Cusco is more than just the starting point for Machu Picchu—it’s the historic capital of the Inca Empire, full of ancient stonework, colonial charm, and mountain-infused energy. Spending several days here helps you acclimate, soak up local culture, and appreciate Inca engineering before the big reveal.
Walking through narrow cobblestone streets, exploring lively markets, or sipping coca tea under the Andean sunlight all contribute to a deeper connection with the past and the present.
Here are 10 great things to experience in Cusco that will prepare you physically, culturally, and emotionally before visiting Machu Picchu. If you’d like to lock in a great hotel or pre-book a guided outing, the links at the top will help you do that in a heartbeat.
Where to Stay
- Casa Andina Standard Cusco Cathedral
- El Virrey Boutique Hotel
- Palacio del Inka, Luxury Collection
- Hotel Monasterio, Sac à Sac
Experiences
- Cusco City Tour & Highlights Walking Tour
- Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Day Trip with Lunch
- Sacred Valley, Moray & Maras Salt Mines Tour
- Humantay Lake alpine trek from Cusco
1. Plaza de Armas & Historic Center
How to Get to Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas sits at the heart of Cusco, accessible on foot from most downtown lodgings. If your hotel is Casa Andina Standard Cusco Cathedral or El Virrey Boutique Hotel, you’re just a couple of blocks away.
Where to Stay
Staying above or beside the plaza gives you easy access to early morning street breakfasts, midday museum visits, and nighttime cultural breezes. You’ll appreciate being able to rest in the room after altitude-filled strolls, and then step out again to take in the evening lights and performers.
Best Things to Do in Plaza de Armas
Begin your day with churros and coffee from a local café, then linger among colonial balconies and white facades, framed by the Andean peaks. People-watching is a local pastime here—watch market vendors, families, and buskers mingle. In the cathedral, colonial religious art contrasts sharply with the Inca stone beneath your feet. As dusk falls, the plaza’s glow shifts with colored fountains, and nearby vendors fire up maycha (popcorn-stuffed corn) and roasted corn kernels—perfect for light snacking at altitude.
2. Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun)
How to Get to Qoricancha
Just about a minute’s walk from Plaza de Armas, central hotels like Palacio del Inka, Luxury Collection, and Hotel Monasterio Cusco lead you straight into the temple courtyard without needing transport.
Where to Stay
These luxury properties provide Andean stone foundations, sweeping balconies, and quiet courtyards—ideal for unwinding after walking the city’s steep lanes.
Best Things to Do in Qoricancha
Inside, you’ll see how the temple was aligned to the solstices and equinoxes. Visit the garden area to relax and take in panoramic city views. Museum rooms nearby show sun artifacts and offer context on Inca cosmology. Keep an eye out for workshops or short talks on Inca astronomy that occasionally take place in the welcome areas.
3. Sacsayhuamán
How to Get to Sacsayhuamán
You can walk uphill from Cusco in 30–40 minutes or take a taxi for 5 minutes to the archaeological entrance. Early morning visits reward you with crisp mountain air and fewer crowds.
Where to Stay
Returning to a cozy central hotel after altitude exposure is a smart bet. Relax, hydrate, and let your body catch up—especially after exploring this high-elevation fortress.
Best Things to Do in Sacsayhuamán
Climb terraces surrounding massive stone blocks and read interpretive signs explaining Inca construction techniques. A hidden leather-market path near the entrance can introduce you to local craft before you begin hiking the vast complex. Don’t miss the shallow amphitheatre circle—legend says this area was for ritual dance and celebration under Andean skies.
4. San Pedro Market & Local Flavors
How to Get to San Pedro Market
A few solid blocks from the Plaza, the market is walkable—taking about 10 minutes from your central lodging.
Where to Stay
Staying nearby keeps breakfast decisions conveniently local—grab a juice or empanada and go.
