The Imperial City is one of the main tourist destinations in Peru. Discover all the things to do in Cusco. Hikes, Restaurants, Museums, and much more.

2. Cusco, the recognized navel of the world for the Inca Culture, was the home of the Inca Empire and from where it was
headed. This destination will not only leave you wanting more, but it will also take a few days to fully contemplate it.
Cusco is a mandatory stop for those looking to tour the Inca archaeological complex. In the time of the Incas, the city
had a huge main square where all the ceremonies were held. There were many ornate temples to see and it is said that
most were covered in gold. These days you can only see the foundations of the Inca temples since when the Spanish
arrived they sent most of the gold to Spain and dismantled most of the temples. Today, thousands of tourists flock to
the Inca city each year to experience all the beauty of this fascinating city. That is why, together with Machu Travel Peru,
we have prepared a small article for when you decide to visit the Imperial City. We will show you the best things to do in
Cusco.
• Visit the Plaza de Armas
• Get to know the Inca Museum
• Venture through epic settings on a horseback tour
• Inca trail to Machu Picchu
• Explore Coricancha
• Go up to one of the fascinating viewpoints
• Visit Sacsaywayhman, PukaPukara, Tambo Mochay,
and Qenko
• Tour the San Blas neighborhood
• Buy at San Pedro market
• Test its incomparable cuisine
• Nightlife in Cusco
• Cusco Planetary
• Cooking workshops Look at the twelve angled stone
Day trip to the Rainbow Mountain

3. VISIT THE PLAZA DE ARMAS
Let us start with the Plaza de Armas, located in the center
of the city. Before the Spanish invasion, the Plaza de Armas
was already an important center for the Inca and it was
twice the size. When the Spanish arrived they built their
houses and churches around the plaza making it smaller
than the original size. Today, it is one of the top attractions
in Cusco, where most tourists and locals take a break and
enjoy the outdoors. Along the square, you will find different
bars, restaurants, and cafes where you can spend the
afternoon and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. In the
center, there is a beautifully manicured garden and it is in
the square where most public events take place. If you are
on a tight budget, spending a sunny afternoon in the banks
is a perfect pretext to meet new people or simply marvel at
the simplicity of things. Around, you will also find beautiful
cathedrals and churches to explore and visit. A place you
cannot miss inside the city.

4. GET TO KNOW THE INCA MUSEUM
One of the best things to do in Cusco is to learn the
history of the empire at the huge Inca Museum. This
museum is run by the San Antonio Abad University of
Cusco. It has a huge collection of artifacts found in the
equally impressive colonial home of a Spanish admiral.
You will be able to tour twenty-four exhibition rooms
that are filled with information dating from pre-Inca
societies to the height of the Inca Empire and the
Spanish conquest. One of the things that stands out
the most is the mummified bodies in the museum, as
well as the courtyard where Andean women weave
textiles. Fortunately, the information is presented in
both English and Spanish. But it is also advisable to
hire a guide for a small fee, as it makes visiting the
huge museum easier.

5. VENTURE THROUGH EPIC SETTINGS ON A HORSEBACK TOUR
With so many settings and landscapes to appreciate, one of the best things to do in Cusco is horseback riding. You will be
able to appreciate the Imperial City from a totally different perspective. Dare to explore the surroundings on a horseback tour,
a fun and unique way to experience Peru. Witness the breathtaking views of the landscapes and the city. Plus with so many
destinations to explore, you can opt for full-day or half-day tours.
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of
the best hiking trails. Although it is not an activity within
Cusco, it is one of the reasons why people travel to the
city. Being able to visit Machu Picchu is a unique
experience, but being able to complement it with the
Inca Trail only makes it better. You can walk the
pilgrimage route that the ancient Incas used to do.
However, if you prefer a luxury route, you can tour the
valley on the many scenic trains. Whatever your decision,
both options will take you to the magical Inca citadel.

6. EXPLORE CORICANCHA
Walk along Av. Sol away from the Plaza and you will
arrive at the Coricancha complex, also known as
the Convent of Santo Domingo. This was the most
important temple of the Inca Empire: La Casa del
Sol. It is believed that all the walls were once
covered with solid gold, while the courtyards and
niches featured heavy gold statues. This church is a
recent addition, the Inca foundations remain
unchanged.

7. VISIT SACSAYWAYHMAN, PUKAPURA, TAMBO MOCHAY AND QENKO
On the outskirts of the city are four Cusco archaeological sites
that you should take the time to visit. These are
Sacsaywayhman, PukaPukara, Tambo Mochay, and Qenko. All are
of significant importance to the Incas, but they were mostly
destroyed by the Spanish conquerors. If you choose to take a
city tour, these ruins will be included as part of your tour. The
ruins are worth a visit, so take some time to discover them. The
fortified complex of Sacsaywayhman is one of the must-see
places in Peru. To get to the well-known complex, you have a 45-
minute walk from the city center or much less if you go by bus.
According to historians, the place had a religious and military
function. The construction of its walls is a great mystery to this
day, with stone blocks weighing up to 300 tons each. Being able
to visit the place is an incredible experience for the varied and
beautiful views that you will be able to observe. One of the best
things to do in Cusco, don’t miss it for anything.

