Cusco: The Ultimate Guide and Top Things to Do
Cusco is exactly what you expect from the historic capital city of Peru. The City of Cusco is a fusion of Inkan and Spanish architecture with narrow cobblestone streets, history wherever you will look, interesting museums and an abundance of delicious restaurants. Cusco is the perfect hub for many excursions to the main attractions of Peru.
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About Cusco
Cusco is located at around 3400 meters altitude in the Peruvian Andes. It used to be the capital city of the former Inca Empire, which was called Tawantinsuyu, from the 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The City of Cusco was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. With almost 2 million visitors a year, Cusco is considered the Historical Capital of Peru.
During the time of the Inca Empire, the city of Cusco was carefully planned and laid out. If you look at the original city from above, Cusco appears to be in the shape of a puma, which is a sacred animal for the Incas. It represents strength, wisdom, intelligence and the power of the world. The head of the puma was found at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman above Cusco and the tail of the puma is located at the Coricancha temple.
Cusco is one of those cities, which you definitely will fall in love with and that you don’t want to leave anymore. I was lucky enough to live for two months in Cusco. This travel guide is based on my experience during my time in Cusco.
Top Things to Do in Cusco
Cusco burst with culture, history and of course things to do and to visit. The following list will give you an extensive overview of the Top Things to Do in Cusco. With these things, you can easily spend two full weeks in the Historical Capital of Peru.
1. Machu Picchu - One of the Wonders of the World
The most famous thing to do when you are in Cusco and probably the main thing that you are planning your trip to Peru around is Machu Picchu. The famous Inca citadel, which was built in the 15th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and at the same time is one of the New Seven World Wonders.
As it is one of the most popular things to do in Peru you should definitely book your ticket to Machu Picchu far in advance. Seeing the terraces of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain in the backdrop of Machu Picchu will definitely leave you in awe.
Machu Picchu is open every day from 6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The price for a standard entrance ticket is 152 Sol (40 USD).
Read More: If you are planning to visit Machu Picchu, check out the upcoming Ultimate Guide of How to Visit Machu Picchu!
2. Hike the Salcantay Trek
If you feel adventurous and you want to combine your visit to Machu Picchu with a multi-day hike through dramatic and film-like landscapes, I highly suggest you consider the Salcantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
This 4- or 5-day trek will lead you past the famous Humantay Lake, you will cross over the 4600 m high pass of the snow-capped Salcantay mountain, down into the jungle and then all the way to the former Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
On the way there, you will also stop by some beautiful hot springs where you can relax and refill your energy for the rest of your trek to Machu Picchu.
This trek is the perfect alternative to the more famous but even more expensive Inca Trail, which only allows 500 people per day. The Salcantay Trek will make your visit to Machu Picchu even more special, as you will hike to Machu Picchu all by yourself, which is a big achievement.
Read More: If you are planning to do the Salkantay Trek, check out the upcoming Ultimate Guide of the Salkantay Trek!
3. Admire Humantay Lake
About 3,5 hours away from Cusco you can find Humantay Lake at an altitude of 4200 meters. This glacier lake with the snow-capped Humantay mountain in the backdrop is famous for its crystal clear blue and green water. The scenic view makes for a picture-perfect photo motif, that you won’t forget.
The way up to Humantay Lake is a very steep 2-hour hike, which can be really exhausting depending on your physical abilities.
Humantay Lake can be visited either with an independent tour or as part of the Salkantay Trek, as you will sleep the first night right below Humantay Lake. No matter what alternative you will choose, a visit to Humantay Lake should definitely be on your bucket list while you are in Cusco.
4. Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley with the holy Urubamba River directly connects the former Inca capital of Cusco with the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Because of the fertility of the green landscape in the Sacred Valley, it was of special importance to the Incas. Therefore you can find huge terraces that were used for farming, unique Inca ruins and impressive views of the Andean mountains along the way to Machu Picchu.
In the Sacred Valley, there are five main sites that you can visit either independently or with a guided tour from Cusco.
