13 Amazing Things to do in Cusco, Peru

If you’re heading to Peru, we’re almost certain that you’ll end up in Cusco at some point. 

Cusco is the perfect base for visiting one of the most iconic ancient wonders of the world, Machu Picchu, so it’s no surprise that close to 2 million tourists flock here each year. 

But that’s not the only reason to visit. This former Inca capital is one of Peru’s most picturesque cities, with winding cobblestone streets and a harmonious mix of colonial architecture and original Inca stone walls. 

There are endless things to do in Cusco, from quaint coffee shops and world renowned restaurants, to historical landmarks, museums and so much more. 

Just outside Cusco you’ll find even more reasons to visit, including the historic Sacred Valley, and many incredible hikes within the Andes.

We first visited Cusco back in 2022 and used it as a base to hike the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and take a tour to Rainbow Mountain. After falling in love with the stunning San Blas neighbourhood, we returned two years later and made Cusco our home for around two months. 

During these two amazing months, we can assure you that we left no stone unturned. Name anything that you can do in and around Cusco, we can guarantee we’ve done it. So if you are looking for advice on the absolute best way to spend your time whilst here, we’ve got you covered. 

Whether you have a few weeks or a few days in Cusco, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in and around Cusco so you can be sure you’re hitting the best spots and not missing out.

We’ll also share the best time to visit, where to stay, how to get around and more, so you can have the most stress free and enjoyable experience.

Things to know before you go

Before we get into the best things to do in Cusco, there are a few things you should know before you visit:

Altitude – Cusco sits at almost 3,400 metres above sea level which means that you may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness.

Symptoms of altitude sickness include a headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Make sure to stay hydrated and avoid overexertion, especially during your first few days at altitude.

One benefit to this is that spending a few days in Cusco can help you acclimatise if you are planning to hike to Machu Picchu.

Weather – We recommend visiting between May to September during the dry season. However, this time of year is winter which means that it can get extremely cold at night.

It’s important to pack lots of layers so that you can regulate your temperature and keep warm.

Withdrawing Cash – Many tours here require you to pay in cash, especially if you want to avoid paying extra fees. The only ATM that doesn’t charge you to withdraw money with a foreign bank card is Banca de la Nación Multired.

The closest one to the city centre can be found in Plazoleta Sta. Catalina which you can find here on google maps.

13 Things to do in Cusco

1. Join a free walking tour

Joining a free walking tour with a local guide is by far the best way to get to know a new city. We didn’t do this the first time we visited. But when we joined one during our second stay, we realised just how much we’d missed the first time around. 

We did our walking tour with GuruWalk. If you want to do the exact tour that we did you can book a space here. This tour is available three times a day at 10am, 1pm and 3:30pm. It takes around 2 hours and is available in both English and Spanish.  

The tour begins at the Plaza de Armas and takes you to the Incan street of Loreto, Qorikancha (the Incan Temple of the Sun), the Palace of Pachacutec, Inca Roca Palace and the 12 angle stone. 

The final section of the tour takes you through the San Blas neighbourhood, visiting the most beautiful, photo-worthy streets and ends at Mirador de San Blas for one of the best views over Cusco. 

During this tour, you’ll learn so much about the history of Cusco and the significance of its most famous streets and landmarks. Alongside this, you’ll leave armed with the best local recommendations on where to eat and what to do in the city.

Though we think the tour is worth doing for everyone, it’s even more beneficial if you’re short on time and want to see all the best spots in just a few hours.

It’s worth noting that ‘free’ walking tours aren’t exactly free. It just means that they don’t come with a set price. At the end of the tour you’ll be expected to tip the guide what you think the tour was worth. However, make sure to pay fairly as this is how they make a living.

2. Visit the Plaza de Armas

At the heart of the city you’ll find Plaza de Armas. When we say there is almost always something happening here it’s not an exaggeration. 

We spent May and June in Cusco and there was barely a quiet moment. You’ll find this central square bustling with both local people and tourists, gathered to watch people dance and parade through the street in vibrant outfits to the sound of traditional music. 

