13 Best Things to Do in Cusco, Peru

Are you looking for the top things to do in Cusco, Peru? Cusco is one of the best places to visit in South America and the perfect place to start or end your Peru Itinerary.

Wondering what to do in Cusco?

Cusco is the perfect base for day trips to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.

Cusco was our favorite place in Peru, where you can easily spend 3-5 days exploring the best attractions.

This ultimate guide to visiting Cusco includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Cusco, Peru.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.

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Where is Cusco

Cusco is one of the most visited places in South America, located in the Peruvian Andes and easily accessible from Lima or Arequipa.

Best Time to Visit Cusco, Peru

Cusco has a subtropical highland climate. The weather is generally dry, with high humidity and unexpected rain.

Cusco has two seasons the dry season runs from April to October, and the rainy season from November to March. It can be visited all year round, but the rainiest month is February!

The busiest months are from June to August.

The best months to visit Cusco are between April and May or from September to October when the weather is pleasant for exploring, and there is little rain.

In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

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During our visit in May, the weather was very cool. Therefore bring a light raincoat and walking shoes, and pack some warmer clothing for your trip to Peru.

Recommended post → Ultimate Peru Itinerary

Altitude Sickness in Cusco, Peru

Plan your Cusco Itinerary to go slow on the first day, with a comfortable pace to discover the city.

Some people may experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or heavy breathing.

Avoid altitude sickness in Peru! So drink plenty of water and coca tea, and avoid alcohol.

Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea is good for altitude sickness.

There are coca leaves in every hotel in Cusco, so have a cup of coca tea before you start sightseeing or hiking!

Cusco is located at 3,400 meters above sea level.

Therefore the weather is often unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly (especially when hiking).

Good to know
Arequipa is the perfect place to get used to the altitude of 2,335 meters before heading to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.

See also → Best Places to Visit in Peru

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How to Get to Cusco, Peru

You can easily get to Cusco by plane or night bus from Arequipa or Lima.

Cusco has an International Airport, the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (airport code CUZ).

But most travelers to Peru arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport (airport code LIM), as you can get cheap flights to Lima.

We don’t recommend skipping Lima, but if your time is limited in Peru, you can fly directly to Cusco after arriving.

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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Peru.

Cusco is just a 1.5-hour flight from Lima and a 1-hour from Arequipa. The Cusco Airport is about a 15-20 minute drive from the center, and taxi fare is 10-15 Soles (3-4 USD).

From Arequipa, we took an overnight bus to Cusco. The journey takes 10-11 hours, depending on traffic.

Bus tickets between Arequipa and Cusco start from 20 USD, and we recommend buy your tickets online.

Good to know
The best way to get around Peru is to take the Peru Hop (hop-on, hop-off bus system) or the Cruz del Sur company (public buses).

Recommended post → Cusco Itinerary

How to Get Around Cusco

Getting around in Cusco is easy, and most attractions are within walking distance.

However, there are many stairs and steep streets, and you may be slow going due to symptoms of altitude sickness.

You can also travel by Uber, but we recommend using the Beat app.

Another alternative is to take a taxi or join a sightseeing bus tour with Cusco Open Tour.

Good to know
The bus tours last 2,5 hours and cost 14 USD per person.

Keep reading → Best Day Trips from Cusco

Boleto Turistico Cusco Ticket

The full Cusco tourist ticket costs 130 Soles (35,5 USD), is valid for 10 days, and gives access to 16 attractions (except Machu Picchu, Maras Salt Mines, Rainbow Mountain, and Huayna Picchu, all require separate ticket purchases!)

The ticket includes these 16 places:

Museo de Arte Popular
Museo de Sitio Qorikancha
Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo
Monumento de Pachacutec
Museo Histórico Regional
Sacsayhuaman
Q’enqo
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
Puka Pukara
Tambomachay
Pisac
Ollantaytambo
Moray
Chinchero
Tipon
Pikillacta

You can buy Boleto Turistico tickets at all attractions (except the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Pachacutec Monument) or Counter Central (Av. El Sol 103) in Cusco.

Good to know
The tourist tickets are for personal use, and you must write your name on the ticket!

Keep reading → How to Visit Sacred Valley

Is Cusco Safe?

