Last Updated on August 13, 2021
If you plan to visit Machu Picchu, you will need to make a stop in Cusco first. When JC and I hiked Montaña Machu Picchu in January, we flew from Lima to Cusco and spent one day in Cusco before continuing to Machu Picchu. On our return from Machu Picchu, we spent one more day in Cusco before flying back to Lima. Cusco is a beautiful city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It definitely warrants some time spent wandering the city and should not be treated just as a point of transit on your journey to Machu Picchu. Read below for everything to do in Cusco, including where to stay, eat and shop.
Related Post: How to Get to Machu Picchu: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: Where to Stay
We stayed at a hostel called Pariwana while in Cusco. The location is ideal — it is only six minutes walking from the Plaza de Armas. JC and I booked a private room with Queen-sized bed and private bathroom. We were pleasantly surprised when we were upgraded to a Suite upon arrival. Our private room cost approximately $45/night. You can view the different room options here. JC’s brother and friend stayed in a shared room with bunk beds and used the communal bathrooms, as their room did not have a private bathroom. Depending on your desired level of comfort and privacy and your budget, you can choose your room accordingly. A very basic breakfast buffet is also included with the room price. The hostel is a cool place to hang out — they have a tv room, plus outdoor games like foosball and ‘sapo’ (similar to corn hole). The staff is very friendly and we had a really great time staying there. They also have a plentiful supply of coca leaves to help you overcome altitude sickness (Cusco is about 3400 meters above sea level, after all!).
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: Where to Eat
Visit the Mercado Central de San Pedro for fresh juices
Five minutes walking from Pariwana, in the opposite direction of the Plaza de Armas, is the Mercado Central de San Pedro. Here, you can buy souvenirs, as well as bread and cheese, along with other groceries. We went specifically for fresh ‘jugos’ (juices) for a refreshing and healthy breakfast treat. You can tell the women making the juices whichever fruits you want and they prepare the drinks in front of you.
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: Eat healthy vegan cuisine at Green Point
Our favorite restaurant in Cusco was Green Point, which is entirely vegan. Even JC and his brother, who are both meat-eaters, really enjoyed this restaurant. We had açaí bowls, grilled salad and even vegan ‘Tacu Tacu,’ which is a traditional Peruvian dish usually served with fried egg and meat. I ordered the grilled salad, and they grilled the vegetables literally in front of me before serving them on my plate (watch the video below). We came back to this restaurant several times during our time in Cusco – it is that good!
Have some street churros for dessert
While walking the streets of Cusco, you will spot many street vendors selling food, art and other various souvenirs. If you are hankering for some dessert, grab a churro. They serve them regular style or filled with dulce de leche or chocolate.
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: What to Do
Go sweater shopping in Cusco
If you have read our other posts on Machu Picchu, you have surely noticed the sweaters or chompas we are wearing throughout all the photos. The best souvenir to buy in Cusco is a sweater. You can find them throughout the city in various shops near the Plaza de Armas and elsewhere. There are also many markets, similar to the Mercado Central de San Pedro, but smaller, selling sweaters and other souvenirs. Another nice spot to souvenir and sweater shop is called Artesanía Asuntas. There are so many places to buy sweaters, my advice would be to shop around first and find the style you like best and then negotiate for the best price. Be sure to negotiate! Depending on the style, you shouldn’t spend more than 20-35 soles (~$5-$10). Now this price is for synthetic, not real alpaca. For real alpaca you will need to spend a lot more!
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: Take photos with the locals in Cusco
While walking the streets of Cusco, you will see some women in traditional dress complete with baby animals, such as baby alpacas and lambs. They will let you take photos with them and their animals, for a price, making for some unforgettable keepsake photos of your trip to Cusco. We had an amazing afternoon chatting with these women and taking photos with Panchita Nueve (9), the baby alpaca. He had eight other brothers and sisters, hence his name.
How to Spend a Few Days in Cusco: See the 12-angled stone
The 12-angled stone was part of a stone wall of an Inca palace and is a fine example of the Incan’s advanced knowledge of architecture. Today, it is part of a wall known as Hatun Rumiyoc, which is part of the archbishop’s palace. It warrants a quick pitstop while walking the streets of Cusco.
Go horseback riding in Qenqo
About 20 minutes driving from Plaza de Armas is Qenqo, an open-air park and archeological site. Entrance is free. It is a nice place to walk around and enjoy views of the city and you can also rent horses and take a trail ride, as we did. As with the sweater shopping, be sure to negotiate the price for the trail ride on horseback! In Peru, prices are never set in stone.
Have a beer overlooking the Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is the center of Cusco city, and a great place to people watch. In the evening, you can sit outside with a beer in hand while watching the sun set over the Plaza. We sat on the balcony of this restaurant overlooking the Plaza for a perfect end to our evening in Cusco.
And that’s how we spent a few days in Cusco both before and after our trek to Machu Picchu. For sure there is a lot more to discover in Cusco, and we plan to make a return trip in the near future! What did we miss? What are your favorite things to do in Cusco? Let us know in the comments below!