Bordering the square are the beautiful Cusco Cathedral and Church de La Compañia de Jesus, as well as a number of mouth-watering cafes and restaurants. Many of these cafes and restaurants have balconies on the second floor which offer the perfect place to grab a drink and watch the world go by. 

One downfall of the Plaza de Armas is that there are many sellers trying to flog paintings and sunglasses or give your shoes a good clean. Just behind the main plaza is the smaller Plaza Regocijo. Although you won’t be completely free of the pestering here, we found that it was a fair bit quieter and so often opted to hang out here instead. 

To get even further from the hustle and bustle, you may also enjoy Plazoleta Las Nazarenas or Plaza San Blas (which is our personal favourite).

3. Roam the San Blas neighbourhood

One of the main reasons we were drawn back to Cusco for the second time was the San Blas neighbourhood. 

This trendy, cobblestone neighbourhood has the prettiest streets and the best coffee shops, restaurants and bars. As well as this, you’ll find a handful of independent shops selling art, clothes and jewellery, making it the perfect place to go souvenir shopping. 

If you’re looking for some cafe and restaurant recommendations in San Blas, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve lost track of how many we tried. 

For an unbeaten view and chilled out vibe, we recommend Aura Resto Bar. This place also has wifi so it’s a beautiful spot to base yourself for the day if you need to get some work or travel planning done. 

Our favourite coffee shop is Barrio Cafe which has a cute little garden where you can sit out in the sun. Other places we recommend are Green Point, Chakruna Native Burgers, Pachapapa, Green Falafel and Pizzeria La Nonna. If you’re looking for cheap eats, San Blas market is our favourite spot in the city. 

As it’s based on a hillside, walking around this neighbourhood can get a little tiring. The altitude doesn’t help with this either. However, don’t let this put you off as it’s more than worth the walk. One benefit to this is the further up you go, the less tourists there are and more chilled out and quiet it gets.

4. Photograph Cusco’s most beautiful streets

If you love to capture the world through your lens, you’ll find Cusco to be a photographer’s heaven. The most beautiful streets are found in San Blas and its neighbouring area, San Cristobal. However, there are also some gems close to the city centre as well. 

Below you’ll find a list of streets not to miss:

• Calle Siete Borreguitos
• Sapantiana Aqueduct
• Calle Resbalosa
• Calle Siete Culebras
• Calle Hatun Rumiyoc 
• Loreto Street

5. Enjoy the best view of Cusco

While you’re out exploring Cusco’s photogenic streets, make a stop at one of Cusco’s best viewpoints. 

In our opinion Mirador de San Cristobal offers the best view over the city. It’s located next to San Cristobal church, just a 15 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. We recommend visiting here to watch the sunset. 

If you haven’t stumbled across it already, Mirador de San Blas is another beautiful viewpoint. The street that leads here, ‘Calle Pasñapakana’, has a few great cafe and restaurant options where you can sit with a drink and some food while enjoying the same amazing view.

Visit Limbus Restobar for a tasty cocktail, Kaldi Coffee for a fresh coffee, delicious crepe or ice cream, or our personal all-round favourite Aura Restobar. 

A little further from the city, you’ll find deste el Cristo Blanco. Cristo Blanco, as the name suggests, is the white, 8 metre tall statue of Christ that you can see up high on a hill overlooking the city. The views from up here are incredible. 

You’ll find Cristo Blanco 1.5 km from Plaza de Armas and the walk here takes around 30 minutes. Although it’s not too far, the walk up is steep which can be pretty tiring when combined with the altitude, especially if you are not yet acclimated. If you’d prefer, you can take a taxi to the top which shouldn’t cost more than S/10 ($4).

6. Visit the Golden Temple of the Sun, Qorikancha

If history is your thing, don’t miss Qorikancha (also spelt Koricancha or Corikancha). 

Qorikancha, also known as the ‘Golden Temple of the Sun’ was once considered the most sacred site in the Incan empire. During Inca times, the temple was believed to be lined with an incredible amount of gold.

Much of this gold was said to be stripped and melted down to pay the ransom for Incan emperor Atahualpa, who was captured during the Spanish conquest. Though the ransom was paid, the Spanish murdered Atahualpa anyway and proceeded to take Cusco. 

