Things to Do in Cusco, Peru
Cusco deserves more than a quick stop before Machu Picchu.
The city was the capital of the Inca Empire, and you can still see Inca walls, temples, and archaeological sites throughout the area. You will also find local markets, traditional neighborhoods, and museums within walking distance of the historic center.
Outside the city, you can visit the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Maras, Moray, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and several less visited places in the Andes.
This guide covers the best things to do in Cusco, Peru, with practical information to help you decide what to visit and how to organize your days.
Best Things to Do in Cusco at a Glance
If this is your first trip, start with Cusco itself. Then add the Sacred Valley and one or two day trips based on your interests and available time.
| Place | Best for | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza de Armas | First visit | 1 to 2 hours |
| Qorikancha | Inca history | 1 to 2 hours |
| Sacsayhuamán | Archaeology | 2 to 3 hours |
| San Blas | Walking and local culture | 1 to 2 hours |
| San Pedro Market | Food and local life | About 1 hour |
| Sacred Valley | Archaeology and towns | Full day |
| Ollantaytambo | Inca history and Machu Picchu connections | Half or full day |
| Maras and Moray | History and culture | Half or full day |
| Rainbow Mountain | High-altitude hiking | Full day |
| Humantay Lake | Hiking | Full day |
| Machu Picchu | Archaeology and history | 1 or 2 days |
Explore Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is a good place to start your first day in Cusco.
During the Inca period, this area formed part of Huacaypata, an important public and ceremonial space in the imperial capital.
The Spanish later built churches and colonial buildings around the square. Today, you can see several periods of Cusco’s history within a small area.
You will find Cusco Cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus, restaurants, cafés, and historic streets around the plaza.
Come back after sunset if you have time. The center stays active in the evening, and many buildings around the square are illuminated.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours.
Good to combine with: Cusco Cathedral, Twelve-Angled Stone, and San Blas.
Visit Qorikancha
Qorikancha was one of the main religious sites of the Inca Empire.
The temple was associated with Inti, the Inca sun god. After the Spanish conquest, the Santo Domingo complex was built over parts of the Inca structure.
You can still see original Inca walls inside.
The stonework is the main reason to visit. Large blocks fit together with very narrow joints, without the use of mortar.
Qorikancha is also easy to include on your first day because it sits close to Plaza de Armas.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours.
Good to combine with: Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market.
Visit Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuamán sits on a hill above Cusco.
Its large stone walls make it one of the most important archaeological sites close to the city. Some blocks weigh many tons and fit tightly with the stones around them.
The site also gives you a wide view over Cusco.
You can reach Sacsayhuamán from the historic center by walking uphill, taking a taxi, or arranging private transportation.
If you have more time, continue to Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. These sites are often visited on the same route.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours.
Good to combine with: Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
Walk Through San Blas
San Blas sits uphill from Plaza de Armas.
The neighborhood has narrow streets, small plazas, cafés, and artisan shops. It is one of the easiest places to explore on foot without following a strict itinerary.
Walk up from the historic center through Hatun Rumiyoc. You can stop at the Twelve-Angled Stone on the way.
Keep in mind that Cusco sits at about 3,400 meters above sea level. Walking uphill may feel harder during your first day.
Take your time if you have just arrived.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours.
See the Twelve-Angled Stone
You will find the Twelve-Angled Stone on Hatun Rumiyoc Street, between Plaza de Armas and San Blas.
The stone forms part of an Inca wall and gets its name from its twelve angles.
You do not need to set aside much time for it. Include it while walking to San Blas.
Time needed: 10 to 20 minutes.
Visit San Pedro Market
San Pedro Market gives you a look at daily life in Cusco.
Stalls sell fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, meat, herbs, juices, prepared food, and souvenirs.
Visit in the morning when many local residents are shopping.
The market sits around a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas, so you can easily include it in a walking day around central Cusco.
Time needed: About 1 hour.
Visit Cusco Cathedral
Cusco Cathedral stands directly on Plaza de Armas.
Inside, you can see colonial religious art, chapels, and works connected to the Cusco School of painting.
The cathedral also shows another side of the city’s history. Cusco is not only an Inca city. Much of what you see today comes from the colonial period and the centuries that followed.
Time needed: About 1 hour.
Walk up to San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal is a short but steep walk from Plaza de Armas.
The plaza beside the church has a good view over central Cusco. From here, you can see the cathedral, tiled roofs, and mountains around the city.
You can also continue uphill toward Sacsayhuamán.
This makes San Cristóbal a useful stop rather than a separate half-day activity.
Walk Along Siete Borreguitos Street
Siete Borreguitos is a narrow pedestrian street with stone steps, traditional houses and plants along its walls.
