- The city was designed by the Inca in the shape of a puma, with the head represented by the fortress of Saqsaywaman and the heart located near the Plaza de Armas.
- Cusco is one of the highest-altitude major cities in the world, requiring significant time for travelers to acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.
- The city experiences a vertical climate, where temperature differences between day and night can be extreme due to its high-altitude Andean location.
- During the Inti Raymi festival held in June, the city celebrates the winter solstice with massive theatrical reenactments of Inca sun worship rituals.
- Traditional Andean weaving techniques preserved in the region rely on natural dyes derived from minerals, plants, and even the cochineal insect.
About Cusco
Cusco, situated at 3,400 meters in the Andes, once served as the capital of the Inca Empire and retains a unique urban layout where colonial Spanish structures rest upon massive, precise Inca stone foundations. The city center is anchored by the historic Cusco Cathedral and the nearby Qorikancha, which was the most significant temple in the Inca realm. Visitors can navigate steep, winding streets that lead to iconic sites like the Twelve Angled Stone, showcasing the architectural precision of ancient stonemasonry. Beyond the urban core, the landscape is defined by sprawling archaeological complexes like Saqsaywaman, which overlook the entire valley.
Highlights of Cusco
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Massive zigzagging limestone walls demonstrate the incredible engineering capabilities of the Inca empire.
Museums
This site reveals the transition of power, with a colonial convent built directly over the foundations of the sun temple.
Places of interest
This stone is a masterpiece of masonry, featuring twelve precise angles that fit perfectly without mortar.
Museums
The site features peculiar rock formations and tunnels that were likely used for subterranean religious ceremonies.
Places of interest
A giant white statue of Christ provides a panoramic vantage point overlooking the entire Cusco valley.
Parks
The neighborhood is renowned for its steep, narrow lanes and long history of artisan pottery workshops.
Temples
A prime example of colonial architecture built using stones salvaged from Inca structures, housing significant religious art.
Historical places
The towering statue honors the Sapa Inca who transformed Cusco into the political and administrative hub of his empire.
Top things to do in Cusco
The 212 highest-rated places in Cusco, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Ollantaytambo Archeological Site is a former Inca royal estate that functioned as both a strategic military fortress and...
2
Historical places
Saqsaywaman is a sprawling Inca citadel situated on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco, constructed primarily during t...
3
Museums
Qorikancha, meaning 'Golden Enclosure' in Quechua, served as the primary temple of the Inca Empire and the hub of the ce...
4
Places of interest
The Twelve Angled Stone is a masterpiece of Incan masonry located in the Hatun Rumiyoc wall of the former Palace of Inca...
5
Historical places
Moray consists of three major sinkhole-like depressions containing a series of concentric circular terraces. These terra...
6
Museums
Q'enco, derived from the Quechua word for 'labyrinth' or 'zigzag,' is an archaeological complex featuring intricate lime...
7
Temples
The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo of Guzmán is constructed directly atop the ruins of Qorikancha, the most signifi...
8
Parks
Plaza Túpac Amaru is a major public square located in the Wanchaq district of Cusco, serving as a primary cultural and c...
9
Parks
Urubamba Main Square, known locally as Plaza de Armas, serves as the central hub of the Sacred Valley of the Incas in th...
10
Places of interest
Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco is a hilltop observation point situated near the Pukapukara and Sacsayhuaman archaeologic...
11
Parks
Plaza de Armas de Ollantaytambo functions as the central hub of a living Incan town, where the original urban grid layou...
12
Parks
Plaza San Blas is the heart of Cusco's artisan district, located at a higher elevation than the main Plaza de Armas. It...
13
Historical places
The Monumento Inca Pachacutec is a towering bronze sculpture dedicated to the Sapa Inca who transformed the Kingdom of C...
14
Places of interest
Pikillacta is a monumental urban site built by the Wari culture around 500 to 900 AD. It represents one of the most well...
15
Parks
The Óvalo de Pachacutec is a prominent traffic circle and public space in Cusco centered around a massive bronze statue...
16
Temples
Saint Peter the Apostle of Andahuaylillas is a 16th-century colonial church renowned as the 'Sistine Chapel of the Ameri...
17
Parks
Humedal de Huasao is an ecological reserve and artificial wetland located in the Oropesa district of Cusco, Peru. The ar...
18
Parks
Plaza Regocijo, also known as Plaza Kusipata, is a historic urban square located two blocks from the Plaza de Armas in C...
19
Temples
Cusco Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin, is the primary religious site in Cus...
20
Temples
The Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca is a significant Catholic pilgrimage site located in the San Salvador district of th...
21
Venues
Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega is a multi-purpose stadium located in Cusco, Peru, at an elevation of approximately 3,...
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Parks
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Parks
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Museums
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Temples
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Cusco on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Cusco
May through September, which coincides with the dry season, offering clear blue skies and minimal rain for exploring outdoor archaeological sites.
3-4 days to allow for proper altitude acclimatization and deep exploration of local historical sites before venturing to surrounding valley regions.
The historic center is highly walkable due to its narrow streets, while taxis are the standard method for reaching higher-elevation sites or nearby districts.
Stay in the San Blas neighborhood for a bohemian atmosphere and historic charm, or near the Plaza de Armas for central access to major historical landmarks.
Cusco is a mid-range destination, offering a wide spectrum of options from highly affordable local markets to premium boutique hotels housed in colonial manors.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 212 curated attractions in and around Cusco, ranked by traveller ratings.
Ollantaytambo Archeological Site is the highest-rated place to visit in Cusco right now.
The largest category is temples, with 73 places to explore.
Travellers also explore San Isidro District, Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo, Peru.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