During this time the temple was stripped of its remaining gold and destroyed. If this wasn’t enough, they then built the church and convent of Santo Domingo upon Qorikancha’s fountains. 

This church is still there today, along with some remains of Qorikancha. You can visit this site yourself or join a free walking tour to learn more about the history.  

To head inside Qorikancha there is a fee of S/15 ($4) per person and entrance to the Santo Domingo Church is S/15 ($4) per person. You’ll also find a number of guides just outside that offer tours around the church and ruins in both English and Spanish at an extra cost. 

7. Walk to Sacsayhuaman

Another significant Incan site to visit is the ruins of Sacsayhuaman (quite literally pronounced sexy-human). 

After visiting the majority of the ruins in the Sacred Valley, as well as Machu Picchu, we were a little ’ruined’ out and didn’t actually make it here ourselves. 

However, we’ve heard that it’s incredibly impressive and it’s super easy to get to from Cusco.

If you’re up for a bit of uphill walking, it’s easy to get here by foot in around 35 minutes from the Plaza de Armas. You can also pair it with a trip to the Cristo Blanco statue as the ruins can be reached via a gravel road that continues behind it. 

Alternatively you can take the easier route and grab a taxi. This should take around 15 minutes and cost no more than S/10 ($2.60). 

Local colectivos (shared vans) and buses also pass the ruins on their way to Pisac. You can flag one down on Calle Puputi and it should cost no more than S/3 ($0.80).

Entrance to Sacsayhuaman costs S/70 ($19). We know what you’re thinking, this sounds expensive, but if you’re planning to visit some other ruins nearby, it’s actually a pretty good deal. 

The ticket also includes entrance to Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomacha ruins and is valid for 2 days from the day of purchase. Unfortunately though, there is no exclusive ticket if you are only planning to visit one site. 

If you plan to visit as many Inca sites as possible in the Sacred Valley and Cusco, you can also purchase a full Cusco tourist ticket that will allow you access to 16 different sites and museums including the popular Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytamo. This costs S/130 ($35) and is valid for 10 days.

8. Learn all about Cusco’s history at one of the museums

To learn even more about Cusco, there are several museums that you can visit. The full Cusco tourist pass (Boleto Touristico) that we mentioned earlier includes entrance into a few of them. However, most of these are underwhelming. Some of the most interesting ones annoyingly have separate entrance fees.  

Below are some museums that we think are worth a visit:

• Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) – This is one of the best, most well-organised museums in the city. It displays art and artefacts from both pre-Incan and Incan times and also has an amazing cafe serving traditional Andean dishes within its beautiful courtyard. Entrance is S/20 ($5.40) and is not included in the Boleto Turistico. 

• Museo Inka – Though this museum is a little dated and underwhelming in our opinion, it’s a great place to learn a little more about the Incas and even visit some Inca mummies. Entrance here is also S/20 ($5.40) and is not included in the Boleto Turistico.

• Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) – If you’re looking for a free activity, head to the textiles museum. Here you’ll learn the history behind the traditional, colourful textiles that you’ll see all over Cusco, as well as how they are made and their significance within local communities. You’ll also be able to watch pieces being traditionally made by local ladies and even grab yourself an authentic souvenir. 

These are just a few of the many museums in Cusco. Some others that might be worth a visit are the Museum of Monastic Life, Museo Machu Picchu Casa Concha, Museum of Religious Art, Regional Historical Museum and Museo Maximo Laura.

9. Experience Peruvian culture at the local markets

As Cusco is a very touristic city, you may feel like you’re missing out on some of the authenticity of Peru. But fear not, Cusco is the seventh largest city in the country and there are still so many places where you can experience the culture. 

One of the best places to experience local life is at the bustling local markets. San Pedro market is just a 10 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas but still remains very local.

Here you can grab your groceries for the week, enjoy a cheap lunch, treat yourself to a fresh smoothie or even shop for a souvenir. It can be a little hectic but if you like to stimulate all your senses, we definitely recommend a visit. 

If the market vibe is a little too much but you’d still like a cheap local lunch, San Blas market is much more relaxed and is one of our favourite places to eat. It also has some amazing vegetarian food stalls including Green Falafel and Govinda Lila. 

