The Best things to do in Cusco City
With charming cobblestone streets and beautiful colonial architecture, Cusco is the perfect base city for doing all the best things in Peru.
This lovely little city stole my heart despite how exhausted its hilly streets got me each day. If your plan is to visit Machu Picchu, this is the city where you will be based at.
I spent nearly two weeks exploring the city and going on tours. There is so much to do! I could easily stay a month and still have more fun places to visit. It’s the place to be if you love hiking!
Before going on all the tours that are near and around Cusco, I highly recommend you spend at least two days acclimatizing to the altitude. The city is located 3,400 meters (11,152 ft) above sea level. If you are not used to it, your body will definitely react to it. So just relax and explore the city first.
There are many things to do in Cusco city while you give yourself a few days before attempting the more difficult hikes and mountains nearby.
Table of Contents
The Best Things to do In Cusco City
Admire the Plaza de Armas
This lovely plaza is one of my favorites in Peru. It is clean, beautiful, lively, and surrounded by beautiful mountains from afar. Plaza de Armas is where you can find benches to relax at, grab a snack, or people watch. There are many restaurants and coffee shops too.
Tour companies are located all around the square where you can shop for the best deals. You can even get a massage or end up dancing to some local band at night as we did. It is the center and main hang-out area of the city. Make sure to roam around for a bit.
At the plaza, you will find two beautiful churches that decorate it. You have the Basilica of our Lady of the Assumption and Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus.
Wander San Blas District
San Blas is a trendy and touristy area located on the hills of Cusco city. These cobblestone streets are gorgeous and have many cafes, restaurants, and clothing shops. The best thing to do is simply get lost in the streets admiring the flower decorations and cute balconies around the area.
Shop at Market San Pedro
I love visiting local markets in the cities I visit, and San Pedro was one I enjoyed. You can eat, shop, and browse around. This is where you can take home cheap souvenirs or go delight your taste buds by eating in the local restaurants inside.
Stop by the Stone of 12 Angles
One popular spot in Cusco that always has crowds of people is the Stone of 12 Angles. This perfectly cut rock is on Hatun Rumiyoc Street and is part of a wall. The way they are perfectly carved to give the structure stability is what’s so popular about this and something to admire the Inca people for.
It has stood for central centuries as a result of the great architectural design it was given. In fact, for that reason, many buildings were kept by Spanish Conquerors instead of demolishing. It is believed that if the stones are removed, the whole structure would come down.
Drink Coffee
If you’re a coffee-lover, there is no shortage of places to drink one. Many coffee shops have balconies and others have views of the city. Wander around and walk into any that may interest you. A popular one with an amazing view of the street is, L’Atelier in San Blas.
Check out the Aqueducto Colonial de Sapantiana
If you’re looking for a nice place to photograph, Aqueducto Colonial is a great spot. It’s a nice aqueduct that is located in the San Blas neighborhood and worthy of a quick stop.
See the View from Arco de Santa Ana
Another great spot in the city to photograph is the Santa Ana Arch. What I like about it is the view of the city and the mountains as you look at it.
View the City from Cristo Blanco
If you want to get a great view of the city or catch a sunset, one of the best places will be from the Cristo Blanco. It’s only a 30-minute walk up the hill which is on the way to the Sacsahuayman Ruins. At the viewpoint, you will find a few vendors and a lot of tourists who get off for a few minutes from the Hop on Hop Off Tour buses.
Hang Out at Mirador San Blas
Just in the San Blas area and a very short walk from downtown, you have Mirador San Blas. In the plaza down below, you can find tables of vendors selling art. I visited this spot for sunset and really enjoyed the view.
Walk to Mirador San Cristobal
Mirador San Cristobal is part of the San Cristobal Church. This spot is a short walk up from San Blas and also has an incredible view of the city. It’s also the perfect place to relax, read a book, or simply take in the views.
Explore the Sacsayhuaman Ruins
Sitting on the hills of Cusco, are the Sacsayhuaman Ruins. Just a 30 minute walk up near San Cristobal Church and you’ll be left to explore the heavy stones and go back in history. If you aren’t up to the walk, you can always take a short taxi ride up to the hill.
Stop at Convento La Merced
I didn’t get a chance to visit Convento La Merced, but I’ve seen pictures and it looks absolutely beautiful. This old convent has a central courtyard decorated with flowers and lovely archways. Inside the rooms, you find paintings and artifacts.
Go on the Balcon del Diablo ATV Tour
One of the days we were in Cusco resting from our hikes, we wanted something else to do. And while we were walking at Mirador San Cristobal, some guys approached us to offer a tour on ATV to Balcon del Diablo. It’s a landscape where you go to a river a short path to a cave and see the high cliff they call Balcon del Diablo, or Devil’s Balcony.
It starts with a drive up to the area of Sacsayhuaman Ruins, where the ATVs are located. We drove our ATVs through some dirt road for about 20 minutes are arrived to the site where we walked and cross the cave with water just up to the ankles.
The tour wasn’t necessarily something too special, but it was something nice to do in the city and to steer away from boredom. The cost of the tour was 40 soles. From there, we walked down the Mirador de Cristo to see the sunset because it was nearby, but we somehow ended up exploring the Ruins on the way there.
Get a Massage
I have to admit, my trip to Cusco has been one of the most tiring days of travel I’ve experienced. Every activity involved long hiking trails at high altitudes and day-long rides to these locations.
You will arrive absolutely exhausted each day. There is no better way to end off your days in Cusco than with a full-body massage.
You will deserve it after so much exercise and for conquering those monstrous hikes. Around the Plaza de Armas, you can ask around for prices. I found one for as low as ten dollars.
This is during pandemic days as prices have gone down. Had I known they were that cheap, I would have gotten at least two or three massages during my two weeks there.
Where to Stay
The Cusco touristy area is small, so staying in the city center or in the district of San Blas will both be great choices. They are within walking distance of each other. The center will be flatter walking-wise and is surrounded by local shops and restaurants. In San Blas, you have social hostels and all the trendy shops and restaurants.
I stayed in both and actually preferred the flat surface in the center because trust me, walking the hills of Cusco is extremely tiring after a long day of walking on the tours. In San Blas, I stayed at Eco Home View Guest House and really enjoyed their rooftop breakfast restaurant.
In the center, I stayed at Kokopelli Hostel and enjoyed the social atmosphere they create. This wasn’t necessarily a party hostel, but definitely a social one. This is great for making friends, but also getting your sleep. In Cusco, you want to be well-rested before those early hikes. So stay where it’s best for you.
What to Pack
Here is a list of things to take with you while exploring the city of Cusco!
The Best Things to do in Cusco City
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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The Best Things to do in Cusco City