Pisac Ruins
One of the best preserved Inca ruins are the Pisac ruins near the town of Pisac. Here you can find the largest Inca cemetery in the whole of South America, huge agricultural terraces that blend harmoniously into the surrounding landscape, a residential settlement, ceremonial baths and storehouses that were used to store the harvest from the terraces.
Depending on the height of the terraces and therefore the average temperature throughout the year different kind of food was harvested. Corn was grown on the lower terraces, potatoes on the middle terraces and quinoa on the top terraces. The storehouse is located at the very top of the Pisac ruins as the winds are stronger which kept the grains cool and fresh for a longer period of time.
The Pisac Ruins are open every day from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Ollantaytambo
The beautiful town of Ollantaytambo and its ruins is the gateway for the train ride to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It used to be the royal estate of the Inca Pachacuti and was used as the last stronghold against the Spanish conquistadors during the 16th century.
Especially interesting is the Temple of the Sun, which is made up of six impressively huge monoliths. Each monolith ways up to 50 tons and until today it is a mystery how these monoliths found their way to Ollantaytambo from the quarry that is located about 6,5 km away on the opposite mountainside.
The Ollantaytambo Ruins are open every day from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Chinchero
When you first arrive at the main square of Chinchero you are greeted by a colonial church which was built in 1607 on top of the remains of a former Inca palace. The church itself is surrounded by huge terraces that were built for agricultural purposes.
The soil in this area is especially fertile and therefore is still used today to grow potatoes, oca and quinoa. Especially during sunset, these ruins a definitely worth a visit on your way back to Cusco.
The Chinchero Ruins are open every day from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Moray
The Moray ruins are special agricultural terraces in a circular shape. These ruins were built as an agricultural laboratory, where the Incas could experiment with different lighting conditions and temperatures which created different microclimates.
The three groups of circular terraces are definitely a special sight to behold and well worth a visit in the Sacred Valley.
The Moray Ruins are open every day from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Maras Salt Mines
The Maras Salt Mines are a collection of over 3000 small salt ponds that are used to extract salt from the salty water that runs through a stream close by. The production of salt is still going on today and hasn’t changed in the last 500 years.
The salty water is directed into a pond. As soon as the pond is full of water, the pond is disconnected from the stream of salty water. Because of the intense sun, the water evaporates quickly and leaves back the salt, which can be harvested by the local people that are owning the salt mines.
The Maras Salt Mines are open every day from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and have an entrance fee of 10 Soles.
Top Tip: You can combine your visit to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines in a Quad Bike Tour, which will be a full day of adventure and culture.
5. Sacsayhuamán
Towering over the city of Cusco you can find the ruins of the Inca citadel of Sacsayhuamán (pronounced like “sexy woman”). The name of the citadel is Quechua and translates to something like “satisfied hawk”.
This citadel is remarkable in every aspect. But one feature that especially sticks out, is the walls that are made from massive stones, where the biggest of them is estimated to weigh around 200 tonnes. These massive stones are so well fit together, that Pedro Pizzaro (one of the conquistadors) described the citadel as followed: “…there were stones so large and thick that it seemed impossible that human hands could have set them in place…they were so close together, and so well fitted, that the point of a pin could not have been inserted in one of the joints.”
To get to Sacsayhuamán you have to walk uphill from Plaza de Armas in Cusco for about 30 minutes. The ruins are open every day from 7:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. To enter the site you will need the Boleto Turístico del Cusco.
Top Tip: Located right next to the ruins of Sacsayhuamán is the Statue of Christ Blanco, which overlooks the city of Cusco. From there you will have a fantastic view.
6. Explore the Historic Center
The Historic Center around Plaza de Armas has a lot to offer. You can easily spend a whole day walking around the area of Plaza de Armas and discover all the nice restaurants in the sidestreets that surround Plaza de Armas. Take your time and just sit on a bench at Plaza de Armas around the fountain with the golden statue of the Inca Pachacutec and watch the hustle and bustle around you. Also, the cathedral at Plaza de Armas is well worth a visit.
