Things to do in Cusco for First-Timers
Visiting Cusco for the first time and wondering what there is to do there? This guide shares the very best things to do in Cusco for first timers, from must -see historic ruins to beautiful viewpoints overlooking the city (yes, I found some good ones when I was there last).
I’ve been to Cusco twice now and each visit has shown me something new. From wandering the steep cobblestone streets of San Blas to standing beneath Sacsayhuamán’s enormous stone walls, I’ve figured out the most enjoyable way to explore the city without feeling overwhelmed.
In this guide, you’ll find the top attractions, standout viewpoints, memorable food experiences and a few underrated spots that deserve a place on your itinerary.
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What to See in Cusco, Peru
Quick Tips for visiting Cusco
Best time of year to visit: June / July for the best weather
Where to stay: El Virray Boutique – this is where we stayed right in the main square!
Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa is an amazing choice if you have a larger budget. It is GORGEOUS!
Top things to do in Cusco: 1. Join a tour to the Sacred Valley – this is the one we did which I loved!
2. Visit the San Pedro Markets and get some souvenirs
3. Explore Saqsaywaman (the ruins above Cusco)
4. Join a cooking class & local market tour
5. Hike to Humantay Lake
My favourite restaurants: Kusykay Peruvian Craft Food & Yaku Restaurant
Map of Must-See Sights in Cusco
The below map will help you get a feel of where everything is in Cusco. You can even use the map in google maps to use when you are there!
Do a free walking tour
I was surprised at how great this tour was! I had never done a free walking tour before this one and was very impressed. This tour is through Guru Walk and was 2 hours long. Our guide took us around Cusco and gave us a history lesson while pointing out key locations.
At the end, he taught us how to make Pisco Sours and we even got to try some. Not what I was expecting to do the same day I stepped off the plane but they were delicious and it was a lot of fun.
Free but not FREE
The tour itself is technically free but the guides earn their money through the tips. The recommended tipping amount for this tour is 15-50 Soles. My friend and I each tipped 25 Soles.
Visit Plaza De Armas
Plaza de Armas is the main square in Cusco and a must-visit when you are there. I actually stayed at a hotel right in the Plaza de Armas which made walking everywhere a dream because I was situated in the centre of everything.
Around the Plaza de Armas, you will find cafes, restaurants and shops. In the centre, you will see the Cusco Cathedral.
Watch the sunset from Cristo Blanco
Cristo Blanco is the giant statue of Jesus that you can literally see from down in Cusco. From Cusco, the statue looks like a cross, so I was surprised when we reached the top and found that it was not a cross but a statue of Jesus.
The statue is 8m high and from it, you get an amazing view of Cusco. We wanted to watch the sunset from this spot but didn’t end up having time and went up to see the statue in the middle of the day instead.
You could choose to either walk up there from Cusco (around 45 minutes walk uphill / 1.5km one way) or catch a taxi/Uber most of the way.
Looking for a Cusco Itinerary?
Here is my 3 day Cusco Itinerary which will save you time on doing the research yourself and give you everything from day to day activities and dinner spots.
Visit the San Pedro Market
The San Pedro Market is the main market in Cusco and something you should definitely try to see (even if it is a brief pop in and out). They have loads of cute stuff, including hats, alpaca ornaments, gloves, pants, alpaca jumpers and blankets, coffee beans and soooo much more! There is also a food section which we wandered into and immediately felt like the only tourists there. lol
Anyway, in a nutshell, the San Pedro Market is a great place for souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. Make sure you barter because the first price is never the best price.
Visit the Artisan’s Market
While I was busy packing my bag for the Salkantay Trek and trying desperately to get rid of my altitude headache, my friends visited the Artisan’s Market and came back with loads of stuff, including real baby alpaca blankets that they had managed to get a pretty good deal on! They got them for 110 Soles each.
The Artisan’s Market is located at Avenida El Sol which is about a 20 minute walk from Plaza de Armas.
Wander through the San Blas Neighbourhood
The San Blas neighbourhood is beautiful and really nice to wander through. We went there briefly during our free walking tour. There is also a really nice market there that I had planned on going back to but my suitcase was already packed to the brim and so it’s probably best I skipped it.
Have a cocktail at a bar with a view of Cusco
This is one of my favourite things to do in Cusco because it feels like you are really making the most of the beauty of the city. Some great options for bars with a view of Cusco are:
- Viewhouse Resto Bar
- Limbus Restobar
- Aura Restobar Cusco
Go on a day tour from Cusco
Not only does Cusco itself have loads to do and see, but it is also surrounded by stunning scenery that you could see on a day tour. There are loads to choose from like Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and more.
My favourite day tours from Cusco are the Sacred Valley Tour and Rainbow Mountain.
