20 places of Cusco
Cusco the capital of the Inca empire and the most important city in South America is undoubtedly one of the most dreamed destinations for thousands of tourists for its cultural charm, its beautiful streets, its people, its Inca and colonial buildings that give this city the title of the historic capital of America and discover here the best of Cusco.
Table of Contents
What to do in Cusco?
If you have not yet booked a tour with us and want to know about all the places that the city of Cusco has to offer, this article is for you.
Here are 20 places of interest for your stay in Cusco. In some cases it will be necessary to have the tourist ticket to access it, but do not worry here we will also give you that information.
These are the 20 best places in Cusco
- Plaza de Armas
- Basilica of La Merced
- The stone of the 12 angles
- The Coricancha and Santo Domingo
- The neighborhood of San Blas
- The market of San Pedro
- The 4 ruins (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay)
- Viewpoint of Cristo Blanco
- The museum of the Concha House
- Museums of Cusco
- Cusco Handicraft Center
- Cusco Nights
- Sacred Valley of the Incas
- South Valley
- Machupicchu
- Mountain of 7 colors
- Mountain of colors Palcoyo
- Humantay Lake
- Waqrapucara
- Queswachaca Bridge
1.- The main square of Cusco
What there is to do and see in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas
- The huge baroque cathedral built over the Wiracocha Palace of the Inca.
- Another must-see in Cusco is the Church of the Society of Jesus, which was built by the Jesuits on the former palace of the Inca Huayna Capac.
- Take part in the weekly, free, musical and dance events.
- Have a drink while admiring the square from one of the second floor balconies of the surrounding buildings.
The Cathedral of Cusco and the Company of Jesus can be visited during hours of worship at no cost, after that time has a cost for access.
Price of the entrance to the cathedral of Cusco
- Foreign adults: 40 Peruvian soles (12 USD).
- Foreign children: 20 Peruvian soles (6 USD).
Entrance fee to the Company of Jesus
- Adults: 10 Peruvian soles
- Children: 5 Peruvian soles
2.- La Merced Basilica
The church and convent of La Merced are located a few steps from the main square, in front of the Plaza Espinar.
- This imposing temple has a baroque interior and a magnificent cloister filled with numerous paintings. The monstrance, which weighs 22 kg and measures 1.25 m high, is one of the valuable objects found in the church.
- It is considered one of the most important jewels in Peru, if not in all of South America, with its 24 carats, 1518 diamonds and 615 precious stones!
- Admission is free, but donations to the museum cost $6.
- Available from 08:00 to 12:30 hrs and from 14:00 to 17:30 hrs.
3.- The stone of the 12 angles
The Stone of the Twelve Angles, located on Hatun Rumiyoc Street, is one of Cusco’s tourist attractions.
However, it is more than a stone!
It is a magnificent illustration of Inca engineering: thick walls made of stones fitted together with such precision that, even without cement, they are still standing after many centuries.
This method of construction can be seen at several Inca archaeological sites, including Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu, etc.
4.- The Coricancha and the Santo Domingo Convent
The Coricancha, also spelled Coricancha or Qoricancha, is a Quechua word that translates as “golden temple”.
- It served as the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire, where the most important ceremonies took place.
- There could be up to 4,000 priests living within its walls, and it was dedicated to the sun.
- The Convent of Santo Domingo was built over the ruins of the temple, which had been lavishly decorated with gold, silver and precious stones. The temple was destroyed at the arrival of the Spanish conquest.
- You can still see some of the original walls, which were built with huge stone blocks that fit perfectly together and were typical of Inca construction.
Entrance fee to Coricancha
- Foreign adults: 15 nuevos soles approx (4 USD)
- Foreign children or students: 8 nuevos soles approx (2 USD)
5.- The neighborhood of San Blas in Cusco
San Blas is the most charming area of Cusco thanks to its small craft stores, art galleries and cafes that are hidden inside white houses with blue doors.
The sculptor Hilario Mendivil, one of the most important Peruvian artisans of the 20th century, has a museum-workshop that can be visited in addition to the San Blas square.
