10 Best Things to Do in Cusco and Nearby
The best things to do in Cusco include exploring Sacsayhuaman’s stone walls, browsing San Pedro Market, and visiting Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu needs its own travel plan. Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are demanding high-altitude excursions, best considered after gradual acclimatization.
Choose a booking that fits your Cusco stay
For archaeology and easier transport: the linked Sacred Valley tour visits Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, with transport, a guide and buffet lunch. Admission depends on the option selected. It does not list Maras or Moray, so choose a different itinerary if those are your priority.
Check Sacred Valley tour dates
For food and hands-on time in the city: the market-and-cooking class combines a San Pedro visit with preparing Peruvian dishes and drinks. It suits travelers who want more context than an independent market walk. The listed duration is 250 minutes.
Check market and cooking-class dates
Before paying, check the exact date, meeting point, guide language, cancellation terms and inclusions. Do not buy entry twice if you already hold the relevant tourist ticket. German-language instruction is not promised by these listings.
Cusco was the Inca imperial capital, and its streets still show the meeting of Inca stonework and later colonial buildings. Give the city time instead of treating it only as a transfer point for Machu Picchu. The UNESCO description of Cusco explains that architectural history.
I asked travel bloggers for their favorite things to do in Cusco and the surrounding region. Their personal accounts below describe earlier trips. We have kept their observations and credits while updating the practical advice; an old restaurant visit or hiking route is not a promise of today’s conditions.
For the wider journey, see our things to do in Peru beyond Machu Picchu. If Lima is part of your trip, our Lima sightseeing guide helps you plan that city separately.
Cusco planning at a glance
- Time: allow several nights for the city and valley; add separate time for Machu Picchu and any high-altitude hike.
- Arrival: arrange a transfer from Cusco airport with your accommodation or a reputable operator; confirm the total fare and meeting point.
- Money: prices are in Peruvian soles (S/). Compare final costs and carry cash for local charges.
- Comfort: cobbles, hills and steps mean that a short distance is not necessarily an easy walk.
- Priority: secure Machu Picchu entry before building transport around it.
Which Cusco tourist ticket do you need?
COSITUC lists the foreign-adult integral Boleto Turístico at S/130 for 10 days. Partial circuit I costs S/70 for one day and covers Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Partial circuit III costs S/70 for two days and covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray.
If you will visit both groups within ten days, the integral ticket costs less than buying those two partial tickets separately. Maras and Machu Picchu are excluded. The Qorikancha museum on a ticket list is not the same admission as the Santo Domingo/Qorikancha temple complex. Check eligibility and current terms with COSITUC’s official tariff.
Quick picks by interest
- Sacsayhuaman
- San Pedro Market and a cooking class
- Sacred Valley
- Machu Picchu
- Humantay Lake
- Rainbow Mountain
Time allowances in the boxes are editorial estimates unless a named tour duration is given. Choose from these experiences rather than trying to fit all ten into a short stay.
1. Maras Salt Ponds
Recommended by Jenny & Steven from Tales From The Lens
The “Salineras” of Maras, also known as the Salt Ponds, make a distinctive stop near Cusco. You can browse Cusco tours and check which itineraries actually include Maras.
Situated in the Sacred Valley region, the salt ponds are accessible with a tour or a taxi from the city of Cusco. Allow roughly 1.5 hours each way, with extra time for traffic and other stops, rather than treating this as a short city visit.
Far from the sea, but used for salt production since pre-Inca times, the ponds are fed by a salty underground spring and then through tiny channels across the area. The terraced pools are gradually filled by the water, which, once evaporated, leaves thick layers of salt for workers to collect.
Maras is associated with local families who produce and sell its salt. The working terraces are more than a photo backdrop: respect barriers and use the permitted visitor viewpoints.
The entrance to the Maras Salt Ponds is not included in the Boleto Turístico. Ask for the current separate admission charge before booking a tour; the old S/10 price should not be used to plan your budget.
To read more about Maras and why not hiking the sacred valley without a tour, check Tales From The Lens’ post.
Plan your visit
- Location: Near Maras in the Sacred Valley region.