A little further from town is Mercado Wanchaq. If you head to this market you’ll see a much more local side of Cusco and hardly any tourists.

10. Enjoy a chocolate making or cooking class

If you haven’t heard already, Peru is well known for its world-renowned cuisine. What better way to spend your time than learn how to cook it yourself. 

Cooking classes typically include a visit to the local market where you’ll learn all about the local ingredients, including the ridiculous amount of species of potato and the famous corn, which seems to be somewhat worshipped with statues all across the Sacred Valley. 

You’ll then head to the kitchen and learn how to make some traditional dishes, while sipping a refreshing Pisco Sours cocktail. You can book your cooking class here. 

If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, there are many places to sample chocolate made from Peru’s best quality cacao beans. 

Choco Museo is one of the best places to try the chocolate, as well as learning about the history and process of chocolate making. Here you can join a two hour ‘bean to bar’ Chocolate Workshop and make your own delicious treat.

11. Attend Spanish School 

Being the typical British that we are, unsurprisingly we still have terrible Spanish, despite spending over a year in total in Latin America. In Cusco we decided to change that and attend a Spanish school for some much needed lessons. 

We highly recommend Proyecto Spanish School. Before you attend they’ll send you a quiz to check your level of spanish and then tailor the classes to you. All the teachers there are certified and we found the  lessons to be very interesting and interactive. 

They offer both group and private lessons and you can choose a package of 10, 15 or 20 hours a week.

If you’d like, you can also have accommodation and food included and stay with a local family in a homestay to practise your Spanish further between lessons. 

You can find all information and prices here.

12. Eat at one of Cusco’s best restaurants

One of the best things to do in Cusco is enjoy a delicious meal at one of the top rated restaurants. When we were first here on our strict backpacker budget, we didn’t make it to any of the best restaurants and if we’re honest we didn’t really get the hype around Peruvian food. 

However, this time round we made up for that and tried as many as we could and we can confidently say that it’s some of the tastiest food we’ve eaten. Below are some restaurants that we highly recommend:

• Kusykay Peruvian Craft Food – This is our favourite restaurant in Cusco and it’s mouth-wateringly good. We tried their ceviche as a starter which we couldn’t recommend more. A few people will tell you not to try the ceviche in Cusco as it’s too far from the sea. However the ceviche here is made with fresh water trout (trucha) and it’s just as delicious. We also recommend their traditional lomo saltado. The service here is top class, we were even given some fresh tea to take home. 

• Green Point – Though we did bend the rules and try a few meat dishes while in Cusco, we are mostly vegetarian and are always looking for the best spots to eat. Green Point has the absolute best Peruvian dishes turned vegan. Even if you do eat meat, we’d still recommend Green Point as one of the best restaurants. For our fellow veggies or vegans, we also recommend trying Green Falafel and Chakruna Native Burgers (they sell meat burgers here too). 

• Limo – Limo is a Japanese and Peruvian fusion restaurant that is set on the second floor of a colonial building on the plaza. We recommend booking to secure a table by the window as the views from here are beautiful. This is one of the most expensive places we ate at but it was 100% worth it as it’s by far some of the best food we’ve ever tried. 

• Qura – For breakfast, brunch or lunch you have to make a visit to Qura. If you’re looking for fresh juice, an acai bowl or a healthy, organic breakfast of avocado, eggs and more, this is the spot. It also has plenty of veggie and vegan options. We loved this spot so much that we couldn’t stop returning. There’s also wifi here if you need to get some work done. 

These are just a few of the incredible restaurants we tried in Cusco. For our full list, make sure to read our guide on the best restaurants and cafes in Cusco.

13. Use Cusco as a base for day trips

Though you could see most of Cusco city within a few days, you could easily spend a week or two here and use it as a base for a variety of day trips. 

Whether you love to hike, wander pretty little towns, visit ancient ruins, admire bright blue lagoons or marvel at multi-coloured mountains, there is something for everyone and it’s impossible to get bored. We’ll share some of the best day trips below. 

