Discover the magic of the Inca Empire's capital. Explore its cobbled streets, sacred temples, and megalithic fortresses before leaving for Machu Picchu.
It is a common mistake among travelers to use the city of Cusco only as a layover or a dormitory before taking the train to Machu Picchu. Cusco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the political, administrative, and religious capital of the Inca Empire (Tahuantinsuyo) and is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas.
Dedicating at least one full day (or two half days) to explore the historical center will allow you to understand the dramatic history of the clash between the Andean and Spanish cultures. Furthermore, walking its streets at 3,400 meters above sea level is the perfect activity to keep you active while your body acclimatizes to the altitude during your first 48 hours in the region.
The Plaza de Armas: The Heart of Cusco Known in Inca times as Huacaypata (Place of crying or meeting), it is the mandatory starting point of any tour. Unlike other colonial squares, Cusco's is surrounded by imposing mountains and stone architecture. Here you will immediately notice the architectural miscegenation: beautiful colonial arches with carved wooden balconies resting directly on ancient polished stone foundations. It is the perfect place to sit on the benches, observe the city's rhythm, take pictures, and visit the dozens of cafes with panoramic balconies that surround it.
Cusco Cathedral and its Syncretic Art Located in the Plaza de Armas itself, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin was built over the palace of Inca Wiracocha. Its construction took almost a century, and the stones to build it were extracted and transported from the Sacsayhuamán fortress. Inside, it houses more than 300 paintings from the "Cusco School". The most fascinating detail for visitors is looking for the subtle inclusions of Andean culture in Catholic art, such as the famous painting of "The Last Supper" by painter Marcos Zapata, where Jesus Christ and his disciples are about to dine on roasted guinea pig (cuy), surrounded by Andean papaya and chicha.
Qorikancha: The Golden Temple of the Incas A few blocks from the square is the Qorikancha, which was the most important religious center of the entire empire, dedicated to the Sun God (Inti). According to chroniclers, its walls were completely covered with thick sheets of pure gold that reflected sunlight, and its gardens housed life-size statues of flora and fauna made of precious metals. After the conquest, the Spanish built the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo directly over the Inca temple. The earthquakes of 1650 and 1950 destroyed much of the Spanish building, but the anti-seismic Inca walls withstood the tremors without moving a millimeter, revealing the perfection of Andean engineering.
The Artisan Neighborhood of San Blas Known as the "Balcony of Cusco", San Blas is the bohemian neighborhood par excellence. To get there, you must climb the steep and iconic San Blas hill. This sector is famous for its narrow, pedestrian, and cobbled streets, which intertwine among white houses with blue doors. Historically, it was the neighborhood where the Incas relocated the best artisans, goldsmiths, and potters of the empire. Today, it continues to house the workshops of the most prestigious artisan families in the city (like the Mendívils and the Olaves), as well as cozy specialty cafes, independent art galleries, and small vegan restaurants.
San Pedro Market: Local Flavors and Culture If you want to experience the city like a local, you must walk to the San Pedro Central Market, originally designed by Gustave Eiffel himself. It is an explosion of colors, smells, and sounds just five blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Here you can buy fresh coca leaves to combat altitude sickness, try gigantic chuta breads from Oropesa, taste exotic fruit juices from the jungle, and buy textiles at much cheaper prices than in downtown stores. It is the ideal place to eat a cheap and hearty local "menu" for lunch if you want to try traditional broths like chicken diet or hen broth.
The 12-Angled Stone Located on the narrow, pedestrian Hatun Rumiyoc street (on the way to San Blas), this famous diorite rock is part of the wall of the ancient palace of Inca Roca (today the Archbishop's Palace). Its worldwide fame is due to the perfect assembly of its twelve corners with the surrounding rocks, without the use of any mortar or cement. The fit is so exact that it is impossible to slide even a sheet of paper or a needle between the cracks, making it the supreme example of Inca masonry.
Sacsayhuamán: The Megalithic Fortress Leaving the urban center (about 2 kilometers uphill from the square), stands the imposing ceremonial fortress of Sacsayhuamán. It is, without a doubt, the most colossal architectural work built by the Incas. What will leave any visitor breathless is the size of the limestone rocks that form its three zigzag walls. Some of these blocks weigh more than 120 tons and measure up to 9 meters high. To this day, modern engineers debate the exact methods the Incas used to cut, transport, and fit these gigantic stone blocks together. Every June 24th, the famous Inti Raymi is celebrated here.
Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay The classic "City Tour" always includes a visit to Sacsayhuamán and three complementary archaeological sites located a few minutes outside the city:
The Tourist Ticket for the City Tour Just like in the Sacred Valley, most of these sites do not sell individual tickets at the door. To take the tour of the outskirts (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay), it is mandatory to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC).
You can buy the partial ticket (Circuit I) valid for one day, or use your 10-day Integral Ticket if you also plan to visit the Sacred Valley sites. Keep in mind that downtown places like the Cathedral and Qorikancha are not included in the BTC and require separate entrance fees paid directly at their doors (approximately 25 soles for the Cathedral and 20 soles for Qorikancha).
Recommendations for Getting Around the City
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