3 Days in Cusco: Peru's Most Sacred City (Best Travel Guide)

14 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 4:28

   San Blas Market

   🛒 Market · San Blas

   Try the aji de gallina and alpaca lomo saltado empanadas, the sauco (elderberry) cheesecake and a quinoa cookie.

2. 5:22

   San Blas

   🏘️ Neighborhood · San Blas

   An artisan market in San Blas Plaza on Saturdays sells original handmade goods, unlike the mass-produced items in many shops.

3. 7:46

   Florencia y Fortunata

   ☕ Cafe · Centro Histórico

   Serves a chai-latte-inspired cinnamon roll and pan de queso made from yucca flour.

4. 9:43

   Plaza de Armas

   🏢 Landmark · Centro Histórico

   Lovely in the evening with lights across the hills; vendors and shoe shiners are persistent but not pushy.

5. 10:48

   Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

   🏛️ Museum · Centro Histórico

   A good low-exertion break from walking the streets while adjusting to the altitude.

6. 12:09

   Organika

   🍴 Restaurant · Centro Histórico

   Grilled alpaca in red wine sauce tastes like lean steak; the grilled trout is tender and the yaki side is worth ordering extra.

7. 13:21

   San Pedro Market

   🛒 Market · Centro Histórico

8. 14:02

   Qorikancha

   ⛩️ Temple · Centro Histórico

   A 1950 earthquake exposed the original Inca foundations, prompting efforts to restore and recognise the site's Inca past.

9. 15:54

   Sacsayhuaman

   🏛️ Historic site · San Cristóbal

   The largest stone weighs about 120 tons; hiring a local guide is recommended to explore areas like the tunnels.

10. 15:58

    Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

    🚆 Day trip · Pitumarca

    Requires a 3:30 am start and a long drive; best saved for the end of a trip once acclimatised.

11. 15:58

    Siete Lagunas

    🚆 Day trip · Pacchanta

    Involves a very early start and long drive; best left until the end of a trip for fit, acclimatised travellers.

12. 15:58

    Humantay Lake

    🥾 Hike · Soraypampa

    Requires a 3:30 am wake-up; skip it if struggling with altitude early in the trip.

13. 19:30

    Inti Raymi

    🚡 Activity · Centro Histórico

    Timing a Sacsayhuamán visit for 24 June lets you see the site during the festival.

14. 19:57

    Loko Bistro

    🍴 Restaurant · Centro Histórico

    Choclo polenta with 8-hour stewed beef is a standout; also try crispy trout shari bites and trout beurre blanc.