Machu Picchu

A visit to ancient wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, is the reason why most people find themselves in Cusco. It’s possible to visit here in a day from Cusco by taking the train to Aguas Calientes or booking on an organised day tour. 

However, most people opt for a multi-day hike. There are various hikes that you can do with the most popular being the Inca Trail. However, we decided to go for the Salkantay Trek which we couldn’t recommend more. Other hikes include the Lares Trek and the Jungle Trek. 

Most agencies offering these multi-day treks will begin the tour from Cusco, where they’ll collect you early in the morning to drive to the trailhead. 

If you want to hike the Inca Trail, make sure to book your tour 6-8 months in advance as there are limited hiking permits. For all other tours, including day trips, we recommend booking at least a month in advance as the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu sell out fast. 

The Sacred Valley

One of the best areas to explore from Cusco is the Sacred Valley. It’s super easy and affordable to visit all the different towns and Inca ruins within the valley from Cusco as they have frequent, daily colectivos (shared vans) that run between all the main spots. 

To visit independently from Cusco you’ll need at least 2 days to see all the sites. If you’re limited on time, you might consider booking a tour around the Sacred Valley that can take you to all the main spots in just a day. 

Here are the main spots not to miss:

• Pisac – Pisac is the hippy town of the Sacred Valley. In our opinion it’s one of the prettiest towns and it has some of the best cafes and restaurants as well as an artisanal market and some independent shops selling authentic handicrafts. Just a short taxi ride (or 2-3 hour hike) from Pisac are the Pisac Ruins which we found to be the most impressive Inca ruins outside Machu Picchu. 

• Ollantaytambo – This little town is known for still having its ancient Incan stone streets and being the most beautiful place in all of the Sacred Valley. It’s surrounded by Incan ruins which you can see from the town itself. Here you’ll find a few historical sites such as El Tunupa, Punku Punku, Qelloraquy and the most popular Ollantaytambo ruins. 

•  Moray and Moras – Moray is an interesting, unique and mysterious avocado shaped ruin and Moras is a salt mine, made up of a number of salt pools built into the mountain side. We recommend visiting both of these sites together. You can either visit independently and enjoy a beautiful but long walk between them, or take a more convenient organised tour. 

• Chinchero – Chinchero is another picturesque town that is home to some impressive ruins and a colourful artisanal market which is best visited when it’s at its largest on Sundays. We also recommend the 3-4 hour hike from Chinchero to Urquillos. It’s mostly downhill and offers some of the best views across the Sacred Valley, visiting Poc Poc waterfall along the way. 

• Urubamba – Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley and a great base if you want to stay here rather than in Cusco. However, it’s less picturesque than the other towns and there isn’t so much to do.

• Calca – Calca is a smaller town within the Sacred Valley. It receives less tourism so we found it a little more authentic and more relaxed than some of the other spots. We recommend stopping for lunch here at Pisonay Coffee Roasters. 

For entrance into the ruins that are found in the Sacred Valley, you’ll have to purchase the tourist ticket (Boleta Touristica). This costs S/70, is valid for 2 days and includes entrance into Pisac, Moray, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. 

As we’ve mentioned previously, you can also purchase a 10 day tourist ticket that allows entrance into 16 sites and museums, including the ones closer to Cusco. This costs S/130 ($35).  

Three Rainbow Mountains

You may have heard about Rainbow Mountain but there are actually 3 rainbow mountains close to Cusco. 

The most popular, original rainbow mountain that you see on all the photos is Vinicunca. It’s possible but difficult to get here independently so we recommend booking a tour that includes transport.

We recommend spending a few days acclimating to the altitude before visiting Vinicunca as it involves a 1.5 – 2 hour hike up to an altitude of 5,200 metres.   

Though the hike and the rainbow mountain are beautiful, it’s important to manage your expectations as many of the photos show heavily edited colours. It’s also very popular, meaning it’s pretty much impossible to avoid the crowds. 

A quieter alternative is Palccoyo rainbow mountain. This one has a beautiful hike that’s a little easier than the one to Vinicunca. However, the rainbow mountain itself is not quite as impressive. 

