🏔️ PeruCusco
Cusco is the old Inca capital turned high-Andean hub, where Spanish churches sit on Inca stonework, the market culture is still working rather than staged, and most trips to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley begin. At 3,400 meters it asks you to slow down for the first day or two, which is no hardship in a city this walkable.
Where to stay
Plaza de Armas and Centro
The colonial heart, ringed by stone arcades, the cathedral, and the Jesuit Iglesia de la Compañía, with Inca walls still lining the side streets.
San Blas
The steep artisans' quarter above the plaza, full of small workshops, viewpoints, and cafés that reward the climb up its narrow stone lanes.
San Pedro
The area around the working Mercado San Pedro, where locals shop for produce, juices, and cheap lunches well away from the postcard center.
San Cristóbal
The hillside above San Blas, with wide views over the red-tiled rooftops and a path that continues uphill toward Saqsaywamán.
Don't miss
Qorikancha
The Inca sun temple, wrapped by the colonial Santo Domingo church, is the clearest lesson in how the two cities sit on top of each other.
Saqsaywamán at golden hour
The massive zigzag fortress walls above town are a short uphill walk; late afternoon brings the best light and thinner crowds.
A day in the Sacred Valley
Pisac's terraces and market and Ollantaytambo's fortress sit lower and warmer than Cusco, which also helps you acclimatize.
Machu Picchu
Book a timed circuit entry and your train weeks ahead; an early slot from Aguas Calientes beats the midday bus crowds.
Lunch at Mercado San Pedro
Order a fresh fruit juice and a menú del día at the food stalls for a real, cheap local meal.
Andean food, done well
Try lomo saltado, ají de gallina, and a cup of coca tea; adventurous eaters can order cuy or alpaca.
When to go
May to September is the dry season, with clear days, cold nights, and the best conditions for hiking and the valley. April and October are quieter shoulder months and still mostly dry. Skip January and February, the wettest stretch, when the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
Good to know
How many days do I need in Cusco?
Four to six. Take a slow first day to acclimatize, two days in and around the city, and one or two for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
How do I handle the altitude?
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters, so go easy on the first day, drink plenty of water, and hold off on alcohol at first. Coca tea helps, and many travelers ask a doctor about altitude medication before the trip.
Do I need to book Machu Picchu in advance?
Yes. Entry runs on timed tickets with fixed circuits and a daily cap, and the trains from Ollantaytambo sell out, so reserve weeks ahead and even further for the Inca Trail.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from May to September has the clearest skies for hiking and the valley. January and February are the wettest, and the Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
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