Things to Do in Cusco: The Best Sights, Day Trips and Local Food

What Are the Top Sights in Cusco's Historic Center?

The top sights in Cusco's historic center are the Plaza de Armas with its cathedral and Jesuit church, Qorikancha temple, the Twelve-Angled Stone on Hatun Rumiyoc street, and the Inca Museum. All sit within about a 10-minute walk of each other, making the center ideal for a gentle first day at altitude.

Read about the golden temple in our Qorikancha Sun Temple guide.

Which Inca Ruins Can You Visit Around Cusco?

The Inca ruins you can visit around Cusco include Sacsayhuamán with its giant zigzag walls, the carved rock shrine of Qenqo, the small fort of Puka Pukara and the water fountains of Tambomachay. All four are on the hills just above the city and are covered by Circuit I of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

Most visitors see them on a half-day city tour or by taxi, then walk back downhill. Start with our Sacsayhuamán fortress guide, the most impressive of the four.

Why Should You Explore San Blas and Cusco's Neighborhoods?

San Blas is Cusco's artisan quarter, a hillside neighborhood of white houses, blue doors and steep stone lanes just above the Plaza de Armas. It has workshops, galleries, small cafes and great city views from its plaza and church. Exploring it on foot shows a quieter, more local side of the city.

• San Blas: artisans, cafes and the oldest parish church in Cusco.
• San Cristóbal: viewpoint terrace above the plaza.
• San Pedro: market and local street life.
• Calle Hatun Rumiyoc: Inca walls lining a narrow lane.
• Cristo Blanco: white statue with sunset views over the city.

San Blas is steep, so save it for day two if you feel the altitude; see our Cusco altitude guide.

What Should You Eat in Cusco?

In Cusco you should try Andean dishes such as lomo saltado, alpaca steak, quinoa soup, rocoto relleno and cuy, roast guinea pig, a traditional celebration dish. Sample fruit juices and local cheeses at San Pedro Market, sip coca tea for the altitude, and try chicha morada, a sweet purple corn drink.

San Pedro Market, a few blocks southwest of the plaza, has juice stalls, bread, soups and set lunches at local prices. Eat light on your first night while your body adjusts.

Which Places Outside Cusco Can You See in a Day?

The best day trips from Cusco are the Sacred Valley with Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and the Maras salt mines, a full-day visit to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake. Rainbow Mountain and Humantay are high-altitude hikes, so schedule them after two or three days in the city.

This fits into the wider planning covered in our Cusco, Peru guide.

If you want this organized for you, our Humantay Lake tour is built for it.

Read about the Pisac ruins and market, Ollantaytambo's fortress town and the Maras salt mines. For guided hikes, see our Rainbow Mountain tour.

How Many Days Do You Need in Cusco?

Most travelers need two to four days in Cusco, plus time for Machu Picchu. Two days covers the historic center and nearby ruins. Three days adds the Sacred Valley. Four days or more allows a high-altitude hike like Rainbow Mountain after acclimatizing. Fewer than two days leaves little time to adjust.

1. Day 1: rest, then an easy walk around the Plaza de Armas and Qorikancha.
2. Day 2: San Blas, San Pedro Market and Sacsayhuamán.
3. Day 3: Sacred Valley via Pisac to Ollantaytambo.
4. Day 4: train to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
5. Day 5: return to Cusco or add Rainbow Mountain.

Plan the Machu Picchu leg with our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu.

Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket Worth Buying?

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is worth buying if you plan to visit three or more covered sites, such as Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray. The full 10-day pass is reported at about S/130, and partial circuit passes at about S/70. It does not cover the cathedral, Qorikancha convent or Machu Picchu.

Buy it at the official tourist office in Cusco or at some site entrances, usually in cash. Prices can change, so confirm before you go. Machu Picchu entry is separate; see our Machu Picchu tickets guide.

With more time, compare the best day trips from Cusco by distance and effort.

If this is part of your plan, see our Cusco food guide.