6.- San Pedro Market
The central market of San Pedro serves as Cusco’s main market.
The incredible but true fact is that Gustave Eiffel supervised its construction!
In addition to potatoes and quinoa, you can also find a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, breads, flowers, handicrafts and herbs used in traditional medicine.
If your stomach is used to street food, take the opportunity to enjoy a good fresh fruit juice or try one of the traditional Peruvian dishes at a reasonable price.
7.- The ruins 4 Inca ruins (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay)
The areas surrounding Cusco, there are numerous Inca archaeological sites.
The tourist ticket is the only way to access the four main sites:
- There is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which has a breathtaking view of Cusco and was built with massive stone blocks, the largest of which weighs 310 tons.
- At the ceremonial site of Qenqo, honorable Incas were sacrificed and mummified. At the place where chicha or llama blood was spilled and then interpreted by the priest, a zigzag has been carved in the rock.
- Puca Pucara was a military fortress with high walls, platforms and stairways that also served as a checkpoint for travelers traveling between Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Tambomachay served as both a resting place for the Inca elite and a place of water worship. Two still functioning fountains are connected to a system of pipes at the site.
You want to do this tour and book it here: https://ukumariperutravel.com/tours/city-tour-cusco/
8.- Viewpoint of Cristo Blanco
Nearby is the statue of Cristo Blanco, which is next to Sacsayhuaman and offers a magnificent and free view of Cusco.
It is an 8 meter white statue with open arms reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
- The ascent from Cusco’s main square will take 30 to 40 minutes.
- By bus from Rosario bridge street very close to the Coricancha the price of the public bus is 1 sol.
10.- La Casa Concha Museum
This museum exhibits more than 360 artifacts from Machu Picchu that Yale University sent to Peru.
The museum has interactive videos and exhibition maps in an area that belonged to the royal palace of the Inca Tupac Inca Yupanqui.
Location: Calle Santa Catalina Ancha N° 320
Entrance fee to the Casa Concha Museum
- Foreign adults: 20 nuevos soles approx (6 USD)
- Foreign children or students: 10 nuevos soles approx (3 USD)
10.- Cusco Museums
The best museums in Cusco are the following:
- Museum of pre-Columbian art located in the small square Nazarenas has a magnificent collection of objects from pre-Columbian and colonial times.
The entrance fee is 20 soles for tourists and 10 soles for students. - Inka Museum is a colonial house one of the largest in Cusco where you can see mummies, ceramics, weapons, utensils, vases, ceremonial keros etc..
The entrance fee for tourists is 20 soles. - Regional Historical Museum has a large exhibition on the history of Cusco and Peru which is included in the Cusco tourist ticket.
- The Archbishop’s Palace is a museum of religious art with a large collection of paintings of the great Cusco school on the outside of the street.
11.- The handicraft center Cusco
Have you ever wondered where to buy the cheapest handicrafts in Cusco, this is the right place for it, the handicraft center Cusco has more than 300 stands dedicated to the production and marketing of handicrafts.
On different days of the week there are raffles, live shows, and Cusco dances that make this place an ideal place to visit.
- Its location is in the last block of Av. Sol next to the Paccha de Pumacchupan.
- Hours of attention from 08:00 to 21:00 hrs.
12.- Cusco Nights
You feel like going out to party with other friends of yours and spend moments of joy, the city of Cusco has many fun centers and even where you can learn to dance salsa and bachata.
You can visit the following fun spots very close to the main square of Cusco such as: Inka Team, Ukukus, Mama Africa, La Chupiteria one shot, Chango club, Mitology etc.
13.- The Sacred Valley of the Incas
In the Cusco region, you must visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Although there is much to see and do, these are the main tourist attractions of the city.
- Chinchero is famous for its high caliber textile handicrafts that are produced in a small and typical Andean village. You can learn about every step of traditional craftsmanship (weaving, dyeing, etc.).
- Pisac is recognized for having one of the best archaeological complexes in the Sacred Valley and a huge Andean market.