- Admission and fees: Separate salt-pond admission; not included in the Boleto Turístico. Ask the operator for the current local charge.
- Hours and access: Check visitor access and last entry for your date; stay in designated visitor areas.
- Time needed: About 45–60 minutes at the viewpoints, plus the journey.
- Booking and transport: Combine with Moray only on an itinerary that names both. Arrange a return ride; allow roughly 1.5 hours from Cusco before other stops.
2. Rainbow Mountain
Recommended by Kristin from Be My Travel Muse
This mountain with layered shades of red, yellow, and green became widely known through social media. I led a tour there on an earlier visit, and everyone loved it.
That said, it’s a challenging hike due to the altitude and not to be taken lightly. The Rainbow Mountain excursion reaches very high elevations, so check the exact route and highest point with your operator. Thin air makes the walk much harder than its distance alone suggests.
Please don’t make this the first thing you do upon arriving in Cusco. Give yourself time for gradual acclimatization, but remember that a few days in the city do not guarantee that you can safely hike higher.
Most visitors come on a day trip rather than a multiday trek. To do the day hike from Cusco, you can book with a local tour operator; early-morning pickups are common, but confirm the exact time and return arrangements.
The drive to the start of the trail takes several hours. Routes, community charges and included services vary, so ask for the complete cost rather than relying on the old entrance-price estimate.
Warm layers and a suitable weather forecast matter, but a horse is not protection against altitude illness. Skip the ascent if you are unwell, and choose a lower-elevation activity instead.
Plan your visit
- Location: Vinicunca area outside Cusco; exact trailhead depends on the route.
- Admission and fees: Tour fare and community/entry charges vary. Request a written breakdown.
- Hours and access: Weather, road and trail conditions determine access. This is a demanding high-altitude outing.
- Time needed: Reserve a full day, with an early start and several hours on the road.
- Booking and transport: Choose only after acclimatization and when well. Confirm highest elevation, walking distance, emergency arrangements and exclusions.
3. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a mountaintop archaeological site built in the 15th century. Its terraces, stone buildings and mountain setting make it a very different experience from exploring central Cusco. The UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves its own travel planning rather than a spare afternoon.
There are several ways to make the trip from Cusco. A multiday Inca Trail trek is one option, but it requires advance arrangements with an authorized operator and the appropriate permits. Confirm which Machu Picchu visit is included before paying.
If you have some room in your budget, you can purchase a ticket for a luxury train. Trains arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo, also called Aguas Calientes, rather than at the ruins. The final journey is by bus or an uphill walk. Standard train tickets do not include archaeological-site admission; some premium packages do, so compare the exact inclusions.
Choose your entry route and time first, then coordinate trains, the final transfer and any overnight stay. A transport-only deal is not a substitute for a confirmed entrance ticket.
Plan your visit
- Location: Above Machu Picchu Pueblo/Aguas Calientes, reached separately from Cusco.
- Admission and fees: Select a dated route/time on the official ticket platform. Transport, guide and final bus may be separate; not in the Cusco tourist ticket.
- Hours and access: Follow the route and entry time on your ticket. Available routes and seasonal restrictions must be checked before transport booking.
- Time needed: At least a dedicated excursion day; an overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo can reduce rushed connections.
- Booking and transport: Coordinate confirmed entry with train and transfer times. Ordinary train fares are not complete entry packages.
Compare the journey in our Cusco to Machu Picchu transport guide. Check PeruRail’s ticket inclusions before buying train tickets.
4. Sacred Valley
Recommended by Claudia from My Adventures Across The World
Cusco can get overwhelming at times, as it is packed with tourists. One of the best things to do there is to get away from it, explore the surrounding region, and discover archaeological sites.
You can compare Sacred Valley and other Cusco day trips. Tours depart from Cusco, but their stops and endpoints differ. If you want to stay in Ollantaytambo afterward, get that drop-off and your luggage arrangements confirmed before booking.
A valley tour is an opportunity to learn more about the Inca civilization. Pisac is a common stop, combining hillside ruins with time in the village, although each itinerary allocates its time differently.
Other routes visit Moray, whose circular terraces are thought to have served agricultural experimentation. Do not assume Moray and Maras are included in every Sacred Valley tour.
