Travel guide · Peru
Cusco travel guide
Inca capital of stone walls and colonial churches, gateway to Machu Picchu
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: tomscoffin, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and its Spanish colonial churches and mansions still sit on top of finely fitted Inca stonework. At about 3,400 metres, the UNESCO-listed city is the base for the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, about 75 km away by road and rail. Most visitors spend a few days acclimatising among the plazas, museums and markets of the historic centre and the artisans' quarter of San Blas, visit Sacsayhuamán above town, then head down to the valley towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Machu Picchu. Plan 6 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Peru
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Ideal stay
- 6 days
- Main airports
- CUZ
- Mid-range daily budget
- $80–$160 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Machu Picchu, Inca stonework, Sacred Valley and Inti Raymi
Why visit Cusco
- Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel above the Urubamba River, is reached from Cusco by train via Ollantaytambo and a short bus ride.
- Inca walls of perfectly fitted stone line streets such as Hatun Rumiyoc, under colonial balconies and churches.
- Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha and the Sacred Valley's terraced sites at Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray show the scale of Inca engineering.
- Andean culture is alive in markets, weaving cooperatives, Quechua-speaking villages and festivals such as Inti Raymi in June.
- Treks to Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and along the Inca Trail start from the city.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Landmark · Historic Centre
Plaza de Armas
Cusco's main square was the Inca city's ceremonial plaza, Huacaypata.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
Religious site · Historic Centre
Cusco Cathedral
Built from the 16th century on the site of an Inca palace using stones from Sacsayhuamán, the cathedral holds hundreds of colonial paintings of the Cusco School, including a Last Supper by Marcos Zapata in which Christ and the apostles eat roasted cuy (guinea pig).
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · Historic Centre
Qorikancha and Santo Domingo
The Inca Empire's most important temple, dedicated to the sun god Inti, was once covered with sheets of gold.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Historic site · San Cristóbal
Sacsayhuamán
This vast Inca complex above the city has three tiers of zigzagging walls made of huge, perfectly fitted stones, some weighing many tonnes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Historic site · Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Steep terraces climb to a temple complex where the Inca resisted the Spanish in the 1530s.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Views
- Iconic
- Active
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Street · Historic Centre
Hatun Rumiyoc and the Twelve-Angled Stone
This narrow street between the Plaza de Armas and San Blas is lined by the wall of an Inca palace, later the Archbishop's Palace.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Historic Centre is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, luxury and nightlife
Historic Centre
Plaza de Armas, Inca walls, churches and the busiest streets for restaurants and agencies
$$ · Best for couples, culture, solo travellers and food lovers
San Blas
Hillside artisans' quarter of whitewashed houses, blue doors and small cafés
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and couples
San Cristóbal
Hillside area above the plaza, on the way to Sacsayhuamán
$ · Best for budget, food lovers and solo travellers
San Pedro
Market district near San Pedro station with local food stalls and budget hotels
What to eat
- Cuy al horno — Roasted guinea pig, an Andean delicacy for thousands of years, served whole with potatoes and stuffed peppers.
- Alpaca — Lean alpaca meat served as steak, carpaccio or stews; it tastes similar to beef but milder.
- Chiri uchu — A cold Corpus Christi platter of roast guinea pig, chicken, sausages, seaweed, fish roe, toasted corn and cheese, with symbolism dating back centuries.
- Rocoto relleno — Spicy red rocoto peppers stuffed with seasoned minced meat and topped with cheese, baked and served with potato gratin.
- Quinoa soup — A warming soup of quinoa with potatoes and vegetables, often served as the starter of a set lunch.
- Choclo con queso — Large-kernel Andean corn on the cob served with a slab of fresh cheese, sold by street vendors and on the roads into the Sacred Valley.
When to go
The best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu is the dry season from May to September, with sunny days and clear mountain views, though June to August is the busiest and coldest at night. April and October are good shoulder months with fewer crowds. The wet season, from November to March, brings frequent rain, and February is the wettest month, when the classic Inca Trail usually closes.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | May–September | Sunny days, clear skies and freezing nights; peak season for Machu Picchu and treks, with festivals in June. |
| Shoulder season | April and October | Mostly dry with occasional showers, green landscapes in April and fewer crowds. |
| Wet season | November–January | Frequent afternoon rain, green valleys and lower prices; mornings are often clear. |
| Peak rains | February–March | The wettest months, with muddy trails, possible landslides and the Inca Trail usually closed in February. |
Getting there and around
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is about 5 km southeast of the historic centre; taxis reach the Plaza de Armas in about 15–20 minutes. Many hotels arrange pick-ups.
Cusco's historic centre is compact and walkable, though hilly at altitude. Taxis are cheap for short hops, colectivo minibuses run to the Sacred Valley, and trains link Cusco and Ollantaytambo with Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.
Plan your days
Four days is the minimum: a day to acclimatise in the city, a day in the Sacred Valley, a day for Machu Picchu and a buffer day. Six days adds Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake, Moray and Maras and slower time in Cusco; the classic Inca Trail needs four days on its own.
Practical information
- Currency
- PEN
- Language
- Spanish and Quechua
- Plugs
- Type A and C sockets, 220 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 105 (police), 116 (fire), 106 (ambulance)
- Tipping
- Around 10% is usual in restaurants when no service charge is included.
Altitude sickness is the most common problem: rest on arrival, drink water and avoid alcohol at first. Pickpocketing occurs in markets and crowded areas; keep valuables secure and use registered taxis at night.
Flights to Cusco
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Cusco?
Four days is the minimum: a day to acclimatise in the city, a day in the Sacred Valley, a day for Machu Picchu and a buffer day. Six days adds Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake, Moray and Maras and slower time in Cusco; the classic Inca Trail needs four days on its own. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Cusco?
The best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu is the dry season from May to September, with sunny days and clear mountain views, though June to August is the busiest and coldest at night. April and October are good shoulder months with fewer crowds. The wet season, from November to March, brings frequent rain, and February is the wettest month, when the classic Inca Trail usually closes.
+What is Cusco known for?
Machu Picchu, Inca stonework, Sacred Valley, Inti Raymi, Rainbow Mountain, Coca tea and altitude and Andean textiles. Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel above the Urubamba River, is reached from Cusco by train via Ollantaytambo and a short bus ride.
+Is Cusco expensive?
Cusco is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $80–$160 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Cusco?
No. Taxis, colectivos, tours and trains cover the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Mountain roads are winding and driving is not recommended.