Our favourite rainbow mountain is Pallay Punchu. This is a dramatic, jagged mountain that’s much different to the other two and the best part is that you’ll likely have it all to yourself. As this was only discovered by the outside world in 2020, you’ll find a lot less tours and information online. Therefore we’ve written a detailed guide to help you to explore it. 

Humantay Lake

If you’re looking for a beautiful, bright blue lake, Humantay is by far the prettiest. If you are hiking the Salkantay Trek like us, you’ll most likely make a stop here along the way. However, you can also visit it on a day tour from Cusco.  

Ausangate 7 Lagoons Trek

If just one turquoise-coloured lake isn’t enough, another great day trip is the Ausangate 7 Lagoons trek. Here you can admire the highest mountain in the Cusco region, Ausangate, and enjoy a 5 hour hike to 7 different lagoons. Most tours finish off with a much needed relax at Pachanta Hot Springs.

Best time to visit Cusco

The best time to visit Cusco is during Peru’s dry season between May and September. During this period you’ll be able to enjoy warm sunny days and blue skies. However, it’s also winter in Peru so it does get very cold in the evenings. 

This dry weather provides the absolute best conditions for hiking and the best chance to see Machu Picchu in all its glory with limited cloud cover. 

The peak hiking season in Peru lasts from June to August. To avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting in either May or September. This is unless you want to attend the Inti Raymi festival that is held for the winter solstice in June every year. 

Make sure to avoid February as Machu Picchu is closed during this month each year to ensure its preservation

Festivals in Cusco

Cusco has many cultural festivals throughout the year that celebrate both their Spanish and indigenous heritage. If you have the flexibility, we recommend coinciding your visit with one of these festivities. 

On the 24th June each year is Cusco’s most famous festival, Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun). On our second visit to Cusco we got to experience this incredible spectacle of people dancing and parading through the streets. 

The festival is split into 3 stages, it begins in the morning at the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), then moves onto the Plaza de Armas, before finishing at the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The first 2 stages are free to attend but you do have to pay for a ticket to watch the final section at Sacsayhuman. 

The city is bustling with people during this festival and it’s near impossible to see anything if you don’t arrive hours early. Therefore we recommend picking just one section and arriving at least 2-3 hours prior to find a good place to stand, or pay for a seat. We chose to watch in the Plaza de Armas which we really recommend.

How long to spend in Cusco

How long you will need in Cusco really depends on how much you want to see. We’d recommend spending 2-3 days in the city itself to enjoy all it has to offer, as well as a further 2 days to explore the Sacred Valley. You’ll then need anywhere from 1 day to 1 week to see Machu Picchu, depending on whether you pick a day trip or multi-day hike. 

If you have the luxury of time, in our opinion, 2 weeks is the optimum amount of time to spend here. This way you can explore Cusco in depth and do the majority of the day trips as well as Machu Picchu.

Where to stay in Cusco

There are so many options for your stay in Cusco, from budget hostels and comfortable Airbnbs to super luxury hotels. 

We recommend staying in the San Blas neighbourhood to be a little further from the noise of the city centre and close to the best cafes and restaurants. However, if you like to be in the centre of everything and don’t fancy the walk home up the hill, then looking for a place close to the Plaza de Armas will be the best option for you.

Hostels

Viajero Kokopelli Hostel Cusco – This is a top rated, modern and social hostel that is located just a 2 minute walk from the main plaza. It offers both dorm beds and private rooms starting from S/52 ($14) per night.

Casa Tunki – This is a beautiful hostel inside a colonial building in the historic centre. It’s a cosy hostel that has more of a relaxing hotel vibe and it offers free breakfast. Dorms and private rooms are available from S/95.50 ($25.40) per night.

Samay Wasi Youth Hostels Cusco – This hostel is located in the San Blas neighbourhood and offers amazing views over the city. It offers free breakfast and a complimentary airport pick up or bus stop if you stay for more than 2 nights. Dorm beds and private rooms are available from S/52 ($14) per night.

Hotels

Casona La Recoleta – This is a cosy, relaxing hotel with a beautiful garden to chill out in. This hotel offers fully equipped apartments that are perfect for longer stays or if you plan to cook for yourself. Prices start from S/22 ($81) per night.

