Cusco is one of those places that doesn’t ease you in gently. It drops you straight into thin air, ancient history, and sensory overload. One moment you’re admiring the Andes, the next you’re wondering if your headache is from altitude or awe. Probably both.
Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Cusco—blending iconic landmarks, local culture, and a few honest solo traveler truths.
Before anything else, Cusco introduces itself through the Andes. Flying from Lima, they’re visible peeking through the clouds. (Sit on the left side on the way there).
You feel there impact almost immediately. At over 11,000 feet above sea level, the altitude hits hard. Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue are common—even for seasoned travelers. Take it slow on your first day. Hydrate, avoid alcohol, and try coca tea, a traditional remedy locals swear by. Every hotel, restaurant and store has coca leaves, and I advise you to get used to it. I also took elevation medication, and that helped a ton after two days of headaches.
How do you avoid altitude sickness in Cusco?
A: Rest your first day, drink plenty of water, try coca tea, and avoid heavy meals and alcohol.
Explore Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is more than a pretty square—it was once the center of the Inca Empire. There are dozens of great shops (costs will be most expensive around the square), restaurants and events happening in and around the square.
Today, it’s a vibrant gathering place filled with:
- Cultural performances and parades
- Festivals like Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
- Restaurants, shops, and endless people-watching
A close-up view of the tiered stone base of the central fountain in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, whose stepped design gives it a pyramid-like appearance. You’ll feel the layers of history here—Inca foundations beneath Spanish colonial facades.
Is there a pyramid in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas?
A: No, the structure in the center is a fountain topped with a statue of an Inca ruler, often identified as Pachacuti—not a pyramid.
Visit Cusco Cathedral
The Cusco Cathedral (Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption) is one of the most important landmarks in the city. And you can just walk right in!
Built in 1654 on top of an Inca temple (Kiswarkancha), it represents a fusion of cultures:
- Gothic-Renaissance architecture
- Intricate gold and silver colonial craftsmanship
- Indigenous interpretations in religious art
Why is Cusco Cathedral famous?
A: It’s known for blending Spanish colonial design with Inca foundations and indigenous artwork. If you’re an architecture lover like me, put it on your list.
Get Lost in San Blas
San Blas has a reputation as Cusco’s “artist district”—and while that label can feel curated, it still delivers. There is another smaller square here filled with shops and a weekend market. There are vendors lined up along the walls selling handcrafted goods.
This community is on a hillside and made of stairs, so bring your good knees.
Expect:
- Handcrafted jewelry and textiles
- Street vendors and small galleries
- A slightly more relaxed, bohemian vibe with lots of stairs
Stop by the San Blas Market for a more local feel. Go inside the market for food, a little cafe, vendors and a street fair vibe.
Wander to the Sapantiana Aqueduct
A short walk from the center takes you to a quieter, almost hidden gem: the Sapantiana Colonial Aqueduct. Keep in mind, Cusco is built on mountains, so short does not mean easy. It’s all uphill, or if you’re lucky, downhill.
Built in a mountainous region with uneven terrain and seasonal rainfall, the city relied on carefully engineered channels to bring fresh water from nearby springs and rivers into urban spaces. This three-tiered stone structure:
- Dates back to the 17th–18th century
- Was built by Jesuits to supply water
- Features a small waterfall that makes it feel like a secret escape
It’s one of the few places in Cusco where you can pause and breathe. There are plenty of little shops and vendors, and tourists just hanging around.
Explore Saqsaywaman
Just outside the city sits Saqsaywaman, a massive Inca citadel known for its impossibly precise stonework. Can you walk? I did it, so yes. Do I advise it? Not really. Unless you’re prepping for Machu Picchu, then give those lungs a workout!
What truly sets Saqsaywaman apart is the sheer audacity of its construction. The site is built from massive limestone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, carved and fitted together with such precision that not even a blade of grass can slip between them—without the use of mortar, metal tools or modern machinery.
