| 4 mins read
Peru’s southern city of Cusco not only acts as the main hub for travelers visiting a number of famous ancient Inca sites, but also boasts some amazing sites and destinations within its city walls as well. Whether you’re looking to experience the ancient Incan Empire (of which Cusco was the capital) or the Spanish colonial side of Cusco, you are bound to be charmed and intrigued by this UNESCO World Heritage City. With so much to experience, here’s a travel guide of what to see and do in the Archeological capital of Peru.
Getting Started
Arriving into Cusco is possible by bus, train or domestic flight. Most international visitors will arrive at Peru through Lima’s Jorge Chávez Airport and connect to Cusco from there. One of the biggest changes travelers need to keep in mind when visiting Cusco is the altitude difference. Sitting at 3,400 meters above sea level, Cusco will most likely be the highest point tourists travel to during their vacation. This being said, it’s important to take things slow the first few days you’re in Cusco; don’t overexert yourself, stay away from alcohol and make use of local remedies to combat the effects. If altitude sickness gets out of hand, it can spoil an entire trip.
The Top Sites and Things to Do in Cusco
With modern restaurants, bars, cafés, shopping districts and accommodation options, Cusco is quite the comfortable and convenient city to be in. While in the city, there are a number of great attractions to take in, and your Cusco tour guide would recommend making your first stop at the city’s tourism office to purchase a Cuzco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico del Cusco). While this ticket grants entrance to most of Cusco’s top sites, circuit tickets covering a smaller set are also available for those who can't cover all there is to see in this this ancient Incan capital.
The ancient stone complex of Sacsayhuaman (12th century) in northern Cusco is a magnificent fortress dating back to the founding of the Inca era. Ascertained to be shaped like the head of a Puma (while the rest of Cusco constitutes the body) this architectural delight offers panoramic views of the city.
Another important stop is Qurikancha, the ancient Incan Sun God Temple. Located in the heart of Cusco, this grandiose complex once had floors, walls and courtyards of gold and was considered to be the most important temple for the Inca Empire. When the Spanish conquistadors invaded, the temple was destroyed and replaced with the current Convent of Santo Domingo.
In a similar fashion, the Cusco Cathedral was another Spanish-built church constructed over the foundations of a demolished Incan temple, located today in the city’s main square (the Plaza de Armas). The Plaza de Armas itself is a grand attraction in the city, home to historical sites, restaurants, cafés and bars… and unfortunately lots of street hawkers as well.
Do make sure to include Cusco’s museum and art scene in your itinerary. These are some of the best in Peru, with contemporary galleries, history, textile and botanical museums, along with several pre-Colombian museums and exhibits as well.
For shopping and entertainment, San Pedro market and the Plaza de San Francisco are a few good spots to visit in the city, especially if you’re trying to avoid the tourist traps of the Plaza de Armas. With endless restaurants, pubs, bars, cafés, clubs and salsa bars all over town, visitors looking for a fun night out in Cusco won’t have to look too far. Solo travelers should take note: muggings and petty theft has been known to occur in Cusco, especially to intoxicated, solo travelers at night.
Having had your fill of the cobbled streets and quaint charm of Cusco, there are then the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the archaeological sites of Tambomachay, Pikillaqta and Huchuy Qosqo only a short trip away, a fitting continuation to your Peruvian explorations.
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/dB4PZ3 (Attraction Voyages Pérou & , CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/GpCma (A.Davey, CC BY 2.0),https://flic.kr/p/4PJoFZ (Gabe Lawrence, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4QAvpy (cordyceps, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/gdx7KA (canopic, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/fJtNfd (BORIS G, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/fyNGmu (Miria Grunick, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/4D5NqE (ElCapitan, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/fKuhYQ (BORIS G, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)