Best Things to Do in San Pedro Market
Browse stalls bursting with superfoods—purple corn, beans, fruits in impossible colors. Bathe in aromas of fresh bread, sizzling meats, herbal teas, and chili peppers. Try a hearty empanada or a bowl of chupe (potato-cheese soup). Watch women in colorful skirts bargaining for produce—and maybe buy some dried flowers or handmade scarves for souvenirs. It’s lively, cheap, and steeped in daily life.
5. Cusco City Tour & Highlights Walking Tour
How to Get to the Tour Start
Your hotel’s front desk can point you to the Plaza de Armas, where the City Tour & Highlights Walking Tour typically gathers.
Where to Stay
From your central lodging, it’s easy to walk to the starting point, even when still catching your breath from altitude.
Best Things to Do on the Tour
This tour uncovers layers of history, explaining the Inca foundations within colonial buildings and how the city’s streets trace ancient valleys. The guide shares what life looked like during the Spanish conquest and Inca rule. Stops include San Blas’s artsy hillside neighborhood and views from Inca-era walls terracing into modern streets.
6. Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Day Trip
How to Get to Tour Pickup
Hotel pickup for the Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley tour is early, before sunrise—so staying in town makes prep easier.
Where to Stay
A central hotel allows you to keep gear and clothes nearby so you’re ready before dawn.
Best Things to Do on the Tour
Trek through surreal red and ochre rock formations, picnic beside rainbow-striped peaks, and take breaks where alpacas roam. Guides share geology and cultural stories, while your lunch helps replenish energy. Hikes are moderate but elevation tough, so rest well the night before—and sip coca or broth during altitude pauses.
7. Sacred Valley & Maras Salt Terraces Tour
How to Get to Tour Pickup
The tour departs from hotels in the Cusco city center, making logistics straightforward for those staying in the Plaza area.
Where to Stay
Being in a central location keeps you ready for a full-day trip—without stressing over travel time.
Best Things to Do on the Tour
During this immersive tour, visit Moray’s concentric farming terraces, stroll through Maras salt mines where locals still harvest salt pans, and shop for crafts in Chinchero’s vibrant market. Learn about Inca farming techniques and modern weaving traditions firsthand.
8. Humantay Lake Excursion
How to Get to the Tour Departure
Early pickup preps you for a two‑hour scenic drive before the high‑altitude trail begins.
Where to Stay
Staying downtown the night before helps you acclimate to the altitude before embarking on this alpine trek.
Best Things to Do on the Tour
This journey leads to a glacial lake of electric blue, nestled among snow‑topped peaks. You ascend gently, with breaks and guide support, converging on reflections so clear it feels like the sky melted into water. It feels remote, but you’re retracing paths trekked by generations before.
9. Chinchero & Traditional Weaving Workshops
How to Get to Chinchero
Chinchero is included in many Sacred Valley tours or can be accessed via a short minivan ride from Cusco.
Where to Stay
Staying centrally keeps your day organized: start with a view of the mountains, and return for dinner by 7–8 pm.
Best Things to Do in Chinchero
Meet Quechua weavers who demonstrate the art of dyeing with plant dyes and weaving by hand. Shop textiles made in cooperative studios, and tour the colonial plaza nestled on Inca foundations. These time-honored crafts and views help ground Cusco’s connection to land and heritage.
10. Quechua Culture & Evening Storytelling
How to Get to Cultural Performance Spots
Small venues and cafés hosting evenings are within walking distance from Plaza de Armas or San Blas—no taxi needed.
Where to Stay
Choose lodging within easy pedestrian reach if you plan a traditional music or folklore evening.
Best Things to Do in Cultural Evenings
Attend intimate performances featuring bombos, charangos, and folk dancers in elaborate, layered costumes. Hear stories about Pachamama, Andean myths, or alpaca symbolism while sipping a pisco sour made with native potatoes. These cultural encounters make your time in Cusco before Machu Picchu more personal.
Final Thoughts
Each of these ten activities deepens your physical and cultural readiness for Machu Picchu. From Plaza de Armas to alpine lakes, Inca stone walls to woven textiles—all provide living context and altitude adaptation. Book your tours or lodging with the links above, rest, hydrate, and enjoy the stories—you’re ready for the journey ahead!