Ollantaytambo is a village worth allowing time for, with the main archaeological complex rising above it. An overnight stay lets you explore beyond a brief group-tour stop.
The main Ollantaytambo ruins and the Pinkuylluna remains across the village are separate places. Views from the slopes help explain the layout of the valley, but check which paths are open rather than treating them as a single ticketed circuit.
Spending an extra night in the valley makes sense before going back to Cusco or heading to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. Maras can be part of a separately planned excursion, but its salt-pond admission is not included in the Cusco tourist ticket.
Plan your visit
- Location: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and other valley stops, depending on route.
- Admission and fees: Tour and archaeological admission are separate unless the selected option explicitly combines them. See the ticket guide below the introduction.
- Hours and access: Day tours follow a fixed schedule; check individual stops and return point.
- Time needed: A full day; the linked Pisac/Ollantaytambo tour lists about 10 hours.
- Booking and transport: Choose a guided day for easier logistics or stay overnight for more time. Do not add a duplicate Pisac tour.
5. Sacsayhuaman
Recommended by James from Travel Collecting
There are only a few walls in the world that are worth making an effort to see, and Sacsayhuaman is one of them. This Inca site, the remains of a citadel, sits on the hill directly above Cusco. A taxi or guided transfer avoids the uphill walk; Cusco day-trip listings offer different routes, so check for this stop.
There is a large grassy plaza area and an Incan throne or altar at the top of the small hill, but the three walls really impress. They are made of huge, irregular-shaped rocks that are all perfectly fitted together.
The Incas’ masonry skills are impressive: the walls use closely fitted stones without mortar. The size of the blocks makes that precision particularly striking.
What remains still gives a real sense of the skills of the Incas. Take time to look at the joints and the changing shapes of the stones rather than only photographing the whole wall.
On a clear day, you can also enjoy views of Cusco nestled in the valley below. Dress warmly, as the wind gets cold up there. A downhill walk toward the center is steep; check the current route and your comfort with steps, or arrange a return ride.
Plan your visit
- Location: On the hill above central Cusco.
- Admission and fees: Covered by the integral tourist ticket or partial circuit I. See official COSITUC terms.
- Hours and access: Confirm current site hours before visiting. Uneven ground and steps remain even with a vehicle transfer.
- Time needed: About 1.5–2 hours at the site, plus transport.
- Booking and transport: A taxi or tour avoids the uphill approach. Arrange a return pickup if the steep walk down does not suit you.
6. San Pedro Market and a cooking class
Recommended by Elisa from World in Paris
One of the best things to do in Cusco is to taste the local food, and the Central Market of San Pedro is a useful place to start.
The Central Market of San Pedro is a food market where locals do their everyday shopping. Apart from the classic food and drink stalls and other stalls with basic items for the house, there are eateries serving meals priced in soles, Peru’s currency.
The eateries draw people working in and around the market as well as visitors. Eating here can be a way to keep costs down and get a glimpse of local life, although prices vary by stall and meal.
What can you eat at San Pedro Market?
Don’t expect anything fancy; it’s about basic food like soups, meat, or sausages with sides like potatoes and rice. Choose freshly cooked food served hot and use your judgment about hygiene.
People sit on long benches, and they share their lunch with other guests in a nice atmosphere. Sometimes somebody is serving the dishes, sometimes you order, and you get your meal at the counter.
The Central Market of San Pedro is located in the center of Cusco, not far from Plaza de Armas. PROMPERÚ gives reference hours of 6 am to 5 pm; individual stalls may keep different hours, so a morning visit is a sensible choice.
If you want to learn how to prepare delicious Peruvian dishes, I’d recommend you to join a Cusco cooking class.
Plan your visit
- Location: San Pedro Market, central Cusco, near Plaza San Pedro.
- Admission and fees: Budget for food and shopping; a guided cooking class is a separate paid activity.
- Hours and access: PROMPERÚ reference hours: daily 6 am–5 pm; stall hours vary.
- Time needed: About 45–90 minutes independently; the linked class lists 250 minutes.
