2. Coricancha (Temple of the Sun)   ⭐ 4.7/5

The holiest temple in the Inca Empire, once completely covered in gold plates. The conquistadors melted down the gold and built the Santo Domingo convent on top, but the Inca walls, assembled with surgical precision, are still there. The contrast between Inca and colonial architecture is striking. Excavations regularly uncover new underground rooms.

Entry: ~S/15 · Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm, Sun 2pm-5pm  📍 Google Maps

3. Sacsayhuamán   ⭐ 4.7/5

The massive Inca fortress overlooking Cusco. The stones, some weighing 300 tons, fit together so perfectly that you can’t slip a sheet of paper between them. No one really knows how the Incas transported and carved these blocks. Walk up from Plaza de Armas (~30 min, steep but doable). The panoramic view over Cusco is the reward. It’s also where Inti Raymi takes place every June 24.

Tourist Ticket required · Open 7am-6pm  📍 Google Maps

4. Mercado San Pedro   ⭐ 4.5/5

The beating heart of Cusco. Fresh fruit juices for S/2 (pomegranate, papaya, strawberry), full lunches for S/5-8, steaming quinoa soups, fresh cheese, and a kind of organized chaos that wakes up all the senses. Come early in the morning (7am-8am) for the most authentic atmosphere, when Cusqueños are doing their shopping. On the first floor, the juice vendors fight (nicely) to get your attention—let them win.

Open daily 6am-6pm · 2 min walk from the Plaza  📍 Google Maps

5. The Stone of the 12 Angles   ⭐ 4.6/5

On Hatunrumiyoc Street, a perfectly cut stone block with 12 angles fits into an Inca wall. It’s proof of the Incas’ insane technical mastery. Small anecdote: the west wall belongs to the Amarucancha (Courtyard of the Serpents), one of the oldest palaces in Cusco. Today, it is part of the Palacio Arzobispal. A local guard in costume explains the history, and a tip is welcome.

Access: free (on the street) · Calle Hatunrumiyoc  📍 Google Maps

6. San Blas, the artisan district   ⭐ 4.5/5

Perched above Plaza de Armas, San Blas is Cusco’s Montmartre. Steep cobbled lanes, ceramics workshops, art galleries, and hidden little squares with views over the red-tiled roofs. Plazoleta San Blas is home to Cusco’s oldest parish, with an extraordinary carved wooden pulpit. The neighborhood is also Cusco’s coffee spot, with some of the best artisan roasters around.

Access: free · Steep climb from the Plaza  📍 Google Maps

7. The San Francisco Catacombs   ⭐ 4.5/5

Less known than the Cathedral, San Francisco Church has a surprisingly peaceful garden and an impressive collection of colonial paintings. The underground crypts add a mysterious touch. The square in front of the church is a popular gathering place on Sundays, when campesinos come down from nearby villages.

Entry: ~S/10 · Open-access square  📍 Google Maps

8. Tandapata, the iconic street   ⭐ 4.4/5

This cobbled lane in San Blas is the very essence of picturesque Cusco. Inca irrigation channels still run alongside the steps, ancient stone walls, and an atmosphere that takes you 500 years back in time. It’s also one of the city’s most photogenic streets. At night, the lights soften the façades—magical.

Access: free · San Blas district  📍 Google Maps

9. Regional Historical Museum   ⭐ 4.3/5

Located in the birthplace of chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega (son of a conquistador and an Inca princess), this museum traces the region’s history all the way back to pre-Inca times. The colonial building itself, with its inner courtyards and wooden balconies, is worth the visit.

Tourist Ticket required  📍 Google Maps

10. Museo del Pisco   ⭐ 4.5/5

Half museum, half bar, 100% awesome. The passionate team explains the history of pisco, the different grapes, and distillation techniques, then lets you taste. The cocktails are among the best in Cusco. The Pisco Sour here is a revelation. A must, even if you think pisco “just isn’t your thing” (especially then).

Open daily 11am-11pm · Cocktails: S/20-35  📍 Google Maps

11. Centro de Textiles Tradicionales   ⭐ 4.7/5

This cooperative preserves the ancestral weaving techniques of 10 Andean communities. You can watch the artisans at work, understand the symbolism of the patterns, and buy authentic pieces at fair prices (not disguised made-in-China stuff). The colors come from plants, insects (cochineal), and minerals. Buying here is a way to support a living culture.

Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-8:30pm · Av Sol 603  📍 Google Maps

12. Try Cuy (guinea pig)   ⭐ 4.4/5

You can’t talk about Cusco without talking about cuy. This animal has been domesticated in the Andes for 7,000 years and is considered a festive dish. It’s served roasted whole, yes, with the head. The flavor sits somewhere between rabbit and quail, and the skin is crispy. Fun fact: in the Last Supper painted in Cusco Cathedral, Jesus and his disciples are eating... cuy. If you can get past the visual, it’s a memorable experience.

Best: Kusikuy or Pachapapa in San Blas  📍 Google Maps

13. Qorikancha Museum & garden   ⭐ 4.5/5

Next to Coricancha, this small underground museum houses Inca and pre-Inca artifacts found during excavations of the temple. The terrace garden offers a peaceful view of the temple walls. Often overlooked by rushed tourists, and that’s exactly what makes it a great find.

Included in the Coricancha ticket  📍 Google Maps

14. Cusco Cathedral   ⭐ 4.7/5

A Baroque masterpiece built on the foundations of the Inca palace of Viracocha. The interior is sumptuous: gilded altarpieces, paintings from the Cusqueña school (a fascinating mix of Catholicism and Andean imagery), and the famous cuy Last Supper. The central altar in solid silver weighs 300 kg.

Entry: ~S/25 · Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm  📍 Google Maps

15. Sunset from Mirador de Sán Cristobal   ⭐ 4.8/5

Free and unforgettable. Sit on the Cathedral steps or on a balcony at one of the restaurants with a terrace (Jack’s Café or Limo have perfect views). When the sun drops behind the mountains and the city lights slowly come on over the hills, that’s when you understand why the Incas chose this place.

Access: free · Best spot: the steps on the Cathedral side  📍 Google Maps