Cusco walking tour & city guide

The city

The Plaza de Armas is framed by the cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus. Hatun Rumiyoc street has the famous twelve-angled stone, part of a perfectly fitted Inca wall. The San Blas neighborhood is full of artisans and views.

Inca sites

Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, lies beneath a Spanish convent. Above the city, Sacsayhuamán has massive stone walls. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are reached from here.

A day in Cusco

Take it slow on the first day, as Cusco sits at 3,400 meters and the altitude can be tiring. Start at the Plaza de Armas, with its cathedral and the Jesuit church, then walk to the Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where Spanish colonists built a church on top of perfect Inca stone walls.

In the afternoon, wander the steep lanes of San Blas, the artisans' quarter, and look for the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc Street. The San Pedro Market is great for fresh juices and local food.

Good to know

Drink coca tea, rest and avoid heavy meals on arrival to help with altitude. The Boleto Turístico covers many sites, including Sacsayhuamán above the city and ruins in the Sacred Valley.

The dry season, May to September, is best for trekking. In June, the Inti Raymi festival celebrates the winter solstice with a re-enactment of an Inca ceremony.