The Ultimate Guide to Cusco, Peru
Every traveller in Peru is certain to spend time visiting Cusco, the captivating former capital of the Incan empire. Sitting at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is an incredible city and a destination in its own right, filled with history and culture. The ancient city is also the gateway to so many of Peru’s hidden and not-so-hidden gems only adding to its enduring popularity. One of South America’s biggest tourist destinations, the city boasts a thriving Andean culture, and Inca architecture and colonial treasures galore, not to mention exclusive access to the incredible Machu Picchu, an unmissable highlight of any Peru or South America trip.
Yes, it’s touristy, filled with souvenir shops and tour companies but, the history and the culture really shone through for us and made it one of our favourite cities that we have visited.
Read on to read all about our favourite spots that we visited whilst in Cusco. When you visit Cusco don’t miss these spots.
If you’re travelling to Peru don’t miss our guide on the 5 Places To Travel To In Peru.
What is the best time to visit Cusco?
The best time to visit Cusco and the surrounding areas is during the city’s dry season (May–Sept). During this time it is warm with clear skies during the day. However, it can get relatively cold at night so don’t forget a jumper and some warmer clothes. During the wet season (Oct–April) it doesn’t rain every day, but when it does, downpours are heavy. We visited in July. During the day we experienced mostly blue skies and sunshine however, it was very cold in the evenings and we definitely needed a jacket on during the day!
Things to do in Cusco
When researching things to do in Cusco it may seem that the best things to see and do in Cusco are not actually in Cusco, however, the city really does have so much to offer and we would go back in a heartbeat. When planning your travel around Peru you should plan to spend at least one day in the city to have time to explore the narrow streets and discover the indigenous heart which still strongly beats within.
If you don’t have much time then you should base yourself within Centro Historico to easily access all of the best bits of Cusco. Read on to discover all of our must see’s for when you visit Cusco, Peru.
Hang out in San Blas
This traditional old quarter of Cusco is the city’s most picturesque district filled with narrow and steep streets, colonial houses built with walls of Incan stone and numerous art workshops. This is where we actually based ourselves, up a very steep flight of stairs in a cute little hotel overlooking the city.
It’s a beautiful area and far less busy than some of the more well-known spots, has some epic little cafes (if you visit here be sure not to miss Jacks Cafe. Don’t let the English name put you off, it was honestly some of the best food we’d had in months!). San Blas is perfect if you’re looking for a chilled-out vibe, great views of Cusco, some awesome bars and, well, honestly everything that you need when you’re in a city for more than a few days.
Wander the streets surrounding Plaza De Armas
The beating heart of Cusco, from first to last light there is never a still moment in Plaza de Armas.
The central square of the city is bordered by the imposing sandstone Cusco Cathedral (completed in 1654 with the aim of removing Incan religious beliefs and now a UNESCO heritage site) and the smaller but beautifully intricate Church de La Compañia de Jesus.
You will inevitably walk through Plaza de Armas many times whilst you are in Cusco, but our tip is to grab a beer or morning coffee at one of the many cafes and restaurants and watch the world go by from one of the little balconies. We ended up in one of the many Irish pubs that are near Plaza de Armas and despite it being an Irish pub we still felt truly immersed in the local culture. It’s the perfect spot for relaxing and just taking in the mix of traditional and touristic Cusco that collides in a kaleidoscope of colour surrounding you.
Note – you will be inundated with offers for ‘massage massage’ in Plaza de Armas by young women from as little as S/. 15 – 20. We were sceptical at first but, thankfully they all seem to be legitimate. We both opted for one after a few long days of hiking and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only catch is they get you in on the pretence of offering a very cheap massage and once you are in there they give you a price list for all of their massages and really try to talk you out of the lowest price one explaining how you can’t choose your pressure, it doesn’t last very long and is done in a very basic style.
Of course, you can still opt for this one however, I don’t think that they would have been too happy if we had. Instead, we both opted for an oil massage instead which cost around £10 each and was worth every penny after a busy few days visiting Cusco and the surrounding areas.
Visit the Churches and Cathedrals of Cusco
The most famous religious building in Cusco is Cusco Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, an incredible monument sat right in the centre of Cusco. Some other gems around the centre are San Francisco Church and San Cristobal Church, both are well worth a visit if you have a few days to explore Cusco. The majority of the churches and cathedrals that can be found within the South American city are usually built in a European architectural style on the foundations of old Inca churches, which gives the city a unique appearance and makes for a very interesting visit to Cusco.
Use it as a base for day trips
The city of Cusco could easily be explored over the course of two or three days. However, many travellers (including us) end up setting up camp and staying in the city for a week or longer. We actually ended up staying 7 days and didn’t even feel this was enough time. However, it was our final destination and due to continuously extending in our previous destinations we really didn’t have long left to explore before our flight home.
The reason? There are an incredible number of spots and hikes just a short drive from Cusco. So, it just makes more sense to use the city as a base instead of leaving it when you visit Cusco.
Where to stay when you visit Cusco
Staying in Cusco is generally more expensive than in other areas of Peru. Dorms are generally reasonably priced however if you’re like us and at that stage in your life where you are looking for private rooms then these are quite a bit harder to come by and far more expensive. Whether you’re in a hostel or hotel, prices also increase in the peak season (June – August) whilst availability is limited due to the number of international tourists who arrive – this makes booking ahead of your visit essential.
The majority of Cusco’s best accommodation options for every budget are located within the historical centre. We stayed in the area of San Blas and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, if booking through booking.com watch out for the extra city tax. Usually, this shows as included but, it didn’t during our stay in Cusco and we ended up having to pay extra for it. Some options that we were recommended to stay in include:
Selina
Selina is located just 2 blocks away from the Plaza de Armas. Selina has private and dorm options, complete with co-working spaces and lovely social areas.
You can book the Selina here.
Casa Tunki
Casa Tunki is located inside the monumental area of Cusco (historical centre). The hostel has architecture that dates from the colonial era and has incredible reviews. Rooms are reasonably priced and the hostel offers the option of private and dorm rooms.
You can book Casa Tunki here.
Wild Rover
Wild Rover Cusco – A low-cost social experience with the best panoramic view of Cusco from our infamous on-site bar & restaurant. The hostel chain generally has a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a party hostel. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to socialise and have a few drinks then here is the perfect spot to book.
From here you can easily bus from Cusco to Lima or your next destination.
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