10 Best sites to Visit in Cusco

From places of art and culture to nature and high mountains. From Andean constellations to delicious local foods, this list of 10 things to do in Cusco, handpicked by locals, will ensure you have a complete experience. For this reason, in collaboration with the experts Inka Time Tours (Cusqueños residents), we bring you a small article about the best tourist places in Cusco if you visit the capital and do not miss anything of this beautiful city.

MACHU PICCHU

One of the new seven wonders of the world. Visiting the incredible Inca citadel is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. La Inca City is intact to this day. To get there, you can follow the ancient Inca pilgrimage route, the Inca Trail.

However, if you prefer a more luxurious tour with more amenities, you can take the many scenic trains to Machu Picchu. Whatever you decide, both options allow you to enjoy the magical Inca citadel.

THE SAN BLAS NEIGHBORHOOD

The San Blas neighborhood of Cusco should be on your must-see list. Located on a hill behind the Cathedral of Cusco, this unique place is a famous tourist center for local tourists and newly arrived foreigners, where one can relax, eat and have a cold beer. Known as the neighborhood of local artists, this neighborhood has a small square surrounded by restaurants and bars frequented by foreigners eager to learn about local life in Cusco.

There will be many vegetarian restaurants, art workshops, souvenir shops, bars, and more, without forgetting the viewpoint that offers an impressive view of the historic center of Cusco, located behind the main square of San Blas. Years ago, this was a meeting place for local youth.

The most striking feature of Plaza San Blas is the church. It’s pretty plain from the outside. But inside, you’ll find one of Cusco’s top attractions: the intricately designed Baroque wooden pulpit. There are many myths about its creation, and there are audio guides that tell you more about some of them. If you are looking for places to visit in Cusco, San Blas is a must!

THE TEMPLE OF THE CORICANCHA

From the square, walk along Avenida Sol in a north-south direction, and you will arrive at the Coricancha complex, also known as the Santo Domingo Convent. It was the most important temple of the Inca Empire: the House of the Sun. All the walls were once covered with a thin slab of solid gold, while the entrances and niches present heavy golden statues.

When the Spanish arrived in Cusco in 1533, they marveled at the gold covering the temple’s walls. Of course, they dismantled it, built the city’s cathedral with its stone, and built the current Monastery of Santo Domingo on its foundations. Fortunately, today you will find that the foundations of the Incas have remained unchanged… In short, admiring its architecture is one of Cusco’s best free activities to offer its visitors.

THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

If you know that China has the only rainbow mountain in the world, then you are wrong; Cusco has its peak too! Due to climate change and global warming, the snow that covers the mountain has melted, revealing a colorful scene before the eyes of the people of Pitumarcan.

More specifically, the Rainbow Mountain is a mineralized mountain with many different shades, like a zebra, from orange to green, located on Cerro Vinincunca at 2,500 m above sea level, belonging to the Pitumarca District region, Province of Canchis, Department of Cusco. (Yes, the division also includes Machu Picchu) 100 km southeast of Cusco.

To get there you have to take a bus from Cusco to Pitumarca (3 hours of travel), then start a walk of about 3 hours and finally arrive at the incredible Monte de Colores. We recommend this tour through a company; you won’t regret it!

STREET 5 OF THE SEVEN SHEEP

This picturesque alley is the most instagrammable street in Cusco. It is five blocks north of the main square in Cusco and is very walkable. The path is decorated with beautiful flower pots hanging on the white walls on both sides. Well-lacquered balconies and doors complement this enchanting setting. The street goes from the end of Pumacurco street to the end of Choquechaca street (Sapaantiana Aqueduct) and connects them.

In colonial times, many women went down from the Pumacurco road to the Sapantiana Aqueduct (Choquechaca River) to wash rags and baskets, along with their flocks of sheep, which they later took to graze. Over time, the inhabitants of Cusco identified this alley as “Borreguitos” (The Lambs). Many years later, due to its proximity to other streets, they renamed it “Siete Borreguitos” (Seven Lambs), earning it the nickname “Seven”. . Without forgetting the most important hotels in Cusco, such as the Marriott, Hilton, Monasterio or the Nazarena Palace nearby. This road will be a mandatory stop on your trip to Cusco.

AQUEDUCT OF SAPANTIANA

For many years, visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas has been one of Cusco’s best things. Located 73 kilometers from the city, the area is considered sacred because the Incas found their fertile land for agriculture, a wonderfully warm climate, and crystalline rivers like El Vilcanota. In addition, the Sacred Valley consists of 5 main Inca attractions: PISAC, OLLANTAYTAMBO, CHINCHERO, MARAS, and MORAY.

QOSQO NATIVE ART CENTER

Now they have a constant flow of search and rescue dances, typical of others that the Incas left for the towns of the city and the Andes. The cultural group offers a theatrical show every night with 20 indigenous dances from Cusco and the Andes. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. and Lasting 1.5 hours in the private theater; visitors can enjoy the dancers’ music, dance, and costumes. Without a doubt, this is a must on your trip to Cusco. The value of the entrance ticket is included in the city’s General Tourist Card. Coincidentally, it costs $37, is valid for ten days, and you can buy it at the City of Cusco offices at Avenida el Sol Nº 103.

HUMANTAY LAKE

At 4,200 meters above sea level, the Humantay lagoon is another natural jewel that climate change and global warming have revealed to the world. The lagoon froze entirely in the 1980s, but gradually the polar cap melted to become the current lagoon. The water is crystal clear, reflecting the natural beauty of the snow in which it was born. It is located on Cerro Humantay, a small snow-capped peak at the foot of the famous Cerro Salkantay. This lagoon is located near the first camp of Soraypampa (beginning of the Salkantay trek) in the district of Mollepata, province of Anta, department of Cusco. Exactly 123 kilometers from the ancient Inca capital. To get there, you have to take the transport from Cusco to Mollepata (3 hours), then take the vehicle back to Soraypampa (50 minutes), and finally start the trip to Humantay (1 hour). Again, we recommend you take advantage of this experience through a travel agency.

As you will see, there is much to do in Cusco, many of which are entirely free. So there are no excuses for enjoying this magical city full of history and culture. We hope that together with Inka Time Tours, we have been of help to you. Don’t forget that there is much more to do in the beautiful Imperial City. These are just a few examples that both local and foreign tourists have in common. If you want to know more about the different city tours, you can contact our qualified advisors. Our team of qualified advisors will be happy to help you.