I remember the moment the plane doors opened in Cusco. The air was thin, crisp, and cold. I took a deep breath and immediately felt the altitude, but I also felt the magic. This is not just another city. It is the former capital of the Inca Empire, and you can feel that history in every stone.
When I looked at a cuzco south america map before my trip, it looked like a small dot in the Andes. But once I arrived, I realized it is a massive, living museum. The streets are lined with walls built by Incas, and the plazas are filled with women in colorful traditional dress walking llamas.
If you are wondering things to do in cusco peru, you might feel overwhelmed. There is so much to see. You have ancient ruins, Spanish cathedrals, and a food scene that will blow your mind.
During my time here, I walked every cobblestone street I could find. I drank the coca tea, I climbed the hills, and I ate the alpaca. It is a city that demands you slow down, mostly because the altitude forces you to, but also because there is beauty in every corner.
Here is my personal list of the 15 things to do in Cusco that made my trip unforgettable.
1. Stand in the Center of the World at Plaza de Armas
My first stop was the Plaza de Armas. For the Incas, this was the exact center of the world. Today, it is the beating heart of the city.
I sat on a wooden bench and just watched the world go by. The gardens are beautiful and full of flowers. You are surrounded by colonial arcades and two massive churches.
It is the perfect place to acclimatize. I grabbed a coffee from a balcony cafe overlooking the square. Watching the flags flap in the wind and seeing the mix of tourists and locals is one of the best cusco places to see without spending a penny.
2. Get Lost in the San Blas Neighborhood
If you want to see the bohemian side of the city, you have to go to San Blas. It is known as the artisan quarter. But be warned, it involves walking up some steep streets.
I walked up the famous Hatun Rumiyoc street to get there. The vibe in San Blas is completely different. It is quiet, artistic, and relaxed.
The streets are narrow and white. I found tiny shops selling handmade jewelry and art. There is a small plaza at the top with a fountain where I sat and rested my legs. It feels like a village separate from the busy city below.
3. Marvel at the 12 Angled Stone
On your way up to San Blas, you will pass one of the most famous cusco points of interest. It is the 12 Angled Stone.
It is part of an ancient Inca wall on Hatun Rumiyoc street. I almost walked past it because there were so many people taking photos.
When I got close, I was amazed. The stone has twelve distinct corners, and it fits perfectly with the stones around it. There is no mortar or cement. It is just pure engineering genius. I tried to slide a piece of paper between the stones, just like the guidebooks say, and it was impossible.
4. Explore the Chaotic San Pedro Market
For a taste of real local life, I went to the San Pedro Market. It is loud, it is smelly, and it is fantastic.
This is where the locals shop. You walk past aisles of fresh fruit, giant wheels of cheese, and hanging meat.
I sat at one of the juice stalls. The lady made me a fresh mix of orange and passion fruit right in front of me. It was huge and delicious.
You will also see some strange things, like dried llama fetuses and frog soup. It is a sensory overload, but it is one of the essential things to do cusco city offers.
5. See the Golden Temple of Qorikancha
This was one of the most fascinating places I visited. Qorikancha was once the most important temple in the Inca Empire. It was covered in gold sheets.
When the Spanish arrived, they built a church right on top of it. Today, you can see the dark, smooth Inca walls sitting underneath the colonial architecture.
I walked through the courtyards and saw the niches where golden idols used to sit. The contrast between the two cultures is stark. It is a visual history lesson of the conquest.
6. Hike up to Sacsayhuaman
You cannot visit Cusco without seeing Sacsayhuaman. It is a massive fortress that sits on a hill overlooking the city.
I decided to walk up from the Plaza. It is a steep climb, and I had to stop to catch my breath a few times. But the ruins are worth it.
The stones here are gigantic. Some of them weigh over 100 tons. I stood next to one and felt like an ant. It is a mystery how they moved them.
There is also a natural rock slide called the “Rodadero.” I watched kids and adults sliding down the smooth rock. I gave it a try myself and it was surprisingly fun.