Yes, Cusco is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

We don’t recommend walking alone at night!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Best things to do in Cusco, Peru

For the perfect experience, book the best of Cusco in 3 days or choose an epic 4-day tour.

1. Drink Peruvian Coffee at Cappuccino Cusco

Are you looking for the best view in Cusco? Then visit Cappuccino Cusco Cafe for the delicious coffee and beautiful views.

Peru is one of the top coffee producers in the world, so don’t miss the opportunity to taste it.

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Another great café with a balcony is L’atelier Café Concept.

More about Peru → Huacachina Desert Oasis

2. Explore the Sacred Valley

A must-do in Cusco is a visit to the Sacred Valley. Take a day trip from Cusco and discover the most beautiful sights of the Sacred Valley.

Walk around the Chinchero Ruins, see the best view at Ollantaytambo, visit the Maras Salt Mines, buy Peruvian souvenirs, and explore the Moray Terraces.

The best way to explore the attractions is to join a private or group tour.

Book a multi-day tour, including Machu Picchu.

Usually, the Sacred Valley group tour price starts at 120 Soles (32 USD) per person.

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Book the best Sacred Valley tours through GetYourGuide, where you can get great prices.

You cannot buy individual tickets for most of the attractions in the Sacred Valley! You must therefore buy the full or one of the partial Boleto Turistico Ticket.

Good to know
The entrance fee to the Maras Salt Mines is not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. The admission fee is 10 Soles (about 3 USD) per person.

Read our → Ultimate Guide to Sacred Valley

3. See San Blas District

San Blas is one of the best neighborhoods to explore in the city. Therefore you should spend a few hours wandering around, enjoying a coffee at L’atelier Café Concept, and taking some beautiful photos.

Siete Borreguitos is the most picturesque street, don’t miss it.

You can join a Cusco city tour.

4. Take a Rainbow Mountain Hike

One of the most popular activities after visiting Machu Picchu is hiking on Rainbow Mountain. There are two options to choose from!

One is the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,200 meters), and the other is the Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain (4,900 meters).

Whichever you choose, you will not disappoint, although the Vinicunca is usually more crowded. Book your Cusco Rainbow Mountain Tour.

We hiked on the Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, and the trek took about 1.5-2 hours.

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For a small donation, you can take photos with the alpacas.

Recommended post → Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike

5. Visit Sacsayhuaman

One of the best places to visit in Cusco is Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman is an impressive Inca archaeological complex formerly used as a fortress and ceremonial site.

It’s a beautiful sight, and it’s still a mystery how these massive stones (90-125 tons) were moved at that time.

Book your Cusco City Sightseeing & Sacsayhuaman Archeological Park Tour HERE.

Another mysterious place → Pyramids of Giza

Sacsayhuaman is open daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM.

Although located on the outskirts, Sacsayhuaman is easily accessible by taxi or a 40-minute walk.

You must buy a full or partial tourist ticket to visit. Learn more about the Boleto Turistico.

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You should also visit the Mirador de San Cristóbal viewpoint, just a few minutes from Sacsayhuaman.

6. Stroll Around the Historic Center

One of the best things to do in Cusco is to walk around the city and explore the cobbled streets and beautiful buildings.

The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was formerly the capital of the Inca Empire, so Cusco is well worth a visit.

There are many cozy cafés, great restaurants, and trendy boutiques. So wear comfortable shoes and spend the afternoon wandering the area.

You can join a Cusco city tour.

7. Visit the Best Temples and Museums

The temple of Qorikancha was one of the most important and sacred temples of the Incas and should not be missed.

When the Spanish arrived in Cusco, they forced them to change their religion. After that, they destroyed the Qorikancha and built the Santo Domingo Church on the site.

For the best experience, book your Cusco sightseeing tour, which includes Sacsayhuaman.

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We recommend you also allow time to visit the beautiful temples and museums and use your Boleto Turistico ticket.

See also → Things to Do in Arequipa

8. Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train

The highlight of every Peru Itinerary is a visit to the incredible Machu Picchu.

Take a day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu and see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

There are frequent train services between Cusco and Machu Picchu, which is a great way to see the beautiful scenery. Alternatively, hike the Classic Inca Trail.

Make the most of your visit and book day trips from Cusco to Machu Picchu via Viator. This tour is one of the most reviewed, so you will not be disappointed.

