Cusco, Peru, is renowned for its colourful festivals, where age-old traditions and lively celebrations bring the city to life.

When arriving in Cusco (or Cuzco, even Qosqo in the native Quechua language), we immediately feel the cold, pure mountain air. In the Andes, there is not a pronounced difference between summer and winter, but in July, the nights are cold while the days can be bright and warm.

Situated atop Pukamuqu hill, we spot the 8-metre-high white Jesus statue, Cristo Blanco, visible across the city. A gift from Arabic Palestinians after World War II, it slightly resembles the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro and offers panoramic views over Cusco and the surrounding Andes.

Where to Stay in Cusco, Peru?

The hotels below all enjoy excellent locations in the heart of the charming Inca capital, Cusco, and are conveniently close to the city’s historical and cultural sights.

 
What are the must-see attractions in Cusco?
High in the Andes, Cusco, Peru, the ancient Inca capital, invites us to explore its captivating sights and attractions. Plazas, temples, and colourful neighbourhoods reveal centuries of history, while markets and local traditions give the city its unique vibe.

Strolling through the streets, we are constantly reminded that Cusco is not only a vibrant Peruvian city but also the heart of the historic Incan Empire, with its remarkable architecture and enduring culture visible wherever we turn.

1. Plaza de Armas – Central Plaza of the Incas in Peru

Exploring Cusco, we soon discover why it is considered a true gem. The city’s well-preserved remains from the Inca period are noticeable everywhere, and the rich Peruvian Inca civilisation has left an enduring legacy in its construction techniques, culture, and language. As the former religious and administrative Inca capital between 1400 and 1534, ancient Cusco stands today as one of the most important cultural heritage sites left by the Incas in Peru.

Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s Vibrant Historic Centre in Peru

Walking into Plaza de Armas, one of the city’s great treasures, we are stepping onto what was once a major ceremonial centre where Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, was celebrated. Today, the square is framed by the Cathedral, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the Museum of Natural History, charming colonial balconies, museums, and a variety of restaurants, hotels, and tour operators.

Sightseeing at Plaza de Armas in Cusco City, Peru.

The square remains the heart and soul of Cusco, alive from morning to night. People are resting on the benches, soaking up the Andean sun and atmosphere, while local street vendors wander among them selling artwork, woven textiles, bamboo flutes, refreshing drinks, and countless handmade crafts. It does not take long before we find ourselves simply watching the rhythm of daily life unfold around us.

2. Cusco Cathedral – Heart of the City

Visit the Cathedral at the Plaza de Armas in the Historic Heart of Cusco, Peru

When we step into Plaza de Armas, we are immediately drawn to the impressive Cusco Cathedral, or Catedral Basílica de la Virgen de la Asunción. Built between 1559 and 1654, it rises on the foundations of the former Inca temple Kiswarkancha, a reminder of how the Spanish conquistadors replaced the Inca religion in Cusco and Peru with Catholic Christianity. The Incas in Peru were even forced to take part in the Cathedral’s construction, adding a poignant layer to its history.

As we stroll around Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, we notice the smaller Iglesia del Triunfo beside the Cathedral, adding another layer of history to the city’s main square. On the opposite side, the elegant Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús) completes the scene. Founded by the Jesuit Order of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, it later became linked to the Saint Ignatius of Loyola University, now part of the Universidad Nacional San Antonio de Abad.

Throughout Cusco city, colourfully dressed local Peruvians catch the eye, sometimes walking with their alpacas.

Exploring these churches in Cusco, we find it fascinating to see Inca stonework and colonial façades side by side, revealing the rich history that shapes this remarkable Andean capital.

3. Korikancha – The Courtyard of Gold in the Inca Capital

Exploring Cusco, we cannot miss Korikancha, or Qorikancha in Quechua, once the most important and lavish temple in the Inca Empire. Its name means ‘courtyard of gold’, and in its heyday, hundreds of gold panels and statues would have glittered in the sun, visible across the valley. The temple was dedicated to the worship of the sun and also functioned as an astronomical observatory. During the summer solstice, sunlight shone directly into a sacred chamber, a testament to the Incas’ incredible engineering skills.

Korikancha, constructed by the Incas in Peru | Photo: Hugo Hiram

Visiting today, we wander among the stone walls and courtyards where the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and convent now stand. Much of the original Inca temple was destroyed after the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, its gold plundered and stones reused to build colonial churches and houses. Yet the Inca masonry remains astonishingly precise and stable, withstanding centuries and even earthquakes.

It is easy to imagine the brilliance of Korikancha in its golden prime, enhanced by plates of gold added by Pachakutiq Inca Yupanqui and the statues that once adorned the courtyard. While the gold is gone, the skill of the Incas endures. Nearby, the famous Twelve-Angled Stone in a palace wall offers another glimpse of the remarkable stonework that defines Cusco, the heart of Peru’s Inca capital.

