Cusco Attractions: 16 Must-Sees and Cool Activities in Cusco

The Best Highlights in the Center of Cusco

We recommend planning 1–2 days for the highlights in the historic center. You can see the most important sights in Cusco in a single day. If you want more time for museums and historical sites, it’s better to plan for two days.

Map of the Sights in Cusco

For a better overview, we’ve marked the 10 most beautiful Cusco sights on a map. We’ll now introduce each one in more detail.

Plaza de Armas & Cathedral

What do you need to know? The Plaza de Armas is, as in many cities in Peru, the main square of the center. This is where you’ll find the impressive Cusco Cathedral, which is truly a masterpiece. It makes for a great photo subject even from the outside, and the interior is just as beautiful. The Plaza de Armas also features other colonial-style buildings, such as the Templo de la Compañía de Jesús and charming little houses.

Is it worth it: Absolutely. The square with its church is a must-see in Cusco and the best starting point for sightseeing. Most walking tours in Cusco also start here.

Tickets: Admission to the cathedral costs 40 soles (about $10) for international adults.

Our tip: The Mirador de San Cristóbal offers the best view of the Plaza de Armas. We’ll introduce you to this viewpoint in more detail shortly (point 9).

Twelve-Angled Stone

What do you need to know? The Twelve-Angled Stone is, as the name suggests, a stone with twelve angles. Can you spot all of them? You’ll find the stone on Calle Hatunrumiyoc, just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. It’s one of many stones in the wall of an old Inca building. Even though the stones all look almost the same at first glance, you’ll spot it immediately — tourists are constantly photographing it.

Is it worth it: Yes, it’s another great example of the Incas’ impressive construction skills. But you’ll have to wait in line for a photo, and the area around the stone gets pretty busy.

Our tip: Get up early to check out the stone. There won’t be as many tourists around at that time.

Coricancha

What do you need to know? Coricancha was one of the most important temples of the Inca and sits right in the heart of Cusco. It was the central sun temple dedicated to the worship of the god Inti and was adorned with gold. During the Spanish colonization, it was looted and destroyed, and the Santo Domingo Monastery was built on top of its walls. That’s why, when you visit the historic site today, you can still see architectural styles from both eras.

Is it worth it: Yes, Coricancha is such a historically significant place that it ranks among the absolute top sights in Cusco.

Tickets: Admission costs 15 soles (about $4). You can buy it on-site. Admission is also included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (130 soles, about $32), which we’ll introduce to you shortly.

Mercado San Pedro

What do you need to know? The Mercado San Pedro is the most well-known market in Cusco — and you can find everything here. From delicious street food to all kinds of souvenirs to fresh produce. It’s always buzzing with activity, and even though the market is a tourist hotspot, it still feels very authentic.

Is it worth it: Oh yes. A stroll through the market is a must! Make sure to try some local food here — at lunch, there are always great deals on set menus.

Our tip: Keep a very close eye on your valuables here. Since the market hall is always busy and a bit chaotic, it’s popular not only with tourists but also with pickpockets.

Inca Museum

What do you need to know? The Inca people are omnipresent in and around Cusco. To learn more about them, the Inca Museum is the best place to go. Here you’ll find various exhibits from the Inca era, such as musical instruments and textiles. Mummies and weapons also have their place here.

Is it worth it: The Inca Museum is a great option for a rainy day in Cusco. But even if Inca culture interests you in general, the museum is a must.

Tickets: Admission costs 20 soles (about $5) for international adults.

Our tip: There are so many other great museums in Cusco worth visiting. Some of them are also included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. You’ll find out which ones below in the helpful tips.

Mirador de San Cristóbal

What do you need to know? The Mirador de San Cristóbal is, in our opinion, the best viewpoint right in Cusco. It sits on a hill in the city center of Cusco. From here, you have a great view of the historic center. There’s also a beautiful church with a bell tower that you can climb.

Is it worth it: Yes, the viewpoint is a wonderful sight in Cusco. For the very best view, it’s worth climbing the bell tower. The inside of the church isn’t particularly noteworthy.

Tickets: Access to the bell tower costs about $1–2. The church is also included in a combo ticket for religious sites in Cusco.

San Blas Neighborhood

What do you need to know? San Blas is our favorite neighborhood in Cusco. It sits on the edge of the historic center and is built on a hillside. Narrow alleys with lots of steps wind up and down through the area. Small shops and restaurants are tucked away everywhere. Even if all the stair-climbing is tiring, you should absolutely explore the neighborhood on foot, just following your nose.

