Top things to do in Cusco
Anchor yourself at the Plaza de Armas, framed by the Cusco Cathedral and the Jesuit Church of La Compañía — both built, like much of the historic center, directly on top of Inca foundations. A short walk away is the Qorikancha, once the most important temple of the Inca Empire and dedicated to the sun god Inti; the Spanish built the Santo Domingo convent around its surviving walls, so today you can see colonial arches resting on some of the finest stonework the Incas ever produced.
For a masterclass in Inca engineering, walk Hatun Rumiyoc street to see the famous Twelve-Angled Stone, fitted into a wall with a precision that still puzzles engineers — no mortar, no gaps, just interlocking granite. Then head up to Sacsayhuamán, the massive fortress-like complex overlooking the city, where zigzagging walls built from stones weighing over a hundred tons once hosted Inca ceremonies and now offer the best panoramic view of Cusco's red rooftops.
Neighborhoods, markets and what to eat
San Blas, the steep, cobbled quarter above the Plaza de Armas, is Cusco's traditional artisan neighborhood — workshops selling carved wood, ceramics and silverwork line its narrow streets, and its plaza and viewpoints are some of the best places to watch the sunset over the valley. Down in the center, San Pedro Market is where Cusqueños actually shop: stalls piled with Andean potatoes, fresh cheese, exotic fruit and juice presses, plus a no-frills food section serving breakfast soups to market workers.
Cusco's food scene runs on Andean staples: try cuy (guinea pig, a special-occasion dish), alpaca steak, chicharrón, and the deeply comforting quinoa or chairo soup on a cold night. Chicha morada (purple corn drink) and chicha de jora (fermented corn beer, often sold from doorways marked with a red flag) round out the local flavors, and a cup of mate de coca — coca leaf tea — appears everywhere, from hotel lobbies to street stalls, as the go-to remedy for altitude.
Altitude, getting around and best time to visit
Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 meters (11,150 feet), noticeably higher than what many travelers brace for, and altitude sickness (soroche) catches many visitors off guard. Give yourself a slow first day, stay hydrated, skip alcohol on arrival, and drink coca tea, which locals have used for centuries to ease the symptoms. The historic center itself is compact and very walkable, though steep in places — comfortable shoes matter more than a taxi budget.
The dry season, from May to September, brings sunny days, cold nights and the clearest views — it's also peak season, so book tours, trains and Machu Picchu entry tickets well ahead. The wet season (November–March) is quieter and greener but brings afternoon rain and a higher chance of trail closures. Whenever you visit, Cusco is the standard base for day trips into the Sacred Valley and for catching the train to Machu Picchu, so plan at least one extra day beyond the city center.
