21 Cool Things to Do in Cusco For Every Budget

Things to do in Cusco, Peru

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Cusco, Peru is not just the gateway to one of the seven new wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. This city is home to 3.5 thousand citizens, over 90 hostels and, wait for it… a 12 angled stone. Jokes aside, Cusco quickly becomes the hub for travellers who are heading to or returning from the variety of hikes and day trips around the city. We (Gemma and Craig) stayed in here for a fortnight; attending Spanish school and experiencing things to do in Cusco.

Things to do in Cusco

1. Plaza de Armas

Cusco’s main square is a grassy area with a fountain and is surrounded by shops and places of worship.

The heart of the historic centre bustles with locals meeting for lunch and walking tours gathering to begin their stroll through the city.

2. Get High in Cusco

One of my favourite things to do in every city to climb a viewing point and if there is a drink involved, I’m even more content. Head to Calle del Medio restaurant for views of Plaza de Arma, a hot chocolate and some people watching.

Calle del Medio what to see in Cusco

3. Cusco Cathedral

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption is the red-stoned building which faces on to Plaza de Armas.

This Catholic church is worth a visit during the day and in the evening to see it lit up.

4. 12 Angled Stone

Five minutes walk from the main square you can’t miss the 12 angled stone on Hatunrumiyoc because there will be a local asking for soles to show you the sides! 

  • Address: Hatunrumiyoc 480

5. Calle Carmen Alto

Carmen Alto is one of my favourite streets in Cusco.

I like walking along and looking at the stone buildings and craft shops tucked inside them.

We stayed around the corner from Carmen Alto at Thomas Grill and Garden which is ideal for couples and those looking to avoid the party hostels.

Carmen Alto Cusco

6. Eat Crepes!

Guilty! One of the main reasons I love this calle is because of the French creperie, La B’oM. I was as surprised as you are to hear of pancakes draped in Nutella in Peru. I may have visited more than once… La B’oM has a cool hostel too, check out rates and availability here.

  • Address: Carmen Alto

7. Jack’s Cafe

While we are on the topic of Western food, you may want to check out Jack’s Cafe. You can’t miss the crowds lining up to get in for burgers, milkshakes and French toast.

  • Address:  Choquechaka 509

8. Cook up a Storm

Love food? Check out a
Peruvian cooking class. Create meals using Andean recipes, hear about the history of the meals from Cuco’s top chefs and then gorge on them.

  • Check availability and rates here

9. San Blas

The San Blas area oozes with laid-back vibes where musicians play and artists sell crafts around Plaza San Blas. Accommodation in this area tends to be a little cheaper than the chain types which you will see pop up at all stops.

  • Note: the walk from Plaza de Armas to San Blas is steep

San Blas Cusco

10. Sabino Huamán

If you hear sweet sounds coming from a shopfront in the San Blas area it’s most likely the melodic tunes from Sabino Huamán’s guitar. 

Huamán is only one of two luthiers in Peru and he makes his own guitars; the process takes 50 days. Its mesmerising, go check him out.

  • Address: Calle Tandapata 370

Sabino Huaman Cusco

11. Vegan, Vegetarian Food + Plant Museum

Have you heard about ayahuasca in Peru? This brew made from vines can be consumed with the support of a spiritual local and sends the consumer into a hallucinogenic experience (not for the faint-hearted).

You can find out more about the plant and others like it at Cusco’s Natural Factory, which also sells vegan and vegetarian food.

  • Address: Pumacurco 433

Cusco vegetarian food - Natural Factory

12. Go Back to School!

As you travel through South America, you will become more aware of how disadvantaged you are when you can’t speak Spanish.

Sure you will be able to navigate your way around the gringo trail but where’s the fun in that?

Break up your journey and learn a new skill at Spanish school. Classes take place in the morning with the offer of social events in the afternoon/evening.

13. Do a Homestay

Travel is about leaving your comfort zone, right?

It doesn’t get more challenging than swapping the haven of hostels with WiFi for a week staying with a Peruvian granny.

