CityBuddy
English
Things to Do in Cusco, Peru
Photo made by Max Parada Valdivia on Pexels.com
When to visit
Plan your perfect trip to Cusco, Peru
Get a complete travel plan built just for you in under 30 seconds, with daily routes, local food tips, budget estimates and more.
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Cusco, Peru
1. Qorikancha Temple
View details, tips, opening times & moreDiscover a dazzling blend of Inca and colonial architecture. Experience brilliant golden stonework reflecting sunlight in a sacred space.
Quick facts: Imagine a temple that was once the richest and most important shrine in the Inca Empire, its walls once covered with pure gold. The Spanish built a colonial church on top, creating an extraordinary fusion of Inca and Spanish architecture.
Highlights: Step inside the sun room, where polished granite walls capture the sunlight and reflect like a golden glow, revealing the Inca's advanced understanding of astronomy. The temple’s name means 'Golden Temple,' and its golden past still echoes in the intricate stonework blending history and mystique.
2. Plaza de Armas
View details, tips, opening times & moreVibrant heart of Cusco bursting with culture and history. Stroll through centuries of heritage, lively markets, and festive celebrations.
Quick facts: Tucked at the heart of the city, this vibrant square pulses with energy from bustling markets and lively festivals. Layers of history show in every stone, where Incan foundations support colonial buildings above.
Highlights: Known locally as Huacaypata, the square was once a central Incan ceremonial ground, which means each corner holds echoes of ancient rites. Around the holidays, colorful parades fill the plaza, lighting up the cobblestones with music and dancing, creating a magical atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
3. San Pedro Market
View details, tips, opening times & moreExperience a sensory explosion with fresh foods and crafts. Dive into vibrant traditions and vibrant local life in every corner.
Quick facts: Bustling with vibrant colors, this market offers over 200 stalls featuring fresh produce, traditional Andean crafts, and local delicacies. The lively chatter and haggling is an authentic glimpse into daily life for locals and travelers alike.
Highlights: Vendors wear traditional woven hats and ponchos, and the air is filled with the aroma of roasted corn and fresh coffee. A quirky tradition here is the Tuesday spice exchange, where sellers barter rare Andean herbs known for their healing properties.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Cusco, Peru, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Cusco Cathedral
View details, tips, opening times & moreExperience a masterpiece of architecture and art fused with Inca history. Step inside for stunning colonial paintings and surprising local cultural details.
Quick facts: The cathedral houses over 400 artworks, including some from famous colonial painters, making it a vibrant museum as well as a place of worship. Its construction involved stones taken from nearby Inca ruins, blending Inca and Spanish history in every wall.
Highlights: Visitors can see the famed 'Last Supper' painting featuring a guinea pig as the main dish, a unique twist reflecting local culture. The cathedral's intricately carved wooden choir stalls, adorned with biblical scenes and native motifs, reveal a fascinating fusion of European and Andean artistry.
5. Inca Museum
View details, tips, opening times & moreDiscover ancient treasures and the mysterious Ice Maiden up close. Experience authentic Inca culture through stunning artifacts and haunting history.
Quick facts: The place holds over 1,700 artifacts showcasing the rich Inca culture and their daily life. Many pieces include intricate gold and silver works, revealing the ancient craftsmanship skills.
Highlights: Visitors can find a famous mummy of Juanita, the Ice Maiden, most perfectly preserved in the world. The museum invites you to see her real garments and learn about the intense rituals that preserved her for centuries.
6. Tambomachay
View details, tips, opening times & moreFeel the serenity of ancient water channels and tranquil stone terraces. Experience the magic of water in motion amid the high Andes.
Quick facts: You can hear water trickling through a series of ancient aqueducts that once supplied fresh water to the Incas. The site features perfectly carved stone terraces that seem to hum with history and nature in harmony.
Highlights: One striking detail is the intricate system of aqueducts and canals with water flowing constantly, almost like a natural musical instrument. The place was likely used for ritual bathing, and you can almost picture the ceremonial mist in the cool mountain air as the water cascades down stone steps.
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Picarones
Picarones are doughnut-shaped sweets made from squash and sweet potato, deep-fried and drizzled with a spiced syrup called chancaca, popular during festivals in Cusco.
Mazamorra Morada
Mazamorra Morada is a purple corn pudding infused with fruits and spices, traditionally enjoyed as a dessert with a unique deep purple color from Andean purple corn.
Alfajores
Alfajores are delicate sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche, widely enjoyed in Cusco and often sold by street vendors and bakeries alike.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Cuy chactado
Cuy chactado is a traditional dish featuring fried guinea pig, a delicacy enjoyed for its crispy texture and cultural significance in Andean celebrations.
Rocoto Relleno
Rocoto Relleno is a spicy stuffed pepper dish, filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese, then baked, showcasing the local love for vibrant and bold flavors.
Chiri Uchu
Chiri Uchu is a cold platter traditionally eaten during Corpus Christi, combining guinea pig, corn, cheese, and spicy sauces, reflecting Cusco's rich culinary heritage.
Traditional Beverages
Chicha Morada
Chicha Morada is a sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn, cinnamon, clove, and fruit, known for its refreshing flavor and cultural importance.
Api Morado
Api Morado is a warm, spiced purple corn drink served especially during cold mornings and festivals, beloved for its thick texture and comforting taste.
Pisco Sour
Pisco Sour is a popular Peruvian cocktail made with pisco brandy, lime juice, sugar, and egg white, often enjoyed by locals and visitors in Cusco's social scenes.
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips. Perfect for offline use.
Most popular day trips
Machu Picchu
Famous Incan citadel with stunning mountain views and ruins.
Sacred Valley
Valley with traditional villages, markets, and archaeological sites.
Rainbow Mountain
Colorful mountain with natural mineral hues, popular trekking spot.
Sacsayhuamán
Massive Incan fortress with large stone terraces near Cusco.
Getting there
Train stations
Train service to Machu Picchu and other local destinations
From the airport, take a taxi or shuttle to the city center, about 15 minutes.
Find flights to Cusco, Peru
Click to get eSim for Cusco, Peru
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!