Things to do
Things to do in Cusco
The navel of the Inca world at 3,400m: Inca walls under colonial churches, the Plaza de Armas, and the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu beyond.
Photos for Cusco are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Top things to do in Cusco
The Inca capital: 3,400m of stone, sun, and fiesta.
- Plaza de Armas — The Inca Huacaypata under the arcades: the cathedral, La Compañía's carved facade.
- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — The Inca sun temple's precision stonework under the Santo Domingo church.
- Sacsayhuamán — The fortress above the city: the megalithic zigzag walls — the Inti Raymi stage.
- San Blas — The artisans' quarter: the lanes, the workshops, the viewpoint church.
- San Pedro Market — The great market: the juices, the cheeses, the lunch counters.
- Machu Picchu (day trip) — The citadel: the train to Aguas Calientes, the timed entries — book everything months ahead.
- Sacred Valley (day trip) — Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the salt terraces of Maras — the valley day.
Free things to do in Cusco
Cusco is generous if your budget isn't. All of these cost nothing or close to it:
- Plaza de Armas — The square: free.
- San Blas lanes — The quarter: free.
- San Pedro Market (browsing) — The market: free.
- Qorikancha (exteriors) — The Inca walls from outside: free.
- Cristo Blanco viewpoint — The Christ statue hill: the city panorama, free.
Festivals & the religious calendar
The town's own festivals:
- Inti Raymi (24 June) — The Festival of the Sun at Sacsayhuamán: the Inca ceremony reenacted — the Andes' greatest festival. Book a year ahead.
- Corpus Christi (May/June) — The 15 saints' procession: the Plaza de Armas fills.
- Fiestas Patrias (28–29 July) — The independence celebrations: the parades, the fireworks.
- Semana Santa (March/April) — The Holy Week: the Señor de los Temblores procession.
And the national calendar:
- Fiestas Patrias (28–29 July) — Independence from Spain (1821): flag-raising, military parade in Lima, celebrations nationwide.
- Carnavales (February/March) — Water fights and yunza (tree-cutting dance) parties.
- Semana Santa (March/April) — Holy Week: processions, especially strong in the Andes.
- Christmas / New Year (December) — Panetón, fireworks, beach for Lima; family feasts in the Andes.
Exact dates are confirmed yearly — check local listings before booking around a festival.
Sports: Football
Cienciano del Cusco (the Papá): the Copa Sudamericana winners (2003) — the only Peruvian club with international titles, playing at the Garcilaso stadium at 3,400m. The altitude is the 12th man. Deportivo Garcilaso shares the city.
Trekking is the other sport: the Inca Trail, Salkantay, the Sacred Valley routes — the altitude is the challenge.
Tickets: official site
What's new in Cusco
Machu Picchu's timed circuits are the standing system — book the moment you book flights. Inti Raymi (24 June) books the city a year ahead. The altitude advice never changes: rest first.
Submit your event
Running something in town? Dayfari lists community events free — gigs, markets, fundraisers, club nights, temple and church programmes. Submit your event and it can appear in the town feed within a day. No account needed to suggest; the Dayfari team reviews every submission.
Common questions
How many days do I need in Cusco?
Two full days covers the highlights above. Add a third for the day trips — see our day-trips guide.
What can I do in Cusco for free?
Plenty — see the free list above. The town's festivals and markets are the other great free shows.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
Time it for a festival if you can — the calendar above is the cheat sheet. Otherwise, the shoulder seasons dodge the crowds.
More to explore in Cusco
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