We shacked up with a lovely wee woman called Doris who lived a ten-minute walk from the centre.

Not only do you get to try your morning efforts from Spanish school on the homestay family but they also feed you, you can benefit from real Peruvian local prices in shops and you get to see what true Cusco culture is like.

14. Planetarium Cusco

A visit to Cusco Planetarium is just about looking at the stars. One of the best things to do in Cusco at night, this family-run tour is an educational lesson as well as star gazing.

Cusco is the spiritual home of the Inca civilisation. A thoroughly impressive culture, almost 10 million strong. Keeping this amount of people fed in the modern day is no easy feat but these guys managed it in the middle of the Andean mountains, at 4000m above sea level on rough/uneven terrain! The secret of this success was down to their deep connection to Pachamama (Mother Earth) in a way only comparable to natives on Pandora from the movie Avatar. This race had no written language but was still able to monitor seasons (only summer & winter in this part of Peru) and predict weather patterns including the El Niño phenomenon. All of this was made possible by monitoring Earth’s position in the solar system. We were lucky to see Jupiter with four moons and a Binary System (a cluster of rotating stars) before the clouds rudely interrupted our viewing pleasure.

  • Meeting point: Plaza Regocijo
  • Times: Monday-Saturday 17:40-19:40
  • Tip: wrap up, it gets cold 

15. Korma Sutra

While in the area why not grab a curry at one of Craig’s favourite curry houses, in the world – Cusco’s Korma Sutra. Try the tandoori guinea pig (cuy) for a traditional Peruvian twist.

  • Address:  Calle Teatro 382

16. Walking Tours in Cusco

One of the top things to do in Cusco when you first arrive is to take a walking tour of the city. I try to do this on day one of trips to help me find my bearings and to tap into local tips. Tours are offered in Spanish and English and if you choose right, you might end up with a free Peruvian Pisco sours!

  • Meeting point: Plaza de Armas
  • Note: free tours aren’t actually free, payments are collected via tips at the end
  • Tip: one of the nice things to do in Cusco on your own if you want to make friends – we dined with a couple who met on the tour

Plaza del Armas Things to do in Cusco, Peru

17. Museo del Chocolate Cusco

One of the best things to do in Cusco of the sweet tooth amongst us is to visit the Chocolate museum. Chocolatiers show you how they make chocolate. You can buy some too! Book a tour to find out about chocolate from the Peruvian jungle (two hours, starts at 4pm).

  • Address: Calle Garcilaso 210

Museo del Chocolate Cusco

18. San Pedro Market

It’s a travellers rite of passage to buy a llama sweatshirt from San Pedro Market in Cusco! It’s also a great spot if you are about to do one of the many hikes in Peru as you can pick up headbands and scarfs, it gets chilly up high remember! Fruit, snacks, bags and flags are also available.

  • Address: Cascaparo

19. Cusco Viewing Points

I have a secret to share, the best Cusco viewing point was actually from our room at Thomas Grill and Garden! However, you can also see the sites of Cusco for free from Mirador Chawarna Qosqo. Other travellers rave about Cusco’s View Point hotel – what to see in Cusco? The city panoramic views!

What to do in Cusco - viewing points

20. Party in Cusco

You would expect cities to have a vibrant nightlife and Cusco’s party scene won’t let you down. I distinctly remember drinking in Loki then heading out to a club where I danced on the bar with a box shaped like a robot on my head.

Cannot tell you the name of the club, unfortunately – answers on a postcard! We also partied at Mythology which played 90s RnB music which always makes me happy. Paddy’s Irish Bar screens the football if you need to catch a game.

  • Tip: partying in high altitude calls for horrendous hangovers. Pack hydration tablets, see our list below.

21. Day trips from Cusco

Cusco really is the gateway to history and hikes. The most famous hike is the Inca Trail but did you know that there are 14 ways to get to Machu Picchu?

They don’t all include hiking either which is great for those on a tight schedule, budget or don’t want to walk. One thing I am really disappointed that I missed out on is a trip to Rainbow Mountain.

