Okay, planning a trip to Peru? You’ve probably heard about Cusco, right? Lots of folks come here because it’s the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu. But honestly, this city is way more than just a place to pass through. Cusco, which sits at about 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level, was once the heart of the Inca Empire. Now it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you walk around, you’ll see this cool mix of old Inca walls and buildings built by the Spanish way back when. And get this, there are also some really awesome natural spots not too far out that are totally worth checking out. If you’re figuring out your plans and wondering what to do in Cusco, here’s a simple guide.
Seriously, take at least a full day just to hang out in the city. This helps you get used to the high altitude before you head off to Machu Picchu or other places that are even higher. It’s a real thing, altitude sickness. So, let’s look at the must-see spots and activities for your Cusco trip.
Stuff to Do Right in Cusco City
You can see these spots by joining a city tour or just walking around on your own. The best part? They’re all pretty close together.
Cusco Main Square Vibe
Walk Around the Main Square for Free
This spot is right in the middle of everything and it’s amazing. You’ll see the big Cathedral, the Triumph Church, and the Compañía de Jesus Church here. These are old buildings from the Spanish colonial time, and you can still see their original Inca stone bases. The Main Square, or Plaza de Armas as locals and travelers call it, is super popular. You gotta see it.
Check Out the Cusco Cathedral
The Cusco Cathedral is a really important historical building, part of that World Heritage site stuff. It’s the main Catholic church here. They built it between 1560 and 1654. Inside, it’s packed with some of the most significant old Spanish art in Cusco. It’s impressive.
Explore Hatun Rumiyoc Street
This street is in the cool San Blas area, just a short walk from the Main Square. It’s famous because you can find the Twelve-Angled Stone here. This stone is part of an ancient Inca palace wall. It’s wild how perfectly it fits with the stones around it.
Relax a Bit at Qoricancha
This was the most important holy place for the Incas. Its real name in Quechua is Intikancha or Intiwasi, meaning Temple of the Sun. Most of the Inca parts were actually taken down by the Spanish, who used the foundations to build the Santo Domingo Monastery and church back in the 1650s. If you’re wondering what to visit in Cusco, this place is definitely on the list. It shows that mix of Inca and Spanish history really well.
Find Local Goodies at San Pedro Market
If you want to see local life and not just the touristy stuff, hit up San Pedro Market. It’s the first market in the city, designed by a French guy named Gustave Eiffel (yep, like the Tower) in 1925. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Main Square. When you go in, it’s a bit loud, full of bright colors, and you’ll see all sorts of local food.
Try to visit between 8 AM and 5 PM. It’s probably best to try the food here after you’ve gotten used to the altitude or after your tours outside the city, because the food can be different from what you eat at home.
You can find pretty much anything at San Pedro. From alpaca meat to local meals and things to buy as gifts. Get some weird-looking fruit, fresh juice, the local bread called “Chuta,” and cheese. It’s a cool experience.
Cool Stuff to Do Just Outside Cusco
For these places, it’s a good idea to book a full-day trip with a licensed tour company. The spots below are often visited together as part of the “4 Ruins” tour near Cusco.
Get into Sacsayhuaman
The Incas built this big fortress in the 1400s, after the time of the Inca ruler Pachacuti. Saqsayhuaman (pronounced kind of like “sack-sigh-wah-man”), which means something like “satisfied hawk” in Quechua, is located just above Cusco City, maybe a 20-minute drive from the center. Lots of people think it’s one of the most amazing old buildings anywhere.
This fortress has these huge stone walls. People figure it took over 20,000 workers to get these stones, some weighing up to 125 tons, from quarries about 20 kilometers away and move them over the mountains. You seriously gotta go see Sacsayhuaman. It’s a top thing to do in Cusco.
Chill Out at Qenqo Ruins and Forest
Qenqo means “Labyrinth” in the Inca language and it’s close to Sacsayhuaman. Here, you can find Inca structures like the Intihuatana, which was an ancient tool for tracking the sun or stars, and even tunnels underground. Some people think Qenqo was used as a place to connect with spirits or the world of the dead. It’s got a mysterious feel to it.
Check Out Tambomachay and Puca Pucara Ruins
Tambomachay is seen as a really important religious place in Cusco, especially linked to water. It’s known for its cool water channels. People believe it was a place to worship water and maybe where the Inca ruler could rest. Right next to Tambomachay is Puca Pucara. This was a military spot with big stone walls, terraces, and stairs. Because of where it is, people think it was used to keep an eye on who was coming into Cusco from the south.
Best Adventures Further from Cusco City
You’ll need to take a short trip away from the city to reach these spots.
See the Amazing Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, which sits really high up, usually above 16,400 feet (5,000 meters), is a super popular day hike from Cusco. Usually, you start really early from the city, drive through the Andean landscape, and finally get to this colorful mountain. Lately, Rainbow Mountain has become one of the absolute best places to visit around Cusco. It’s a bit of a trek, but totally worth it for the photos.
Hike to Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is at an elevation of about 13,780 feet (4,200 meters). This stunning natural spot is the second most popular short hike from Cusco. You can also see it if you do the Salkantay Trek. It’s a beautiful turquoise lake surrounded by mountains.