- Booking and transport: Visit independently for browsing. Book the class for a guided market visit and hands-on cooking; confirm dietary needs and meeting point.
The booking below is a separate market-and-cooking option, not necessarily the same class described in the contributor’s linked account. It lists three dishes and two drinks, with alcohol-free alternatives. Confirm dietary needs, guide language and the meeting point at San Pedro Market. Children under eight are not listed as suitable.
7. Humantay Lake
Recommended by Joella from Roving Jo
If snowcapped mountains and turquoise waters are your thing, consider adding Humantay Lake to your Cusco itinerary. These views are reachable as a full-day trip from Cusco, but the high-altitude walk is strenuous.
The trek starts with a several-hour drive to the trailhead at Soraypampa. Group tours commonly leave early and may stop for breakfast along the route; confirm your pickup and meal inclusions.
Then you have a steep hike to reach Lake Humantay. Allow around 1.5–2 hours uphill, depending on conditions and your pace, plus time to return. Horse services do not remove the risks of high altitude.
Since I am not a fan of early wake-up calls or big crowds, I hired a private tour guide instead of joining a group tour. On that visit, the later start suited me and we avoided much of the crowd. Today, agree on a safe timetable and stay on permitted paths; a private booking does not guarantee solitude.
Once at the top, take time at a permitted viewpoint to contemplate the landscape all around you. Respect any barriers protecting the lakeshore.
Enjoy the stillness of the lake and the reflections it produces when the weather is calm. The mountains surrounding the water are the reason to allow time here rather than rush straight back.
Planning tip: Wear layers, as the weather changes and it can get cold. Lake Humantay is about 4,200 meters above sea level. Plan gradual acclimatization before considering the hike and do not ascend while experiencing altitude symptoms.
Plan your visit
- Location: Above Soraypampa; the lake is about 4,200 m above sea level.
- Admission and fees: Ask whether local entry/community fees, breakfast, lunch and equipment are included.
- Hours and access: Mountain weather and local access determine whether a departure runs. Stay on permitted paths.
- Time needed: Full day from Cusco; allow roughly 1.5–2 hours for the uphill walk, plus descent.
- Booking and transport: A strenuous choice for travelers prepared for altitude. Compare pickup, pace and emergency procedures rather than price alone.
8. Pisac
Recommended by James from Travel Collecting
Pisac, a day trip from Cusco, is the site of the ruins of an Incan fortress. The fortress is situated on the tops and sides of a large mountain with a view of the Urubamba (Sacred) Valley and another side valley that took my breath away.
Sunday is market day in Pisac village, and it is a good place to pick up some souvenirs. Above the town, ancient broad, straight Incan terraces step down the slopes, with views of the valley below.
Parts of the ruins are perched on rocky outcrops. Below are roofless buildings and corridors in a semicircle, while the central section has finely worked masonry and water channels. These details reward a slower visit.
A tour or taxi can use the upper road access, saving the long uphill approach from the village. There are still steps and uneven paths inside. Ask staff which sections are open; older accounts of cliffside paths, ladders and through-hikes are not reliable route instructions.
The terraced fields and buildings clinging to the hillside give a sense of how large the complex is. Choose your walking route according to current access, time and your ability at altitude.
Arrange your return transport before setting off. Pisac is worth a longer visit if you enjoy archaeology and walking, but it need not be a second paid excursion if your Sacred Valley tour already includes it.
Plan your visit
- Location: Pisac town and archaeological park in the Sacred Valley.
- Admission and fees: The ruins are in the integral ticket and partial circuit III; market purchases are separate.
- Hours and access: Ask staff which paths are currently open. Sunday is a traditional market day.
- Time needed: About 2–3 hours for a chosen ruins circuit, plus village/market time and driving.
- Booking and transport: Upper road access reduces the climb but not all walking. Check for overlap with a Sacred Valley booking.
9. Try cuy
Recommended by Vicky from Buddy The Traveling Monkey
Cusco is often a city that is visited quickly; it’s a stop on the way to Machu Picchu. But Cusco itself has lots to do and eat. Trying cuy (guinea pig) is one way to explore local food traditions, if it appeals to you.