Is it worth it: Definitely. San Blas is one of our personal favorite sights in Cusco. The atmosphere is wonderful, the houses are charming, and you catch beautiful views around every corner.

Our tip: Just let yourself wander through the alleys here rather than aiming for a specific destination.

Sacsayhuamán

What do you need to know? Sacsayhuamán is a significant archaeological site in Cusco. It’s a former Inca fortress, and you can still see the ruins today. The site is known for its massive stone blocks, which were fitted together perfectly without the use of mortar.

Is it worth it: Yes, you should visit the site with a guide to learn more about its history. Otherwise, the visit isn’t necessarily a must — you can actually see the stones quite well from outside the site.

Tickets: There is no individual ticket for Sacsayhuamán. To visit the site, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket. It costs 130 soles (about $32) and includes almost all the relevant highlights in and around Cusco. If you only buy the “half tourist ticket,” you’ll pay about $17 — it includes fewer highlights overall.

Our tip: Combine your visit to Sacsayhuamán with Cristo Blanco — we’ll introduce it to you next.

Cristo Blanco

What do you need to know? Cristo Blanco is a statue of Christ in Cusco. It stands above the San Blas neighborhood along a main road and is 8 meters tall. The statue was a gift after World War II and symbolizes peace — similar to the statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Is it worth it: It’s okay. The statue is surrounded by a fence and isn’t the most photogenic subject. The view, on the other hand, is fantastic.

Our tip: You can walk up to the statue through the San Blas neighborhood or through Sacsayhuamán. If you’re not yet used to the altitude, though, it’s very strenuous. So don’t do it on your first day in Cusco — and if you do, consider taking an Uber.

Templo de la Luna

What do you need to know? A true hidden gem among Cusco’s sights is the Temple of the Moon. It’s free to enter, making it a great budget-friendly option for an archaeological site in Cusco. Here you can explore the ruins of the Inca temple as well as caves with rock paintings.

Is it worth it: Yes, the Templo de la Luna is a wonderful sight in Cusco without the crowds.

Our tip: Right next to the Temple of the Moon, you’ll find the archaeological site Q’enco — it’s included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

Day Trips from Cusco

Around Cusco, there are also a ton of great sights to see. We’ll now introduce you to the best day trips in the surrounding area.

This map shows the best day trip destinations from Cusco. We think they’re all worth it. But if your time is limited, it’s best to focus on the highlights that personally appeal to you the most.

Machu Picchu

What do you need to know? The absolute top highlight near Cusco is Machu Picchu. The Inca site is the ultimate tourist magnet and a must-see when you’re in Peru. There are countless options for getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu. From a guided day tour to a scenic train ride to multi-day hikes, you have plenty of choices.

Is it worth it: Absolutely! Even though Machu Picchu is incredibly touristy, it’s simply something you have to see. Since covering all the details about the Inca site here would be too much, we explain everything about visiting it in separate articles.

Rainbow Mountain

What do you need to know? Rainbow Mountain near Cusco is a true natural spectacle that has genuinely sparked an Instagram craze. Keep in mind, though, that to enjoy the view of the mountain, you’ll need to climb up to 5,000 meters. Even though the path from the parking lot is less than 3 kilometers long, the 200-meter elevation gain uphill is very, very strenuous.

Is it worth it: Yes. We’ve often read that it’s overrated, but we don’t agree. The colors aren’t as vivid as in many photos, but they’re still truly special.

Our tip: Rainbow Mountain is best visited as part of a guided day tour. Getting there on your own is a bit complicated, but it’s also doable.

Book a guided tour to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco

Sacred Valley

What do you need to know? To the north of Cusco lies the Sacred Valley, known for its beautiful landscapes and many archaeological sites. The most beautiful towns in the Sacred Valley are Ollantaytambo and Pisac. These are great bases for short hikes and visiting historical sites.

Is it worth it: Absolutely. We also recommend spending at least one night in the Sacred Valley. A great hotel in Ollantaytambo is the Kamma Guesthouse.

Our tip: If you’re taking the train to Machu Picchu, spend a night in Ollantaytambo first and board the train from there.