It has become a popular photo spot, but the street itself is small.
Do not plan an entire outing around it.
Combine it with San Cristóbal and Sapantiana. All three places are close enough to visit during the same walk.
Visit the Sapantiana Aqueduct
Sapantiana is close to Siete Borreguitos and San Cristóbal.
The site has a stone aqueduct built over the Sapantiana stream. It takes little time to visit and works well as part of a walking route through this side of Cusco.
A simple route is
Plaza de Armas → San Blas → Sapantiana → Siete Borreguitos → San Cristóbal
You can then walk back toward Plaza de Armas or continue toward Sacsayhuamán.
Explore the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is one of the best day trips from Cusco.
The valley follows the Urubamba River and includes archaeological sites, villages, agricultural areas, and mountain scenery.
Some of the main places to visit are
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Maras
- Moray
- Urubamba
Trying to visit every place in one day can feel rushed.
If you have only one day, choose the stops that interest you most. If you have two days, you can spend more time at the archaeological sites and stay overnight in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba.
Transportation matters here because the attractions are spread across the valley.
A private Sacred Valley transfer gives you more control over departure time, stops, and how long you spend at each place.
It also works well if your final destination is a hotel in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
Visit Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo deserves time of its own.
The town has preserved streets, water channels, and structures that follow parts of its original Inca layout.
Above the town sits the archaeological complex, where large terraces climb the hillside.
Ollantaytambo also has an important role in most Machu Picchu trips. Many trains to Aguas Calientes leave from its railway station.
You can take advantage of this when planning your itinerary.
Instead of visiting Ollantaytambo and returning to Cusco, you can spend the night there and take your Machu Picchu train the following day.
If you already have a train reservation, a private transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo also lets you plan your departure around your train time and luggage.
Visit Pisac
Pisac lies in the eastern part of the Sacred Valley.
The archaeological complex sits high above the modern town and includes terraces, paths and Inca structures spread across the mountainside.
Below the ruins, Pisac town is known for its market and small historic center.
You can visit Pisac as a day trip from Cusco or include it on a longer Sacred Valley route.
If your hotel is in Pisac, you can also travel directly from Cusco or Cusco Airport instead of joining a tour and returning to the city.
Visit Maras and Moray
Maras and Moray sit northwest of Cusco and are often visited together.
Moray has large circular terraces built into natural depressions in the ground. The site shows how the Incas adapted agriculture to the conditions of the Andes.
Maras is known for its salt ponds. Thousands of small pools cover the hillside, fed by salty spring water.
You can visit both on a half day trip, but they also fit well into a journey toward Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
For example:
Cusco → Chinchero → Moray → Maras → Urubamba or Ollantaytambo
If you already need transportation to the Sacred Valley, this route lets you visit several places without returning to Cusco.
Go to Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, is one of the most popular day trips from Cusco.
Its colored slopes come from different mineral deposits in the mountain.
The main challenge is altitude.
The viewpoint sits above 5,000 meters, much higher than Cusco. Even a traveler who normally hikes without problems can find the walk difficult.
Do not schedule Rainbow Mountain for your first morning after arriving in Cusco.
Spend some time adjusting to the altitude first.
The trip also involves a long drive from Cusco. Most visitors leave early in the morning.
You can join a group tour or arrange private transportation to Rainbow Mountain if you want your own pickup time and vehicle.
Hike to Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake sits below snow-covered mountains west of Cusco.
The lake is known for its turquoise water, but reaching it requires a high-altitude hike.
The distance may look manageable on paper. The elevation makes the climb harder.
Humantay works well as a day trip if you enjoy hiking and have already spent some time adjusting to the altitude.
Like Rainbow Mountain, it requires an early road journey from Cusco before you begin walking.
Visit Palccoyo
Palccoyo is another option for travelers interested in the colored mountains southeast of Cusco.
The area has colorful ridges and high Andean views.
It receives fewer visitors than Vinicunca and involves a different walking experience.
Palccoyo is far from Cusco, so expect most of the day to include both driving and walking.
Visit the Seven Lakes of Ausangate
The Seven Lakes route takes you into the Ausangate area.
You will walk past several high-altitude lakes with views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
This is a good choice if you want a full day in the Andes and prefer hiking outside the busiest attractions.
The starting point is several hours from Cusco.
Because of the distance and altitude, plan the trip after you have spent time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Hike to Waqrapukara
Waqrapukara combines an archaeological site with a high mountain setting above the Apurímac River canyon.
You need to drive outside Cusco and then hike to reach the site.
It takes more effort than visiting Sacsayhuamán or the Sacred Valley, but it suits travelers who want to spend a day away from the most visited routes.
