What to Do in Cusco: 9 Things I Loved & 3 Things I’d Do Differently Next Time (2025)

I have a serious soft spot for Latin America, and Peru is easily one of my favorites. One thing I really appreciate about traveling here is that most of the big sights—whether cultural, historical, or natural—still feel well preserved. You don’t get that over-commercialized, tourist-trap vibe with souvenir stands at every corner (well, most of the time).

Cusco is one of the best places to experience it all. It’s the gateway to Machu Picchu, a perfect base for exploring the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain, and an incredible city on its own. I ended up spending two weeks here out of my two months in Peru, and I’d do it all over again.

Cusco delivers on every level: stunning colonial streets, amazing restaurants, solid nightlife, and day trips that will blow your mind. I actually never wrote about it after my first visit, but now that I’ve been back, my memory is fresh, and it’s time to break it all down.Here is my guide on What to Do in Cusco, including the things I really loved and a couple of things I’d do differently next time.

What to Do in Cusco

Let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t some blueprint for how to have a good time in Cusco. Everyone travels differently, and this is just my experience. Maybe spending five days hiking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, covered in dust and completely exhausted, sounds like a nightmare to you. Maybe riding scooters through the Sacred Valley for three days instead of booking a tour sounds like too much effort. Fair enough.

But what I can do is break down what I loved, how I did it, and some solid alternatives so you can figure out what works for you. Because honestly? Most of the things to do in Cusco are amazing, and I’m pretty sure you’ll love it just as much as I did.

Another thing to add—this list isn’t just about things to do in Cusco town. Some of the biggest highlights are the day trips from Cusco, and let’s be real, that’s probably a big part of why you’re here. Whether it’s Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, or Rainbow Mountain, those side trips are just as much a part of the Cusco experience as exploring the city itself.

💡Altitude sickness in Peru is no joke, with Cusco sitting at 3,399 meters (11,152 feet) above sea level. Before you go, make sure to read my guide on altitude sickness in Cusco to be prepared.

Machu Picchu

Obviously, the big one. If you’re in Cusco, you’re here for Machu Picchu. I’ve done it twice now, and both times were completely different experiences.

The first time, I hiked the Salkantay Trek, a 5-day alternative to the Inca Trail that’s way less crowded. We covered nearly 90 km in those five days, crossing a mountain pass through the snow, then descending into the jungle before finally reaching Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). It was exhausting, but hands down one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

The second time, I wasn’t feeling quite as adventurous, so I took the train from Cusco instead. We caught it from Cusco through Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and honestly, the ride itself was part of the experience—gorgeous scenery, comfy seats, and yes, beers and cocktails along the way.

And then, of course, there’s Machu Picchu itself—one of the Seven Wonders of the World and every bit as breathtaking as you’d hope. No matter how you get there, it’s worth it.

I’ll be writing a full guide to Machu Picchu soon and linking it here, so stay tuned.

Sacred Valley

The second big trip from Cusco for me was the Sacred Valley, and honestly, it was incredible. Most people book a Sacred Valley tour either online (through GetYourGuide, for example) or with one of the many tour agencies in Cusco. These tours usually include a full-day itinerary with stops at all the famous spots, lunch, and sometimes even ATV rides. Definitely a solid way to see it all in one go.

But since I had some time on my hands, my friends and I decided to rent motorbikes and do it ourselves. No real plan—just our bikes, small backpacks, and Google Maps. We had a rough idea of where we wanted to go: the Salt Mines of Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Moray, but we ended up getting a little carried away. We rode over a mountain pass (where we got absolutely wrecked by hail—fun times) and made it all the way to a tiny village called Lares, which turned out to have some of the best hot springs I’ve ever soaked in.

So if you’re short on time, the day tour to the Sacred Valley is a great option. But if you have extra days to spare, don’t be afraid to explore on your own. The roads are stunning, the people are friendly, and there’s way more to see than just the standard tourist stops.

Saqsaywaman

One of the most interesting spots I completely missed on my first trip to Cusco was Saqsaywaman—Inca ruins sitting right above the city. The best part is that, You can hike there from town, which makes it super easy to visit, especially if you only have a day or even just 24 hours in Cusco and still want to see some impressive ruins without leaving the city.

When I finally made it there, the weather wasn’t exactly on my side. I got absolutely drenched in the rain, and since there’s zero cover, I quickly realized that whether it’s pouring or the sun is blasting, you need to come prepared—rain jacket, sunscreen, water, the whole survival kit.

The hike up is moderate and doesn’t take too long—just pop “Saqsaywaman” into Google Maps, and it’ll lead you to the entrance. Heads up: You’ll either need to bring cash for the entrance fee or have the Cusco Touristic Ticket, which covers multiple ruins, museums, and activities in the city. If you’re planning to check out a few historic sites while in Cusco, that pass is definitely worth considering.

Qorikancha

Instead of getting soaked hiking up to Saqsaywaman, I should have saved Qorikancha for a rainy day.

