Things to Do in Cusco
Plan your days in Cusco, your way
Cusco gives you a little of everything, and none of it requires choosing a lane.
Start with the Plaza de Armas, coffee on a balcony while the city parades below.
Spend a morning at Sacsayhuamán, close enough to walk and big enough to impress without a guidebook degree.
Lunch at San Pedro Market is an adventure at whatever pace you like, from fresh juice to a full menú del día.
Wander up into San Blas in the afternoon for artisan shops, quiet lanes, and a mirador over the red rooftops.
Keep one day for Machu Picchu by train, the icon that lives up to every photograph you have seen.
Keep another for the Sacred Valley, where Pisac's market and the Ollantaytambo ruins mix shopping and scenery.
Evenings are easy: a pisco sour near the plaza, maybe live music, dinner that ranges from wood-fired pizza to alpaca steak.
Nothing here demands expertise, fitness, or a plan beyond waking up curious.
Next Escape balances the famous and the found, and Cusco fills in the rest.
Top attractions and places to eat in Cusco
Plaza de Armas
The historic main square of Cusco, framed by the cathedral, colonial arcades, and the Church of the Society of Jesus. The iconic heart of the city and its top gathering and sightseeing spot.
attraction · 4.8 rating
Mercado Central de San Pedro
Cusco's main central market, a bustling hall filled with produce, food stalls, juices, and local goods. A vivid spot to experience local life and sample street food.
attraction · 4.3 rating
Qorikancha
The most important Inca temple in Cusco, dedicated to the sun god, whose superb stonework was overlaid by the colonial Santo Domingo convent. Travelers visit for its remarkable fusion of Inca and Spanish architecture and its central historical significance.
attraction · 4.7 rating
Twelve Angled Stone
A famous Inca stone in a wall on Hatunrumiyoc street in Cusco, precisely cut with twelve angles fitting neighboring stones. Travelers stop to admire this iconic example of Inca masonry.
attraction · 4.6 rating
Cusco Cathedral
A grand colonial cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, built on Inca foundations and filled with religious art and colonial-era paintings. Travelers visit for its architecture, history, and famed Cusco School artwork.
church · 4.6 rating · 25 PEN
Plaza San Blas
A charming square at the heart of Cusco's bohemian San Blas neighborhood, surrounded by whitewashed houses, artisan workshops, and a colonial church. Travelers come for its artsy atmosphere and scenic hillside setting.
attraction · 4.5 rating
Humantay Lake
A stunning turquoise glacial lake set beneath snow-capped peaks in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, reached by a steep high-altitude hike. Travelers come for the dramatic mountain scenery and vivid lake color.
attraction
Atón Cusco
A restaurant in Cusco serving Peruvian cuisine with a focus on local ingredients and traditional dishes. Travelers visit for an authentic taste of Andean and Peruvian flavors.
cafe
Art Gallery Studio
An art gallery and studio space in Cusco displaying and selling works by local artists. Travelers visit to view and purchase original art.
attraction
Arco de Santa Clara, Cuzco Perú
A historic stone archway in Cusco's colonial center, one of the city's old ceremonial gateways. Travelers pass through to admire its architecture and history.
attraction
Balcon del Diablo
A viewpoint and site in Cusco known for its scenic outlook over the surrounding landscape. Travelers go for the panoramic views and photo opportunities.
attraction
Basilica Menor de la Merced
A colonial baroque church and monastery in central Cusco known for its ornate cloisters and a famed jeweled monstrance. Travelers visit for its religious art and Spanish colonial architecture.
attraction
Black Cat Bar Cusco - Craft Cocktails & Spirits
A cocktail bar in Cusco specializing in craft cocktails and spirits in an intimate setting. A destination for travelers seeking an evening of well-made drinks.
bar
Black Llama Coffee
A coffee shop in Cusco serving specialty coffee and light fare. A relaxed stop for travelers seeking quality coffee and a place to rest.
cafe
Bah Bah Persian Garden
A Persian restaurant in Cusco offering Middle Eastern dishes in a garden-themed setting. Travelers come for an unusual change of pace from Andean fare.
restaurant