Cuzco is a beautiful city and the gateway to the iconic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. But there’s more! Read about what to do in Cuzco now.
About Cuzco
Cuzco, also spelled Cusco, is a fascinating city located in southeastern Peru. It is the gateway to the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and was once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire.
Today, Cuzco is a vibrant city with a unique blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. Of course, I had to visit Cuzco while traveling Peru and loved the city so much that I stayed there longer than I initially intended. There is so much to see and do in the city and its immediate surroundings! In this article, I share some of the most beautiful sights in and around Cuzco that you should not miss during your visit.
What to do in Cuzco? My tips!
What to do in Cuzco? There are a lot of interesting places to explore. These are – in no particular order – the best Cuzco sights.
Plaza de Armas
Every city in Peru has a Plaza De Armas, a central square with benches and a cathedral. So does Cuzco, and let that immediately be one of the most beautiful squares in Peru! The square is surrounded by impressive colonial buildings, including the cathedral and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús.
The road around the square is car-free, so you have plenty of space to stroll around and enjoy the beautiful spots in the square. There are also lots of benches to sit on and watch people wandering around or reading a book. A perfect place to relax and get used to the altitude.
Sacsayhuamán
Just north of Cuzco, you will find the ruins of Sacsayhuamán. It is about a twenty-minute walk from Plaza de Armas, but it’s definitely a tough climb, especially when you’re not used to the alitude.
In Sacsayhuamán you will find the remains of an ancient Inca structure with walls made of giant stones. It is not clear what the structure was made for (it may have been a fortress or a religious structure), but it is a pretty impressive place. You also have a very cool view of Cuzco and the surrounding mountains from here.
Good to know: To visit Sacsayhuamán you need to buy a special ticket, this is called Bilhete Turístico do Cusco. This allows you to visit various museums and other special ruins in the Sacred Valley in addition to Sacsayhuamán. I bought the most extensive version (it allows you to visit 16 places and is valid for 10 days) and found it absolutely worth it. You can buy the ticket at the entrance to Sacsayhuamán.
Mirador de Sán Cristobal
If you do make the hike to Sacsayhuamán, stop at Mirador de Sán Cristobal. There’s a beautiful church (called San Cristobal) on this hill, and from here you’ll have a great view of Cuzco’s historic downtown.
Qorikancha
I was in Cuzco for over a week and saw a lot, but unfortunately, I missed this interesting sight called Qorikancha. It does seem like a good reason to return sometime, though, because it is a very special place!
Qorikancha was once the most important temple of the Inca Empire, dedicated to the sun god Inti. The Spanish later built the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán on top of the ruins. Today you can admire the temple’s remains and learn more about the fascinating history of the Incas.
San Blas
Sometimes you just need to get lost in a city to discover the most beautiful places and soak up the atmosphere, and for that, the charming neighborhood of San Blas really is the perfect place! San Blas is known for its narrow streets, colorful houses, and artistic atmosphere. Here you will find numerous artisan stores, galleries, and cozy cafes. Climb the steep streets to the small square at the top for a great view of the city.
Museo Inka
Want to learn more about the rich history and culture of the Incas? Then a visit to Museo Inka is a must. This museum houses an impressive collection of Inca artifacts, including mummies, ceramics, textiles, and gold objects. Very interesting!
The museum is open from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays from 8:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Admission costs 20 Peruvian Sol.
Mercado Central de San Pedro
Still need to buy souvenirs? Then wait until you’re in Cuzco, because you can find them at the San Pedro Market for a good price. This huge market hall (designed by Gustav Eiffel, the same man of the Eiffel Tower) is packed with stalls selling souvenirs, food, drinks, and other things. It is truly an explosion of colors, smells, and tastes!
There are also a number of women with sewing machines waiting, so if something is broken (like your backpack or a piece of clothing), you can have it fixed there. For example, I paid €0.80 to fix a tear in my sweater (and that included a tip).
Museo de Arte Precolombino
If it rains during your visit to Peru, there are also plenty of things to do. For example, besides the aforementioned Museo Inka and the San Pedro Market, you can also visit the Museo de Arte Precolombino.
This museum houses a wonderful collection of pre-Columbian art from different parts of Peru. Examples include detailed ceramics, gold jewelry, and textiles. A good place to learn more about the artistic traditions of ancient Peruvian civilizations.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission fee is 20 Peruvian Sol. Check the website for more information.
Machu Picchu
The reason for me (and for most tourists) to visit Cuzco was Machu Picchu. It is one of the 7 modern wonders of the world and I can well understand why: it is truly spectacular to see.
This famous ruined city of the Incas was built in the fifteenth century (probably for the kings) and abandoned by the sixteenth century. It lies deep in the jungle and was only rediscovered in 1866. Now it is one of Peru’s greatest attractions.
From Cuzco, you can book a day tour to Machu Picchu, but personally, I recommend a multi-day trek to this special place. There are several options for that and the Inca Trail is the most famous of them. I booked my hike on the Inca Trail through this organization and it was an experience to remember!
Read more about the Inca Trail.
Ollantaytambo
Near Cuzco lies the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Roughly speaking, it follows the Urubamba River between Ollantaytambo and Pisac. The area is full of extraordinary Inca ruins, so it is a must to visit a few if you are staying in Cuzco.
