Cusco rocks! Seriously, it is such a charming high-altitude city that acts as the ultimate launching pad for endless adventures around Peru. Between the cobblestone alleyways, incredible local food scene, and ancient Inca ruins peeking over every hill, it’s impossible not to fall completely in love with this place.
Whether you’re gearing up for a high-altitude trek or just hunting down the best craft beer and view in town, here is everything you need to know to make the most of your time in Cusco!
Top Things to Do Right in Cusco
You could easily spend days just wandering around the historic center, but these are the absolute non-negotiables:
- Plaza de Armas: The main square in Cusco. Grab a bench or sit on the cathedral steps, soak in the sun, and people-watch against a backdrop of stunning Spanish colonial architecture built on Inca foundations.
- San Blas Neighborhood: Hands down the coolest area in town. It’s super artistic, filled with narrow cobblestone streets, cute cafes, artisan shops, and steep hills that will definitely remind you how high up you are!
- Cusco Walking Tour (Peru Hop): A fantastic way to get your bearings on day one. Definitely make sure you’re ok with the altitude as you’ll be walking a bunch on this tour. You’ll learn so much on this tour, it’s the best. Note that this tour is free to book, but tip your guide!
- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): One of the most important temples in the Inca Empire. The precision of the stonework here is mind-boggling. When the Spanish built the Church of Santo Domingo right on top of it, the original Inca walls survived major earthquakes while the rest crumbled.
- Saqsayhuamán (Sacsayhuamán): Perched on the hill overlooking the city, this massive Inca fortress features gigantic stones fitted together so tightly you can’t even slide a sheet of paper between them.
- San Pedro Market: A total sensory overload in the best way! Perfect for picking up inexpensive alpaca sweaters, fresh juice, and local souvenirs.
- San Blas Market: A smaller, quieter alternative to San Pedro. It’s super charming and a great spot to grab a quick, fresh bite to eat.
Unforgettable Day Trips & Adventures from Cusco
Cusco is the epicenter of Peru’s outdoor adventure scene. You can easily book day trips ahead of time on platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or TripAdvisor, or simply walk into any of the local tour agency offices dotted around the Plaza de Armas once you arrive!
If you have extra days, build these into your itinerary:
- Sacred Valley Day Tour: A must-do! You’ll weave through dramatic mountain valleys, ancient farming terraces, and traditional villages.
- Lake Humantay: A steep, high-altitude climb that rewards you with a shocking, neon-turquoise glacial lake sitting right beneath snow-capped peaks.
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): Famous for its natural pastel stripes. It’s an early wake-up call and a high-elevation challenge, but the views are out of this world.
- Ausangate Hike: Perfect if you want to get off the beaten path. You’ll pass alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and grazing llamas away from the main tourist crowds.
- Pallay Puncho: Everyone was recommending this as an incredible alternative to the crazy busy Rainbow Mountain hike! It’s Peru’s newer, lesser-known “sharp mountain” alternative featuring dramatic, knife-edge colorful rock formations without the insane crowds.
Where to Eat & Drink in Cusco
Cusco’s food scene goes way beyond standard tourist fare: think farm-to-table Andean cuisine, cozy vegan spots, and lively rooftops with killer craft brews.
- Organika: Fresh, vibrant farm-to-table dishes where every single plate looks like a work of art (and tastes even better).
- Local 525: Super cozy spot with amazing local flavors and welcoming vibes.
- Limbus Restobar: Go here for the best view in Cusco! It sits high above San Blas, making it the ultimate spot for sunset cocktails looking over the red roofs of the city.
- Morena Peruvian Kitchen: Modern Peruvian food done right. Order the Lomo Saltado, you won’t regret it.
- San Blas Market: Head here for cheap, delicious local lunches and fresh fruit juices.
- Jack’s Cafe / Jill’s: The ultimate comfort food spot when you need a giant pancake breakfast or a hearty sandwich before a big hike.
- Three Monkeys Coffee: For serious specialty coffee lovers. They roast their own beans and pull the best espresso shots in town.
- Kintaro: Incredible Japanese food and ramen right in the Andes, super comforting on a chilly evening.
- Andhara: A hidden gem with great craft beers and a super cute courtyard patio to unwind in after a long day of exploring.
How to Do DIY Machu Picchu (No Multi-Day Trek Required!)
If you have the time and budget, trekking the multi-day Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek is a must-do. But if you’re short on time or prefer a comfortable bed at night, booking Machu Picchu yourself is totally straightforward!
Step-by-Step DIY Booking Guide
- Book Your Machu Picchu Entry Tickets First: Do this at least 3 to 6 months in advance to secure your preferred circuit time slot. Our guide said that Circuit 2 & 3 were the best options to book. Slots sell out fast!
- Book Train Tickets (PeruRail or Inca Rail): You can ride the train directly from Poroy (near Cusco), San Pedro (right in Cusco, you only can book during April – Oct), or Ollantaytambo out to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
- Book Your Aguas Calientes Bus Tickets: You’ll need round-trip shuttle bus tickets from Aguas Calientes town up to the actual citadel gates.
- Pro tip: Print out physical paper copies of ALL train, bus, and entry tickets before leaving Cusco, cell service and Wi-Fi can be super spotty!
- Book Your Hotel/Hostel in Aguas Calientes: You really only need 1 night in Aguas Calientes to get up early for the site. If you prefer a slow, relaxed pace, stay 2 nights, but 1 night is plenty for most travelers.
- Hire a Local Guide at the Entrance: You can hire licensed guides right from the bus stop or directly at the main entrance, whichever you prefer. We got ours right at the entrance, and our guide, Gilberth, was incredible! He’s been a guide for 25 years and is part of the official guide group. Our tour cost 100 soles per person (about $30 USD) plus tip for Circuit 2. It lasted about 3 hours and was 100% worth every penny, we would have missed so much of the rich history walking around on our own.
The Secret Sacred Valley + Train Combo Hack
Instead of taking a long train ride all the way from Cusco, pair your transit with a day tour!
- Book a Sacred Valley Day Tour: We booked our Sacred Valley day trip with InkaAltitude on GetYourGuide (our guide Jonathan was amazing!) and had them drop us off directly in Ollantaytambo at the end of the tour instead of returning to Cusco.
- Explore Ollantaytambo: Leave a couple of hours before your train to wander around this historic living Inca town.
- Rooftop Food with a View: Head over to Wallata, a great rooftop spot right by the river with delicious food, local beers, and amazing views of the ruins!
- Catch the Evening Train: Jump on the evening train from Ollantaytambo straight to Aguas Calientes, spend the night, and enter Machu Picchu first thing the next morning.
Timing Example: A 10am Machu Picchu entry paired with a 4pm train back gives you plenty of time to explore the citadel with your guide, head back down, grab lunch, and explore Aguas Calientes before heading back to Cusco!