Cusco is the kind of city that stops you in your tracks. Its cobblestone streets were laid by Inca hands, its Spanish baroque churches were built on top of Inca temples, and its women walk to market in the same embroidered skirts and bowler hats their grandmothers wore. At 3,400 metres above sea level, the air is thin and the light is extraordinary — everything seems hyper-real, sharply outlined against an impossibly blue Andean sky. Cusco is the unmissable heart of Peru and the gateway to Machu Picchu, but it is magnificent enough to deserve time in its own right.
- Suggested duration: 3–5 days
- Best time to visit: May to October (dry season)
- Budget: Budget to mid-range: $60–$140/day
Cusco was the capital of the greatest empire the Americas ever produced. The Inca built a city of such precision and grandeur that even after its partial destruction, it remains one of the most atmospheric urban environments on earth. Walking its streets — where Inca stone walls support Spanish colonial facades in a literal geological fusion of cultures — produces a feeling of historical vertigo that is uniquely, powerfully Cusqueño.
Top Experiences & Highlights
Cusco is both a destination in its own right and the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu — one of the world's greatest travel experiences. Give the city itself at least two days to acclimatise and explore before heading out to the ruins.
- Trek to Machu Picchu via the legendary four-day Inca Trail or the train from Ollantaytambo
- Visit the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán above the city for panoramic views
- Explore the Sacred Valley's markets at Pisac and the ruins of Ollantaytambo
- Take the train to Aguas Calientes and hike up to Machu Picchu at dawn
Culture & History
Cusco's UNESCO-listed historic centre is layered with history in the most literal sense — Inca stone foundations support Spanish colonial buildings on virtually every block. The Qorikancha (Sun Temple), the most important temple in the Inca Empire, now stands beneath a Dominican convent in one of history's more dramatic architectural collisions.
- Visit Qorikancha — the Inca Sun Temple — and the Santo Domingo convent built upon it
- Explore the neighbourhood of San Blas for artisan workshops and stunning Inca stonework
- Attend the Inti Raymi festival in June for one of South America's most spectacular celebrations
- Visit the Museo Inca in the stunning Palace of the Admiral for pre-Columbian artefacts
Food & Cuisine
Cusco's food scene has evolved significantly — it now has genuinely excellent restaurants serving Novo Andino cuisine that draws on Inca ingredients like quinoa, kiwicha, purple corn, and extraordinary potato varieties in creative, contemporary ways. But traditional Andean food is equally worth seeking out.
- Try cuy (guinea pig) — the traditional Andean protein, roasted or baked
- Eat alpaca steak with quinoa and Andean herbs at a restaurant in the Plaza de Armas
- Sip chicha de jora — the traditional Inca corn beer — at a picantiría in San Blas
- Try a bowl of chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder) at a local comedor
Practical Tips
Altitude is the number-one concern in Cusco. Arriving from Lima (sea level) to Cusco (3,400m) in a single flight is a significant jump — spend at least one full day doing very little before hiking. Drink coca tea, avoid alcohol for the first day, and don't be alarmed by mild headaches, which usually pass within 24 hours.
- Rest for at least one day on arrival — altitude sickness is real and avoidable with patience
- Drink coca tea freely — it genuinely helps with acclimatisation
- Book Inca Trail permits 6+ months in advance if trekking — they sell out immediately
- Purchase the Boleto Turístico Cusco for access to multiple sites at a good price
Best Neighbourhoods & Areas
The Plaza de Armas is Cusco's magnificent centre, surrounded by cathedral, churches, and colonial arcades. San Blas, just above, is the artisan neighbourhood — a maze of narrow alleys lined with workshops, galleries, and cafés. Staying close to the Plaza de Armas puts everything within comfortable walking distance.
- San Blas for the most characterful accommodation and artisan workshops
- Plaza de Armas area for central access to the cathedral, markets, and restaurants
- Pisac in the Sacred Valley for a colourful Sunday market and excellent ruins
- Ollantaytambo for a less touristy Inca town and the train gateway to Machu Picchu