Cusco is not just a city — it’s an experience that grabs you by the shoulders and refuses to let go. Sitting at roughly 3,400 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, this ancient Inca capital packs more history, beauty, and culture into one place than most countries manage in their entirety. I still remember stepping off the plane and feeling the thin air hit my lungs — a gentle reminder that Cusco plays by its own rules. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, here are 12 incredible things to do in Cusco that will absolutely leave you speechless.

1. Wander Around the Iconic Plaza de Armas

Every great Cusco adventure starts at Plaza de Armas, the beating heart of the city. This main square once served as the Inca Empire’s most sacred gathering ground — the Huacaypata — before the Spanish turned it into the colonial showpiece it is today. Flanked by the stunning Cusco Cathedral and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, the plaza blends two wildly different eras of history into one unforgettable frame.

Pull up a chair at one of the many surrounding cafes, sip some coca tea (more on that later), and just watch the world go by. You’ll spot locals, llamas, and tourists all sharing the same cobblestone space — and honestly, that’s the magic. Don’t rush this one. Sit, breathe, and let Cusco introduce itself properly.

2. Step Inside the Cusco Cathedral

Right on the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that doubles as an art gallery no one talks about enough. Built on the foundations of an Inca palace and completed in 1654, it houses an extraordinary collection of colonial artwork. But here’s the wildly fun part — look for the famous Marcos Zapata painting of The Last Supper, where the main dish is a roasted guinea pig. Yes, really.

The blend of Spanish Catholic architecture sitting directly on Inca stonework tells you everything you need to know about Cusco’s layered soul. IMO, this church alone justifies the trip. Spend at least an hour here — every corner has a story.

3. Explore Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun

Qorikancha was once the most important temple in the entire Inca Empire, its walls literally covered in sheets of gold. The Spanish stripped those walls and built the Santo Domingo Convent right on top — and somehow, the Inca stonework underneath still stands flawlessly. The precision of those ancient stones, fitting together without a single drop of mortar, genuinely blows your mind.

Walking through Qorikancha feels like watching two civilizations argue about whose architecture is better (spoiler: the Incas win). This site perfectly illustrates the complicated, often painful history of Cusco. Don’t skip the garden area — the views back toward the city are stunning.

4. Hike Up to Sacsayhuaman Ruins

Just a short taxi ride or an uphill walk from the city center, Sacsayhuaman is an ancient Inca fortress that will genuinely make you question how humans built anything before modern machinery. The massive limestone blocks — some weighing over 100 tonnes — fit together so perfectly that you can’t slide a piece of paper between them. Ever wondered how a civilization with no iron tools or wheels pulled this off? Archaeologists are still figuring it out.

The panoramic views of Cusco from up here are worth every gasping breath the altitude forces out of you. Come early in the morning to beat the crowds and catch the golden light washing over the ruins. Wear layers — it gets cold and windy fast up there.

5. Visit Machu Picchu — The Crown Jewel

Let’s be honest: you probably booked your flight to Peru because of Machu Picchu. And it 100% lives up to the hype — no exaggeration, no tourist-brochure fluff. Recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this 15th-century Inca citadel perched high in the Andes clouds is a bucket-list experience that no photo fully captures.

From Cusco, you take a scenic train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up to the citadel. Book your entrance tickets well in advance — slots sell out months ahead, especially during peak season. Get a licensed guide so you actually understand what you’re looking at, rather than just snapping selfies in front of ancient walls (though those selfies will be incredible, FYI).

6. Hike Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, sits at about 5,200 meters above sea level and earns every ounce of its reputation. The mountain’s naturally striped layers of red, turquoise, green, and gold minerals create a geological spectacle that looks almost digitally painted. It’s one of those places where you arrive, look around, and genuinely forget to take a photo because your brain is too busy being amazed.

The hike is challenging — plan for a 4:30 AM departure from Cusco and a tough 2.5-hour ascent. But the payoff? Absolutely priceless. Acclimatize in Cusco for at least two days before attempting this hike — altitude sickness is real, and nobody wants to spend their adventure lying down feeling terrible :/

7. Explore the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches through the Andes Mountains and contains some of the most significant remnants of the ancient Inca Empire. A day trip here covers incredible ground — the artisan market at Pisac, the perfectly terraced ruins of Ollantaytambo, and the agricultural engineering marvel of Moray, where the Incas built circular terraces that created unique micro-climates for crop experimentation.