One of the best ways to explore the historic centre of Cusco and to set your bearings is to join a Free Walking Tour.
7. Visit the Qoricancha Temple
The Qoricancha Temple is located around a 5 minute walk away from Plaza de Armas in Cusco. This temple used to be the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The name Qoricancha is Quechua and translates to “The Golden Temple“. This name perfectly describes how this temple used to look like. The walls were all covered in gold and the inside of the temple was filled with golden statues.
However, nowadays there is not much left of the ancient glory of the Qoricancha Temple. When the Spanish arrived they took all the gold, demolished the temple and built the Convento de Santo Domingo on the foundations of the temple.
The Qoricancha Temple is open for visitors from Monday to Saturday from 08:30 a.m. until 05:30 p.m. The entrance fee to enter the temple is 15 soles. There is a student discount for 8 soles.
8. Eat and Drink Your Way Through San Pedro Market
The biggest market in the city centre of Cusco is San Pedro Market. From fresh fruits to delicious juices, food, herbs, meat, souvenirs, and clothes, you can find everything here. Just come here and stroll through the market. Take the chance to talk with locals and dive into the daily life of the Cusqueños.
If you come here during the weekend, the market will be even bigger, as many stands are opening up in front of the San Pedro Market to sell their product.
Top Tip: Until 3 p.m. you can find delicious and super affordable daily menus, that consist of a soup, a main and a drink for only 7 Soles.
9. San Blas District
The San Blas district in Cusco is a little hidden gem. Packed away from the main tourist route, you can find hip and trendy little restaurants of top quality, you can drink delicious coffee on one of the many balconies and enjoy the view or you can go shopping in one of the second-hand clothing shops that you will find in the romantic cobblestone streets of San Blas. While you are in this area you can also visit the San Blas Market for a delicous and cheap meal for only 6 Soles.
Top Tip: The Mirador de San Blas is the perfect place to see the city of Cusco from above. Especially during sunset, this place is truly magical.
10. Visit the Catacombs of Cusco
Yes, you heard right! Cusco has its own catacombs. Just across the San Pedro Market you can find the Museo y Catacumbas del Convento San Francisco de Asís del Cusco. Down in the crypt you will be able to see the bones of many famous and prominent people of Cusco.
After your tour down in the catacombs you will be guided through the many halls of the Convento San Francisco de Asís del Cusco. Amongst others you can see an old library with books made from cow skin dating back to the 1400s and the largest painting in South America which measures a stunning 12 meters high and 9 m wide.
The Catacombs are open for your visit every day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The entrance fee to the Convent is 15 Soles.
Top Tip: It is strictly forbidden to take pictures of the Convent from the inside. However, in the beautiful little court yard you can take some beautiful pictures as well.
11. Wander the Rainbow Mountains
The Rainbow mountain is a facinating sight that just recently has been revealed due to global warming. A few years ago, the rainbow mountain was still covered under a thick layer of ice and snow. The beautiful colours of the mountain are created by different minerals and metals in the rock. There are two different options for visiting the Rainbow mountain listed below.
Vinicunca
The most famous of the two options is 100% the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. At the same time, it is also the more overcrowded of the two options. However, it is still worth a visit as it is famous for a good reason. The colours of the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain are very well visible and together with the Red Valley, it makes for an incredible day trip. If you plan to visit Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, be aware that you have to hike up about 2 hours a very steep path until you arrive at the top of Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain at 5200 meters above sea level.
Top Tip: As more than 1500 visitors are visiting the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain and they all arrive at the same time, it will get pretty crowded. For that reason, it is better to find some friends and share a taxi which leaves at 7 a.m. for around 300 Soles. That way you will have a much better experience with only a few people around.
Palcoyo
The second option to visit Rainbow Mountain is the lesser-known Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. With equally bright colours and the benefit, that you will get dropped off right at the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain makes this the easier Rainbow Mountain to visit. You will also encounter way fewer people when visiting Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. When I went there, there were only around 30 tourists in comparison to the 1500 daily visitors of Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
However, there is no Red Valley in this area but you have the chance to walk through a stone forest which isn’t less impressive. Overall I had a better experience at Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain.
