Location: Cusco
Top Things to do in Cusco
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Cusco, Cusco Region
Incan majesty and Andean baroque exist side-by-side in Cusco's stone streets, epitomized by the Qoriacancha palace and the church of Santo Domingo flanking the Plaza de Armas. In this high-altitude melting pot of Amerindian and mestizo culture, you'll find extraordinary textiles, lively summer festivals and archeological wonders.
Restaurants in Cusco
1. Ausangate
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By Friashe
When my friends and i arrived in Cusco Alberto The Manager of Local Trekkers Peru was waiting for us at the airport to take us to our hotel. The booking process with him was very simple, he quickly answered all our questions. Just imagine that we were 3 women over 40 years old, surely we had a lot of questions before deciding to make this challenging trek. We acclimated for 3 days in Cusco. The day before our Trek we had a briefing with our guide, Raul, he visited us at our hotel and explained us all about the trek, we did the Ausangate Trek 6D/5N ending at the Rainbow Mountain after his detailed explanation, we knew what to expect and what to bring. Something we advise is, that do it in the dry season, since we had some rainy days, but we still enjoyed it very much and the views and landscapes on the Ausangate circuit have no comparison. During the Trek, everything happened as expected. We did not have any surprises or unfortunate events happen. I was the slowest of the 4 of us but we managed to continue together. Our guide Raul was very helpful, he was always asking us about our well-being, if we needed anything and if we felt good, we loved the special care Raul gave us throughout the hike. In addition, the explanations he gave us of each place or of everything we saw were of great deep and cultural content. We can say for sure that he is a professional and very experienced guide and above all that he loves what he does. We learned a lof with him, If you have the opportunity, ask for him as your Ausangate trek guide. During the 6 days, we also had our own cookman “Timoteo” who cooked amazing, delicious food for us. His fried rice is tops! I have a very sensitive stomach so not getting sick is a good sign of hygiene and cleanliness. Even Timoteo made a good cake and presented us at the table at the 5th day dinner, it was like a goodbye and gratefulness, for choosing to travel with Local Trekkers. We were never hungry with Timoteo. Gracias amigo. Finally, I don't want to finish my comment, without first thanking a very quiet and even a little shy person (Rogelio) our horseman. who was very helpful, with our stuff, we only walked with our daypack, since Rogelio with his horses transported all the camping, cooking stuff and our personal stuff from one campsite to another. Without this guy this trek would not have been posible. So. I would not hesitate to recommend Local Trekkers Peru for people who will do the Ausangate Trek, whatever the duration, they will provide you with a first class service.
2. Puente Qeswachaka
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By Owenk1j - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Excellent tour, more than I recommend, we played with César as an excellent guide, very friendly and enriching explanations, an unusual tour, it was a fascinating and incredible journey! the best of the best, a place, nature and culture at its best was the best, César, a great guide, very dynamic and friendly, we love and captivate Q'eswachaka ... we recommend it as a cultural paradise, I really liked it and we definitely recommend it, I guarantee it will be an unforgettable visit, you will find wonderful landscapes and a super fun team, we are very grateful for the excellent attention of Bioandean Expeditions Agency.
3. Humantay Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 841 reviews
The Humantay lake altitude is 4200 m.a.s.l and this make an unique weather and temperatura in this area. The Humantay lake Temperatura can arrive to 5º C during the day and at nIght drop down to 0º C.
Reviewed By gabriellV1594AK - Singapore, Singapore
Great hike to acclimatize to Peru's high altitudes. Not the easiest of hikes as it uphill and upslope for 2 hours before you get to the beautiful the Humantay lake. Make sure you take your time and rest to catch your breathe. The hike down is about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. We got a taxi driver from Cusco to drive me and my wife to the start of the trail head. Car ride is about 2 to 2.5h and we paid about 250 soles for rounc trip, so the driver waited for us.
4. Sacsayhuaman
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,590 reviews
Reviewed By KubsSofyan - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This place is known for being a fortress according to the guide, here there was a battle between the conquerors and the Incas the most interesting about this place is its architecture, here there are huge stones that were used for the construction of Sacsayhuaman.