From Cusco (Poroy station), we took the PeruRail Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes town (Machu Picchu).

We recommend exploring Aguas Calientes after arrival, spending a night there, and visiting the world-famous Machu Picchu at sunrise.

Important note
Buy your Machu Picchu ticket at least 1 month in advance and bring your passport when you visit!

We have a detailed post on how to visit Machu Picchu with all the information you need.

9. Buy Peruvian Clothes

One of the best things to do in Cusco is definitely shopping!

Every visitor to Peru will buy a Peruvian poncho or a pullover that will look great in your Instagram photos at Machu Picchu.

However, sometimes the prices are overpriced, so you should try to bargain!

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If you are looking for the most beautiful Peruvian textiles and clothes, Chinchero and Aguas Calientes are the perfect places.

10. Enjoy the Best Viewpoints

Cusco has fantastic viewpoints where you can take beautiful photos or enjoy the sunsets.

Our favorite viewpoints are Plaza Sán Cristobal, Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco, and Mirador de San Blaz.

Read more → What to Do in Lima

11. Take Humantay Lake Tour

One of the best things to do in Cusco is to take a day trip to Humantay Lake, so if you have enough time in Peru, it’s worth a visit.

Humantay Lake is a famous turquoise alpine lake located at 4,200 meters above sea level. The hiking trail offers fantastic photo opportunities of Humantay Mountain and the lake.

Humantay Lake is a stop on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. But if you don’t have time for the multi-day trek, take a day trip from Cusco instead.

Shuttles usually pick up between 4-4:30 AM and return between 5-6 PM.

Book your Humantay Lake tour via GetYourGuide.

12. Visit Chocolate Museum

Are you looking for free things to do in Cusco, Peru? Then visit the Choco Museo, which is free to visit.

Join a cocoa tour, and learn how they grow cacao beans, let the beans dry, and finally process them to make chocolate.

The ChocoMuseo is open every day from 9 AM to 7:30 PM.

Peruvian chocolate is one of the best in the world, so if you love unique flavors, you should buy some delicious chocolate in Peru.

Join a Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop.

13. Shop at the Local Market

Visiting food and street markets is a great way to talk to locals and ask for tips on what not to miss in Peru.

San Pedro is the best local market, where you can buy chocolate, fresh fruit, cheese, fish, and meat.

We loved exploring the local markets. In our opinion, the best shopping places in Peru were Arequipa, Cusco, and Lima.

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If you can’t speak Spanish, you can use Google Translate.

Where to Eat in Cusco

In Peru, you can find many local restaurants, vegan options, national foods, or trendy restaurants with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best restaurants in Cusco, Peru

Cappuccino Cusco Cafe (Delicious coffee at Plaza de Armas square)
The Bagel Cafe (Perfect breakfast spot)
Morena Peruvian Kitchen (Trendy restaurant with excellent food)
L’atelier Café Concept (Best balcony view in Plaza San Blas)
Green Point (One of the best vegan restaurants)
Pizzeria Trattoria Casa Grande (Heavenly Italian dishes)
Qura (Healthy smoothie bowls)
Avocado, toast & more (Fantastic breakfast place with delicious food)
Organika Restaurant (Perfect lunch or dinner spot)
Ceviche Seafood Kitchen (You have to try Peru’s national dish, Ceviche)

Join a Peruvian cooking class.

Where to Stay in Cusco

If you don’t want to walk a lot or use a taxi, we recommend you stay near the historic center (Plaza de Armas).

But the San Blas area also offers fantastic accommodations, about 15-20 minutes walk away.

The accommodation options are available for all budgets.

Best hotels in Cusco, Peru

Luxury: JW Marriott El Convento
Mid-Range: Taypikala Hotel
Budget: Wild Rover

more hotels in cusco

How many Days do you Need in Cusco, Peru?

Depending on how many days you will be in Peru, plan your trip to spend at least 3-5 days in Cusco.

The easiest way to get from Cusco to Lima is to take a short domestic flight.

Are you spending limited time in Peru but want to make the most of your visit? Book the best 6-day Peru Tour, including a visit to Machu Picchu.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Cusco will help you plan your next trip to Peru. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

13 Best Things to Do in Cusco, Peru