12. Hike the 7 Lagoons at Ausangate Mountain
One of the best hikes that you can do around Cusco is the day trip to the 7 Lagoons. This trek will leave you in awe as you hike among the Ausangate Mountain with its impressive 6384 meters of altitude. On your 6-hour hike, you will pass by 7 lagoons, each with a different colour. From blue, green, red and turquoise, you will see all these colours in the lagoons.
After your beautiful hike, you will have the chance to relax in the nearby hot springs with an ice-cold beer and a view of Ausangate Mountain.
Arriving in Cusco
To get to Cusco in Peru, there are two main options that you should consider. Both options, that I listed below are recommendable and totally depend on the route that you are taking through South America.
By Plane
When you arrive in Peru by plane, there is a high chance that you will land in Lima at Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM). From this airport, there are multiple flights every day directly from Lima to Cusco.
By Bus
The Bus network in Peru is amazing. No matter where you want to go to Cusco, there will be a bus connection with an overnight bus. Besides being better for the environment, it is also more affordable. For example from Arequipa, you can buy yourself a bus ticket to Cusco for around 10-20 USD.
Getting Around Cusco
The City of Cusco is super easy to get around as everything is super close together. To most of the places in Cusco, you can walk. However, if you don’t want to walk, there are always taxis available, which are safe to take. Expect to pay around 7 Soles for a ride in a taxi. There is also an extensive bus network in Cusco that can get you almost everywhere in the city. A single ride on the bus costs 1,50 Soles.
Best Food in Cusco
In Cusco, you will find many restaurants, that serve delicious food. Below you will find a list of the best restaurants that I tried in Cusco and that I can recommend to you. There are many more great places to eat in Cusco so I would definitely recommend venturing around and trying all the other options available if you have time.
- Morena – One of the best restaurants at Plaza de Armas (try the Alpaca).
- Organika – Amazing restaurant that sources all its ingredients organically.
- Nero 365 – Cheap restaurant that offers huge portions of Salchibroaster.
- Qura – Best breakfast menu in the whole of Cusco (try the pest Toast and the Yoghurt).
- Mollys Irish Pub – The best place to start the night with a huge selection of drinks.
- Sabores 333 – Best Caldo de Gallina in Cusco.
- Street Food – Try Pan con Palta, Anticucho, Empanadas and Tamales
- Markets – The markets offer daily menus for only 6 soles and a huge selection of juices.
- Picarones Ruinas – They serve delicious picarones made from sweet potatoes, which can be a great dessert.
- Qucharitas – You can create your own delicious ice cream from hundreds of flavours.
Where to Stay in Cusco
Cusco has plenty of different accommodation options. Overall it is best to stay close to Plaza de Armas in Cusco. Personally, I stayed in two different hostels that I can highly recommend. You can find them listed below.
- Kokopelli – This hostel offers dormitories with pod-style beds. It has an amazing bar and beautiful balconies on which you can enjoy your breakfast. It is super easy to socialize as there are daily activities and it is the most popular hostel in Cusco.
- Pariwana – This hostel is best for a longer stay in Cusco. It has a huge common area and is perfectly located only 5 minutes away from the main square. Another benefit is the co-working space that is free to use.
Best Season to Visit Cusco
You can visit Cusco in Peru all year round. However, the months from June to mid-September are the best time to visit Cusco as the dry season offers the best weather with the lowest chance of rain. But keep in mind, that this is the peak tourist season in Cusco. If you want to experience the city with fewer tourists, April and May as well as October and November are offering pleasant weather.
Your Budget for Cusco
In Cusco, I spent around 50 USD per person per day. This included my accommodation in a dorm room, entrance fees and tours, as well as food which I ate in restaurants most of the time.
If you want to eat out in a restaurant, expect to pay between 3 – 15 USD for a meal.
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