Best Things to Do in Cusco Culture Food and Iconic Sites You Can’t Miss
Ultima actualización en 19 November, 2025 por Waman Adventures
Last Updated on 19 November, 2025 by Waman Adventures
- Tour historic center and its colonial treasures
- Visit Inca architectural centers just minutes from city
- Live unique cultural experiences in Cusco
- Try delicious Andean gastronomy
- Capture spectacular views from best viewpoints
- Take day trips from Cusco
- Immerse yourself in local festivals and traditions
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Frequently asked questions about best things to do in Cusco
- What are best things to do in Cusco in few days?
- What activities can’t be missed among best things to do in Cusco?
- What are best things to do in Cusco with children or family?
- Where do I start if I want to experience best things to do in Cusco?
- What cultural experiences are part of best things to do in Cusco?
- Is it necessary to acclimatize before doing best things to do in Cusco?
- Are there best things to do in Cusco during rainy season (November to March)?
- What excursions are considered among best things to do in Cusco from city?
Cusco is complete destination. Here you’ll discover best things to do in Cusco: from walking through its history filled streets, savoring its exquisite gastronomy, and exploring its impressive archaeological centers and more. Stay and discover why this city will surprise you at every step.
Tour historic center and its colonial treasures
Start your adventure with stroll through old quarter, where every street tells story.
- Plaza de Armas: was Inca ceremonial center and, today, is space surrounded by colonial manor houses. In center stands sculpture of Inca Pachacútec. This is one of main stages for Inti Raymi and Corpus Christi.
- Cusco Cathedral: represents religious art and architectural mestizaje. It was built between 1560 and 1654 over ancient Inca palace. Inside you can admire over 400 paintings belonging to Cusco School.
- Church of Society of Jesus: is located near Cathedral. Its facade, carved in stone, exhibits Solomonic columns, floral motifs, and characteristic reddish tone of Sacsayhuamán stone.
- Qoricancha: was most sacred temple of Inca Empire, dedicated to god Inti. It was originally covered with gold sheets reflecting sunlight, as symbol of divine power. Today it functions as church, museum, and cultural center, where you can appreciate contrast between Inca engineering and colonial ornamentation.
Visit Inca architectural centers just minutes from city
Explore some of Inca Empire’s most important archaeological sites, all located few minutes from Cusco’s historic center. Here I mention main ones:
- Sacsayhuamán: is monumental work of Inca engineering, built under Inca Pachacútec’s command. It’s believed it could have been ceremonial or military fortress. It’s composed of enormous perfectly assembled stone blocks, some up to 30 feet (9 meters) high and over 120 tons in weight.
- Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay: form set of temples and control points demonstrating Incas’ advanced hydraulic and astronomical knowledge. Each has specific function within empire’s ceremonial and logistical system.
- Cristo Blanco: this viewpoint, located on nearby hill, offers one of best panoramic views of city. From here you can contemplate historic center, Sacsayhuamán, and all splendor of Cusco valley.
Live unique cultural experiences in Cusco
| Community experience | What it involves? | Activities to do |
| Chinchero – Traditional textile art | Participation in traditional Quechua weaving workshops with local women. Use of natural dyes and ancestral symbolism. |
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| Willoq / Huilloc – Experiential experience | Immersion in daily life of Andean communities weaving, agriculture, gastronomy and ceremonies. |
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| Andean cooking workshop (pachamanca) | Preparation of traditional Andean dish cooked underground with hot stones. |
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| ChocoMuseo – Artisan chocolate | Workshops from 45 to 90 minutes to learn about Andean cacao and make personalized chocolates. |
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Did you know…?
Weavers use ancestral techniques transmitted orally for generations, without any written pattern.
Try delicious Andean gastronomy
Unmissable dishes from Cusco cuisine
- Cuy chactado: enjoy this traditional Andean dish served with golden potatoes, choclo, Creole salad, and tasty huacatay sauce.
- Rocoto relleno: try this slightly spicy chili, filled with ground meat, olives, cheese, and raisins. Served bathed in sauce and oven gratin.
- Quinoa soup: perfect for acclimatizing, this soup is prepared with cooked quinoa, vegetables, spices, and sometimes meat or egg.
- Olluquito with charqui: savor this traditional stew made with olluco, Andean tuber, accompanied by charqui (dried meat). It’s one of most nutritious dishes from Peruvian highlands.
- Chiri Uchu: typical of Corpus Christi celebrations, this cold dish combines cuy, chicken, charqui, sausage, egg, cheese, seaweed, and toasted corn. It’s whole cultural experience.
- Pachamanca: live ancestral cooking experience with this dish prepared underground. It includes meats, potatoes, choclo, and Andean herbs like huacatay, cooked with heat from hot stones.