Photo: Travel In Culture

4. Inca Streets and the Twelve-Angled Stone

Wandering through the narrow Inca streets of Cusco, Peru, we are absorbed in the remarkable stonework that still defines the old Inca capital. Massive walls built with incredible precision line the lanes, each stone fitting perfectly without mortar, and it is impossible not to pause and admire the craftsmanship as sunlight catches the smooth, centuries-old surfaces. Following the flow of visitors and locals, we reach the famous Twelve-Angled Stone on Hatun Rumiyoc Street, and seeing it up close, we understand why it has become one of the most iconic Cusco sights.

Exploring these historic Inca streets, where history meets everyday life, adds a final layer to our experience of Cusco attractions and its extraordinary Inca heritage.

Photo: Travel In Culture

5. Sacsayhuaman – Citadel of the Inca Capital

Sacsayhuaman, or Saqsaywaman, often playfully pronounced ‘Sexy Woman’, is another outstanding Inca construction perched on a steep hill overlooking Cusco. That means a brisk walk up to the impressive citadel, but the views and sense of history make it entirely worthwhile. Like Korikancha, it was dedicated to the sun, Inti, and occupies the upper part of the city. In the 13th century, the Incas in Peru built this complex using huge stones, meticulously cut and fitted together without mortar.

Sacsayhuaman | Photo: Tracy Clark

Strolling around the fortress, you cannot help being captivated by the sheer size and precision of the stacked stones. It is believed that around 20,000 men transported the massive rocks from quarries across the Cusco region. Spending a couple of hours here, exploring the details and imagining life in the Inca capital, is one of the top, most exceptional things to do in Cusco city.

Many travellers to Peru combine a visit to Sacsayhuaman with neighbouring Inca sites and ruins in the city such as Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, each adding another piece to the story of Cusco and its remarkable Inca heritage. Visiting these sights is a captivating way to experience the culture and history of the ancient Inca capital.

6. Festival Attractions in Cusco

Plaza de Armas is the focal point for many of Cusco’s festivals, some of which have deep roots in ancient Inca traditions. One of the most famous in Cusco is the Inca Sun Festival, Inti Raymi, held every June at the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuaman.

Photo: Travel In Culture

During our stay, Plaza de Armas feels different each day. One morning it becomes the stage for a powerful demonstration with banners waving above the crowd. The next, it transforms into the centre of a colourful school carnival. We happen to arrive on one of these carnival days, and it is an extraordinary experience.

One of the famous attractions in Cusco city is the carnival processions.

Dozens of schools take part, turning the plaza into a joyful spectacle of dance, music and colour. The participants, dressed in elaborate traditional costumes, move in perfectly rehearsed groups to lively Andean rhythms. Crowds gather early to watch, and soon every step of the Cathedral is filled with both local spectators and visitors. It is clear that festivals are still very much part of Cusco’s living culture, not merely remnants of the past.

Carnival parade | Photo: Travel In Culture

7. San Pedro Market

Visiting the immense covered San Pedro Market, or Mercado Central de San Pedro, is an experience that immediately draws us into the everyday life of Cusco. The market is enormous, with entire sections dedicated to every imaginable product. Piles of potatoes, loaves of fresh bread, cheese, chicken, flowers, street food and woven textiles fill the hall. We quickly find ourselves wishing we had a reason to buy and try more of the wonderful produce on display. The crowd is a lively mix of locals doing their daily shopping and curious visitors exploring one of Cusco’s most vibrant sights.

Photo: Travel In Culture

The female vendors sell pineapple slices, bananas, snacks, corn and street food from wheelbarrows and carts. Freshly slaughtered meat hangs beside baskets of olives, heaps of rice and a colourful array of exotic fruit. Among it all are traditional fabrics, woven dolls and every kind of hat, scarf and sock you can imagine. Stepping outside, we find the surrounding streets just as lively, crowded with market stalls, shoeshine boys and people rushing by. The descendants of the Incas in Peru contribute to the character and atmosphere here, adding another dimension to the charm of the ancient Inca capital.

Sale of fruit and vegetables from wheelbarrows and carts in the streets | Photo: Travel In Culture

San Pedro is, however, one of Cusco’s more tourist-oriented markets. If you are looking for a more local shopping experience and lower prices, you can explore the Saturday Baratillo Market on Avenida del Ejército, the Mercado Artesanal in Avenida Tullumayo, or the smaller market streets just south of the historic centre.

8. Backstreets of Cusco’s Markets

Besides the historical Inca ruins and culture, one of the most memorable attractions in the Inca capital of Cusco is found in the market streets just south of San Pedro Market. This is not the place for woven blankets or the usual tourist souvenirs seen elsewhere in Cusco. Instead, these backstreets reveal the everyday life of the city, with locals buying ingredients for cooking and other daily needs.

