Cusco

Top Sights in Cusco

Plaza de Armas & Historic Centre

The Cusco Plaza de Armas is the finest colonial square in South America — the Spanish Cathedral (1654; built on the Inca Kiswarkancha palace; the largest church in colonial Peru) and the Compañía de Jesús Jesuit church (1668; the finest baroque façade in Peru) face each other across the plaza. Inca stonework is visible at the base of every colonial building.

💡 Sacsayhuamán at 7am (Boleto Turístico S/130) is best in the first 90 minutes before the tour groups arrive — the 125-tonne rampart stones in the morning light are the finest single example of Inca masonry.

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Sacsayhuamán Fortress

Sacsayhuamán is the finest example of Inca stone construction in the world — three zigzag ramparts of precisely interlocked limestone blocks, the largest weighing 125 tonnes, demonstrating a masonry precision achievable only by centuries of Andean stone-working tradition. The citadel was stormed by Francisco Pizarro’s forces in 1536.

💡 The Cusco Boleto Turístico (S/130; 10-day pass; covers 16 sites; buy at the Ministry of Culture on Avenida Sol) is essential for anyone visiting more than 2 sites outside Machu Picchu.

San Blas & the Artisan Quarter

San Blas is the finest neighbourhood in Cusco — the cobblestone lanes uphill from the Plaza de Armas, the whitewashed colonial houses built on Inca stone foundations, and the artisan workshops producing the finest handwoven Quechua textiles and carved woodwork in Peru. The San Blas Church has the finest baroque woodcarving pulpit in the Americas.

💡 San Blas Church has the finest baroque woodcarving pulpit in the Americas (free entry) — arrive at opening (Mon–Sat 10am; Sun noon) when the light comes through the side windows.

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain; 5,200m; 3h drive and 5km hike from Cusco; depart at 4am) is a mountain of layered mineralised clay whose colours (red, orange, yellow, green) were covered by glacier until the ice retreated in the 2010s. The finest single hike accessible from Cusco, though altitude sickness at 5,200m affects most first-time visitors.

💡 Chicha de jora from a San Blas chichería (red flag on a pole; S/2–4 a glass) is the most authentic drink in Cusco — the Andean purple maize beer that predates the Inca Empire.

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Eating & Drinking

Cusco has the most distinctive Andean food culture in Peru: the cuy (guinea pig; the roasted whole — the head, the feet, the body; the most ceremonial Andean protein; reserved traditionally for festivals and important guests; PEN 60–120 for a whole roasted cuy at any Cusco restaurant serving the traditional preparation; the texture between rabbit and suckling pig; the most specifically Cusco food), the chicharrón (the deep-fried pork belly; the most common Cusco breakfast; PEN 15–25 from the Mercado San Pedro), the corn and potato varieties (Cusco sits in the centre of the Andean highlands where 3,000 varieties of potato and 55 varieties of corn were domesticated — the purple corn, the giant white corn of the Sacred Valley, the choclo served with the fresh cheese; PEN 5–10 from the market), the chicha de jora (the traditional fermented corn beer; the most ancient Andean beverage; PEN 3–8 at the picanterias — the traditional Cusco eateries with the red plastic bag hung on the door indicating freshly made chicha; the most authentic Cusco drinking experience), and the Mercado San Pedro (the covered market 5 min from the Plaza de Armas; the juice stalls, the cuy stalls, the chicharrón, the empanadas, the highland cheese; the most complete Andean market experience in Cusco; PEN 3–15 for any market item).

Getting Around

The Cusco historic centre is entirely walkable at altitude pace (slower than sea level; the first day especially requires a reduced walking speed and frequent rest stops; the short steep ascent to San Blas at 3,400m takes twice as long as the same ascent at sea level would feel). Taxi (PEN 8–15 for most city journeys; negotiate the price before entering — the standard plaza to airport fare is PEN 25–35; no meters; the taxi to Sacsayhuamán is PEN 10–15). For the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, the shared colectivo taxi from the San Pedro market (PEN 10–15 pp; departs when full; 1h to Pisac, 1.5h to Ollantaytambo) is the most economical approach; the private tour (PEN 60–120 group; PEN 200–400 private car) is more comfortable.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit Cusco

May–Oct is the dry season (clear sky; the best photography; cold nights; the Inti Raymi festival on 24 June). Nov–Apr is the wet season (afternoon rains; the Andes green; the orchids; significantly cheaper hotels; Machu Picchu atmospheric if cloudy). Jun–Aug is the absolute peak (book months ahead).

Three Days in Cusco

Three days: Day 1 rest and acclimatise; Day 2 Sacsayhuamán and the historic centre; Day 3 Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo for the train to Machu Picchu.

What Does Cusco Cost?

Cusco is mid-range for Peru. The Boleto Turístico (PEN 130), the Machu Picchu ticket (PEN 152–200), and the train (PEN 300–800) are the main costs. Food and taxis are very affordable. Per person per day.

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