Ancient Culture in the Imperial City
Cusco is a vibrant city absorbed in ancient culture and colorful traditions. Nestled away 11,000 ft high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is known as the former capital of the Incan Empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu. Alongside one of the marvelous wonders of the world, there is plenty more unique landmarks to indulge. The best way to get to the city is either the direct 1½ hour flight from Lima to Cusco’s tiny airport, or going on an epic road trip across Peru! We suggest the latter to help acclimatize to the altitude. Here’s our top 8 favorite things to do while in the magical city of Cusco.
8. Plaza de Armas, Cusco
If you’re headed to Cusco, you won’t be able to miss this huge gathering square. Plaza de Armas is the city’s main plaza and is surrounded by restaurants, cathedrals, and a plethora of colonial architecture. From early morning to late evenings, there’s always something going on. It may be a bit hectic with all the vendors trying to sell things, but you can get your obligatory photo with an alpaca here. The plaza is a central meeting point for many of the activities in Cusco.
7. Cusco Planetarium
It may be due to my affinity of all things space related, but the Cusco Planetarium is the coolest things to do after the sun sets. The tour is an incredible experience for stargazers and learning the history of the Inca’s ancient astronomy. It departs from Plaza de Armas and is located atop a hill overlooking downtown. The van leaves promptly at 5:30pm, so be sure to reserve a spot here! If it’s a clear night, you might be able to see stars, planets, and nebulas. Inside is an amazing 3D projection of the astrological symbols from the Inca’s past.
6. Piedra de los 12 ángulos
Piedra de los 12 Angulos may seem like just a wall, because it is just a wall. The twelve angled stone is an archaeological artifact that is also part of the palace of the Archbishop’s wall. The perfectly cut edges are pretty impressive, but the back alley streets of cobbled stoned roads is the true spectacle. Right across from the monument is a local shop that sells great and cheap souvenirs. If you’re looking to buy anything from Cusco, find it here instead of the overpriced shops by the plaza.
5. Try Some Traditional Peruvian Foods
Cusco is heavily influenced by traditional Incan delicacies unique to the region. These bizarre meals are worth trying if you’re feeling adventurous. The strangest dish I ate was Cuy, grilled Guinea Pig. Cuy is one of the few domesticated animals the Incas had access to in the barren mountain regions so it became a common dish. The first bite was similar to crispy chicken wings, although a bit more oily and chewy but still pretty good despite the shocking presentation.
Another staple food to try is Alpaca meat, which is similar to beef. Anticuchos is an interesting cuisine as well. It is grilled beef hearts on a kebab loaded with plenty of spices and sauce. For a slightly less obscure dinner, try Trucha a la plancha. This grilled trout is one of my favorite foods in the region! Check out our food guide to Peru’s interesting and unique cuisines here!
4. Qorikancha
Like most ancient temples dedicated to the sun, Qorikancha is a lavish shrine created by the Incas. The complex architecture is a combination of a Spanish colonial church and an ancient Incan sanctuary. This duality of cultures makes Qorikancha like no other place of worship. Join in as part of a tour and you’ll get all sorts of historical insights. The hours are from 8:30am to 5:30 pm daily. Located just a few minutes walk from the Plaza.
3. Hike Rainbow Mountain
Also known as Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain is a vigorous journey reserved for the bold. It is about 3 hours drive from Cusco, a 6.2 mile long trek, and over 16,000 ft above sea level. Most visits are full-day tours, so I would suggest going only if you have sufficient time in Cusco. Those that do venture to the vivid summit will be rewarded with spectacular views. If you don’t feel like hiking (I don’t blame you) you can also choose to go up on horse back! Book your tours for Rainbow Mountain here.
2. Sacsayhuaman, Cusco
Sacsayhuaman is an ancient Incan citadel in the hills over looking the city. Comprised of enormous stone blocks, this historical site was used as a fortress and had great religious importance. I’m still puzzled at how they managed to cut perfect lines into 100 ton rocks all over the area. To gain access to Sacsaywaman, it is required to purchase the Boleto Turistico, which will also grant you admission into the other archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, and many more. We booked our tour through one of the multitude of vendors in the Plaza de Armas, which included rides between each site. The tour lasted about 3 hours and most of the locations close at 5pm so start your day early!
1. Machu Picchu
This world famous destination needs no introduction and deserves its own post entirely. Machu Picchu is the largest ancient Incan citadel and one of the world’s seven wonders. If you only get to see one thing in Peru, this should be it. It is the emblem of the country and lives up to the hype. Along your route to Machu Picchu, there are equally amazing destinations like the Sacred Valley and hiking the Inca trail. These ancient ruins are a once in a lifetime experience and the wonderful memories should last an eternity.
Cusco is one of the greatest cities to visit in Peru. There’s plenty of historical sites to explore and many interesting foods to try. I would recommend spending at least 4 or 5 days if you want to experience the main attractions. Here’s some really helpful tips for acclimatizing to the altitude and preparing for your trip to Peru. Stay tuned for more adventures through this magnificent country. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
If you’re interested in experiencing more of this amazing city, check out our Cusco travel vlog!!!