5. San Blas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,205 reviews
This traditional old quarter of Cusco is the city's most picturesque district characterized by narrow and steep streets, colonial houses built with walls of Incan stone and numerous art workshops.
Reviewed By FarAway25489
So interesting to walk the narrow streets, observe the Incan stones providing support for the buildings. Great local restaurants. Be prepared for street vendors to follw you with their wares. Have a firm “no thank you” or Sols ready as they are persistent.
6. Plaza de Armas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,884 reviews
Reviewed By rustyinsf - The Netherlands, null
Beautiful square in Cusco, so typical of this country, if you are lucky to have good weather, it is a recommended resting place to contemplate the visit to this wonderful city.
7. Cusco Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,187 reviews
Dominating the northeast side of the Plaza de Armas, this magnificent renaissance-style, 16th-century building is in the shape of a Latin cross and contains nearly 400 colonial paintings including the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata.
Reviewed By ianjobling8 - Cotswolds, United Kingdom
Do not miss this stunning building. it is really special. Don't be cathedral led out. Just go. Only downside is that the organs do not work.
8. Qorikancha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,441 reviews
This ruin was once the most important temple of the Incas, which was later used as a base for the Church of Santo Domingo when the Spanish conquered the city.
Reviewed By InspireyouLife - Volma, Belarus
A unique work of Inca architecture, very finely worked stones, today part of this ancient Inca temple is occupied by the Dominican order, and even though time has passed the Inca culture resists against it.
9. Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 759 reviews
The Andean Baroque Route begins in the Main Square of Cusco, in one of the most significant temples of this architectural style. Construction began in 1576 on the Inca temple Amaru Cancha, and was completely refurbished in 1650 after a strong earthquake hit the city. Of Latin cross, its façade is richly decorated stone, it has two large towers and two adjoining chapels. Its interior retains one of the most impressive altars carved in wood and covered in gold leaf, as well as a rich collection of sculptures and painting from the Cusqueña School of Art. The architecture of the temple served as a model for many other temples that were built in the Southern Andes.
Reviewed By midwaytoheaven - Midway, United States
The Compania de Jesus is a beautiful church and located across the street from the Cusco Cathedral and the main city plaza. You can't miss it. It exterior is incredibly detailed with two very tall bell towers. Sadly, this church has been built on the original site of the Inca Temple Amaru Cancha which the Spanish leveled about 1570 after stripping all the Inca gold and silver from their Temple. BOTTOM LINE: Loved seeing this beautiful church but wonder why this church was necessary since it is located directly across from from the massive Cathedral. It has stood now for over 300 years and is definitely worth your exploring. MY RATING: 9/10
10. Museo de Arte Precolombino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 819 reviews
The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art - MAP Cusco is an experience that allows you to discover the mystical art of ancient Peru. It houses and exhibits admirable objects for its history and aesthetics, created by women and men of the Andes, more than three thousand years ago until the sixteenth century, in the territory where Peru is located nowadays. The 400 pieces exhibited in the MAP Cusco, located in the historic Casona Cabrera, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas, are part of the collection of the Larco Museum, considered one of the best 20 museums in the world. The MAP Cusco, managed by the BBVA Foundation, offers the possibility of exploring its ten rooms with audio guides in three languages: Spanish, English and French. The narratives will bring the visitor closer to the worldview that defined the beliefs of the ancient Peruvians. The visitor can also enjoy MAP Café tasting the incomparable flavor of Peruvian cuisine in a magical and peaceful setting.
Reviewed By Cartagena2019 - Cartagena, Colombia
This is a private museum, extremely well organized and exhibits are arranged with great care in rooms. It is recommended to first see a short film in the studio before starting your tour. All exhibits are master pieces, silver, gold, shells, wooden and ceramic sculptures. It is interesting to note that the museum has one of the finest restaurants in Cusco: MAP It is recommended to follow the visit which will last no more than two hours to the Museum of the Incas which is only about three minutes walk down towards Plaza de Armas