Freshly slaughtered hens with their feet still attached are sold straight from the street stalls.

Freshly slaughtered chickens and hens with feet, tiny bird eggs, shoelaces, matches, empanadas, boiled giant corn cobs, glasses of squeezed orange juice and slices of pineapple all contribute to the charm of the area. Fruit and vegetables are sold directly from carts in the streets, each vendor specialising in something specific.

On one street corner we come across a bustling blue-jeans market, where women in colourful traditional dress sit along the walls with their supplies spread out before them.

The Local Blue-Jean Market.

Walking through the lanes, we pass piles of avocados, sliced pineapples and small mountains of nuts. Women bend over fruit to test the softness of the avocados, carefully choosing the best ones. The atmosphere is intense, vibrant and wonderfully local, making it a truly fascinating highlight of Cusco.

Stopping for a break, we try the menu del día in a tiny restaurant, where two courses and a drink cost only five soles. As always, the starter is a soup, often featuring vegetables we cannot quite identify. Offered lomo saltado, ají de gallina or pollo for the main course, we choose the chicken and enjoy a simple but satisfying local meal.

Photo: Travel In Culture

9. Plaza San Francisco

Another lovely square is Plaza San Francisco, framed by shops and cafés and dominated by the fabulous Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco de Asís, from which the plaza takes its name. Today, the church also functions as a museum. The convent was established by the Francisco de Toledo order in 1572. Plaza San Francisco is a lively spot, perfect for people-watching. Locals and visitors alike gather here, enjoying the Andean sun and the vibrant atmosphere.

Descendants of the Incas in Peru continue to wear traditional, colourful skirts, alpaca shawls and hats. The iconic, striped aguayo or manta, a rectangular cloth used for carrying items on the back, remains a staple in Andean communities, rooted in the Aymara and Quechua cultures. Women often carry their children in aguayos while going about their daily routines, making it a natural and practical part of life.

Feria Artesanal, Cusco | Photo: Travel In Culture

Just off the plaza, we wander into a small courtyard where the Feria Artesanal De Productores El Marquez San Francisco is in full swing. Colourful stalls spill over with alpaca clothing, blankets, rugs and handcrafted goods, each item reflecting the skill and traditions of the local artisans. We pause to admire the intricate weaving and vibrant patterns, considering whether to make a buy. Exploring the quaint market is a charming way to experience local life and craftsmanship in the heart of Cusco.

10. Inka and Coca Museums in Cusco, Peru

Cusco is home to several fascinating museum attractions. The Inka Museum, Museo Inka, just a short walk from Plaza de Armas, showcases Inca and pre-Inca artefacts, including mummies, skulls, and artwork, offering an immersive experience of the city’s Inca heritage.

Nearby, the Museo de Arte Precolombino, part of the Larco Museum in Lima, displays around 400 pre-Columbian art pieces, revealing the creativity of ancient Peruvian civilisations. It is a must-visit for those exploring Cusco’s cultural sights.

The Andean Mountains rise in the distance, framing the scene in the San Blas neighbourhood.

In the San Blas district, the Coca Museum highlights the history and cultural significance of the coca plant, traditionally used in medicine and rituals, and still valued today for easing altitude sickness, or soroche. Sitting at 3,400 metres (11,000 feet), Cusco can affect newcomers, and locals recommend a cup of fresh ‘mate de coca’ tea to help adjust to the altitude. Visiting these museums is one of the most unique things to do in Cusco, offering a fascinating insight into the city’s Inca attractions and cultural heritage.

11. San Blas Neighbourhood, Cusco, Peru

Sightseeing at the San Blas neighbourhood, Cusco.

Perched above central Cusco, the San Blas neighbourhood is quieter, picturesque and full of charm, with artisans, local crafts and cosy cafés lining the narrow streets. Often described as bohemian, the Plazoleta de San Blas sits at the heart of steep, cobblestone lanes, many of which are pedestrian-only.

After the arrival of the Spaniards, the area gradually took on colonial architecture infused with Andean touches. The San Blas Temple by the quaint square is the oldest church in Cusco city, famed for its cedar woodcarving, cut from a single tree trunk. Today, the square is framed by traditional galleries, workshops, bars and restaurants, making it one of the must-visit spots in the Inca capital.

The neighbourhood is perfect for strolling, exploring artisan shops, and enjoying the views from the various observatories and viewpoints scattered among the rustic walls and houses. Do not miss the Mirador de Plaza San Cristobal a little further along. As you wander, you may even encounter vividly dressed local women with their alpacas, sitting on doorsteps or chatting, adding a lively, authentic touch to your walk.

Need more information for your Cusco and Peru itinerary and sightseeing? Check out our Things to Do in Peru – 8-Day Itinerary for tips on top sights, activities, and planning your trip.

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