Cusco travel guide

At a glance

historic city of Peru, capital of the Department of Cusco. For a first visit, Saqsaywaman, Coricancha, Tambomachay are strong starting points. This guide brings together 7 places, practical 1/3/5/7-day routes and a concise food shortlist so you can understand the city before shaping the trip around your pace.

Highlight stops

• Saqsaywaman — archaeological site
• Coricancha — sun temple
• Tambomachay — Archaeological site in Peru
• Puka Pukara — cultural heritage site in Peru
• Q'inqu — archeological site
• Plaza de Armas — square in Cusco, Peru
• Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco — museum in Cusco, Peru

Food and drink

Use these well-documented flavours as a practical tasting shortlist; open an item to understand it and add it to your trip plan.

• ceviche — traditional dish in Peru prepared with raw fish marinated
• Lomo saltado — Peruvian stir fry dish
• Papa a la Hancaina — Peruvian appetizer of boiled yellow potatoes in a spicy, creamy sauce
• suspiro de limeña — dessert of Peruvian gastronomy
• Pisco Sour — cocktail typical of South American cuisine

1-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Coricancha · Plaza de Armas · Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco · Q'inqu

3-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Coricancha · Plaza de Armas · Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco

Day 2 · History and landmarks

Q'inqu · Saqsaywaman · Puka Pukara

Day 3 · History and landmarks

Tambomachay

5-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Coricancha · Plaza de Armas

Day 2 · Museums and art

Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco · Q'inqu

Day 3 · History and landmarks

Saqsaywaman · Puka Pukara

Day 4 · History and landmarks

Tambomachay

7-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Coricancha

Day 2 · Architecture and city fabric

Plaza de Armas

Day 3 · Museums and art

Museo de Arte Precolombino Cusco

Day 4 · History and landmarks

Q'inqu

Day 5 · History and landmarks

Saqsaywaman

Day 6 · History and landmarks

Puka Pukara

Day 7 · History and landmarks

Tambomachay

Before you go

This route distributes nearby source-backed stops across balanced days. Opening times and ticket conditions can change; check the official source before visiting.