Honestly, the Sacred Valley deserves its own trip entirely. The mountain scenery alone is worth the drive. Hire a local guide for Ollantaytambo — the stories behind those massive stones and the fortress walls will completely change how you see this valley.

8. Wander the Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines are one of those places that look unreal — hundreds of terraced salt pools cascading down a hillside, each one a slightly different shade of white and pink, fed by a natural underground saltwater spring that the Incas first tapped over 500 years ago. Local families still harvest the salt by hand today, just as their ancestors did. It’s living history that’s still actively being written.

You can combine Maras with the circular terraces of Moray on the same day trip from Cusco. Buy some local salt as a souvenir — it’s inexpensive, unique, and goes perfectly into any recipe back home (your friends will be impressed, trust me).

9. Get Lost in the San Blas Neighborhood

San Blas is Cusco’s artisan barrio, and it’s the kind of neighborhood you stumble into for twenty minutes and somehow lose three hours in. The narrow cobblestone streets wind uphill past whitewashed walls, colorful doorways, and small workshops where local craftspeople hand-carve wood, weave textiles, and paint ceramics right in front of you. It’s charming without trying to be.

The neighborhood also sits above the main city, so the views over Cusco’s terracotta rooftops from the San Blas plaza are stunning. Grab coffee at one of the small local cafes here rather than the tourist spots on Plaza de Armas — the quality is better and the prices are far more reasonable.

10. Haggle at San Pedro Market

If you want to experience Cusco the way locals actually live it, San Pedro Market is your destination. This busy indoor market bursts with fresh tropical fruits, quinoa soups, herbal remedies, handwoven textiles, and every kind of souvenir imaginable. It’s loud, colorful, fragrant (in every direction), and completely fascinating.

• Try the fresh fruit juices — the vendors blend them to order and they cost almost nothing
• Sample chicha morada, a refreshing Peruvian drink made from purple corn
• Browse the textile stalls for alpaca wool scarves, gloves, and blankets at fair prices
• Respectfully haggle — it’s expected and part of the fun, but don’t lowball local artisans

The San Pedro Market gives you a real, unfiltered slice of daily Cusco life. Come hungry and come curious.

11. Learn About Coca at the Coca Museum

The Coca Museum in the San Blas neighborhood is a small but surprisingly fascinating stop that most tourists skip entirely. Coca leaves hold deep cultural, medicinal, and spiritual significance in Andean culture — they’re used in everything from altitude sickness remedies to sacred rituals. The museum walks you through the plant’s history, its uses, and the complicated global narrative that often misrepresents it.

Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea is also one of the most effective ways to manage altitude sickness while you’re in Cusco. Pick some up from local markets and your lungs will thank you on that Rainbow Mountain hike. Understanding the plant’s true cultural role makes the whole experience far more respectful and meaningful.

12. Take a Peruvian Cooking Class

Peruvian cuisine ranks among the best in the world — and Cusco’s local cooking scene gives you direct access to its roots. Signing up for a cooking class here means visiting the local market to pick fresh ingredients, learning to make ceviche, lomo saltado, and the legendary Peruvian causa, then sitting down to eat everything you just created. It’s interactive, delicious, and wildly fun.

Beyond the food, a cooking class connects you with local instructors who share stories about ingredients, traditions, and family recipes passed down through generations. Book through a locally-owned school rather than a big tour operator — the experience feels more personal and your money goes directly to the community. This is easily one of the most memorable things you’ll do in Cusco.

Final Thoughts on Cusco

Cusco is the kind of place that rewires your brain a little. Between the ancient ruins, the jaw-dropping mountain landscapes, the incredible food, and the warmth of the local culture, it offers something genuinely rare — a travel experience that feels both epic and deeply human at the same time. Take time to acclimatize when you first arrive, drink your coca tea, and resist the urge to sprint through everything on day one.

The best version of your Cusco trip happens when you slow down and let the city show you things you didn’t plan for. So pack your bags, book that flight, and go. The Andes are waiting — and they are absolutely, 100% worth it 🙂