I’ve been to many places around the world, and in all sincerity, Cuzco is one of my favorites. It combines the ancient with new in a way you don’t see elsewhere.

The indigenous cultures blend together in the city’s art and history, dotted with evidence of the Spanish conquest. The native art, food, and traditions combine with European architecture to create a truly matchless place.

After a visit here during my month long backpacking trip, here are my top 10 things to do in Cuzco, Peru!

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1. Visit the Temple of Q’orikancha

This temple was once the most revered site in the Inca capital. Its walls were literally covered in gold, and it had a large courtyard filled with solid gold statues. This was the epicenter of worship for the Inca people.

When the conquistadors arrived, they ransacked it and sent all of the gold back to Spain. Then, to add insult to injury, they demolished the temple.

Once demolished, the Spaniards used its foundations to build a Cathedral right on top of it. They wanted to suppress and insult the Inca, and I’d say they did.

For visitors today, it is a rare sight to see. The Spaniards incorporated the Inca stonework in to the base of their church. Very few places in the world have evidence of two such different cultures connected in such a way.

Now, Q’orikancha includes the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo. There isn’t much gold left to be seen, and the scarce few artifacts that have remained in Peru are in the nearby archaeological museum.

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2. See the Ruins of Sacsayhuaman

A citadel on the outskirts of the city, this complex is a wonder. A fortress on a steep hill overlooking the city, it was the location of the battle of Cajamarca; an event that changed the face of Peru forever.

These walls and stones have seen their share of history. Over time, they were slowly disassembled by the Spaniards, who used the stones to build their own homes.

Today, it is still used for the yearly festival of Inti Raymi– a celebration of the winter solstice!p things to do in Cuzco

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READ MORE:  What NOT to do in Cuzco!

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3. Take a Tram to the Cristo Blanco Overlook–

Take the local tram tour (Tranvía Cusco) to see the sprawling city. Walking too much can make you feel sick from the altitude, so this is a good option!

The tram will take you to the top of a beautiful overlook (Cristo Blanco) with a view of the mountains and city below.

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4. Stroll the Plaza de Armas –

The epicenter of the city, this plaza is hard to miss. During the Inca times, it was known as the “Square of the Warrior”, and was home to many important events.

It saw Francisco Pizarro’s proclamation of defeat over the Inca Empire, and the brutal public death of Inca leader Tupac Amaru.

Over the years, the Spaniards made it their own. They constructed a cathedral, gardens, and stone arcades all around the plaza which still stand today.

About an eight minute walk away from the plaza is the San Pedro Market. This is the perfect place with stalls for produce, meat, clothing, juices and more!

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5. Step in the Church of Cuzco (La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús)-

This church was built by the Jesuits in 1576, and is the focal point of the Plaza de Armas. It was built on the foundations of Amarucancha, which was the Inca royal residence.

Go inside and admire its colonial architecture, or peer down into the underground chapel. A good idea is to pay to go to the top, as it has a great view of the plaza below.

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6. Experience Peruvian Food-

 The further you venture away from the plaza, the more authentic the food will get. While most Peruvian food is delicious, I particularly recommend:

Empanadas: Delicious meat-filled pastries filled with veggies and garnished with limes and onions

Cancha & Choclo: Cancha is basically unpopped popcorn- tasty and salty! Choclo is boiled corn- soft and delicious!

Chaufa de Pollo: Peruvian cuisine with a Chinese influence, this is a local version of fried rice- YUM

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7. Visit the Pre-Columbian Art Museum-

This museum has an unparalleled Peruvian art collection, and is located in the Casa Cabrera (a mansion that dates back to 1580). Inside, there are 450 artifacts that include ceramics, jewelry, carvings, and artifacts from Q’Orikancha dating from 1250BC up to 1532AD.

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8. Marvel at Cuzco’s Twelve-Sided Stone-

Known as Hatun Rumiyoc, this stone might not seem too exciting at first. It is notable however, because of the astounding masonry and architectural skill it represents. The Inca were able to carve stone in rounded edges, and place them together without mortar.

Not only this, but they are so perfectly matched that one cannot even pass a piece of paper through the precise stones. This stone has 12 sides to it, and shows the jigsaw-puzzle style in which these pieces were expertly matched.

Now there are colonial era buildings standing on its foundations, but it is the epitome of Inca architectural expertise. It is located at the entrance to the San Blas Barrio, a scenic neighborhood filled with arts and crafts.

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9. Take Day Trips to Nearby Architectural Sites-

If you have time to leave the city center, the nearby architectural site and temple complex of Ollantaytambo (about a 2 hour drive) is worth a visit. The site of Písac (1 hour drive) is another worthy place.

Another very popular day trip out of Cusco is the hike to Rainbow Mountain. While beautiful of course, the hike is not just for anyone- it’s very intense especially given the altitude!

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10. Hike the Inca Trail to (nearby-ish) Machu Picchu: Obviously!

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