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Cusco, Peru

Things to Do in Cusco

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train

Most booked tours and tickets in Cusco

2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Vistadome & 4-Star Hotel

2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Vistadome & 4-Star Hotel

5.04,071 reviews48h
Excursion to Rainbow Mountain Full Day Optional Red Valley

Excursion to Rainbow Mountain Full Day Optional Red Valley

4.94,066 reviews12h
Excursión to Humantay Lake Full Day from Cusco

Excursión to Humantay Lake Full Day from Cusco

4.93,238 reviews15h
Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco

Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco

5.02,906 reviews4h 15m
2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with VistadomeTrain

2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with VistadomeTrain

5.02,095 reviews48h
2-Day Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco by Train

2-Day Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco by Train

4.81,296 reviews48h
5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Domes

5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Domes

4.81,158 reviews120h

Tickets and tours by attraction

The best options for each of Cusco's top sights, compared.

Top sights in Cusco

  1. 1Machu Picchu Day Trip
  2. 2Plaza de Armas
  3. 3Sacsayhuamán
  4. 4San Pedro Market
  5. 5Sacred Valley
  6. 6Rainbow Mountain
  • Walk Through Layers of History: Stand in awe at Qorikancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun, whose precise stonework forms the foundation for the Santo Domingo Convent. Explore the colossal zigzagging walls of Sacsayhuamán fortress, where the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) is reenacted every June.
  • Experience Living Andean Culture: Witness the syncretism at the Qoyllur Rit'i pilgrimage or browse the handwoven textiles and spiritual artifacts at the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco. Engage with local Quechua weavers in communities like Chinchero in the Sacred Valley.
  • Access World-Class Hiking & Adventure: Use Cusco as your base for the iconic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or tackle the one-day hike to the technicolor striations of Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). The Sacred Valley offers everything from mountain biking in Maras to rafting on the Urubamba River.

Tickets and passes in Cusco

Quad Bike Tour Moray and Maras Salt Mines from Cusco

Quad Bike Tour Moray and Maras Salt Mines from Cusco

4.8413 reviews6h

Food and drink experiences in Cusco

Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour

Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour

5.0752 reviews4h
High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market

High-End Peruvian Cooking Class, Pisco Sour & San Pedro Market

5.0463 reviews4h
Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Cusco

Bean to Bar Chocolate Workshop in ChocoMuseo Cusco

4.8457 reviews2h
Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco

Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco

4.9433 reviews4h

Day trips and outdoor activities from Cusco

Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train

Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train

5.011,579 reviews96h
4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train

4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train

5.05,490 reviews96h
Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike

Classic 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: Small Group Hike

5.05,294 reviews120h
Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals

4.92,455 reviews12h

Hidden gems in Cusco

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

Museo Inka

A lesser-visited museum housed in the Admiral's Palace, focusing exclusively on Inca culture and history.

Templo de la Luna (Moon Temple)

A small but spiritually significant Incan ceremonial site carved into a natural rock formation, located on the way to Sacsayhuamán.

ChocoMuseo

A working chocolate museum and workshop where you can learn about the history of cacao and make your own chocolate bar.

Barrio de San Cristóbal

The neighborhood leading up to the Cristo Blanco statue, just above the historic center.

Cervecería del Valle Sagrado

A craft brewery located in Poroy, just outside Cusco, producing beers with local ingredients like purple corn and quinoa.

Day trips from Cusco

Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero)

Full day by tour van or combi (collective taxi); Pisac is 45 min by car

This fertile valley along the Urubamba River was the breadbasket of the Inca Empire and is dotted with spectacular ruins, traditional villages, and vibrant markets. It's also at a lower altitude than Cusco, making it a perfect place to acclimate.

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

3-4 hours by car each way, plus a 1.5-2 hour hike (round trip)

A challenging but rewarding day trip to one of Peru's most Instagram-famous natural wonders. The striated colors of the mountain—caused by mineral deposits—are breathtaking, but the high altitude (5,200m/17,060ft) makes it strenuous.

Humantay Lake

3 hours by car each way, plus a 1.5-2 hour steep hike (one way)

A stunning turquoise glacial lake nestled at the foot of the Humantay and Salkantay snow-capped peaks. The hike is steep but the otherworldly beauty of the lake, considered sacred in Andean cosmology, is an unforgettable reward.

Plan your Cusco trip

Things to do in Cusco: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Cusco?+

Top sights include Machu Picchu Day Trip, Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán and San Pedro Market. Away from the crowds, try Museo Inka and Templo de la Luna (Moon Temple).

What are the most popular tours in Cusco?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are Inca Trail 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu – Return by Vistadome Train (5.0 stars, 11,579 reviews); Sacred Valley Full Day Tour (5.0 stars, 5,602 reviews); 4-Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train (5.0 stars, 5,490 reviews).

How much do tours in Cusco cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €20 and €757 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.