Start early and expect a full day.
Take a Trip to Machu Picchu
Most trips from Cusco to Machu Picchu pass through Ollantaytambo, where many trains depart for Aguas Calientes.
Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu
If you plan to visit the Sacred Valley first, you can stay overnight in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Machu Picchu the next day.
Travelers arriving by plane can also take a private transfer from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo and continue their journey from there.
Take a Peruvian Cooking Class
A cooking class is a nice way to slow down after a few days of exploring Cusco’s archaeological sites. You’ll learn how to prepare traditional Peruvian dishes using local ingredients, usually with guidance from a local chef.
Some classes also include a visit to a nearby market, where you can see the fruits, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients commonly used in Peruvian cooking.
It’s an easy activity to fit into a free afternoon, especially after spending the morning exploring Cusco on foot.
Learn About Andean Textiles
A visit to a traditional weaving community is a good way to experience another side of life in the Cusco region. You can watch local artisans prepare wool, create natural dyes from plants and other local materials, and weave colorful textiles using techniques passed down through generations.
Chinchero is one of the easiest places to see this process. Its location between Cusco and the Sacred Valley also makes it simple to include in your itinerary.
If you’re already visiting Maras, Moray, or continuing toward Urubamba, you can stop in Chinchero along the way without setting aside an extra day.
Watch the Sunset Over Cusco
Watching the sunset is a simple way to end a day in Cusco. As the light changes, you can see the historic center, its terracotta rooftops, and the surrounding mountains from above.
San Cristóbal is one of the easiest viewpoints to reach from the historic center, while the upper streets of San Blas offer several quieter spots with beautiful views across the city.
You don’t need a tour or transportation for either option. Just walk up before sunset, find a good viewpoint, and bring a jacket. Cusco can get noticeably colder once the sun goes down.
Try Local Food in Cusco
Cusco is a great place to try Peruvian and Andean food. Local restaurants use ingredients grown across the region, including:
- Native potatoes
- Quinoa
- Corn
- Tarwi
- Andean cheeses
You’ll find plenty of restaurants around Plaza de Armas and San Blas. For more local options and lower prices, walk a few blocks away from the main tourist streets.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cusco?
Three to five days is enough for most first-time visitors to Cusco.
- 1 day: Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Blas, and Sacsayhuamán.
- 2 days: Explore Cusco, then spend a day in the Sacred Valley.
- 3 days: Add Machu Picchu or a day trip.
- 4 to 5 days: Add Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Maras, and Moray.
If you’re visiting Machu Picchu, consider spending a night in Ollantaytambo to make the trip easier.
Best Things to Do in Cusco for First-Time Visitors
For your first trip to Cusco, prioritize Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, San Blas, the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu.
Then choose one extra experience based on your interests:
- Hiking: Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake.
- History: Spend more time in the Sacred Valley.
- Fewer crowds: Waqrapukara, Palccoyo or the Ausangate area.
Choose what fits your time instead of trying to visit everything.
How to Get Around Cusco
Central Cusco is easy to explore on foot. Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Pedro Market, and San Blas are all within walking distance.
For longer trips, you can use taxis, public transportation, group tours, or private transportation.
Public Transportation
Public buses and colectivos are the cheapest way to travel from Cusco to nearby towns, but they follow fixed routes and offer less space for luggage.
Group Tours
Group tours include transportation and follow a fixed schedule, making them a practical option for visiting several attractions in one day.
Private Transportation
Private transportation gives you more flexibility with pickup times, routes, and stops. It works well for travelers with luggage, families, groups, and train connections in Ollantaytambo.
You can travel directly or add stops such as Chinchero, Maras, and Moray on the way to the Sacred Valley.
What to Know Before Visiting Cusco
Cusco sits at about 3,400 meters above sea level, so keep your first day light and give yourself time to adjust.
A few practical tips:
- Explore Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, and San Blas on your first day.
- Save high-altitude trips like Rainbow Mountain for later.
- Pack layers for changing temperatures.
- Book transportation early if you have a fixed train or flight.
- Allow extra travel time to Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley.
- Carry your passport when visiting Machu Picchu.
Is Cusco Worth Visiting Without Machu Picchu?
Yes. Cusco is worth visiting even without Machu Picchu. The city has Inca sites, colonial architecture, local markets, and traditional neighborhoods, while the Sacred Valley offers even more places to visit nearby.
Plan Your Time in Cusco
Explore Cusco at your own pace, from the historic center to the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and the surrounding mountains.
For trips outside the city, Cusco Luxury Transport offers private transfers with flexible pickup times, comfortable vehicles, and optional stops along the way.