Location: Cusco
Top Things to do in Cusco
Top 6 History Museums 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. Museo de Vida Monastica - Monasterio de Santa Catalina del Cusco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
The museum focuses on the daily lives of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine: their spiritual practices, their teachings and duties, the training of novices, and their everyday tasks. Among the objects which form part of the collection are extraordinary works in the fields of painting, sculpture and the decorative arts from the viceroyalty and republican periods, as well as exquisite examples of liturgical vestments embroidered by the nuns, and works of religious folk art. The museum houses a particularly famous series of early 19th century mural paintings which adorns the Chapter House. The convent was built during the early 17th century on the site of the old Inca Akllawasi, or “house of the chosen women”. Vestiges of the pre-Hispanic structure can be seen to this day among the outer walls of the convent.
Reviewed By Tourist54220 - Manitowoc, United States
So much history and beautiful artwork here; I don't care what your religion is, this place will inspire you.
2. 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
3. Museo y Catacumbas Del Convento San Francisco de Asis Del Cusco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By AndyF430 - Devizes, United Kingdom
I only went in here by accident, thinking it was just a small church. In fact it's a museum and catacombs. S15 to get in, which includes an English-speaking guide. It's two stories with cloisters, choir, library, refectotu, chapels and a huge beautiful church. Only 3 brothers left - it once housed 180. Rebuilt/ restored after 1650 & 1950 earthquakes, but there is a LOT of original carvings & religious artwork, chests, manuscripts/ books. It also boasts one of the (allegedly) biggest paintings in South America. The church is decorated (relatively) simply but is huge & very impressive. A real find.
4. Museo Quechua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Museo Quechua is a museum next door to the Famous Qorikancha temple that shows 3000 years of history and culture of the Quechua cultura, We are focused geographically on the Cusco Valley and its inhabitants that includes Inkas, pre-Inkas and present inhabitans and their cultural expressions.
Reviewed By dkrandagm - Canmore, Canada
The sign at the entrance on plaza Santa Domingo says "free entrance 3000 anos de historia". What have you got to loose, so we went in. What a surprise!! This private museo is well lit,beautiful displays of agriculture,weaving, textiles, carvings, and more. As you walk through the free exhibits you enter the gift store area, where there are beautiful souvenirs and textiles on display with absolutely zero selling pressure. Continue walking in the building past the gift area and you enter Anka restaurant, a beautifully appointed place where we stopped for a beer. Huge mistake!! Room temperature beer was sent back and they returned it 5 minutes later after putting in fridge-still warm. 3 other customers all complain of warm beer. Response is "sorry". At 10 soles the beer is over priced as it should be 6-8 soles. The museo is great the restaurant deserves a complete pass.
5. Museo Inka
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,168 reviews
Managed by the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad, this archaeology museum traces Cusco’s history from the Inca period to the 20th century.
Reviewed By 614JohnL614 - London, United Kingdom
Acknowledging that a visit to the Imperial city of Cusco is pretty much all about the Inkas, a visit this museum borders on the essential. The exhibits build up slowly from pre-Inka times and by the end you will have a good understanding and feel for the greatest empire of the Americas and its legacy. Allow one and a half hours; entrance charge is a modest 10 Soles for tourists, and S/.5 for Peruvian nationals.
6. Museo Historico Regional
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 491 reviews
Reviewed By Sayakaftw - Hanoi, Vietnam
this is a must see, visiting the museum allows you to know the culture, history and traditions from this wonderful region, we had a tour guide that made it all more special by retelling the stories of legends in a way that we didn't want to leave at the end, would love to re-do it if given the chance
