What to do in Cusco that doesn't have to cost a fortune

1. Explore San Pedro Market

Approaching San Pedro Market from Plaza de Armas, you will see the number of street vendors increasing from street corner to street corner until you end up at a square full of vendors with the entrance to the market right next to it. 

On this side, the first thing you will see are all the artisans: jumpers, bags, hats, gloves and other accessories. Be aware that although many items are marketed to you as alpaca wool, most of them are just a wool blend with the tiniest amount of alpaca. Real alpaca wool is way heavier and also more expensive than what you can encounter in the market. The jumpers in the market make for a nice souvenir though. 

Walking deeper into the market you will pass the fresh produce and the juice section, with lots of ladies selling delicious jugs of juice - you can choose how many and which fruit you want. Next, you will get into the food section of the market. Here you can find all the Peruvian delicacies: from warm and filling soups to extremely large and delicious plates of traditional Peruvian food, like Lomo Saltado. 

When in Cusco, you will most likely pay San Pedro Market a visit and if you want to eat there, make sure to come quite early because after 12 pm lots of dishes will be sold out already. Peruvians start working early and thus also have quite an early lunch.

2. Wander around the San Blas neighbourhood 

The San Blas neighbourhood is definitely one of Cusco’s must-see areas. With its narrow cobblestone streets, artisanal shops, incredible restaurants - even vegans will have lots of choices here - and the stunning views of the city, a visit to San Blas will easily be one of the highlights of your Cusco trip.

We recommend you to walk to Plaza San Blas, sit on top of the fountain wall and watch the sunset.

3. Visit the Inca ruins of Qorikancha & the Church of Santo Domingo

Built during the reign of the 10th Inca, Túpac Yupanqui, in the mid-15th century, these ruins were once the richest temple in the whole Inca empire. Most of the temple was destroyed after the 16th century war with the Spanish and its foundation was used to build today's Santo Domingo Convent. 

During its high-time the temple was covered in gold, showing the riches of the Inca empire. Today the site is a unique combination of Inca and colonial architecture, definitely worth a visit when in Cusco. There are also some really nice gardens around the back, where lots of locals and also tourists hang out in the sun for free. 

Entry Qoricancha | S/. 15 (£3.30) 

Opening Hours Qoricancha | 8.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. (Mon - Sat) and 12.00 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sundays

4. Have a coffee overlooking Plaza de Armas

Whenever you are in Cusco, you will cross Plaza de Armas many times. If it is while searching for the perfect tour operator for your Machu Picchu adventure, exploring Cusco’s gastronomical scene or while on the way to San Blas. We would definitely recommend you to find one of the cafes next to the square on the second floor with little balconies and views over the square.

The prices are a bit higher than in other places because you are right next to Plaza de Armas, but the view of the busy square, the houses on the hills and mountains in the background, make it surely worthwhile. 

We can recommend Cappuccino Cafe - the views are incredible and the coffee is good as well. 

5. Explore the ruins of Saqsaywaman

Because of its location high above Cusco and its immense terrace walls, Sacsayhuaman is frequently referred to as a fortress. 

This Inca citadel is located on the northern outskirts of Cusco. If you have a bit more time in the city, you should definitely pay it a visit. Together with Cusco it was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. The construction is made up of three platforms one on top of the other and was one of the most important religious complexes during the Incan empire. 

On the 24th of June each year the site is used to celebrate Inti Raymi, an annual Incan festival on the shortest day of the year to celebrate the Incan New Year. The ceremony celebrates the god of the sun, Inti, the highest god in the Incan religion. 

When visiting Sacsayhuaman, make sure to either take a full or at least half a day of time in your planning. You can either hike up the 2km or take a taxi. 

Entry Sacsayhuaman | Boleto Turistico for 1 day S/. 70 (£15) or Boleto Turistico for 10 days S/. 130 (£28)

Opening Hours | 7.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. (Mon - Sun) 

Note: The Boleto Turistico is a bit complicated. There is a one-day version that offers you access to a couple of attractions in and around Cusco including Sacsayhuaman. There is a two-day version for the same price that gives you access to different sites in Sacred Valley and there is the 10-day version that includes all sites the previous two include. 

6. Have a sunset drink with the best view of Cusco 

What is better than an incredible view over Cusco? One where you have a freshly made and delicious Pisco sour in your hand while watching the sun set behind the epic mountains that corner the city. 

Walking up the steep hills of San Blas neighbourhood, you will find a couple of bars and restaurants that offer an incredible view, some cold drinks and even some food if you happen to be hungry. 

The most famous is probably Limbus Restobar with its long balcony and floor to ceiling glass windows. The prices here are a bit higher, but totally worth the stunning view.

Another well known place, a bit further up the hill is View House, which offers a more backpack vibe and stronger cocktails. 

If you go up from Limbus and instead of taking a right to View House, take a left you will end up at a lesser known and less expensive bar called K'intuchay - we can highly recommend the Pisco and Maracuya Sour and they serve some really good chips as well. 

7. Discover Huaca Sapantiana

A waterfall inside a city? Yes, you can find that in Cusco as well! 

The aqueduct Huaca Sapantiana is visited more and more by locals and tourists alike. It sits on the upper end of the San Blas neighbourhood. When you are exploring the San Blas neighbourhood you can easily swing by the aqueduct, take some pretty pictures and don’t forget to check out the neighbouring streets - they are very photogenic as well! 

8. Hike up to Iglesia de San Cristóbal

One of the main attractions in Cusco are the stunning views you can get in different areas from the city and why not check out all of them?

In the same area, but a bit more west of San Blas, you can find the church of San Cristóbal. Hiking up here might be a bit tough on your lungs, especially because of the elevation Cusco sits on but is definitely worth the view you get from the little square in front of the church. Pack some sandwiches and snacks and have a little picnic up there overlooking Cusco and the surrounding mountains. 

9. Try to solve the mystery of the 12-angled stone

At first, a stone placed in a wall might not seem a very exciting attraction, but there is a good reason the narrow street is always full of people admiring the Incan way of construction. To this day we don’t know how the Incas were able to cut stones so precisely and fit them together that not even a sheet of paper can fit in between two stones in a wall. 

And because this specific stone with 12 angles is so huge and perfectly fits into the wall, it attracts hundreds of tourists every day trying to figure out this century-old mystery. 

10. Taste some delicious Peruvian chocolate

One thing you should not miss in Peru is its chocolate. Peru is home to some incredible cacao and this shows in the chocolate they produce. Our favourite place is the ChocoMuseo right off Plaza de Armas. You can join a free guided tour through the halls and even try some chocolate for free - make sure to not be too shy and try the chilli and coca chocolates! 

If you feel like having more chocolate after, sit down and relax on their balcony with a view over Plaza Kusipata and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate.