Are you interested in the best Cusco places to see during your vacation?
Located within the southern Peruvian Andes, this incredible city has easily become the most popular destination to visit in Peru. Not only is it renowned for ancient Inca ruins such as Saqsayhuamán and nearby Machu Picchu, the city itself is also full of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and many hidden gems. And that’s even without mentioning the incredible alpine and cloudforest scenery nearby.
In this guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about the very best Cusco places to see. This includes must-see sites and hidden gems, as well as how to best fit them into your own itinerary here. Later we’ll also answer some of your most asked questions in our FAQ section.
Table of Contents
The 10 Very Best Cusco Places To See In 2026
Saqsayhuaman Ruins
Perched just above Cusco, Sacsayhuamán is one of the most impressive feats of ancient Inca engineering. Famous for its enormous 128-ton boulders that are perfectly fitted together, you can also enjoy memorable city landscape views from here – with this being one of the best places to see on a Cusco Tour. A visit takes around two hours, and is best visited alongside nearby Tambomachay and Q’enqo.
Qorikancha Temple
The most important temple of the entire Inca Empire, Qorikancha once worshipped the Sun God of Inti. It was famously covered entirely in solid gold, with even its foundations still lying there despite the Spanish Convent of Santo Domingo that was built directly over it. Qorikancha is located a few blocks south of the Plaza de Armas, with an hour ideal for exploring the site properly.
The Plaza De Armas
The beating heart of the Historic Center, the magnificent Plaza de Armas is surrounded by elegant baroque churches, colonial arches and also foundations of the Inca capital. It’s the best first Cusco place to see when exploring with a walking tour, and serves as a useful reference point when exploring or heading out for food or drink.
The Twelve Angled Stone
Hidden within an ancient Inca wall on Hatun Rumiyoc Street, the legendary Twelve-Angled Stone is one of the very best Cusco places to see. It’s just a couple of blocks east of the Plaza de Armas, with these giant boulders demonstrating the extraordinary precision and earthquake-resistant structures that the Inca civilization once built. An absolute must-visit During Your Custom Cusco And Peru Vacation.
El Cristo Blanco Viewpoint
Located close to Saqsayhuaman Ruins on the hill facing due north of Cusco, El Cristo Blanco is the famous giant white Christ sculpture that can be seen from most areas of Cusco. It’s also one of the very best vantage points and offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills, and is best visited around the early evening for the sunset.
The ChocoMuseo
A highly memorable experience to do in Cusco, the ChocoMuseo introduces visitors to Peru’s rich cacao and chocolate-making traditions. Here you can enjoy a hands-on workshop making your very own chocolate with expert pros, while learning about the ancient history of chocolate during this one hour tour. Especially good to do as a light activity while adjusting to the higher altitudes here during your first two days in Cusco.
San Pedro Market
This bustling market is the local heart and soul of Cusco, and offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life here. Colourful stalls sell fresh produce, exotic Andean ingredients and souvenirs, while the on-site food court is perfect for trying novel Peruvian cuisine and tasty dishes. The San Pedro Market is located a few blocks west of the Plaza de Armas, and takes between 30-60 minutes for a proper visit.
Museo De Arte Precolombino
With an impressive collection which showcases thousands of years of ancient history up until the Incas, the Museo de Arte Precolombino helps us understand better the cultures who once roamed Cusco and the nearby Andean regions. It’s located just a couple of blocks east of the Plaza de Armas in San Blas, and you’ll need 1-2 hours for the visit.
Tambomachay Ruins
One of the smaller and less-visited ancient Inca sites just above Cusco, Tambomachay is a well-preserved site that showcases sophisticated water systems and aqueducts that the Inca once heavily depended on. It’s an included visit on the Boleto Turístico, and can also be visited alongside nearby Sacsayhuamán and Puka Pukara in just a half-day.
San Blas District
Arguably Cusco’s most charming neighbourhoods, San Blas is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings and artisan workshops. It’s best to walk this safe district with the eye rather than a map and see where it takes you, although certain streets like Calle Siete Borreguitos are famously among some of the most photogenic spots in the entire city.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Cusco Places To See
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the best Cusco places to see, as well as anything else you need to know.
What Are Some Hidden Gems In Cusco?
If you want to see unique sights while avoiding the crowds in Cusco, you can first head to Calle Siete Borreguitos in the San Blas district for a beautiful, scenic Andean street. There’s also the Sapantiana Colonial Aqueduct which is a pretty colonial bridge, as well as enjoying an authentic Cacao tasting tour in the city center.
What Not To Miss In Cusco?
This really depends on each traveller and their own key interests, however there are a couple of must-visits regardless. One of these is Saqsayhuaman Ruins just outside Cusco, which features its famous 128-ton stones and megalithic walls – while the other is Qorikancha in the Historic Center, which has a combination of Inca foundations and Spanish colonial architecture.
What Are The Four Ruins In Cusco?
These famous four ruins are Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara – all of which are located right within the immediate surroundings of Cusco city. To visit them you’ll need to purchase the tourist ticket (boleto turístico) which is a one-off cost and includes entries to all – while you’ll need about one or two hours to properly explore each set of ruins.
Overview Of The Best Cusco Places To See
And that’s all for this guide on the very best Cusco places to see during your visit.
Once the beating heart of the ancient Inca empire, Cusco is perfect for those who want ruins such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo and Tambomachay – as well as Spanish colonial charms like the Cathedral and Qorikancha. Throughout this article we’ve covered some of the very best places to visit and add to your itinerary, as well as why each one is worthy to explore during your time here in this unforgettable Andean city.
Ready to explore Cusco and Peru in the most memorable way possible? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru, we create Fully Tailored Peru Vacations for our guests, which include customized itineraries, private transport and hotel stays, as well as expert guides to lead you around the very best destinations.
