At some point, in every traveller’s itinerary through Peru the city of Cusco pops up as a destination. It’s the perfect base for visiting the Sacred Valley, start your trip to Machu Picchu and do some of the best hiking in the country a.k.a. the perfect basecamp. That said, Cusco’s enchanting hispanic architecture is something different to anywhere else in Peru, something to enjoyed at a your own pace.
On a nice day, walking around the bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas and then heading over to the gorgeous Plaza de Armas feels like going back in time. The whole city is full of treasures, from small artisanal markets to small miradors overlooking the rooftops, awaiting to be discovered by the curious traveller who dare to venture away from the masses.
Here’s some things to do in & around Cusco we recommend you to check.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN CUSCO
1# Visit Plaza de Armas
Every city in Peru has a central plaza named Plaza de Armas but the one in Cusco is something special. If for a second you forget about being in South America and look up at the gorgeous architecture, old fascinating churches and wide-open porticos, you could be easily walking in some beautiful capital of Europe.
2# Get lost in the San Blas neighbourhood
But if walking around the central plaza doesn’t fill you wanderer hunger, then you shouldn’t miss the San Blas neighbourhood. This authentic jewel of the city is nothing but the bohemian heart of Cusco and pretty much the place to go if you wanna discover by day and go out by night.
3# Fresh juice at San Pedro market
During one of our exploration day throughout the city, we happen to find ourselves in front of the San Pedro market. And if you have a walk around inside the market, it surely doesn’t take long to figure out whats this place famous for: fresh squeezed juice of all sorts! If are not too overwhelmed by the several vendors trying to get you to sit down at their stall, relaxing with a mixed fruit juice in your hand is the perfect way to chill.
4# Mirador Cristo Blanco
But if seeing the city from within is not for you, why not check it from above? A bit out of town, exactly just next to Saqsaywaman there’s the Mirador Cristo Blanco. Here, a big statue of Christ on a Rio de Janeiro’s style, together with three huge crosses, sits on a huge hills that overlooks the city skyline gifting some over-the-rooftops awesome views.
5# See a traditional dance
Cusco is not just great buildings and nice artisanal markets but it’s also one of the most important centres for the peruvian culture. A nice way to see this world is to spend an evening at the Centro de Arte Nativa Qosqo. At this venue, every day at 6.30pm, there’s a 1-hour long show that puts together native music and dances into something special. Be aware that you need a bolero truistic to be admitted at the show!
TOP THINGS TO DO AROUND CUSCO
1# Visit Machu Picchu
Obviously, one of the highlights of the Cusco area is visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu can be accomplished in several days but nearly all of the people end up leaving their backpacks/luggages in Cusco and head over to Aguas Calientes with just the necessary for a one-night-out trip.
2# Explore the Valle Sagrado
But Machu Picchu is not the only great archaeological site in the area. If you like ruins, temples and structures dating back to the past then you should plan on spending sometime exploring the Urubamba valley a.k.a. El Valle Sagrado (The Sacred Valley). Getting around this huge stretch of history without organised tours but if you opt for renting a car then it nothing hard.
During our stay there we rented the a car and visited the West of Cusco on our first day (Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo), then the short North of Cusco on our second day (Saqsaywaman, Q’engo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay) and lastly the East of Cusco on our third day (Pisac, Pikillacta, Rumicolca and Tipon).
3# Hike up Rainbow Mountain
There are not many places which are unique in the world but the Montaña de Colores, also known as Rainbow Mountain, is definitely among them. If you’re a trekking junkie and ready to take on a high-altitude adventure in the Andes then getting to the top of Rainbow Mountain should be at the top of your list. Getting there might not be the easiest thing to accomplish but once at the site, the reward for such a long journey will make it up for it. If you’re planning to hike up, make sure to read our article on Things to Know before Hiking Rainbow Mountain!
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