Looking for a less touristy day trip?
Hike the stunning 7 lakes of Ausangate on this full day tour from Cusco.
Enjoy the Peruvian food in Cusco
Don’t get me started on the food oh my goodness! I’ve been back in Vancouver for only 1.5 weeks and I’m already craving the Peruvian food. My best advice is to try everything and figure out what is your favourite dish.
My favourite dishes that I kept coming back to were Tallarin Saltado, Ají de Gallina and Tequeños (which are essentially just deep fried cheese sticks). I also had LOADS of Empanadas which were a great quick snack and also tried Picarones which are ring-shaped deep fried fritters made from sweet potato and squash and dipped in delicious sugary syrup. I didn’t love them as much as say the US Funnel Cakes but they were still worth a try!
In Cusco specifically, I do also have a couple of favourite stand out dishes that I still dream about which I have included in the list below:
- Yaku Restaurant – Chaufa Con Chancho
- Kusykay – Lomo Rossini Kusykay
Love chocolate? Learn how to make your own Peruvian chocolate from cacao beans at this ChocoMuseo workshop.
Do a traditional Peruvian cooking class
If you love experience different cultures first-hand, a cooking class is a great way to experience the Peruvian culture and bring home a new delicious recipe.
I didn’t have a chance to do this personally but one of the other girls who was on my Salkantay tour did and she absolutely loved it!
This option also includes a visit to a local market, where you can learn more about the ingredients used in Peruvian cooking.
Take a Sacred Valley day tour
I have now done this twice and I highly recommend not missing the Sacred Valley while you are in Cusco. The tour I did last time I was there was really great because I got to see so many cool places in one day.
It was a full day tour that included a delicious buffet lunch. We went to Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Pisac and saw salt mines, small villages, incredible ruins and terraces. Oh! And tasted the most delicious salted chocolate!
If you look online there are LOADS of Sacred Valley tours all slightly different but make sure you book this one. The entire day was amazing and our tour guide Rudy was full of knowledge about the places that we visited.
Explore Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman refers to the citadel ruins above Cusco. These are a must-see as they are an important part of Cusco’s history. I spent about 1.5 – 2 hours up there wandering around.
To get there you can either walk (45 minutes) or take a taxi/uber to the bottom of the stairs leading up to the ruins. Once you are there, you can either do a self guided tour or hire one of the guides that they offer you.
You can also take this tour from Cusco where you’ll be transported by bus to not only Saqsaywaman but also some other nearby Inca sites with a guide.
It does cost money to enter but if you are also visiting the Sacred Valley, there is a way you can save some money. See tip below.
Tip (to save money)
If you visit both the Sacred Valley and Saqsaywaman, it’s worth getting the Boleto Turístico (the full tourist ticket) which is 130 soles, valid for 10 days, and includes both as well as a bunch of other places and museums in Cusco. The tours that go to the Sacred Valley do not include the entrance fees.
Make sure you choose Circuit 3 – 10 day pass.
Enjoy the Cusco café scene
There are lots of beautiful cafes in Cusco and the coffee is so good! My advice is to wander around and see what you find.
My friend and I found a hidden gem of a café called Epoca. I had a REALLY yummy Margarita Pizza there and the view was really nice and the surroundings were so peaceful. It was like we had stepped away from the hustle and bustle of Cusco into the countryside. See photos below!
Visit the Cusco Cathedral
You can visit the Cusco Cathedral which is located in the Plaza de Armas and go inside for about 40 Soles per person.
Visit the Cusco museums
There are lots of museums in Cusco that you can visit and some of these are included in the Boleto Turístico ticket so you may as well go to one or two.
The museum I wished I’d gone to but ran out of time was the Museo de Sitio Qorikancha because you can see mummies there! It’s also included in the tourist ticket so pretty much free!
frequently asked questions
My thoughts
Cusco is one of my favourite cities in the world and I feel like I’ll never get bored there. Even if I did nothing else except wander the streets and find good food and coffee, it would keep me entertained for ages.
I hope you enjoy Cusco as much as I did. I’d love it if you left a comment with what your favourite thing in Cusco was or if you have any questions, hit me with them!
Don’t plan your trip to Peru without reading these:
- How to Spend a Magical 3 Days in Cusco
- Best Day Trips From Cusco, Peru
- Is Cusco Worth Visiting?
- Unique Places to Stay in Cusco
- The Best Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco & Why I Think it is Worth it
- An Incredible Lima 1 Day Itinerary
- Best Things to do in Lima Peru
- Where to Stay in Lima (I found the best place ever)!
- Is Lima Worth Visiting: My Honest Review
- Bucket List Things to Do in Peru
- Huacachina Peru: Is the Desert Oasis Worth It?
- Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? What I’d Do Differently After Visiting
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