Cusco Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Cusco's Absolute Essentials

Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, displays a fusion of pre-Columbian masonry and Spanish colonial architecture. This collection covers the city’s historical evolution, from the precision-cut Twelve-angled stone and Qoricancha Sun Temple to the Plateresque Cusco Cathedral. It includes the defensive ruins of Puka Pukara, the ceremonial water channels of Tambomachay, and the artisanal workshops of San Blas. The list also features the San Pedro Market for local commerce and the Museo Inka, which houses archaeological artifacts and mummies from the Incan period.

12 places

PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ / GFDL

Cusco's Editor's Choice

Cusco's historic center showcases a fusion of Inca masonry and Spanish colonial architecture. Highlights include the Cathedral’s religious art, the precise engineering of the Twelve-angled-stone, and the hilltop military ruins of Puka Pukara. The artisan district of San Blas offers narrow streets and workshops, while San Pedro Market provides a glimpse into local trade. Specialized museums document the region's heritage through exhibits on Inca mummies, chocolate manufacturing, the medicinal and ritual uses of the coca leaf, and the production of pisco.

11 places

Martín Rodríguez Pontes / CC BY-SA 3.0

Inca Heritage Sites

Cusco served as the historic capital of the Inca Empire, housing architectural marvels that demonstrate advanced masonry and spiritual significance. This collection includes the Qoricancha Sun Temple, once the empire's wealthiest shrine, and the massive megalithic walls of Sacsayhuaman. Beyond the city center, sites like Tambomachay showcase sophisticated hydraulic engineering, while the Twelve-angled stone highlights precise dry-stone construction. These ruins represent the administrative, military, and religious heart of the Andes, reflecting a civilization that integrated monumental stone structures into the natural landscape.

8 places

Laslovarga / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cusco Museums and Galleries

Cusco’s museums span from the Qoricancha, once the Inca Empire's most vital sun temple, to the Inca Museum housing mummies and archaeological finds. Visitors can explore local traditions at the Museo de la Coca and learn about Peruvian spirits at Museo del Pisco. Art enthusiasts will find contemporary tapestries at Museo Maximo Laura and colonial-era religious works at the San Jeronimo and Hilario Mendivil museums. For a different perspective, the Cusco Planetarium offers insights into Inca astronomy and the southern sky.

10 places

Lhimec / CC0

Cusco's Sacred Sites

Cusco’s religious landscape reflects the syncretism of Incan and Spanish colonial history. This collection includes the Cusco Cathedral, built over the Kiswarkancha palace, and the Church of the Society of Jesus, a prime example of Andean Baroque architecture. Key highlights include the intricately carved cedar pulpit of San Blas, the panoramic city views from San Cristóbal, and El Triunfo, the city's first Christian church. These sites showcase centuries of religious art, gold-leaf altars, and architectural styles ranging from Plateresque to Mestizo Baroque.

9 places

Scarton / Public domain

Parks and Viewpoints

Explore the diverse natural and archaeological landscapes surrounding Cusco, from the massive megalithic walls of Sacsayhuaman to high-altitude Andean peaks like Pillku Urqu and Sinqa. This collection features legendary sites like Wanakawri mountain and the natural rock tunnels of Balcón del Diablo. It also highlights local green spaces, including the Pata Pata wetlands and urban plazas, offering a mix of historical significance and panoramic viewpoints across the valley.

18 places

Cusco — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

15°–20° · varies by region
9° at night
21–22 rainy days · varies by region
1 sunny day
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Fair

14°–20° · varies by region
9° at night
21–22 rainy days · varies by region
1 sunny day
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in March

Fair

14°–20° · varies by region
9° at night
19–20 rainy days · varies by region
1 sunny day
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in April

Great

14°–21° · varies by region
9° at night
7–8 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in May

Great

14°–21° · varies by region
9° at night
2–3 rainy days · varies by region
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in June

Great

15°–21° · varies by region
8° at night
2 rainy days
19 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

15°–21° · varies by region
8° at night
1–2 rainy days · varies by region
20 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

16°–22° · varies by region
8° at night
2 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

16°–23° · varies by region
9° at night
4–5 rainy days · varies by region
7 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in October

Good

17°–23° · varies by region
9° at night
11–12 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in November

Good

17°–22° · varies by region
10° at night
12 rainy days
5 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in December

Fair

15°–21° · varies by region
9° at night
20–21 rainy days · varies by region
2 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

This destination spans several climate zones, so these figures are a range across the region rather than exact values. Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025