Cusco: Absolute Must-Sees

Cusco serves as a gateway to the Incan Empire’s architectural legacy. This selection spans the iconic Machu Picchu citadel and the high-altitude circular agricultural terraces of Moray. Within the city, colonial structures like the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus sit atop Incan foundations, notably at the Qoricancha sun temple. The list highlights massive stone masonry at Sacsayhuaman and the Twelve-angled-stone, alongside local life at San Pedro Market and the strategic ruins within the Sacred Valley and Chinchero village.

Cusco: Absolute Must-Sees — Karte

Public domain

A

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a 2,430-meter mountain ridge.

S23678 / CC BY 3.0

B

Cusco Cathedral

The Cathedral of Cusco or Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption is the main temple of the city of Cusco, in Peru and houses…

Martín Rodríguez Pontes / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Qoricancha Site Museum

Coricancha, Curicancha, Koricancha, Qoricancha or Qorikancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, and was described by early…

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Plaza de Armas

The historic heart of Cusco, this central square is flanked by colonial arcades and landmark religious buildings. Originally the Incan Great Square, Huacaypata, it remains the city’s primary gathering space for festivals and religious processions.

Unukorno / CC BY 3.0

E

Twelve-angled-stone

The twelve-angled stone is an archeological artifact in Cuzco, Peru. It was part of a stone wall of an Inca palace, and is considered to be…

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

F

Moray Ruins

Moray is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau at about 3,500 metres and just…

Aufgang / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, or the Urubamba Valley, is a valley in the Andes of Peru, north of the Inca capital of Cusco.

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / GFDL

H

San Pedro Market

A local market that offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and more.

Victor Delgado / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

City of Cuzco

Cusco or Cuzco, is a city in Southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range.

Cacophony / GFDL

J

White Christ

The statue of Jesus Christ with extended arms is made of white stone. It is illuminated in the dark.

K

Church of the Society of Jesus

The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús is a historic Jesuit church in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, in Cusco Region, Peru.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

L

Sacsayhuaman

An Incan citadel and ceremonial complex overlooking Cusco, noted for its massive dry stone walls. The cyclopean masonry features limestone blocks weighing over 100 tons, fitted together without mortar. It hosts the annual Inti Raymi sun festival.

Leon Petrosyan / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Tambomachay

Tambomachay is an archaeological site associated with the Inca Empire, located near Cusco, Peru.

Dr. Eugen Lehle / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Chinchero

A small Andean village offers a beautiful view over the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There are also ruins of Inca buildings.