Top 8 Things to do in Cusco, Peru

Ancient Culture in the Imperial City

Cusco is a vibrant city absorbed in ancient culture and colorful traditions. Nestled away 11,000 ft high in the Andes mountains, Cusco is known as the former capital of the Incan Empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu. Alongside one of the marvelous wonders of the world, there is plenty more unique landmarks to indulge. The best way to get to the city is either the direct 1½ hour flight from Lima to Cusco’s tiny airport, or going on an epic road trip across Peru! We suggest the latter to help acclimatize to the altitude. Here’s our top 8 favorite things to do while in the magical city of Cusco.

8. Plaza de Armas, Cusco

If you’re headed to Cusco, you won’t be able to miss this huge gathering square. Plaza de Armas is the city’s main plaza and is surrounded by restaurants, cathedrals, and a plethora of colonial architecture. From early morning to late evenings, there’s always something going on. It may be a bit hectic with all the vendors trying to sell things, but you can get your obligatory photo with an alpaca here. The plaza is a central meeting point for many of the activities in Cusco.