Laguna Humantay

What do you need to know? If you love nature, you shouldn’t miss the trip to Laguna Humantay. The mountain lake sits at over 4,000 meters above sea level and can only be reached on foot. You’ll need to hike about 4 kilometers uphill, gaining 400 meters in elevation. It’s very strenuous, but absolutely worth it for the views.

Is it worth it: Oh yes! The lake with its snow-capped mountains is breathtakingly beautiful and is one of our personal favorite sights near Cusco.

Our tip: If you’re doing the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, you can combine it with Laguna Humantay, since it’s essentially right along the way.

Book your day trip to Laguna Humantay

Choquequirao

What do you need to know? This Inca site is even larger than Machu Picchu, just as impressive, but nowhere near as well known: Choquequirao. You can only reach the site by hiking — a round trip takes about 4 days. You can do it on your own or with a guide.

Is it worth it: Definitely! Choquequirao is still totally underrated and the perfect hiking destination near Cusco if you’re looking for a genuine hidden gem.

Tickets: Based on our current information, admission costs 60 soles (about $15).

Our tip: Only do this trip if you have plenty of hiking experience and are in good shape. The steep ascent over uneven terrain is not for beginner hikers.

Book the 4-day Choquequirao Trek

Salineras & Moray

What do you need to know? The Salineras de Maras make for a really cool photo subject and are a popular day trip from Cusco, usually combined with the archaeological site of Moray. At the salt terraces, you learn more about traditional salt extraction, a practice that has existed since Inca times. At Moray, the highlight is the Inca complex in the form of a circular terrace — also incredibly cool. The Incas most likely used the site for agricultural research.

Is it worth it: Absolutely. Both places are not only beautiful to look at, but also have a fascinating history behind them.

Tickets: The Salineras de Maras cost 20 soles (about $5). For the archaeological site at Moray, you need the tourist ticket. So you’ll pay at least 70 soles (about $17) — but with that ticket you can visit several other highlights as well.

Our tip: Definitely do this trip as part of a guided day tour. That way you’ll have a guide with you and get to learn about both places along the way.

Cusco Tourist Ticket

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is an admission pass for multiple sights in and around Cusco. In most cases it’s worth it, since for almost all the included attractions there are no individual tickets available.

That means, if you want to visit at least one of the attractions, the Cusco Tourist Ticket is already a good deal. There is a complete Cusco Tourist Ticket and partial tourist tickets. We’ll now explain what that’s all about.

Buy your Cusco Tourist Ticket here

Complete Cusco Tourist Ticket

The complete Cusco Tourist Ticket is valid for 10 days, during which you can visit these 16 highlights:

• Sacsayhuamán
• Coricancha
• Archaeological site of Pisac
• Ollantaytambo
• Moray
• Casa del Inca Garcilaso
• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
• Museo de Arte Popular
• Teatro Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo
• Monumento al Inca Pachacutec
• Archaeological site Q’enqo
• Archaeological site Puka Pukara
• Inca site Tambomachay
• Site of Chinchero
• Site of Tipón
• Parque Arqueológico de Pikillaqta

Total cost of the Cusco Tourist Ticket: 130 soles (about $32)

In most cases, the complete tourist ticket is worth it — because we recommend visiting Sacsayhuamán, Coricancha, and the archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moray.

The Cusco Tourist Ticket is also available as 3 partial versions. In that case, you pay only 70 soles (about $17), but you can only visit a portion of the included attractions.

Partial Tourist Tickets for Cusco

There are 3 partial tourist tickets for Cusco. They all cost 70 soles (about $17).

The first partial tourist ticket is valid for one day and includes these 4 highlights, all located within the city of Cusco:

• Sacsayhuaman
• Qenqo
• Puca Pucara
• Tambomachay

The second partial tourist ticket is valid for two days and includes these 8 highlights:

• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Regional History Museum
• Museum of Popular Art
• Coricancha
• Qosqo Native Art Center
• Monument to Inca Pachacuteq
• Pikillaqta
• Tipón

The third partial tourist ticket for Cusco includes 4 highlights in the Sacred Valley, which you can visit over 2 days.

• Pisac
• Ollantaytambo
• Chinchero
• Moray

Where can you buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket?

You can buy the tourist ticket on-site in Cusco or in advance online.

Online, the ticket is only available through third-party providers like GetYourGuide, and at a slightly higher price.

When buying online through GetYourGuide, the advantage is that you can provide your hotel in Cusco and have the ticket waiting for you there when you arrive.

Buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket on GetYourGuide

Otherwise, you’ll need to go to the tourism office CONSITUC near the Plaza de Armas in person, or buy it directly at the entrance of one of the included sights.

Where to Stay in Cusco?

The hotel selection in Cusco is enormous! That’s why we’ve written an article in which we introduce our 10 favorite accommodations.

It covers accommodations for every type of traveler, from budget guesthouses to hostels and boutique hotels to luxury hotels.

Here are our 4 top picks:
Budget Guesthouse: Hostal Corihuasi

Boutique Hotel: Cooper Hotel Boutique

Hostel: Viajero Cusco

Luxury Hotel: Sonesta Hotel Cusco

Getting to Cusco

The best ways to get to Cusco are by long-distance bus or by plane. Cusco is generally very well connected within Peru, both by air and by bus.

The airport is about 5 kilometers from the historic center. From the airport, the best way to get into town is by Uber or taxi.

If you grab a taxi right at the airport, they tend to be quite expensive. If you walk a bit down the road, drivers will offer you lower prices — though there are also quite a few unreliable operators in that area.

The easiest option is to call an Uber.

If you’re arriving by long-distance bus, it depends a lot on which bus terminal you arrive at. There are many different terminals in Cusco.

When booking your bus, you should also check where in Cusco you’ll be arriving. Depending on the location of the terminal, you can either walk to your accommodation or take an Uber or taxi.

Getting Around Cusco

You can generally get around the center of Cusco on foot. Due to the altitude, however, this can be very tiring. If you’re not feeling up to it, you can also get around by Uber or taxi.

Uber is widely available in Cusco and works very well. Since you can see the price upfront in the app, we prefer Uber over taxis — with taxis, you often have to negotiate the fare.

For day trips into the surrounding area, guided tours are often the easiest option. But you can frequently also travel by public bus (colectivo).

Since there’s very little information available online, your best bet is to ask at your accommodation where the bus terminal is for buses to your destination. There are many different bus departure points in Cusco.

On colectivos, you pay in cash and the buses leave when they’re full — so you may have to wait a bit before setting off. For example, the colectivo to Ollantaytambo and Urubamba departs from Avenida Grau, and the colectivo to Pisac departs from Calle Puputi.

Altitude Sickness in Cusco

Cusco sits at about 3,400 meters above sea level — at these elevations, altitude sickness is common. Especially if you’re coming directly from a low-altitude location (for example, from Lima).

That’s why we recommend that on your Peru itinerary, you head to Arequipa first (which sits at 2,300 meters) and then continue on to Cusco.

If you do travel directly to Cusco, it’s important to take it easy for the first few days — no big hikes and no day trips to even higher elevations.

Your body needs time to adjust to the altitude — this is called acclimatization. If you skip this, you’re very likely to suffer from altitude sickness.

On your first day in Cusco, it’s best to explore the highlights at a relaxed pace. On the second day, you can comfortably head to the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu (both sights are below 3,000 meters).

Only after a few days, once you’ve acclimatized well, should you go on longer hikes.

Highlights you should save for at least 3 full days into your time in the highlands include Rainbow Mountain, a Machu Picchu hike like the Salkantay Trek, and Laguna Humantay.

Early symptoms of altitude sickness include dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. Coca tea and rest can help with these.
More severe symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and confusion.

If you experience severe altitude sickness, you should descend to a lower altitude as quickly as possible and seek medical attention if needed.

The Best Time to Visit Cusco

The best time to visit Cusco is generally the dry season from May through October. During this time, you’ll mostly have sunshine and dry weather — perfect conditions for sightseeing and hiking!

However, July and August are peak season — the sights are even more crowded than during other months.

We also recommend the shoulder months of April and November. It rains a bit more often then, but the weather is usually still good and Cusco is less busy.

We’d advise against the rainy months of December through March, as heavy rainfall can be dangerous, especially for bus trips and hikes.

Safety in Cusco

Cusco is generally a safe travel destination in Peru. We felt very safe in Cusco. However, you do need to watch out for pickpockets.

Because the city is so touristy and it can get chaotic around the main sights, theft happens frequently. Always keep your valuables close to your body.

Beyond that, you should avoid going out at night in areas away from the city center and stay away from protests.

During heavy rainfall and bad weather, try to stay at your accommodation as much as possible, since landslides are not uncommon in Peru. Avoid being on hiking trails or mountain roads with switchbacks in those conditions.