A lot of people make a face at the thought of eating a guinea pig. Even if they’re not a vegan or vegetarian, many people don’t like the idea of eating something they might have had as a pet.
Cuy has a long history in Andean food traditions. It is an optional food experience, not something you need to try to have an authentic visit.
While we were in Cusco, we tried cuy at KusiKuy, close to our hostel. It was family-owned and beautifully decorated when we visited. The cuy took a while to cook, but it was good and almost tasted like chicken. This is a memory of that visit, not confirmation of the restaurant’s current operation.
They brought out the cuy twice. The first presentation was for photos, before it was portioned in the kitchen.
Our cuy came with a little tomato hat! Once everyone had taken photos, the waiter took it back to the kitchen and it returned in regular-sized portions, without the head or feet.
If you want to try it, ask how it will be served, how long preparation takes, and whether the price is for a whole cuy or a portion. Otherwise, explore other dishes at a restaurant or cooking class.
Plan your visit
- Location: Restaurants in Cusco; Vicky’s KusiKuy account describes a past visit.
- Admission and fees: Ask the current restaurant for its menu price, portion size and preparation time.
- Hours and access: Verify current opening hours directly. The original restaurant’s present operation is unconfirmed.
- Time needed: Allow about 1–2 hours for a sit-down meal; preparation varies.
- Booking and transport: Optional, not essential. Ask about ingredients and alternatives; a cooking class does not automatically include cuy.
10. Take a Cusco city tour
Recommended by Claire from Tales of a Backpacker
People who fly into Cusco can feel the effects of the high altitude soon after arrival.
Cusco is about 3,400 meters above sea level, so before attempting strenuous activity it is important to give your body time to acclimatize. A day or two of rest is not a guarantee of readiness for a high trek.
A tour of the city of Cusco can help you understand the places you are seeing. If you feel well, choose a walk that matches your energy and interests. Compare actual stops and walking distances rather than assuming every tour covers the whole city.
San Pedro Market lets you see local people selling all kinds of fresh produce. Qorikancha is another important stop for understanding the city’s Inca and colonial layers. Check whether a tour visits inside or only stops outside.
Depending on the route, you may also visit the San Blas neighborhood, the main square and the cathedral. San Blas involves uphill streets and steps, so keep the pace realistic.
A vehicle-based tour may reduce the uphill walking, but archaeological sites still involve uneven ground. Some city tours add Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo; confirm admissions and avoid buying another ticket for sites your existing pass covers.
Let your guide know if you start to feel ill and stop exerting yourself. Do not continue to a higher elevation with altitude symptoms; worsening symptoms require descent and medical help.
Plan your visit
- Location: Historic center, San Blas and/or nearby ruins, depending on tour.
- Admission and fees: Compare guide/transport fare and separate admissions. Cathedral and temple visits are not automatically covered by a tourist pass.
- Hours and access: Match the route to your energy and current venue access. Bus tours still involve walking.
- Time needed: About 2–4 hours for a selected city route; longer when adding several ruins.
- Booking and transport: Ask which interiors are visited, not merely passed. Choose the guide language explicitly; German is not implied.
Where to stay: Skylodge and city-base advice
For city sightseeing, choose accommodation by walking access, street gradient and transfer arrangements, rather than distance on a map alone. Confirm early breakfasts and luggage storage if you are leaving for the valley or Machu Picchu. The original article also included this very different overnight experience.
Recommended by Leo from Safari Nomad
For travelers comfortable with exposed heights, consider a night in the Skylodge suites.
The capsules hang about 400 meters above the Sacred Valley near Urubamba. Plan this as a guided overnight activity with organized access, rather than an ordinary hotel check-in.
The transparent capsule allows you to admire the valley and, when conditions allow, the sky full of stars. It is hand-crafted from aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant materials.
The suite is equipped with four beds, a dining area, and a private bathroom with a dry ecological toilet and sink. Lighting is powered by solar panels and stored battery energy. There is no shower in the capsule.
The Skylodge suites are reached via a guided via ferrata climb or a hiking/zipline route. Discuss the route, age restrictions and physical requirements with Natura Vive before booking. This stay is not suitable for everyone, even with a guide.
