Is Cusco worth visiting?
Is Cusco worth visiting?
Cusco is one of those legendary places you hear about that really does live up to its reputation.
Here we can find an exciting atmosphere filled with all kinds of gems, and will still feel novel despite the large number of tourists that visit.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit Cusco, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Cusco worth visiting?
Quick answer: Yes, 100%! Cusco is an incredible city to visit, and we highly recommend adding it on to any itinerary through Peru. Its ancient Inca roots are still well and truly alive today, where we can see locals walking around in traditional clothing and also see a variety of temples and ruins within the city.
Some of the very best include Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo as well as Qorikancha (which was one of the most important temples used by the Inca).
Following on we then had the Spanish colonial period, which had left behind all kinds of beautiful architecture and picture-perfect streets.
The Plaza de Armas is a notable site to visit (which we’ll look at later in this guide), whilst the district of San Blas also has many cute cobblestone streets that wind around the hills.
Cusco is also the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the nearby Sacred Valley. Here we can find many beautiful mountains such as the Montaña de Siete Colores, as well as bright alpine lakes like those found in the Ausangate National Park.
As well as those found along the Inca Trail there are many other incredible ruins to visit here, including Moray and Ollantaytambo.
How many days in Cusco are needed?
This really depends on your particular travel style, given some like to speed through destinations whilst others take it slower. Regardless of this though, we highly recommend spending at least a week in Cusco to really make the most of everything it has to offer.
Even better would be 2 weeks, where you can also cover a significant portion of the surrounding Sacred Valley region. To plan your trip here can learn more about how many days are needed in Peru by reading our comprehensive travel guide.
Where is Cusco?
Cusco is nestled within the Andes mountains in Central Peru.
As a result the climate can be quite chilly, especially for those who have just arrived from places like Lima, Iquitos or Máncora.
The closest major destination to Cusco is Puno (Lake Titicaca), which is some 390 km south and takes around 7 hours by bus. Those coming from Arequipa will travel for around 10 hours to cover the 515 km distance.
How far is Cusco from Lima?
Many travelers will head directly to Cusco from Lima, given they are both memorable destinations.
The bus is the best for those looking to cheap costs low, which costs around $25-30. It does take a grueling 22 hours though, however those who can handle this longer distance (1100 km) will be rewarded with all kinds of vistas varying from hot deserts to giant snowy peaks.
Those who prefer saving time can also fly from Lima, with the one hour flight costing around $40 (without baggage). It’s the best option if you don’t have much time traveling around Peru, and want to see Machu Picchu whilst not spending so much time in Cusco.
7 Reasons to Visit Cusco
Are you still wondering if Cusco is really worth the visit? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this ancient Inca city.
1. Marvel at the Heart of the Historic Center
First and foremost, Cusco is quite an impressive city. Whilst others along the way can feel like your typical Peruvian city (with the exception of Arequipa), here we can find a striking mix of both the ancient past as well as the influence from the more recent colonial period.
You’ll first want to head to the Plaza de Armas, which was the founding birthplace of the city. It’s a memorable square home to two imposing cathedrals, and to the east we can explore the narrow alleyways of San Blas which are perfect for a photo-shoot.
There’s also some really interesting ruins close to the city center too. This includes the temple of Qorikancha, which is just a few blocks south of the Plaza de Armas. Once laden in solid gold, here we can visit the shrines and also learn how they used their advanced astronomy capabilities during their day-to-day lives.
2. Visit Some Surreal Glacial Lakes
Cusco in our opinion is the ultimate base camp for jumping-off on several day tours around the mountainous region (one of the best in the continent, which is followed by Salta in Argentina).
The icy cool lakes are a must-visit, which are home to bright blue waters with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Lake Humantay is a usual favorite, which sits at an altitude of 4200m and has the towering Andes shadowing the other side of the Laguna.
However we personally think that the Seven Lakes of Ausangate is a much better trip, given its not as packed with tourists. Here we can see 7 different lagunas of varying colors (such as bright red, dark blue etc), which are all located on a relatively easy circuit to walk.
It’s located quite remote, so you’ll need to head on an organized tour to visit. We highly recommend this awesome tour which includes breakfast, lunch and all transportation.