Highlights:
- Giant stones fitted together without mortar
- Zigzagging defensive walls
- Sweeping views over Cusco
The zigzagging walls aren’t just visually striking; they’re believed to represent the teeth of a puma, an animal sacred in Inca cosmology. It’s the kind of place that makes you question how it was even built, and archaeologists are still searching for those answers today.
Dive Into Mercado San Pedro
If you want real, unfiltered Cusco—this is it. There is no place more lively than the Mercado San Pedro. Get yourself a meal, holiday decor, clothing, rare jewelry, a goat or some fresh cheese. If you can imagine it, you’ll find it here.
Mercado San Pedro is:
- Loud, chaotic, and fascinating
- Packed with fresh produce, herbs, meats, and street food
- A place where you can eat, shop, and question everything you’re seeing
It’s not polished—but that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting. Chaos at its finest!
Take a Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is stunning—but intense. If you didn’t have altitude sickness before, you will now. If you take a car, you’ll go from about 7,000 to 16,000 feet of elevation in a few hours, and it’s brutal. Maybe your lungs are better than mine. If not, take medication or coca.
What to know:
- Elevation reaches over 16,000 feet
- Many visitors rent horses for the climb (highly advise unless your in good shape with great lungs) The horse doesn’t take you all the way, so you’ll still have a steep hike.
- Local guides often run alongside the horses (!), leading the horses up
It’s physically demanding, but the surreal colors make it unforgettable. I would do it again and again, happily (if I survived twice).
Is Rainbow Mountain worth it?
A: Yes, but only if you’re acclimated to the altitude—it’s a challenging hike at extreme elevation.
Visit Sacred Valley & Pisac
A trip to Cusco isn’t complete without the Sacred Valley—especially Pisac. Bring your money because the alpaca textiles are irresistible.
Here you’ll find:
- Inca ruins shaped (symbolically) like animals such as the condor
- Expansive agricultural terraces
- Local villages where women demonstrate traditional textile-making using natural dyes
You may even see how vibrant reds come from a cactus-based insect—a detail you won’t forget.
See a Condor at Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary
At the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, you can see rescued Andean wildlife up close, including the iconic condor. The Andean condor is one of the most powerful symbols in Inca culture, representing the connection between the earthly world and the heavens. With a wingspan that can reach up to 10 feet, it’s one of the largest flying birds in the world.
It’s a meaningful stop if you want:
- Ethical wildlife encounters
- Education about native species
- A chance to see one of the largest flying birds in the world
Meet Llamas & Shop Alpaca Goods
Yes, there are llamas, but especially alpacas—everywhere! And yes, you’ll want everything made from alpaca. If you leave Peru without an alpaca blanket, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. I’m wrapped. in mine right now and I couldn’t be happier.
From sweaters to scarves, Cusco is full of:
- High-quality alpaca wool goods
- Colorful traditional designs
- Handmade souvenirs
Just be ready to exercise some self-control… or not. This is what money is for.
Bonus Stops Worth Exploring
- Temple of the Moon – a quieter archaeological site with spiritual significance. Carved directly into rock, this cave-like sanctuary is believed to have been used for Inca ceremonies tied to lunar cycles, fertility and the rhythms of nature. Inside, you’ll find smooth stone altars and shadowed chambers that create an almost otherworldly stillness, as if the space was designed as much for spiritual connection as for ritual.
- Museo Casa Concha: Chances are you’re in Cusco because you’re visiting Machu Picchu. This museum is housed in a beautifully preserved colonial mansion built atop Inca foundations, the museum holds hundreds of artifacts originally taken from Machu Picchu in the early 20th century and later returned to Peru.
- Local jewelry workshops – where you can watch artisans shape stone and metal by hand. Stop by any jewelry stores on the side of the road in the Sacred Valley and you’ll find craftspeople making fine silver jewelry. Buy it!
Whatever you do when you visit, know Cusco isn’t just a checklist of sites—it’s a sensory experience. Come prepared, take your time, and let the city reveal itself to you.
Let’s Connect!
Sign up for monthly Email or Connect on Social Media