8. TOUR THE SAN BLAS NEIGHBORHOOD
The San Blas area in Cusco should be on your list of
places to go. This unique place is located on the hill
from Plaza de Armas and is a popular tourist hub for
locals and newcomers. Known as the artists’ district,
the area has a small square frequented by locals and
non-locals who want to sell their wares. You will find
many vegetarian restaurants, art workshops,
souvenir shops, and much more. What stands out the
most in Plaza San Blas is the Church. The church is
quite simple from the outside. Inside, however, you
will see one of Cusco’s main attractions: an
intricately designed wooden pulpit Baroque. There are
many myths about the creation of this pulpit and
there is an audio guide available that will tell you a
few. If you are looking for things to do in Cusco, look
no further.

9. BUY AT SAN PEDRO MARKET
Very close to the Plaza de Armas, you can enjoy one of
the largest and busiest markets in Cusco. The Mercado
de San Pedro is a perfect opportunity to meet the tastes
of the locals and marvel at everything they offer. The
market is large and offers a variety of things that would
entice you to visit. When you first enter, there are a
variety of beautiful souvenirs on offer for sale. Walk
further down the market and stalls are selling fresh
juices of any variety you choose. Visit the people who sell
all kinds of fruits and vegetables and even meat and
chicken are available to buy. For an inexpensive meal, try
a menu that includes an inexpensive soup, entrée, and
drink. Food stalls will be packed with locals having lunch,
so look for the most popular ones. Among all the famous
places in Peru, this market occupies an important
position, so you cannot miss it

10. TEST ITS INCOMPARABLE CUISINE
One of the best things to do in Cusco is to try the famous
and renowned Peruvian cuisine. And in the Imperial City,
you can take the opportunity to try different traditional
dishes. No need to go to fancy international restaurants.
You will find Andean flavors throughout the city. There are
many places with personal touches and even general
dining rooms where you can eat a menu at a very
affordable price. For those interested, there are also
many Peruvian cooking courses for when you return home
and show off your new skills. If you’re worried about your
stomach, don’t worry, as Cusco has some of the best
restaurants in Peru. Try Cicciolina or Limo for a great
combination of Peruvian and modern cuisine. Also, there
are many vegetarian restaurants in Cusco for those who
are vegetarians.

11. NIGHTLIFE IN CUSCO
Cusco is a city with a very active nightlife. You know, not
everything is guided tours and museums. You can enjoy
the many bars and clubs in Cusco. With different
approaches and for all types of public, the discos and
bars in Cusco are an excellent opportunity to relax with
friends and drink or dance for a while. If you are wondering
if Cusco is safe to travel to, the answer is yes. Even at
night, you don’t have to worry as you keep an eye on your
belongings.

12. COOKING WORKSHOPS
After tasting the local food, learn how to prepare it in a
traditional Andean cooking workshop. From creating your
chocolate with fresh Amazonian cocoa at the
Chocomuseo to selecting the right spices for the perfect
ceviche. The possibilities are endless. Cooking
workshops allow you to experience Andean culture and
tradition and develop your knowledge of some of the best
recipes from the Andes.

13. LOOK AT THE TWELVE ANGLE STONE
Hidden among the narrow streets of the historic center of
the city, is the stone of the twelve angles. This
architectural marvel has 12 perfectly crafted angles that
fit seamlessly into the Inca wall. It is located in the alley
of Hatunrumiyoc. The stone itself is relatively large and
forms part of the wall of the Archbishop’s Palace. You will
be able to see it by the large crowd that generally
surrounds the area. Please note that it is strictly
forbidden to touch the walls and the stone itself.

14. DAY TRIP AT THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
If you have already explored the city in all its corners, the
different day trips are quite incredible. Rainbow Mountain
is one of these incredible hikes that you cannot miss.
Rainbow Mountain stands at an elevation of 17,000 feet
at sea level. But do not worry about the height, there is
also the option of riding a mule or horse. This walk is one
of the most popular in the City of Cusco.

15. “A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS
WITH ONE STEP
.”

16. We hope together with Machu Travel Peru to have been helpful. Remember that you can do much more in
the beautiful Imperial City. These are just some very popular examples with tourists and newcomers. If you
want to know more about the different tours of the city, you can consult with our qualified advisers. Peru
has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism
sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and any tours
around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
Visit: www.machutravelperu.com