Whether it’s your starting point for trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or you’re keen to channel those Indiana Jones vibes on an archeological adventure in Peru or you just really love llamas, Cusco is more than just a between-here-and-here city.
From its ancient ruins and amazing heritage buildings, to delish street food and HELLO, brightly dressed women traipsing through town carrying baby alpacas with flowers in their wool, there’s a little something for everyone.
Here’s our guide to the top things to do in Cusco in just one day.
First up: A really important tip
Feeling lightheaded when you step off the plane at Cuzco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport? It’s probs not the good-looking fellow traveller you scored a seat next to that’s making you weak at the knees. Say hello to a little ol’ gravitational wonder known as altitude.
Rather than hitting the ground running, take it easy when you arrive in Cuzco, because altitude sickness is a real beyarch. Head to your accom, say yes to every offer of coca leaf tea, have plenty of water and take it easy. For realsies.
What to see in Cuzco
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman LOOKS like it should be a tricky word to pronounce but if you say Sexy Woman in a ridiculous accent – “Oooh! Sack-say h-woo-man!” – you’re pretty much spot on. The walls of the temple (dedicated to Illapa, the God of Lightning) were built using massive boulders that fit together so perfectly (cement-free too) that a piece of paper won’t even fit between the joins.
Think of it like a huge jigsaw puzzle made out of super-heavy rocks. It’s just outside Cuzco and you should definitely go there.
Plaza de Armas
Have a stroll around the Plaza de Armas, or, if you’re feeling pooped, plonk yourself on the grass under a tree with a bag of salty roasted corn or a sweet tamale. This is one of the highlights of Peru, and an iconic place to add to your Cusco itinerary. The plaza is even better at night because it’s all lit up and has a fancy fountain that’ll make you feel like you’re in the opening credits of Friends. Clapclap, clapclap.
Have hunger, will stroll
Right into the heart of the San Pedro market.
Want fruit? No probs, there are rows and rows and rows of delicious fruits you’ve never heard of. If it’s pastries you want, it’s pastries ye shall get. Perhaps you’d like a pickled snake in an old soft drink bottle or a furry donkey’s snout (yep, just the snout)?
There are aisles dedicated to bits of offal, body and blood, if that floats your boat. Or if you want to cook up a storm yourself, try our Cuzco Urban Adventure Cook-Off.
Indulge your sweet tooth
With a visit to the Choco Museo to learn about all things – you guessed it – avocados! I mean CHOCOLATE. Wander around, make truffles, eat everything. What a day.
What to eat if you want the quintessential Peruvian experience
Guinea pig – the little guys are either barbecued whole or squashed between two weights and grilled over an open flame.
Quinoa – South America is pretty much the birthplace of the is-it-a-grain, is-it-a-seed superfood.
Corn – Peru claims more than 55 varieties of the tasty morsels, in just about every colour of the rainbow (if the rainbow consisted of white, yellow, red, purple and black). And most restaurants will provide toothpicks free of charge.
Potatoes – over 4,000 varieties are grown in the Andean highlands. As Bill and Ted might say “Totally tuber-ular, dude!”.
And to drink?
Start with a few cups of coca tea to help with your altitude issues, pop open a sugary Inca Kola soft drink for a little energy kick, move onto a Cusquena beer (or two) then finish off with a Pisco Sour.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: seriously guys, go easy on the booze when you arrive. The high altitude does weird things to a person (namely extreme fatigue, vomming and dizzy spells) so don’t drink every cocktail in town. Go slow, homie.
Where to have a really weird but pretty delicious meal
Fallen Angel Café. If you’re not put off by the incredibly over-the-top kitsch interior – I’m talking bathtubs-as-tables, leather couches shaped like love hearts and multiple creepy statues of crying angels – book a table, order a guinea pig and sip on some of the strongest cocktails this side of wherever the strongest cocktails on earth were invented.
Where to kick up your heels
Memoria Bar, just up the calle from the Plaza de Armas, for delish drinks in a fancy-ish setting. Or hit up neighbouring Ukukus for local bands belting out your favourite Andean classics. Or cross the plaza and try your hand (err… feet?) at salsa dancing at Mythology.
Where to rest your sleepy head
Wifala Thematic Hotel Boutique. Come for the weirdly long name, stay for the colourful rooms, yum breakfasts and towels-folded-to-look-like-swans. Want something cheaper/more social? Browse backpackers hostels on Booking.com. Some hostels have hammocks to laze in, pool tables to practice your shark skills on and super comfy beds to lay your weary bones after a long day (and night) of epic good times.
Plan Your Peru Adventure
Cusco really is somewhere you have to visit on any Peru itinerary. View our South America trips to get inspired to visit this epic region.