Things to Do in Cusco
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Cusco, Peru — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Plaza de Armas + Cusco Cathedral
Cusco's spiritual + commercial heart — Spanish colonial church built on Inca foundations. PEN 40. 1.5 hours.
Qorikancha (Inca Temple of the Sun)
Inca empire's holiest site — once gold-clad walls visible beneath the colonial Santo Domingo church. PEN 15. 45 min.
San Pedro Market
Cusco's biggest local market — fruit juice stalls, alpaca steaks, picante de cuy (guinea pig). PEN 8-15 for a meal.
Sacsayhuamán (Inca walls above town)
15th-century Inca fortress + ceremonial site — massive zig-zag stone walls. PEN 70 (Boleto Turístico). 1.5 hours. Great panorama.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Cusco across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Cusco
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Cusco and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse CuscoJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Cusco.Eat here first
Lomo saltado. Ají de gallina. Cuy chactado (fried guinea pig). Pachamanca. Pisco Sour + coca tea (helps altitude).
Local tip
CUZ is 5km from Plaza de Armas — closest international airport to a Plaza in Latin America. ALTITUDE WARNING: 3,400m — drink coca tea, avoid alcohol first hours. For 4-hour layovers: Plaza + Cathedral. For 12+ hours: add Sacsayhuamán. Machu Picchu is too far for short layovers.
Where to stay
Hotels across Cusco — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.