Things to Do in Cusco
Want to know some of the standout things to do in Cusco? Then have a look through our handpicked suggestions below...
1. Hike up to Sacsayhuaman Fortress
Cusco is approximately 3,500m above sea level, so the hard hike up to Sacsayhuaman shouldn’t be entered into lightly! Once there, however, the immense walls are overwhelming. The more energetic might want to push on and see Qenko and the baths of Tambo Machay.
2. Non-stop Nightlife
Cusco is a place that likes to throw itself enthusiastically into a night out. Joining the throngs of people who congregate in the area to the north of the Plaza de Armas can be an unforgettable experience.
3. Marvel at the Masonry
The Inca’s methods of construction were truly amazing. Close examination of the foundations of the older parts of Cusco reveals the way in which huge blocks of masonry intermesh like some sort of stone jigsaw. Without the use of any mortar, and in spite of the occasional earthquake, their structures remarkably still stand.
4. Head on to the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley, carved out by the various rivers that converge upon it, is staggering in its beauty. Vilcamayo - as the Incas called it - runs between the striking mountains of the Andes and also acts as the gateway to Machu Picchu.
5. Buy Artisan Wares
Cusco is a great place to pick up some handicrafts. The area of San Blas contains a number of little stalls where the wares include good made from local alpaca wool.