- Ollantaytambo the living Inca town maintains the same Inca urban layout, a fantastic place.
- Las Salineras de Maras with its 3,000 salt ponds, which was used for the extraction of salt through evaporation since Inca times.
- Moray an archaeological site of circular terraces has more than 20 different microclimates, as an agricultural research center where they cultivated a variety of plants.
More information about tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in this link:
14.- South Valley of Cusco
These places are located in the southern part of Cusco, a place like all beautiful full of history which are:
- Tipon an archaeological site admirable for its highly engineered hydraulic system, in this area you can taste the typical dish of the area which is the guinea pig baked in the oven, a real treat.
- Pikillacata is a pre-Inca archaeological site belonging to the Wari culture that was conquered by the Incas.
- Andahuaylillas is a town that houses a true colonial jewel which is the church of San Pedro, called the Sistine Chapel of America for its richly decorated baroque interior that is one of the most visited in the southern part of Cusco.
More information about the tours to the South Valley in this link:
15.- The citadel of Machu Picchu
The magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu is a perfect illustration of the majesty of the Inca empire in the 15th century.
Where to buy tickets to Machu Picchu?
To buy tickets to Machu Picchu, there are several options online. Peru’s Ministry of Culture offers electronic tickets on its main website machupicchu.gob.pe. There are also tour agencies that offer tickets to Machupicchu. Each website may have different ticket options, dates and prices, so it is important to check each site before making a purchase.
How to get to Machupicchu?
To get to Machu Picchu, you must first arrive in the city of Cusco, Peru. Then, you have several options to get to Machu Picchu:
- By train: You can take the train at Poroy train station or Ollantaytambo train station. The train will take you to the Aguas Calientes train station, which is the closest town to Machu Picchu. From there, you can take a bus or walk to reach the ruins of Machu Picchu.
- On foot: You can walk along the Inca Trail, which is a multi-day hike that starts in Cusco and ends in Machu Picchu. To do this hike, you must book a tour in advance to do the 4 or 2 day Inca Trail tour.
- By bus: You can take a bus from Cusco city to Ollantaytambo train station and then take a train to Aguas Calientes. From there, you can take a bus or walk to reach the ruins of Machu Picchu. It is important to note that, to visit Machu Picchu, you need to buy an entrance ticket in advance. In addition, there is a daily limit on the number of visitors allowed, so it is advisable to book in advance to make sure you can visit the ruins on the day you want.
More information about the Machupicchu tour in this link:
16.- Mountain of 7 colors or Rainbow mountain
Its real name of the mountain is Vinincunca but it is already popularly known as the 7 color mountain, rainbow mountain or colorful mountain.
This mountain is famous for having unique colors that stain the top of the mountain giving a rainbow appearance at 5200 meters above sea level.
I invite you to read this tour that is the second most visited after Machupicchu in Cusco.
17.- Palcoyo Mountain
The mountain of colors Palcoyo is very similar to the famous mountain of 7 colors and of very easy access for all ages that is located very close to the mountain of colors of Vinincunca.
To visit this place it is advisable to take a tour with a tourist agency because it is the most economic.
18.- Humantay Lake
The Humantay Lake is a natural wonder in the Vilcabamba mountain range, this lake has turquoise waters considered one of the most beautiful places in Cusco.
The way to get to this place is to take a 1 day tour.
19 .- Waqrapucara
This archaeological site has the shape of a horn located in the canyon of the Apurimac river at 4300 meters above sea level in the community of Accos this place is called Llamapukara by the shape of the ears of the llama.
The way to go to this beautiful place is through a tour that consists of a 4 hour trip and then take a walk to the place.
20.- Queswachaca Bridge
In the Inca empire the bridges were a connection link between towns, cities, mountains and canyons. One of the Inca bridges that survived and is maintained is the Queswachaca bridge that thanks to the efforts of the communities of the area is built in the same way it was made in Inca times.
This bridge is 28 meters long and made entirely of ichu or straw. If you want to visit this place we organize a tour with daily departures.
- If you want to pass this Inca bridge has a cost of s / 10 soles for domestic and foreign tourists.