7. Take in the View at Cristo Blanco
Since I was already at Sacsayhuaman, I walked a little further to see Cristo Blanco. It is a large white statue of Jesus that stands with open arms over the city.
It looks a bit like the one in Rio, but smaller. The statue itself is nice, but the real reason to go is the view.
I went just before sunset. You can see the entire city spread out below you in the valley. The red tile roofs look beautiful in the golden light. It is one of the best cusco peru attractions for photographers.
8. Learn About the Leaf at the Coca Museum
I kept seeing people chewing green leaves, so I went to the Coca Museum to learn why. It is a small museum near San Blas.
I learned that coca leaves are sacred to the Andean people. They are not a drug in their natural form. They are used for energy and to help with altitude sickness.
The museum explains the history and the conflict surrounding the plant. I even bought some coca candies at the gift shop. They actually helped with my headache!
9. Make Your Own Bar at the ChocoMuseo
Did you know Peru produces some of the best chocolate in the world? I didn’t until I visited the ChocoMuseo.
I signed up for a workshop. It was hands on and very messy. We roasted the cacao beans, peeled them, and ground them into a paste.
Then we got to make our own chocolates with different toppings. While the chocolates were cooling, I drank hot chocolate tea. It was a fun break from all the history and hiking.
10. Visit the Cusco Cathedral
Back at the Plaza de Armas, I went inside the massive Cusco Cathedral. From the outside, it looks imposing. Inside, it is filled with silver and gold art.
I took a tour to learn about the paintings. The most famous one is a version of the Last Supper by a local artist.
If you look closely at the table in the painting, Jesus and his disciples are about to eat a guinea pig (cuy). It is a funny and unique example of how local culture mixed with religion.
11. Discover Art at the Museo de Arte Precolombino
I am not usually a big museum person, but the Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) is different. It is located in a beautiful colonial house with a quiet courtyard.
The collection focuses on art from before the Spanish arrived. The pottery and gold pieces are displayed beautifully with great lighting.
It is small enough that you don’t get tired, but big enough to be impressive. It is a quiet, peaceful spot to escape the busy streets.
12. Walk Through the Inca Stone Archway
Walking around the city, I found the Arco de Santa Clara. It is a stone archway near the San Pedro Market.
It was built in the 19th century to celebrate the confederation of Peru and Bolivia. It is not an Inca ruin, but it is a beautiful landmark.
I walked through it on my way to the market. It frames the street perfectly and makes for a great photo. It is a simple spot, but it adds to the charm of the city.
13. Try the Local Delicacy Cuy
Okay, this might not be for everyone, but I had to try it. Cuy is guinea pig, and it is a traditional dish in the Andes.
I went to a local restaurant and ordered it roasted. It comes served whole, which can be a bit shocking.
Honestly, it tasted a bit like rich chicken or duck. The skin was crispy. It is an experience you will tell your friends about back home. If you want to really say you experienced things to do in cusco peru, this is a rite of passage.
14. Day Trip to the Sacred Valley
While this is technically outside the city, every traveler uses Cusco as a base for this. I took a day to visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
The ruins in Pisac are stunning, clinging to the side of a mountain. And the market there is huge.
Ollantaytambo is a living Inca town. The water still runs through the original stone channels in the streets. Seeing these places gave me a better understanding of the Inca civilization before I went to Machu Picchu.
15. Gaze at the Stars at the Planetarium
For my final night, I did something magical. I visited the Cusco Planetarium. It is located in the hills above the city.
The Incas were incredible astronomers. They looked at the dark spaces in the Milky Way, not just the stars.
The guide explained the Inca constellations, like the Llama and the Toad. Then we went outside and looked through telescopes. Seeing the Southern Cross so clearly was the perfect ending to my trip.
Why Cusco Stole My Heart
Cusco is more than just a gateway to Machu Picchu. It is a destination in its own right. The energy here is different. It is ancient, spiritual, and lively all at once.
Whether you are eating street food in the market or touching a wall that is 500 years old, you feel connected to the past.
So take your time. Drink the water, walk slowly, and let the city reveal itself to you. These 15 things to do in Cusco are just the beginning of your adventure in the Andes.
