The former sacred capital of the Inca Empire in the Andes — and the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Cusco was the sacred capital of the Inca Empire at 3,400 metres in the Andes — and it remains the world's most archaeologically rich inhabited city. Beneath every Spanish colonial church lie Inca stonework foundations. Machu Picchu is a day trip away, but Cusco itself — Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha, and the Pisac markets — is absolutely worth the trip.
2M
visitors/year
Best time to visit
May–September — dry season; Inca Trail permits must be booked months in advance
Top sights & experiences
- 🏔️ Machu Picchu day trip
- 🏰 Sacsayhuamán — Inca fortress
- 🛕 Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
- 🛍️ Pisac markets
- 🌈 Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
- 🍺 Chicha & local cuisine
Perfect for
HistoryAdventureHikingCulture
Plan your Cusco trip with AI
Flights from Helsinki, the best hotels and a full day-by-day itinerary — free, in seconds.
Find flights to CuscoSee also
Explore more destinations
Open Taival AI →