Natura Vive lists dinner with wine and breakfast in its overnight package. Check the precise transfer, access and meal inclusions for the rate you book, especially when comparing a third-party listing.
Plan the Skylodge overnight
- Location: Sacred Valley near Urubamba; arrange the operator’s meeting point/transfer.
- Cost: request a dated quote for the selected access package. Do not compare a room-only headline with a complete adventure package.
- Access: guided climbing or hiking/zipline arrangements, subject to suitability and conditions. Confirm age and mobility requirements.
- Time: an overnight activity, with separate arrival and departure arrangements.
- Booking: confirm meals, equipment, guide and transfers; the capsule has no shower.
A realistic Cusco itinerary
- Arrival: keep plans light and flexible. Your response to altitude matters more than completing a sightseeing list.
- City time: choose San Pedro Market and a short central walk when feeling well. Add Sacsayhuaman or the cooking class on a separate day rather than stacking every activity.
- Valley day: visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo on a chosen route. An overnight in the valley can help with onward logistics; confirm a tour drop-off before paying.
- Machu Picchu: reserve its own travel day or overnight leg around confirmed entry, trains and transfers. Keep a buffer before flights.
- Optional extension: add one high-altitude hike only if well and appropriately acclimatized. Maras/Moray or more time in town may suit your trip better.
Altitude, timing and transport
Fitness does not prevent altitude illness. Plan a gradual ascent and get individualized travel-health advice if you have health concerns or intend to trek high. Do not ascend with symptoms; worsening symptoms require descent and medical help. See the CDC altitude guidance.
Choose dates around your main activity and check the mountain forecast, local access and operator updates close to departure. Rain or road disruption can change a day trip; a city alternative and a spare travel day are useful. For the larger route, use our guide to getting around Peru.
Cusco travel FAQs
How many days do you need in Cusco?
Allow several nights for the city and Sacred Valley, then separate time for Machu Picchu. A high-altitude hike needs an additional day and suitable acclimatization. Four to six days can be a starting framework for planning, not a guarantee that every activity will fit or that you will be ready for altitude.
Is the Cusco tourist ticket worth buying?
Choose by the exact sites you plan to visit. The integral ticket can make sense when combining the near-Cusco ruins with the Sacred Valley within its validity. For one group of sites, a partial ticket may be enough. Check any tour’s included admission before buying another pass.
Can you visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco?
It can be arranged, but it is a long, tightly coordinated day. Confirm your entry route and time before matching trains and the final transfer. An overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo can allow more flexibility. A train ticket alone does not normally include archaeological admission.
Should I visit Rainbow Mountain on my first day?
No. Do not schedule a demanding high-altitude hike immediately after arrival. Allow gradual acclimatization and choose according to how you feel, weather and medical advice where relevant. A horse does not remove altitude risk. Keep a lower-elevation alternative instead of treating the booking as a commitment to ascend.
Do Sacred Valley tours include Maras and Moray?
Not automatically. Some focus on Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, while others include Maras and Moray. The linked tour follows the former route. Read the named stops and ticket exclusions, and avoid booking a second excursion that duplicates places you have already paid to visit.
Can you explore Cusco on foot?
You can explore parts of the historic center on foot, but hills, cobbles, steps and altitude make effort hard to judge from distance alone. San Blas and the approach to Sacsayhuaman are more demanding than a short central walk. Ask your accommodation about a route that fits your mobility.
Should I book a San Pedro cooking class?
Choose a class if you want a guided introduction and time preparing dishes. Visit the market independently if you mainly want to browse or have little time. The linked class lasts about four hours; confirm dietary needs, guide language and the exact meeting point before booking.
Where should I stay in Cusco?
For sightseeing, choose a base with practical access to the historic center and your departure points. Ask about street gradients, vehicle access, early breakfasts and luggage storage. Skylodge is a separate guided adventure stay in the Sacred Valley, not a substitute for a convenient city hotel.
- About the Author
- More info
Pauline has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and is a professional content writer. She specializes in writing about travel and food. Pauline spent most of her career life in Dubai and is a Travel Expert for the United States and Costa Rica.
