Things to Do in Cusco
Plan your days in Cusco, your way
Cusco gives you a little of everything, and none of it requires choosing a lane.
Start with the Plaza de Armas, coffee on a balcony while the city parades below.
Spend a morning at Sacsayhuamán, close enough to walk and big enough to impress without a guidebook degree.
Lunch at San Pedro Market is an adventure at whatever pace you like, from fresh juice to a full menú del día.
Wander up into San Blas in the afternoon for artisan shops, quiet lanes, and a mirador over the red rooftops.
Keep one day for Machu Picchu by train, the icon that lives up to every photograph you have seen.
Keep another for the Sacred Valley, where Pisac's market and the Ollantaytambo ruins mix shopping and scenery.
Evenings are easy: a pisco sour near the plaza, maybe live music, dinner that ranges from wood-fired pizza to alpaca steak.
Nothing here demands expertise, fitness, or a plan beyond waking up curious.
Next Escape balances the famous and the found, and Cusco fills in the rest.
Top attractions and places to eat in Cusco
Plaza de Armas
The historic main square of Cusco, framed by the cathedral, colonial arcades, and the Church of the Society of Jesus. The iconic heart of the city and its top gathering and sightseeing spot.
attraction · 4.8 rating
Mercado Central de San Pedro
Cusco's main central market, a bustling hall filled with produce, food stalls, juices, and local goods. A vivid spot to experience local life and sample street food.
attraction · 4.3 rating
Qorikancha
The most important Inca temple in Cusco, dedicated to the sun god, whose superb stonework was overlaid by the colonial Santo Domingo convent. Travelers visit for its remarkable fusion of Inca and Spanish architecture and its central historical significance.
attraction · 4.7 rating
Twelve Angled Stone
A famous Inca stone in a wall on Hatunrumiyoc street in Cusco, precisely cut with twelve angles fitting neighboring stones. Travelers stop to admire this iconic example of Inca masonry.
attraction · 4.6 rating
Cusco Cathedral
A grand colonial cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, built on Inca foundations and filled with religious art and colonial-era paintings. Travelers visit for its architecture, history, and famed Cusco School artwork.
church · 4.6 rating · 25 PEN
Plaza San Blas
A charming square at the heart of Cusco's bohemian San Blas neighborhood, surrounded by whitewashed houses, artisan workshops, and a colonial church. Travelers come for its artsy atmosphere and scenic hillside setting.
attraction · 4.5 rating
Humantay Lake
A stunning turquoise glacial lake set beneath snow-capped peaks in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, reached by a steep high-altitude hike. Travelers come for the dramatic mountain scenery and vivid lake color.
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Tipón Archaeological Park
An Inca archaeological site near Cusco renowned for its sophisticated agricultural terraces and water channels. Travelers visit to explore the ruins and engineering of the ancient hydraulic system.
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Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco
A hilltop viewpoint beside the large white statue of Christ overlooking Cusco, offering panoramic views over the city and its rooftops. Travelers come for the sweeping vista and photo opportunities above the historic center.
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Sacred Valley
A fertile Andean valley along the Urubamba River dotted with Inca ruins, terraces, and traditional villages between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Travelers explore its archaeological sites, markets, and dramatic mountain landscapes.
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Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
A world-famous 15th-century Inca citadel set high in the Andes, combining monumental stone ruins with dramatic mountain scenery. One of the most iconic archaeological sites on earth and a bucket-list destination.
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Mantay Modern Art Gallery
A gallery in Cusco exhibiting modern and contemporary art. Appeals to travelers seeking a quiet cultural stop.
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LÚDICO ART GALLERY
An art gallery in Cusco showcasing contemporary and local artwork. A destination for visitors interested in the regional art scene.
gallery
Salt Mine of Maras
Thousands of terraced salt evaporation ponds carved into a hillside near Maras, worked since pre-Inca times. Travelers visit for the striking geometric landscape and traditional salt harvesting.
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Rumicolca
An ancient Inca gateway and aqueduct built on earlier Wari foundations, marking a historic checkpoint into the Cusco valley.
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