Recommended restaurants to taste Cusco cuisine
- Chicha: led by renowned chef Gastón Acurio, this restaurant is ideal if you want to try specialties like baked cuy or ají de gallina, all in elegant and cozy atmosphere highlighting best of Peruvian gastronomy.
- Pachapapa: is famous for offering traditional dishes prepared in adobe oven and wood oven. Here you can savor authentic pachamanca or delicious grilled trout in its charming Andean courtyard.
- Green Point: if you prefer vegan option, this restaurant has gained great prestige in Cusco. It’s known for its mushroom ceviche, vegetable burgers, and other healthy and creative dishes combining flavor and environmental awareness.
Experiences at San Pedro Market
| Aspect | Description |
| Location | Located 10 minutes walk from Plaza de Armas, between Santa Clara and Cascaparo streets. |
| Foundation | Built in 1925 with design attributed to Gustave Eiffel. |
| Opening hours | Every day, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| What you’ll find | Stalls with fruits, meats, breads, textiles, medicinal herbs, souvenirs, and more. |
| Gastronomic highlights |
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| Cultural experience | Direct interaction with local vendors. Authentic and everyday atmosphere. |
| Visiting tips |
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| Tourist relevance | It’s one of Cusco’s most traditional and authentic markets. Allows you to see, smell, and taste real Cusco. |
Capture spectacular views from best viewpoints
Cusco is surrounded by hills with photogenic views.
| San Blas | |
| Location | About 10–15 minutes walking from Plaza de Armas, going up Hatun Rumiyoc street then Cuesta de San Blas. |
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| Why it stands out? |
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| San Cristóbal Viewpoint | |
| Location | Next to San Cristóbal Church, about 15 minutes walking from Plaza de Armas via Cuesta de Suecia. |
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| Why it stands out? |
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| Cristo Blanco Viewpoint | |
| Location | Pukamuqu hill, 3.11 miles (5 km) from center. You can get there walking (30–40 min), by taxi (10 min), or with guided tours. |
| What you’ll find? |
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| Why it stands out? |
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Did you know…?
Cristo Blanco was gift from Palestinian community in 1945.
Take day trips from Cusco
| Main stops | |
| Písac |
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| Moray |
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| Ollantaytambo |
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| Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) 17,060 feet (5,200 m) above sea level | |
| What you’ll see |
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| Humantay Lake 13,779 feet (4,200 m) above sea level | |
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Immerse yourself in local festivals and traditions
| Festival | Date | Key activities | Why it stands out |
| Inti Raymi | June 24 | Reenactment at Sacsayhuamán, dances, rituals. | Ancestral rite of great cultural and historical value |
| Corpus Christi | June | Procession of saints, sawdust carpets, mass in Quechua. | Religious and artistic fusion between neighborhoods and devotees |
| Holy Week / Carnivals | February or March | Processions, empanadas, popular music, traditional games. | Living tradition with Catholic and Andean roots. |
Best things to do in Cusco not only connect you with Inca past, but also with daily life of its inhabitants. Live each activity, flavor,and landscape with all your senses. If you seek authentic experience, book your trip with Waman Adventures and let us accompany you on this unforgettable adventure.
Frequently asked questions about best things to do in Cusco
What are best things to do in Cusco in few days?
If you only have 2 or 3 days, prioritize historic center, Sacsayhuamán, San Pedro market, and half day tour to Sacred Valley or Maras and Moray.
What activities can’t be missed among best things to do in Cusco?
You shouldn’t miss: exploring Inca ruins like Sacsayhuamán, trying local gastronomy, visiting Andean communities, and attending festivities like Inti Raymi if you travel in June.
What are best things to do in Cusco with children or family?
Tour interactive museums, visit Tambomachay or Cristo Blanco, take chocolate workshop, or participate in Andean cooking class.
Where do I start if I want to experience best things to do in Cusco?
Start with historic center: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Qoricancha, and San Blas neighborhood. Then advance toward archaeological sites and day excursions.
What cultural experiences are part of best things to do in Cusco?
You can learn to weave with Quechua communities, cook pachamanca, watch traditional dances, and participate in local festivities full of music and color.
Is it necessary to acclimatize before doing best things to do in Cusco?
Yes. Many activities take place at over 10,827 feet (3,300 m) above sea level, so it’s recommended to rest and drink mate de coca first day.
Are there best things to do in Cusco during rainy season (November to March)?
Yes. Although it rains more, you can enjoy museums, cultural workshops, local markets, and less tourist influx at nearby ruins.
What excursions are considered among best things to do in Cusco from city?
Most recommended are: Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, and Huchuy Qosqo hike.