This was hands down one of my favorite museums in Cusco and one of the most unique things to do in Cusco. It was once one of the most important templed of the Inca Empire, but—classic colonizer behavior—the Spanish destroyed it and built Santo Domingo Church right on top of the ruins. The mix of Inca foundations and Spanish architecture makes it one of the most interesting historical sites in the city.

Wandering through, you’ll see artifacts and paintings from the Spanish colonial era, but the coolest part is getting to see the original Inca stonework still standing underneath. The contrast between the two is wild.

One tip: Get a guide at the entrance. There are almost no signs or explanations inside, so unless you already know your Inca history, you’ll have no idea what you’re looking at.

Restaurants in Cusco

I might actually love the food in Cusco more than Machu Picchu—yeah, I said it. No one warned me about how incredible the food scene here is. It’s easily some of the best I’ve had in Latin America.

You get the full range: authentic street food, cheap local eats, high-quality restaurants, fine dining, and amazing bars. If you have the budget, I highly recommend treating yourself while you’re here. Even at the nicer spots, prices are still way lower than what you’d pay in the U.S. for the same quality.

My favorite dinner spot in Cusco is Morena. I went there both times I visited because it was just that good. It’s a Peruvian fine dining spot, and I had the best ceviche there—easily one of the best I’ve ever had. I also tried the alpaca steak, which was surprisingly good (don’t knock it till you try it). And of course, I had way too many Pisco Sours.

For cocktails and live music, I loved going to Los Perros. They made great martinis, had fun live music, and the place was always busy with a great atmosphere. But I just checked Google, and it says it’s temporarily closed—so if you’re in Cusco, someone double-check for me if it’s still around. This is also the area for Cusco nightlife—the little street where Los Perros is (or was, last I checked). If you’re wondering what to do in Cusco at night, this is a solid spot to start.

For my vegan and vegetarian friends, the best vegan restaurant I’ve been to in Peru (and maybe ever) is Green Point. Super high quality, insanely tasty, and 100% plant-based. Even if you’re not vegan, it’s worth a visit.

San Blas Neighborhood

Cusco isn’t just a base for day trips—it’s stunning in its own right. It’s easily one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Peru, and I made sure to actually take my time exploring it.

My favorite area to wander around for sure is San Blas. Everyone calls it the artsy or bohemian part of Cusco, and yeah, I guess that’s true. It’s kind of the hipster neighborhood—lots of boutique shops, cute cafés, and a relaxed vibe.

I spent a few days just walking around, popping into little shops, and then realizing (as always) that I had zero space in my backpack to buy anything. The struggle.

My favorite food spots here are

• Green Point – Amazing vegan food, even if you’re not vegan.
• Chikara Sushi – Yes, good sushi in Peru. (Thank the country’s Japanese immigration history for that.)

Other than that, I just recommend getting lost in the streets, snapping photos, and soaking in the vibe.

Coffee in Cusco

Right behind the food scene, Cusco’s coffee culture was another huge (and unexpected) highlight for me. A lot of Latin American countries I’ve been to don’t really have a big coffee culture unless you go to the super whitewashed spots. But in Cusco I found loads of amazing cafés and cozy little coffee shops where you can get a proper breakfast, great coffee, and fresh pastries. Many of them are also solid places to get some work done.

I had two favorites that I kept coming back to:

• Café Dwasi – Super affordable, great coffee, and amazing sandwiches. Perfect spot if you want something casual but still high quality.
• Qura – A little pricier (by Peruvian standards), but totally worth it. I had their shakshuka, avocado toast, and smoothie bowls—all so good. Plus, they made one of the best flat whites I had in Cusco.

Plaza de Armas

Yeah, this one’s a bit basic, but Cusco’s Plaza de Armas is still a spot I really enjoyed hanging out at, so it deserves a mention. It’s the main square in Cusco in the historic center, surrounded by beautiful colonial buildings, many of which have restaurants with upstairs balconies overlooking the plaza. It’s also home to some of the most stunning churches in the city, like Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus.

You’ll probably end up here naturally since it’s the heart of the city, but if you’re staying a little outside the center, it’s 100% worth a visit. Also, one of my favorite restaurants, Morena, is right here—so you can knock out two things at once.

Views from San Cristobal

Yep, another viewpoint in Cusco—but honestly, the city is in a valley, so naturally, there are plenty of great spots to take in the view. And to be fair, you don’t need to visit them all. If you hit just one, you’ll still get an epic perspective of the city and the Andes in the background on a clear day.

San Cristobal is a church up the hill behind Cusco, and I actually ended up here by accident. I got lost wandering through Cusco’s narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets and suddenly found myself in the middle of a Peruvian wedding ceremony. Not exactly what I planned, but pretty cool nonetheless.

The views from here are spectacular, and it’s free, so if you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to get some incredible panoramic shots of Cusco, this is a solid spot.

Things I Would Do Differently Next Time Visiting Cusco

Like I mentioned before, Peru rarely felt like a tourist trap to me. I never really had that moment where I thought, “Well, that wasn’t worth it.” Compared to Southeast Asia or South Asia, where I’ve definitely had my fair share of “Oh, I just got scammed” moments, Peru—and Latin America in general—feels way less like that.

