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There are plenty of good viewpoints offering jaw-dropping city views as well. I’ve listed quite a few museums already, but this is probably the one I’d be most interested in, assuming you didn’t already visit the MALI museum or Museo Larco, both in Lima. It’s an uphill walk to them from Cusco, but the walk back to the city (1.5 hours about) is all downhill, and quite scenic. If you’re interested in the Inca empire or archaeology, they’re very much worth visiting.
Our List of the Best Things to Do in Cusco, Peru!
Keep in mind that this is when Peruvians are on their summer break, so domestic tourism is very high this month. You may get rained on some days, but the sun almost always still makes an appearance and Christmas in Cusco is always a treat. Even so, it almost never rains all day up in the Andes, and if you’re not planning on hiking, the minimal crowds of February and rock bottom prices may be appealing. In both April and October you’ll get lower prices than in busier months, all the hiking trails are open and in good condition, and temperatures are pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing. These are both “shoulder season” months where you’ll typically encounter few crowds and get good weather with little chance of rain.
But beware, at more than 3,000 meters in altitude, exploring the city can be exhausting, especially on your first few days as you acclimatize. Although there is much to see and do in and around the city, you will also want to spend time just chilling out, meandering through the center’s lovely streets, people watching in historic plazas, and soaking up the city’s unique atmosphere. The city is also full of hotels, hostels, museums and churches, many of the latter built on top of ancient Inca foundations of solid granite blocks; a physical embodiment of the Spanish conquest of this great pre-Columbian civilization.
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- From pretty much anywhere else in the country, you’ll have to fly to Lima and make a connection, or take a very long bus (or series of buses).
- Additionally, the change of the official name of the city was proposed to adopt the Quechua word Qosqo, but this change was reversed a few years later.
- Cusco became the last colonial capital during the rule of Viceroy José de la Serna, who held that position from this city between December 31, 1821, and December 1824.
- In addition, this Machu Picchu museum is located in a large colonial residence that was built over the remains of the Palace of the Inca Tupac Yupanqui.
- It is also the largest city in the Peruvian Andes and the region is the seventh-most populous metropolitan area of Peru.
- There is a welcome bonus with fair wagering requirements to get you started.
It was officially adopted as the city’s anthem and has been sung at public events since then. The modern design, officially adopted in 1986, features the Sol de Echenique, a golden sun emblem, as the central element, symbolizing the city’s connection to its Inca heritage. Historically, the city’s arms included a golden castle on a red field with eight condors surrounding it. The Coat of arms of Cusco cusco casino was officially adopted in 1986 and is used by the city, province, and region of Cusco. The city’s international airport code is CUZ, reflecting the earlier Spanish spelling. Nineteen years later, on 23 June 1990, the local authorities formalized a new spelling more closely related to Quechua, Qosqo, but later administrations have not followed suit.
Buying the Tourist Ticket
Situated on a hill just 15 minutes outside the city, the Cusco Planetarium provides a nightly show in English or Spanish. When you’re in Cusco, set an evening aside so that you can visit the Cusco Planetarium. You can combine both activities with an adrenaline-pumping tour that takes you to each place on an ATV! Situated in the Sacred Valley, the salt mines of Maras are operated today the same as they were over 500 years ago. The salt mining town of Moras is approximately an hour outside of Cusco and provides an excellent day trip opportunity. If you miss business hours for visiting the church, this is also one of the more beautiful things to see in Cusco at night.
Orient Yourself with the City from the Plaza de Armas
For those wanting a more authentic Inca experience, you can hike several days of the famous Inca Trail. And no trip to Cusco is complete without visiting the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu! Regardless of why you choose to visit the ancient city, there are plenty of things to see in Cusco!
Situated in the centre of Cusco, at the side of the Plaza de Armas, the church is built upon the ruins of an important Inca building. Popular side trips include hikes up the local mountains of Huayna Picchu and Montana for even more spectacular views of the ancient city. However, it is possible for you to put together a trip to Machu Picchu without booking a complete tour. And if you’ve come as far as Cusco, you absolutely must plan to visit the world-famous Inca city. Or just book a tour to learn how to make your own chocolate directly from the cocoa bean. If you’re interested in more cultural activities, you’ll find an abundance of delicious local foods to try.
Now at the site where he was to remain as an idol, Ayar Oche raised up in flight toward the heavens so high that they could not see him. The word is derived from the phrase qusqu wanka (‘rock of the owl’), related to the city’s foundation myth of the Ayar siblings. The largest district in the city is the Cusco District, which had a population of 114,630 in 2017, making up about one quarter of the city’s total population. It is also the largest city in the Peruvian Andes and the region is the seventh-most populous metropolitan area of Peru. Cusco is the seventh-most populous city in Peru; in 2017, it had a population of 428,450.
However, as the Spanish conquistadors explored and conquered the South American continent they built their own city in its place. In fact, the Incas built the city in the shape of a Jaguar, honouring one of their gods. Cusco is by far Peru’s most popular city among tourists. The Spanish built stone arcades around the plaza which endure to this day. Because of its antiquity and importance, the city center retains many buildings, plazas, streets and churches from colonial times, and even some pre-Columbian structures, which led to its declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Inca buildings and foundations in some cases proved to be stronger during earthquakes than foundations built in present-day Peru.
- Just beyond the city center, you have fantastic Inca ruins like Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, and Tambomachay, and there are excellent day hikes and bike rides in the hills surrounding town as well as a host of great sights that are visitable on day trips.
- Or stock up on snacks for your day trips in and around Cusco.
- December, especially around Christmas, and the start of January are also very busy times to visit.
- The second point worth noting is that Sarzino has a sportsbook and sports betting bonuses.
- You also have nearly unlimited possibilities for hiking and mountain biking just outside the city limits as well as more adrenaline sports within a few hours.
- Climbing uphill into San Blas is a bit of an exception as it is also a pretty touristy neighborhood.
Along this street that runs from the Plaza de Armas to the Barrio de San Blas, one can see the Stone of Twelve Angles, which is viewed as a marvel of ancient stonework and has become emblematic of the city’s history. It has an attractive square and the oldest parish church in Cusco, built in 1563, which has a carved wooden pulpit considered the epitome of Colonial era woodwork in Cusco. Its streets are steep and narrow with old houses built by the Spanish over important Inca foundations.
It is best to book a tour as getting to the mountain involves a 3 hour drive from Cusco. A better idea might be to take a taxi to the top of the hill and then hike back down to the city when you are done exploring the ruins. It would be easy to spend an entire day exploring the ruins, so give yourself a few hours at the least. If you are not interested in booking a tour from Cusco, you can also catch the train to/from Aguas Calientes on your way to/from Machu Picchu. Because of the views, you can visit San Blas during the day or at night and find it equally beautiful and enchanting.
Amazing Things to Do in Cusco, Peru (2026 Guide)
So, it’s a good idea to give yourself an extra day just in case. Cusco is also extremely atmospheric and it’s full of great restaurants and cafes, so you won’t be bored if you choose to give yourself a bit more time. That said, there are countless nearby lesser-explored ruins, loads of day hikes, and all sorts of great activities to keep you occupied for longer. Even if you inexplainably didn’t want to visit Cusco, it’s almost inevitable that you would at some point wind up here on any first trip to Peru. The former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco today is a bustling, atmospheric city of nearly half a million residents. Further adding to the workout, some of the more touristy parts of the city are accessed by steep, literally-breathtaking streets.
It is the capital and largest city of the eponymous Cusco Province and Cusco Department.