This colourful Peruvian landmark can be hiked in one day too! Click here for more details and don’t miss out as we did.

A great way to learn about the Inca civilisation is through a day trip to the Sacred Valley.

This bus/group tour picks you up from your accommodation in Cusco on to the Sacred Valley, Pisac market to see local patterned textiles and Inca artefacts.

Buffet lunch is included close to Ollantaytambo where visitors discover the stone terraces, fortress and Sun Temple.

How to get to Machu Picchu in Peru_

Altitude in Cusco

Cusco’s height above sea level comes in at 3,399 metres so it is advised that visitors spend time in the city to adjust before heading off on hikes to Machu Picchu.

We travelled from Lima to Arequipa then Cusco (with stops along the way) and never felt the impact, apart from after a few too many cervazas!

Jokes aside, acclimatise – two members of our Machu Picchu team fell sick, one from the beginning the other half-way through. Luckily donkeys and trained guides were on hand.

How to Get to Cusco

Cusco can be reached by bus or plane. Flights from Peru’s capital, Lima to Cusco take just over one hour and Arequipa to Cusco takes one hour. Airport transfers can be booked here.

There are no direct bus routes from Lima, the most efficient is around 22 hours (brutal!) There are so many stops along the way that you wouldn’t want to miss so avoid this option.

The bus from Arequipa to Cusco is under ten hours. We used Peru Hop, the safe hop on/off bus service, from Lima all the way to Puno then joined the Bolivia Hop bus to La Paz. Next stop Puno? This direct bus leaves at 08:30 and gets into Puno at 3:30pm.

Many travellers enter Peru from Bolivia, Puno to Cusco takes around seven hours by public bus. Don’t forget to check out the Taquile Island, the less tacky trip near Uros Floating Islands (see below for our full Peru guide).

Another option is to head from Cusco to the Amazon by flight (then boat) or bus. Cusco to Manu National Park by bus takes around eight hours.

Cusco Packing List

  • A waterproof coat like this Marmot Precip US / UK or Mountain Equipment Rupal US / UK
  • Comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots – I swear by Salomon Ellipse trek shoes US / UK
  • Camera and battery
  • Battery pack for your phone – I vouch for Anker’s range US / UK
  • Waterproof Osprey bag cover US / UK
  • Filter and purifying water bottle like Water To Go [quote TSA15 at checkout for 15% off]
  • Zero-waste Bamboo cutlery set US / UK
  • Skross universal travel adaptor with USB slots US / UK
  • Pacsafe safety net US / UK – especially if staying in communal hostels
  • Hydration tablets US / UK – for partying remedies

Peru really is something for everyone and the city of Cusco is a microcosm of the country itself – hikes, history, gastronomy and llamas!

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21 Things to do in Cusco Peru

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10 thoughts on “21 Cool Things to Do in Cusco For Every Budget

  1. warwick says:

    Enjoyed your article, wish I had read it before I went. Missed some things.
    I read it, hopefully, because I am trying to find again a most unusual thing we did in Cusco.
    Coming back from Sacsayhuamán, we go off the bus to visit a tiny temple in a private home.
    “The mummy is not always home, he might be visiting other mummies”, we had heard.
    We went through a garden gate, feeling like we were going into really personal space. We were.
    A small room, very basic, cracked glass, people in prayer … and the mummy.
    Can’t remember his name, can’t remember how we found out about him, can’t locate him again.
    Perhaps somebody who knows will read this. Fingers crossed.

    • Gemma I Two Scots Abroad says:

      That really is unusual! Thanks for sharing. Cusco is a cool wee place eh! Did you do any hikes around the area?

  2. The Bonfire Dream says:

    What a cool article. Haven’t visited Cusco on my travel to Peru, but will definitely do so this year! Or maybe next haha. Great guide, as always 🙂

  3. Ryan Biddulph says:

    Hi Guys,

    Awesome shots!

    So surprised I missed this when I visited Cusco a few years back; think I was blinded by the busy-ness at La Plaza de Armas lol.

    Tweeting from Bali.

    Ryan

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