That said, there are still a few things I’d do differently next time to fully enjoy certain experiences. Read on, and you’ll see what I mean.

Rainbow Mountain

I’ve heard people call Rainbow Mountain a tourist trap, and I have to completely disagree—but I do get where they’re coming from.

The first time I visited Cusco, I did the classic day tour. Got picked up at an ungodly hour by a tour bus, drove for a few hours, hiked up for about an hour, and there it was—Rainbow Mountain. No, the colors aren’t as crazy as the heavily edited photos online, and yes, you’ll be surrounded by a ton of other people because most tour buses arrive at the same time. If that’s your experience, I totally understand why you’d think it’s overrated.

But the second time, I did it differently. My friends and I rented a car, which was super cheap when split between four people, and drove ourselves. We left Cusco at 11 AM (instead of 4 AM like the tours), got to the mountain around 2:30 PM, and guess what? No crowds. We had the whole place to ourselves, and it was absolutely stunning.

If driving isn’t your thing, you can also hire a private driver for the day, which isn’t too expensive either. Totally worth it if you want to experience Rainbow Mountain without the crowds.

San Pedro Market

A lot of “What to do in Cusco” lists will tell you to visit San Pedro Market, probably because at some point, someone hyped it up, and now every travel blog just repeats it.

Trust me, you’re not missing out.

Yes, it’s the local market, but it’s pretty chaotic. It’s a bit dirty, the food is super cheap (but questionable in terms of hygiene—and I say that as someone who eats a ton of street food), and the souvenirs are wildly overpriced with vendors actively trying to scam tourists. I’ve also heard of pickpocketing incidents happening here.

Instead, I’d recommend Mercado San Blas, located in the San Blas neighborhood. It’s way cleaner, less touristy, and I actually enjoyed chatting with the vendors there. Plus, the food seemed much more legit.

Cristo Blanco

As the name suggests, Cristo Blanco is the large white Jesus statue standing above Cusco. It’s one of the most popular viewpoints in the city, and yeah, the views over the whole valley are insane.

The only thing I’d do differently next time is to visit right after Saqsaywaman. I couldn’t do that because of the rain, but ideally, you want to combine both spots in one trip—otherwise, you’re hiking up the same route twice.

I’ve also heard from a lot of people that Cristo Blanco is an amazing sunset spot. If you plan on hiking up for sunset, go with a group (maybe some friends from your hostel). Unfortunately, there have been reports of pickpocketing or worse on the walkway down, especially after dark.

FAQs About The Best Things to Do in Cusco Peru

What to do in Cusco for a day?

If you’ve only got one day, I’d start with a morning coffee at Cafe Dwasi or Qura, then wander around Plaza de Armas to take in the colonial architecture. From there, visit Qorikancha, then hike up to Saqsaywaman for some Inca ruins and great views. If you have time, keep walking to Cristo Blanco. End the day in San Blas—it’s my favorite neighborhood, and it has some of the best restaurants in Cusco.

What are things to do in Cusco city center?

The city center is where I spent most of my time just wandering. Plaza de Armas is the heart of it all, surrounded by beautiful churches and cute little restaurants with balconies overlooking the square. I also loved exploring San Blas, which has boutique shops, great food (try Green Point if you’re vegan or Chikara Sushi for amazing Japanese-Peruvian fusion), and artsy vibes.

What to do in Cusco for free?

There’s actually a lot you can do for free in Cusco! Walking up to Saqsaywaman (without entering) and Cristo Blanco gives you incredible views over the city. Just wandering through San Blas or the tiny cobblestone streets near San Cristobal is a whole experience in itself. I also found San Blas Market a much better (and cleaner) alternative to San Pedro Market, and it’s free to browse. And, of course, just sitting in Plaza de Armas, people-watching and soaking up the atmosphere, is always a good idea.

What to do in Cusco for a week?

I’ve been to Cusco twice now, and if I had a full week, I’d split it between the city and day trips. Spend a couple of days just wandering around Cusco. Then, do a day trip to the Sacred Valley—I personally biked around, which was amazing, but you can also book a tour. Another day, visit Rainbow Mountain, but do it in the afternoon or go with a private driver so you avoid the crowds. And obviously, you can’t miss Machu Picchu.

Final Thoughts on Things to See in Cusco Peru

I love Peru, and I love Cusco—no surprise there. Anytime someone asks me where to travel or backpack, Peru is always my number one recommendation. There’s just something about this country, and Cusco especially, that keeps pulling me back.

Honestly, I can recommend pretty much every major activity here because I’ve done them all (some more than once), and they’re absolutely worth it. If you have the time, take it slow—do a long Machu Picchu trek, explore the Sacred Valley on your own, and soak up the city. But if you’re short on time, don’t stress. Booking tours is the easiest and fastest way to see everything, and they’re well-organized.

Whatever you do, I hope this little guide on ‘What to do in Cusco’ helps you make the most of your trip.

Related Articles