Antigua Casona San Blas – This is a luxury 4-star hotel set within a beautiful restored colonial building in the San Blas neighbourhood. It has it’s own restaurant which serves an exceptional free breakfast, as well as a bar and spa and wellness centre. Prices start from S/850 ($230) per night.

Airbnbs

San Blas Lindo Loft Hermosa Vista – This airbnb is located in the San Blas area and offers an incredible view over the city. Its close enough to the main plaza but in a quieter and more peaceful area and is fully equipped with a kitchen, tv and dedicated workspace. The price to stay here is S/149 ($40) per night.

Casa Arcoiris – This stunning airbnb is located just 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas. It has a beautiful balcony view and a lovely fireplace to keep you warm. It’s also fully equipped with a kitchen, washer and dryer, tv and dedicated workspace. This costs S/347 ($93.50) per night.

How to get around Cusco

Once you get used to the altitude, you’ll find that Cusco is a very walkable city so it’s likely that you’ll explore mostly by foot. The majority of the attractions within the city itself will take no more than 15-30 minutes to walk to from the main plaza.

However, if you want to travel a little further or don’t fancy the walk, it’s super easy to get around by taxi. You’ll find taxis dotted all over the city or just passing by on the road. Once you flag one down, agree the cost of the journey before you jump in to avoid high prices.

We used many taxis during our time in Cusco and found the drivers to be honest and friendly. Taxis are a very safe form of transport in Cusco, but make sure not to jump in any that are unmarked just in case.

To travel outside of Cusco to the Sacred Valley or further, there are very frequent colectivos (shared mini vans) that can pretty much take you anywhere you want to go. The stations are dotted around the city but its pretty easy to google and find the station that you’re looking for depending on where you want to go. You can also read our more place specific guides on different destinations around Cusco to find out how to get there.

How to get to Cusco

By Plane

The easiest and quickest way to get to Cusco is by plane.

Cusco has an International airport (Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport) which you can fly into directly from Lima’s Jorge Chavez International airport.

However, if you are flying from abroad, in particular from the USA or Europe, many flights will connect through El Dorado International Airport in Colombia’s capital of Bogota. From here it’s possible to fly direct to Cusco if you want to start your trip here instead of in Lima.

From the airport, it is only a 15-20 minute taxi ride into the city centre which should cost no more than S/15 ($4). Taxis congregate right outside the arrivals door so it’s impossible not to find a ride.

By Bus

If you’re travelling through Peru, you might want to take a bus instead. Direct night buses are available from Lima but they take around 23 hours and cost S/85 to S/200 ($23-$54) depending on the bus company and your seat choice.

Instead there are a few places that you can visit in-between to break up the journey. The most popular is Arequipa which is just 10 hours away from Cusco. This stunning city is more than worth exploring for a few days and is also a great base to visit Colca Canyon from. Buses from Arequipa cost between S/60 and S/140 ($16-$38).

Alternatively you can make a stop at Ayacucho. This city is much less visited which makes it super authentic and raw. We fully recommend stopping here as there are so many things to do including exploring the Cañones de Qorihuilca or taking a day trip to the turquoise natural pools of Millpu. The bus from here takes around 13 hours and usually costs around S/45-S/100 ($12-$27).

We recommend researching for companies that run these routes and bus timetables on either BusBud or RedBus.

If you want to do a little loop like we did, we recommend travelling to Ayacucho from Ica after visiting Huacachina. After spending some time in Ayacucho, take the bus to Cusco. After Cusco, head to Arequipa or Puno, visit Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca before heading back to Lima.

Final Thoughts: Things to do in Cusco

Whether you use Cusco as a base to visit the magical sites of Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain and more, or spend time exploring the city itself, there’s no doubt that Cusco has to be on your Peru itinerary. It’s a region that’s so rich in history and culture, with breathtaking landscapes like no where else in the world.

We hope that this guide has helped you to plan your perfect trip to Cusco.  If there are any burning questions you have that we didn’t cover, make sure to check out our more detailed guides on specific destinations around Cusco or drop us an email and we’ll be happy to help!

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