Ollantaytambo is the starting point of the Inca Trail, so I only spent a short time there, but I was immediately charmed by this beautiful Inca village. It has well-preserved ruins and an imposing fortress. Climb the steps to this fortress for stunning views of the village and the Sacred Valley.
Good to know: Several tours are offered from Cuzco to the Sacred Valley. This way you can visit several highlights in one day.
Pisac
Another beautiful place in the Sacred Valley is the picturesque village of Pisac. I went here by local bus from Cuzco (an experience in itself) and really found it a great place to explore.
Pisac is best known for its colorful Sunday market, where you can buy traditional crafts and souvenirs. But there are also some impressive Inca ruins in Pisac. You can explore these via a beautiful hiking trail (it does take some climbing) and enjoy wandering around this ancient site. The beautiful views of the valley are an added gift.
Maras and Moray
The salt flats of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray are also cool sights near Cuzco. The salt flats consist of hundreds of small salt pans that have been in use since Inca times.
Moray, on the other hand, was an Inca laboratory where different microclimates were created to test crops. Both sites offer a fascinating insight into the ingenuity of the Incas.
Rainbow Mountain
To be honest, I had some doubts about adding Rainbow Mountain to this list. After all, everyone is raving about this, but I unfortunately don’t. It could also have something to do with the fact that I haven’t seen the colored mountain 😉
Anyway, Rainbow Mountain (or Palcoyo) is a brightly colored mountain peak about a three-hour drive from Cuzco. From the parking lot, you do have to walk a bit (4 kilometers at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters) and then you are rewarded with a stunning view of a mountain full of extraordinary colors.
If you are lucky with the weather, right? Mine had only one color: white. While driving up we ran into a heavy snowstorm, so after arriving at the parking lot, we turned around immediately to descend again, on a narrow slippery road along a steep cliff. It was so scary!
Because of this experience, I wouldn’t book this trip again soon, but if you dare and the weather is good, there’s no doubt it’s a beautiful place to see. I would book the tour through Get Your Guide instead of locally, though, because then you can at least read the reviews and pick a good organization. Have fun!
Join a free city tour
Do you want to not only wander around Cuzco but also learn something about the city? Then I recommend taking a morning or afternoon free city tour. You can walk for free with a guide who gives you a lot of information about Cuzco and afterward you give a tip (the amount you can decide for yourself).
I found it really fun to do, it is very informative and you get a lot of information about the history of Cuzco. You also discover places you wouldn’t easily find on your own and who knows, you might meet some nice people during the tour.
Sign up here for a free city tour in Cuzco.
Where to stay in Cuzco
As you can see, Cuzco is truly a fantastic city to explore! You can’t possibly see Cuzco and all these beautiful sights in one day, so staying there for several days is highly recommended. These are some of the best accommodations in Cuzco:
- Nao Victoria Hostel (3⭐) – This is the most luxurious hostel I have slept in during my tour of Peru. It is in a great location in downtown Cuzco and has both dormitories (beds with curtains for extra privacy) and private rooms.
- Hotel San Francisco Plaza (3⭐) – I spent one night at this hotel and this accommodation is also highly recommended. It is in a good location and the rooms are very comfortable. Housed in a historic colonial building, the central courtyard (breakfast room) is truly a picture to behold!
- Antigua Casona San Blas (4⭐) – For a luxury hotel experience in the cozy San Blas neighborhood, this boutique hotel is highly recommended. It is family-run and housed in a beautiful historic building. The decor is also very nice, with lots of earth tones.
Check out Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.
Altitude sickness in Cuzco
Cuzco is located at an altitude of 3,399 meters and because of this, you can suffer from altitude sickness, also called acute altitude sickness (AHS). Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.
Therefore, it is wise to take it easy on at least your first day in Cuzco (plan an acclimatization day), this will allow your body to get used to the altitude and the symptoms are most likely to disappear. In any case, always listen carefully to your body and see a doctor if you don’t trust it.
Book a trip to Peru
Would you like to visit Cusco and other beautiful places in Peru? Book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Lima has a major international airport and is probably the easiest to get to. From there, you can take another flight to Cusco. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚍 Bus tickets – To get from A to B in Peru it is best to use long-distance buses. These are very comfortable and often include a meal. I often booked first class (which was not very expensive at all) and the seats were amazing! This is especially a good idea when traveling on night buses. You can book bus tickets via Busbud.
🚘 Rental Car – You can also discover Peru with a rental car. Then you are flexible and can stop wherever you want. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
📱E-SIM – Do you prefer having cell service during your trip? Get an e-SIM via Airalo, so you can use mobile internet to navigate and keep in touch with family and friends.
💊 Travel insurance – Don’t forget your travel insurance, as it will give you peace of mind during your trip. Check out Insubuy to find the travel insurance that fits your needs.
🥾 Tours & activities – There are many fun day tours and adventurous activities to do in Cusco. Check Viator and Get Your Guide for all the options.
Read more about Peru
Want to learn more about Cusco and other epic places to visit in Peru? Check out these travel guides:
Fodor’s Essential Peru: with Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
You can also read more about a trip to Peru on this website, as I explored the country for a month. Check out these blog posts as well:
- Peru packing list: must haves for your trip
- 11 Best things to do in Arequipa: the “White City”
- 2 days in Lima itinerary: discover the capital of Peru
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This article was published in February 2019. Last update with more useful Cusco tips: October 2024.
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