Cusco sites to Visit

There are cities that are simply places on a map, and then there are cities that are legends. Cusco (Altitude: 11,152 feet / 3,399 meters) is firmly in the latter category. For as long as I can remember, it’s been on my ultimate travel wish list, a mythical place I’m desperate to experience. The former capital of the vast Inca Empire, the “navel of the world,” it’s a city where history isn’t confined to museums; it’s in the very foundations of the buildings, in the cobblestones under your feet. I’m craving the chance to wander its streets, to feel the unique energy of this high-altitude nexus of culture, and to see for myself how two powerful worlds, Inca and Spanish, collided and merged into something completely new and incredible.

Plaza de Armas: The Heart of the City

Every exploration of Cusco has to kick off in the Plaza de Armas. I can just picture it: a vast, vibrant square humming with energy, flanked by stunning colonial arcades and two of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen in pictures, the Cusco Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús. I’ve read that this square was once the Huacaypata, the ceremonial heart of the Inca capital, and the thought of standing in a space with such a deep, layered history gives me chills. My plan is simple: I want to grab a coffee, find a seat on a wooden bench, and just watch the city go by. I can’t wait to be there at dusk, when the lights begin to sparkle on the ornate balconies and the mountains surrounding the city turn a deep shade of purple. It feels like the perfect starting point.

Qorikancha: Where Worlds Collide

If there’s one single site that embodies the soul of Cusco, for me, it has to be the Qorikancha. Its name means “Golden Courtyard” in Quechua, and it was the most important temple in the entire Inca Empire, a sacred space dedicated to the sun god, Inti, with walls once famously covered in sheets of solid gold. What makes it so fascinating today is that the Spanish built their Convent of Santo Domingo directly on top of the original Inca foundations.

I’m dying to see this architectural conversation between two cultures. I imagine tracing the lines of the original Inca temple, with its impossibly perfect, mortarless stonework—smooth, curved, and precise—and then looking up to see the European baroque architecture of the convent rising from it. It’s a literal story told in stone, a powerful, tangible symbol of conquest and resilience that you can reach out and touch.

Sacsayhuamán: The Epic Fortress

Just outside the city, I’ll be desperate to up my step count and head to Sacsayhuamán (Altitude: 12,142 feet / 3,701 feet). The pictures of this place are just staggering. It’s a vast, fortified complex with three tiers of enormous zigzagging walls built from stones so massive they defy belief. Some of them weigh over 100 tons. I’m obsessed with the question of how the Incas quarried, moved, and fitted these megalithic blocks together with such mind-boggling precision that you can’t even fit a piece of paper between them. While it’s often called a fortress, its layout suggests it also had immense ceremonial importance. I can’t wait to walk along the top of those walls, with the whole of Cusco spread out below me, and just feel tiny next to the epic scale of this legendary structure.

The San Blas Neighborhood: A Bohemian Dream

After the monumental scale of Sacsayhuamán, I know I’ll be craving the picturesque, human-scale charm of the San Blas neighborhood. This is the part of my plan dedicated to just getting lost. From what I’ve seen, it’s a dreamy labyrinth of steep, narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed adobe houses, and vibrant blue balconies overflowing with flowers.

Known as the city’s artisan quarter, it’s packed with little workshops and independent galleries. I’m so excited to wander aimlessly, peeking into studios, discovering unique crafts, and maybe finding a perfect, one-of-a-kind souvenir. The goal is to find the tiny church of San Blas to see its famous pulpit, a single piece of cedar wood carved into an unbelievably intricate masterpiece. This is the corner of Cusco I’ve earmarked for slow travel and creative inspiration.

San Pedro Market: A Feast for the Senses

To really get the pulse of a city, you have to visit its main market, and San Pedro Market is at the top of my hit list. I’m ready for the beautiful chaos and the full sensory experience. I can almost smell the fragrant piles of exotic fruits and fresh herbs, and see the incredible variety of potatoes and corn that Peru is famous for.

I want to walk through every section: the juice stands with their rainbow of fresh blends, the food stalls serving up steaming bowls of local dishes, the rows of cheeses, breads, and chocolates, and the fascinating stalls selling textiles and handicrafts. It’s the ultimate place for people-watching and for a truly authentic slice of daily life in Cusco. My first stop? One of the legendary juice ladies for a glass of something fresh and delicious. It feels like the most vibrant and alive place in the entire city.