What to do in Cusco? Places to visit in the Inca city

Cusco is a beautiful city in the Peruvian Andes, full of charm, Inca ruins, restaurants, and many things to do. You can easily fall in love with this city and stay here for weeks. Here are some what to do in cusco and its surroundings:

Exploring the ancient streets of Cusco and the Plaza de Armas

Cusco used to be the historical capital of the Inca Empire, and you can find archaeological remains of Inca stone. There are a lot of interesting places in the city, including the Plaza de Armas (the beautiful main square), Convent of Santo Domingo (Inca temple) impressive cathedrals, incredible museums, San Blas district and much more.

Take your time to marvel at the beautiful streets of ancient Cusco, admiring the unique architecture of the city. Go to one of Cusco’s views to enjoy the great views of the surrounding Andes. It is recommended to buy the Tourist Ticket (Cusco tourist ticket) that will allow you to enter the most interesting archaeological sites and museums of the Incas.

Koricancha or Convent of Santo Domingo

During the times of the Incas, this temple was the richest in the area. It was covered in golden walls and even the life-size statues were made of gold. After the arrival of the Spaniards, the Dominican religious order built the great convent that mixes Inca architecture with colonial architecture.

The Incas’ Sacred Valley

There are many day trips that you can take around the Sacred Valley and near Cusco, allowing you to learn more about the Incas, their lives, their history, and their unique architectures. It is recommended to book guided tours in Cusco, so you can enjoy the ruins while understanding more about the Incas.

Among the most impressive and popular places: Ollantaytambo, Saqsaywaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pukapukara, Moray, Salineras, town of Pisac, and more.

Chocolate workshop – tasty and fun!

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit ChocoMuseo in Cusco and learn about the history of chocolate. In the Choco museum you can find some samples explaining the chocolate making process and taste some delicious samples. Visiting the museum is free, but I recommend participating in chocolate classes. This ‘bean-to-bar’ class lasts about 2 hours, is super fun and very informative, and of course you have to make your own chocolate pieces at the end of the class.

Central Market of San Pedro

I am a fan of the market, and everywhere I travel visiting the local market is one of the first items on my list. San Pedro is a lively market full of local food, fruits and vegetables. You will also find food and juices in the place. If your stomach is strong enough, try them all!

ATV Tours around the Sacred Valley

If you want to enjoy the adrenaline activity while touring some places of interest in the beautiful mountains around Cusco, you should take a ATV tour! The landscape of the surrounding mountains is incredible. Instead of going only for the usual guided tours, go for a fun ride by ATVs to Moray and Salinas de Maras.

If you want to know more, click here

Hike to the Rainbow Mountain Cusco (Vinicunca)

The hike to the rainbow Mountain of a day. The Vinicunca mountain offers you a dreamlike landscape by having the seven colors of the rainbow stacked one on top of the other. Like a multicolored mantle or the reflection of the rainbow on earth, Vinicunca rises to be admired throughout the year.

This destination is more than 5,000 meters high (16,400 feet) and three hours of climbing and another three hours of descent and a little more if you go through the red valley. The radiant sun will accompany you along the route as well as families of South American camelids such as llamas or alpacas, sheep and the imposing landscape of mountains that will be the protagonists of your photographs.

The views up here are very amazing, Rainbow mountain is nice but the red Valley is awesome.

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN AND RED VALLEY

Visit the Humantay Lagoon

Adding a touch of nature to your Cusco experience, you can’t miss a visit to the Humantay Lagoon. Located more than 4000 meters above sea level, this impressive lagoon of turquoise waters is surrounded by imposing mountains and glaciers. To reach the Humantay Lagoon, you can hike for approximately 2 hours from Soraypampa, or take an organized tour that includes transportation and a guide. The natural beauty of this place will leave you breathless and will give you a unique experience in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.

A walk to Machu Picchu

There are many ways to get to Machu Picchu, and most of them start in Cusco. Among the popular treks to Machu Picchu: Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Choquequirao Trek, Inca Jungle trek, and much more. I recommend the Inca Jungle Trek, check it here.

Machu Picchu

If you visit Cusco and do not go to Machu Picchu, it is as if you had not known Cusco. If you are not considering visiting, I would recommend that you reconsider. One of the new wonders of the world, and the amount of tourists that visit it, remains one of my favorite historical sites in the world and tops the list of the best things to do in Cusco. Here you can book a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco here.

If you know more places that I have not mentioned and that travelers should know, do not hesitate to comment, so that more people can have a better trip.

These are just some of the activities and must-see places that Cusco has to offer. But beyond the tourist attractions, the true essence of this city lies in its people, its traditions and its living history. So get ready to immerse yourself in a unique experience, where past and present merge in a magical and unforgettable destination.