Things to do in Cusco Region

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Cusco Region

Types of activities

Where to stay

Cusco Region travel guide

Cusco featuring tranquil scenes, landscape views and wild flowers

Urubamba which includes tranquil scenes, landscape views and mountains

Peruvian Highlands featuring a church or cathedral, a city and heritage architecture

Cusco which includes heritage architecture, a ruin and a house

Top places to visit

1. Aguas Calientes Hot Springs

Aguas Calientes sits below Machu Picchu and is the last train stop before the sacred Inca city. The small town lies in a deep valley enclosed by mountains and forests. With restaurants, thermal baths, hiking trails and a market, Aguas Calientes is more than just a gateway to the ancient ruins. It is worth spending a day or two here before going onto Machu Picchu.

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Cusco featuring a small town or village and landscape views

2. Plaza de Armas

Head to where the action is at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, a large landscaped square bordered by shops, restaurants and ancient churches. For more than 500 years, the square has been at the heart of city life. Come to the plaza nowadays and you might see festivals, concerts and religious processions. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, admire the ornate lampposts and colonial archways and relax with a drink.

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Plaza de Armas featuring a garden and a church or cathedral

3. San Pedro Market

Cusco San Pedro Market is a sprawling, open-air market, with everything from produce and meat to clothing and incense. Popular with locals and visitors, the market is an entertaining destination for shoppers and anyone curious about local culture.

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Cusco San Pedro Market featuring markets as well as a small group of people

4. Cusco Cathedral

Standing over Cusco’s main square is Cusco Cathedral, an impressive Gothic-Renaissance structure built on the site of an Inca palace. Explore the interior, filled with more than 400 canvases, woodcarvings and a silver altar.

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5. Huayna Picchu

Rising more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the ancient plazas and palaces of Machu Picchu is the rhino horn-shaped peak of Huayna Picchu, also called Wayna Picchu. The mountain is believed to have been a home for high priests and virgins. Hike up to the summit for the views and to see ancient temple ruins.

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Huayna Picchu featuring mountains, a ruin and mist or fog

6. Sacsayhuaman

Venture into the archaeological park just outside Cusco’s city center to explore the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This colossal stone fortress and temple sits on a steep hill overlooking the city and attests to the brilliance of Incan engineering. Come to observe traditional Incan ceremonies and to admire how the structure was built, noting the large limestone blocks that lock together without mortar.

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What to do in Cusco Region

Popular places to visit

Cusco featuring café lifestyle and street scenes

Aguas Calientes Hot Springs

3/5(1 review)

Known for its thermal baths, trekking routes and beautiful scenery, this deep valley village is an attractive stopover for those waiting to climb up to Machu Picchu.

Plaza de Armas

4.5/5(22 reviews)

Cusco’s busy main square has been the center of public life for centuries. Enjoy its spacious layout, ancient churches and restaurants.

San Pedro Market

4.5/5(13 reviews)

Get caught up in the chaos of this intriguing attraction and enjoy a uniquely Andean experience.

Inca Trail

4.5/5(3 reviews)

You can take time to visit Inca Trail during your travels to Machu Picchu. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Cusco Cathedral

4.5/5(18 reviews)

An imposing building constructed with stones from an Inca fortress is celebrated for its beautiful architecture and artwork that spans three centuries.

Huayna Picchu

The distinctive mountain that towers over the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu has its own temple ruins and archeological sites.

Sacsayhuaman

4.5/5(14 reviews)

The colossal stones of Cusco’s hilltop fortress are a powerful testimony to the ingenuity of Incan construction techniques.

Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site

4.5/5(19 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Ollantaytambo with a stop at Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Cusco - Machu Picchu featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Coricancha

4/5(12 reviews)

Discover the remains of an important Incan temple dedicated to the sun, admire its construction and learn about its fascinating history.

Areas of Cusco Region

Cusco Historic Center

4.5/5(62 area reviews)

Cusco Historic Center is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Santa Catalina Convent and Coricancha, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Cusco.

San Blas

Take a walk through the heart of Cusco’s artisan district, one of the city’s most beguiling and lively areas.

San Cristóbal

While visiting San Cristóbal, you might make a stop by sights like Pre-Columbian Art Museum and Plaza de las Nazarenas.

Santiago

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Santiago and surrounding area, you can visit Ttio Market and Santiago Plaza.

Santa Monica

While Santa Monica may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Real Plaza Cusco and Ttio Market.

Primavera

Though Primavera may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium and Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.