Look for Somewhere Different: Palccoyo Mountain
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is becoming more popular now. It’s a good choice instead of Vinicunca if you don’t like crowds and want an easier hike. This mountain is near the big Ausangate mountain and it’s only about a 45-minute walk from the closest small town. It’s got multiple colored hills, which is pretty unique.
Walk Across the Incredible Q’eswachaka Bridge
This is the very last Inca hanging bridge still around. It goes over the Apurimac River. Q’eswachaka is about a three-hour drive from Cusco, in a place called the Quehue district. What’s cool about this bridge is that they fix and rebuild it every single year in a traditional ceremony. Local towns get together for four days, and everyone helps rebuild the bridge the old Inca way. If you’re interested in old Inca traditions, seeing this is one of the best things you can do near Cusco. It’s like stepping back in time.
Take a Quick Trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas
This is one of the most famous tours from Cusco. The Sacred Valley, which has varying altitudes depending on the town (e.g., Pisac is around 9,751 ft / 2,972 m, Ollantaytambo is around 9,160 ft / 2,792 m), is full of charming small towns that still keep their old ways alive. You can visit places like Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and the Maras-Moray area on a classic day trip by bus. Once there, you can walk around the towns, check out the famous traditional markets, and see archaeological spots. It’s a packed day, but you see a lot.
Head to Tipon and Nearby
Tipon is a large Inca archaeological site about an hour from Cusco. The buildings and terraces here have this amazing system of water channels fed by natural springs. If you go to Tipon, which is around 10,826 feet (3,300 meters) in elevation, you’ll find other interesting places nearby. And you might even get to try cuy, which is roasted guinea pig – a traditional dish here. It sounds weird, but hey, when in Peru, right?
Learn About Culture at Pikillaqta
This site is cool because it’s not from the Incas. Pikillaqta, at about 10,500 feet (3,200 meters), was built by the Wari people, one of the really old empires that was big in Peru before the Incas. What’s left of their city includes old buildings, squares, and a water system underground. It gives you a look at history even older than the Incas.
Best Multi-Day Adventures from Cusco
Since Cusco has so many cool places nearby, staying longer for a multi-day trip is a great idea. Booking with a known travel company usually means you’ll have a better experience.
The Classic Inca Trail
The Inca Trail, which goes through various elevations but reaches a maximum pass altitude of around 13,828 feet (4,215 meters) before descending to Machu Picchu (around 7,972 ft / 2,430 m), is one of the most amazing hikes in the world. It mixes history, nature, and a good physical challenge, and you feel awesome when you finish. You hike through the Andes and into the cloud forest to finally get to Machu Picchu. This is a tough hike, but if you’re looking for an epic adventure from Cusco, you should try to do it once. It’s seriously popular, so you need to book way ahead.
Salkantay Trek
This is the second most popular hike in Peru, and it’s often seen as a harder way to get to Machu Picchu. The Salkantay Trek offers views of incredible mountains, glaciers, and cloud forests. Some tour groups even offer unique stuff while you’re camping, like showing you how they do traditional Peruvian barbeque. The Salkantay Mountain itself is one of the highest around Cusco. It’s a different vibe than the Inca Trail, maybe a bit more wild.
Lares Trek
If you like peace and quiet, beautiful nature, seeing llamas and alpacas, clear lakes, and meeting local people, the Lares Trek is probably for you. This hike, which reaches high passes (like over 14,000 feet / 4,200 meters), is also challenging, but it offers a unique journey through local communities before you eventually get to Machu Picchu. It’s less crowded than the other main treks.
Short Inca Trail
Maybe you want to do the Inca Trail but don’t have enough time, or maybe tickets for the classic 4-day hike are sold out (which happens a lot). Good news, there’s a perfect option! The Short Inca Trail is about a 7-hour hike. It takes you to see Machu Picchu for the first time from the Sun Gate (Intipunku). This shorter version is great if you want a taste of the Inca Trail and want to explore the beautiful cloud forest area.
Huchuy Qosqo
This is one of the important routes near Cusco. Huchuy Qosqo, which means “Little Cusco” in Quechua and sits above the Sacred Valley (around 11,800 ft / 3,600 m), gives you stunning views. It’s a unique hiking experience through the valley. After visiting the site and maybe camping at cool spots, you can continue your journey towards Machu Picchu. It’s less traveled than the main treks.
Choquequirao Trek
This old Inca site is getting more popular. Choquequirao, located at around 9,950 feet (3,033 meters) overlooking a deep canyon, is known for looking a bit like Machu Picchu, but it’s in a remote spot. It gets way fewer visitors, maybe around 10,000 a year compared to Machu Picchu’s millions. You have to hike to get there, and you can camp. It’s a unique adventure to a less crowded ancient city. It’s a tough trek, often called the “sister of Machu Picchu.”
Inca Jungle
For people who love action and sports, the Inca Jungle tour to Machu Picchu is awesome. It can include biking, rafting, hiking, zip-lining, and of course, a visit to Machu Picchu. You start from Cusco and go through the subtropical forest near Santa Teresa. You get to Machu Picchu at the end of this adventure-packed trip. It’s a different way to get there than just hiking.