In the center of Cusco you will find countless restaurants, shops, churches and buildings from the time of the Spanish conquest. Many of these buildings were built on the ruins of the ancient Inca citadel that exists here and this can be seen in the stones that make up its structure. In its central square we can see the Cathedral of Cuzco, which has a mixture of Baroque, Gothic and Plateresque styles. And next to it is the Church of the Society of Jesus, one of the most beautiful baroque churches in all of Peru.
If you want to try authentic Peruvian food, you cannot miss this popular market in the center of Cuzco. The structure of this market, also called the Central Market, was built by Gustave Eiffel himself and inside you can see stalls of all kinds of typical Peruvian products. Also in these stalls you can buy handicrafts and taste the best typical dishes at an unbeatable price. A good way to explore this market is with the recommendations of an expert reserving a gastronomic tour with a guide in Spanish.
One of the best excursions to visit in Cusco is without a doubt the Rainbow Mountain. Located more than 5000 meters high in the Andes, its mineral-rich slopes allow us to see a large number of hues and colors, marveling anyone who visits it. The best time to see the hues clearly is in July and August, the dry season, however it can be visited without problem throughout the year.
Located 15 kilometers from Cusco, the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas, is one of the best places to visit in Cusco. In this Andean valley it is full of rivers, Inca archaeological sites, colonial towns and simply spectacular landscapes. A valley that was highly appreciated by the Incas for its good conditions for agriculture in which they took advantage of the geography, creating a system of terraces to carry out different crops. Different daily tours depart from the city of Cusco, which last 10 or 12 hours.
Located next to the historic center, San Blas is one of the most beautiful and charming neighborhoods in Cusco. Its narrow and steep cobblestone streets are full of old colonial houses, artisan workshops and souvenir shops. The Church of San Blas, which gives its name to the neighborhood, is the oldest in the city and is built on an Inca temple that is worth entering inside to see its fantastic carved wooden pulpit.
About two kilometers north of Cuzco is located this ancient Inca fortress, unique for its excellent state of conservation. This ancient group of buildings is considered to be the greatest architectural work of the Inca empire, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, the period of greatest height of this civilization. The extermination of the Inca people carried out by the Spanish conquerors, took not only their lives, but also the knowledge of how this fortification was built.