3. Enjoy Cusco’s Festive Atmosphere
After having traveled through Cusco, we have met tons of other travelers who all also rave about this Andean city and its electric atmosphere.
Not only is it home to an incredible range of authentic attractions and gems, it also brings out the best in us all too.
Hostels like Kokopelli and Loki are great for meeting other travelers and partying, with memorable events on all days of the week. You’ll also want to head out to Calle Tecsecocha (a narrow street which runs behind the Plaza de Armas), which is home to plenty of lively bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
It’s not just about the nightlife here though, and heading around the city (and on day trips) you’ll feel an extra kind of energy in this place. This is why it’s easy to spend longer in Cusco when on a trip, and you’ll even meet those who came for a few days and never left!
4. Cusco is a Safe Place to Visit
Much of Cusco’s popularity is owed to the fact that it’s a really safe place to visit.
It’s much calmer and safer than other areas around Peru, and especially so when staying in the Historic Center.
Here you can easily walk around the city by yourself both during the day and night. Of course it’s still important to follow basic safety practices, such as leaving valuables in your apartment or not dressing too flashy (given pickpocketing can still happen here, like anywhere else on the planet).
Using taxis and Ubers are also good here, although it’s worth finding out how much local trips should cost before jumping in one so you don’t get ripped-off.
Speaking of cars – your only main worry in Cusco is watching out when crossing the road, given traffic can be pretty hectic at the best of times on major roads! You can read more about safety in Cusco in this comprehensive guide.
5. Explore the Ancient Citadel of Machu Picchu
Once the main sacred ceremonial site used by the Inca, Machu Picchu remains as popular today as it was several hundreds of years ago.
Built on the precipice of a 600m high mountain, you’ll be in awe of the visuals here given it’s surrounded by other rocky peaks and an ever-present mist.
On this guided day tour from Cusco we can venture into the sacred site, learning about the various religious temples and sanctuaries, as well as the other structures that were also made here.
You’ll also see the local resident alpacas and llamas walking free around here!
If you have more time free, then we highly recommend spending a few days in this area.
You can base yourself in nearby Aguascalientes, where you can use the extra time to visit the higher mirador of Huayna Picchu, go trekking through the jungle as well as relaxing in the thermal baths.
6. Try various Andean Cuisines
Peruvian Food should be much higher up on travelers’ bucket lists.
And having lived here for over a year (George), I highly recommend really sinking your teeth into the local food scene.
Here in Cusco they have more typical Andean dishes, which range from Papa a la Huancaina (potato based dish with a special sauce from the mountains) to the popular Chiriuchu (a big platter served with all kinds of meats and local vegetables).
Those who are feeling brave can also try Cuy, which is a favorite here in Cusco and can be found in various restaurants within the Historic Center.
You can also go for a stroll in the San Pedro Market, which is close to the Plaza de Armas and has a local food court where you can try a range of Peruvian specialties.
For the foodies out there, we highly recommend joining this Peruvian Cooking Class where you’ll learn to make everything from Ceviche to a dessert using the local sweet Lucuma fruit.
7. View Cusco from High Above
Walking around the streets you’ll find a surprise on pretty much every street corner.
However, sometimes it’s useful to freshen up your perspective here, especially if staying in Cusco for a longer time.
The Mirador San Blas is a great way to get a panoramic view over the Historic Center, and whilst it’s just a few blocks away, you’ll want to take your time up the steep hill.
You can also head up to the Mirador Cristo Blanco, which is much higher up on top of a mountain overlooking Cusco. It’s best-known for its Christ Statue (similar to that found in Rio), which illuminates at night and can be seen far away.
We recommend heading up in the latter afternoon, and before visiting the Christ statue you can head to the nearby Q’enqo Temple and explore the surrounding dry forest.
Is Cusco worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Cusco.
This Andean city is by far one of the most visited destinations in all of South America, let alone just Peru!
Here we’ll find an incredible atmosphere and culture, which has a quirky mix of influence from both its ancient ancestors to the more recent colonial period.
We’ll also find some truly breathtaking trips that you can take into the surrounding Sacred Valley region, such as to various ruins and lagunas.
While you’re still here, be sure to read our Backpacking Peru Itinerary for more ideas on where to go in this incredible South American country.
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