucara means “Red Fortress”. Pukas were actually military fortifications that used to be built every 20 km by the Incas to protect their cities.

The name Pucara, which means read in Quechua, comes from the red color in the stones depending on the time of day due to the sunlight.

Pukapucara, specifically, used to be an Inca fortress that protected the Inca population from attacks coming from other Amazonian tribes.

Pukapucara is included in the Tourist Boleto.

Tipon

One of the most well-preserved bad near Cusco, hidden among mountains, it is not well known, which makes the place more chill and tourist-free.

Tipon is formed by many terraces used for agriculture by the Incas, fountains, water channels, and aqueducts, some of which are still in use nowadays by the locals.

Buy the Tourist Boleto to visit Tipon.

Qorikancha

Also known as Intikancha, meaning “Sun Palace”, the temple was built to be the Temple of the Sun, the most important god for the Inca people. The name Qorikancha means the “Golden Palace”

It received the name Qorikancha due to the fact that many walls inside the temple and floor were covered with golden plates.

In the main altar, there used to be a statue representing the Dun god also made in gold.

Little was left of all its glory though, but most of the gold was melted by the Spaniards when the area was conquered. The golden walls don’t exist anymore, as well as the states.

Qoricancha temple was destroyed by the Spanish and in its place a church was built, it is still possible to see nowadays parts of the old temple, as the church was built on the base temple.

In its place nowadays, stands the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo.

San Pedro Market

A traditional market that sells everything from food to souvenirs. In the San Pedro Market there are fresh fruits and vegetables, which are cultivated by the local people. Don’t forget to pay attention on the different types of potatoes available here in the market, as you probably won’t be able to see this variety anywhere else in the world!

If you are looking for souvenirs, San Pedro Market is the right place, it is way cheaper than the city center of Cusco and you can find pretty much all kind of souvenirs here.

For those who want to try a traditional lunch, you can sit and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants in the market.

Cristo Blanco

This is where you will have the best view of Cusco, definitely worth a visit if you want to see Cusco from the above.

From there it’s possible to see the main square and all the central areas of the city. You can take a bus there or walk your way up there.

Inca Museum

The Inca Museum is definitely the most important of all museums in the city. It keeps many artifacts from different people from the Pre-Inca area to the Inca Empire, including people from different regions of Peru.

It is possible to learn a lot about the history of these people in the museum.

The Twelve Angles Stone

A stone located in the middle of the most well-preserved Inca wall in a small street, which used to be an Incan road in the past, known as the Hathunrumiyoc.

A lot is said about the mystery behind this stone, some believe it was a form of a calendar of the Incas, while others dare to say it is a form of portal.

San Blas District

Going up through the Hathunrumiyoc, you will find yourself in San Blas District. The neighborhood has strong colonial architectural influences.

The highlights are the main square and the small San Blas Church built-in 1544 over an ancient Inca temple.

Mirador de San Blas

Located in the San Blas district, this is another point where you can have a great view of Cusco, it is a nice place to sit and rest during your tour around the San Blas district.

Planetarium Cusco

Located next to Sacsayhuaman, the planetarium offers its visitors not only the chance to gauze at the stars but also a cultural experience, learning more about Incan astronomy.

Precolombino Art Museum

Built over the “Amaru Cata”, the school of the Incas, nowadays houses more than 400 masterpieces from different periods, the museum is dedicated to Peruvian art and exhibits art from different Peruvian tribes.

Basilica of the Merced

One of the most important colonial churches in Cusco. Next, to the church, there is the entrance to its museum, where it is possible to see many paintings representing the life of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the order La Merced and the tomb of some famous conquistadors.

The collection also includes the famous jewel “Custody of the Merced”, made of pure gold encrusted with diamonds, rubies, emeralds pearls, and topazes.

Awana Kancha

A living museum where it is possible to learn about the products made from the local camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas) from the beginning to the end, from watching the animals learn how the wool is dyed and how the clothes are made.

How to get to Cusco

Cusco has an airport, but unfortunately, it does not receive international flights, another airport is under construction in the region, in Chinchero District, a town near Cusco, in order to receive international flights directly, however, there is no opening date yet.

To get to Cusco, you must come by plane from Lima, the capital of Peru, or by bus from other cities. A good option is to take the bus from Lima to Cusco with Peru Hop, a high-quality bus company that offers comfortable trips to a variety of cities in Peru.

Where to stay

When I visited Cusco, I stayed at the Golden House Inn Cusco, and I couldn’t recommend this hotel more.

When I arrived there I was feeling too sick because of the altitude sickness, and the girls who work there gave me all the attention, moved me to another room (as my official room was being cleaned at the moment) they made me tea and offered me things to eat.

Later they even moved me to a better room than the one I had booked, with a bigger balcony so I could have a better view of the streets. It is very well located and you can see part of the Plaza de Armas from your window.

The rooms are very cozy with nice Peruvian decor. They also offer breakfast, the service is great, everyone is very kind and always wanting to make sure you are fully enjoying your stay.

If you want to stay in the Plaza de Armas though, you can go to the Plaza de Armas Hotel Cusco, where you will open your window to the beautiful view of the Cathedral. They also offer breakfast.

For a more luxurious option, take a look at the Ramada by Wyndham Costa Del Sol Cusco, located in a beautiful historical city, really close to the Plaza de Armas, and also includes breakfast.

For more options take a look at this map of hotels in Cusco:

Booking.com

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For those planning to combine a travel experience with a learning opportunity, why not taking advantage of your visit to Peru to learn Spanish in Cusco? Maximum Level offers you, immersive program classes, with native speaker teachers for all levels.