🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Machu Picchu
- ✓Sacsayhuaman
- ✓Qorikancha
- ✓Sacred Valley
- ✓12-sided stone
- ✓San Pedro Market
- ✓Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
- ✓Plaza de Armas
Cusco
Cusco
Gateway to Machu Picchu and former capital of the Inca Empire, featuring stunning colonial architecture built on Inca foundations, vibrant markets, and Sacred Valley adventures.
🌐Other Cities in Peru
Recommended Hotels in Cusco
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (8 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Belmond Hotel Monasterio
- ★Palacio del Inka
- ★JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
- ★Tierra Viva Cusco Centro
- ★Selina Plaza de Armas Cusco
🍜Restaurants & Food
•Cicciolina
¥¥¥Contemporary Andean fusion cuisine
•Chicha por Gastón Acurio
¥¥¥Traditional Peruvian by famous chef
•Pachapapa
¥¥Traditional Andean food in courtyard
•Limo
¥¥¥Nikkei fusion with Plaza views
•Jack's Café
¥Breakfast, coffee, casual international
🛍️ Shopping
- •San Blas Artisan Neighborhooddistrict
Bohemian area with galleries, craft shops, jewelry, ceramics. Higher quality than market but also higher prices.
- •Pisac Marketmarket
Sunday market in Sacred Valley with textiles, alpaca products, handicrafts. Bargaining expected. Authentic Andean experience.
- •Centro Artesanal Cuscomarket
Indoor artisan market near Plaza. Fixed prices, quality crafts, less pressure than street vendors. Good for souvenirs.
- •Chocolate Shopsspecialty
Cusco specialty chocolate made from Peruvian cacao. ChocoMuseo offers workshops and tastings.
💡 Travel Tips
- • Arrive 2 days early to acclimatize to 3,400m altitude before Machu Picchu
- • Book Machu Picchu tickets months in advance - limited daily entries
- • Drink coca tea for altitude sickness - effective and traditional remedy
- • Boleto Turístico pass (PEN 130) covers multiple ruins - good value if visiting several sites
- • Avoid drinking tap water - altitude and bacteria risk, buy bottled water
- • Inca Trail permits sell out 6 months ahead - book early or choose alternative treks
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
May - September (Dry season)
💰Daily Budget
$40-80/day
👥Popular With
HistoryAdventureCulture SeekersBackpackers
🗓️Recommended Stay
4-7 days
🌐Timezone
UTC-5 (PET)
💬Local Language
Spanish, Quechua
💱Currency
PEN (Peruvian Sol)
📅Cusco 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
Arrival & Acclimatization
🌅
Morning3h
🎭
Gentle Exploration & Coca Tea
💡 Take it VERY slow first day. Altitude sickness hits hard at 3,400m. Walk Plaza de Armas, drink coca tea, rest frequently.
☀️
Afternoon2h
🎭
San Blas Neighborhood Walk
💡 Uphill walk but gradual. Artisan shops, galleries, San Blas church viewpoint. Stop often, don't rush. Acclimatization priority.
🌙
Evening2h
🍜
Light Dinner & Early Rest
💡 Eat light. Avoid alcohol first night. Early bed crucial for altitude adjustment. Coca tea before sleep helps.
💡Tips
- •Altitude is serious - arrive minimum 2 days before Machu Picchu, drink coca tea constantly
- •Book Machu Picchu tickets 3-6 months ahead high season (June-August)
- •Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) PEN 130 covers most ruins - buy at COSITUC offices
- •Inca Trail permits sell out 6 months ahead - book early or choose alternative Salkantay trek
- •Weather: dry season May-September ideal, rainy season January-March Inca Trail often muddy
- •Carry small bills - change scarce, many vendors can't break large bills