Vivencial tourism in Cusco
One of the best things to do in Cusco is to visit a local community.
Some communities have been receiving visitors for some years now, allowing you to experience their traditions through a variety of activities, either over the course of a day or several days while staying in a family home.
In these experiential tourism experiences you can participate in agricultural activities (growing quinoa and potatoes), feed the animals and learn about the famous traditional weaving techniques after being greeted with music and dances of the region.
How to get to Cusco by bus?
The most economical way to get to Cusco is by bus, but it is also the longest way.
- Departures from Lima
Departures from the terminals Javier Prado and Plaza Norte in Lima are at 10 and 11 pm. If you live in the neighborhoods of San Isidro, Barranco or Miraflores, I advise you to choose option one. The trip lasts between 22 to 24 hours. - Departures from Arequipa
Departures from Arequipa are from 10 am onwards with daily departures with an approximate journey time of 10 hours. - Departures from Puno
Departures from Puno in a direct bus have a travel time of 6 hours and if you want to come in a tourist bus with stops at archaeological sites is 10 hours of travel time with stops at the church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Pucara, plus a buffet lunch. - Departures from Puerto Maldonado
With day and night bus departures with a 10 to 12 hour trip.
Going to Cusco by plane
To go to Cusco by plane, you must first look for and book a flight from the airport closest to your location. There are several airlines that offer direct flights to Cusco from major cities in South America, such as Lima, Bogota, Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Once you have booked your flight, be sure to review the requirements for entry into Peru, including passport and any necessary visas. In addition, it is important to plan your transportation from the Cusco airport to your final destination in the city.
Flights to Cusco
- Arequipa – Cusco: flight time 1 hour
- Lima – Cusco: flight time 1 hour 15 minutes
- Juliaca – Cusco: flight time 45 minutes
- Puerto Maldonado – Cusco: flight time 50 minutes
- La Paz Bolivia – Cusco: flight time 1 hour
- Santa Cruz – Cusco: flight time 3 hours 40 minutes
- Santiago de Chile – Cusco: flight time 3 hours 30 minutes
How to get from Cusco airport to the hotel?
The Cusco airport is about 20 minutes from the historic center of Cusco. If you want to take a cab it can cost 40 to 50 soles inside the airport and outside the airport the cost varies from 15 to 20 soles.
Cusco is a safe city so taking a cab service outside the airport is safe.
The other option is to hire a private transfer from the airport to the hotel or vice versa, in a safer and more comfortable way for you. We have private transfers available 24/7 during the week you can book here with us.
Write us at: info@ukumariperutravel.com we will be happy to assist you in your transfer.
When to visit Cusco?
The best time to visit Cusco depends on your interests and preferences. Below, I provide you with information about the different seasons in Cusco so you can make an informed decision:
High season (June to August): this is the most popular season to visit Cusco because it coincides with the school vacation season in South and North America. During this season, the weather is dry and sunny, with daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F). However, flight and accommodation prices are more expensive and tourist attractions are more crowded.
Intermediate season (April to May and September to November): this season is a good option to visit Cusco as the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists than in the high season. During this season, daytime temperatures oscillate between 18°C and 20°C. In addition, this season is ideal for hiking and enjoying nature.
Low season (December to March): during this season, the weather is humid and rainy, with daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F). Although it can be a bit uncomfortable due to the rains, this season is ideal to visit Cusco if you are looking to save money, as the prices of flights and accommodation are lower.
In summary, the best time to visit Cusco depends on your preferences and needs. If you are looking for good weather and don’t mind paying higher prices, the high season is ideal for you. If you prefer fewer tourists and good weather, the intermediate season is a good option. And if you are looking to save money and don’t mind the rain, the low season is a good option to travel to Cusco.
How to avoid altitude sickness in Cusco
Altitude sickness, also known as soroche, is a common problem that affects many people who visit Cusco due to its high altitude. Cusco’s altitude is approximately 3,400 meters above sea level, which can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Here are some tips to avoid altitude sickness in Cusco:
