To visit Cusco, you have to take your time. The most important thing is to enjoy the main sites (San Pedro Market, Machu Picchu Museum, San Blas district, Chocolate Museum, Handicraft Market…) without wanting to see everything! Here is how our visit to Cusco was organized.
See also how to visit Cusco in 1 day with self-guided tour.
How to visit CUSCO?
Initially, I had planned the following program:
Early in the morning take the same bus as to go to Pisac and get off at Tambmachay, the most distant site (10km from Cusco) and visit the following sites on foot returning towards Cusco.
- Tambomachay: temple of water;
- Pucapucara: fort that offers a splendid view of the valley and the peaks
- Quenko: important sanctuary with sacrificial altars of llamas and alpacas;
- Sacsayhuaman temple and its Cyclopean blocks, symbolizing the head of a puma.
But, with the very early night of the day before and the hard day in Machupicchu, I modified the program so as not to drag my feet around the visits… The trip must remain a pleasure and there is no point in wanting to do everything if it is. he is tired and without envy! Moreover, I must admit that I was a little tired of seeing Inca ruins.
So, by mutual agreement with our friends and my husband, we decide to devote the whole day to the visit to Cusco.
Visit CUSCO - The San Pedro Market
It is the largest market in the city and is a must see for tourists. Covered market, it is located near the Plaza de Armas opposite the San Pedro station: avenue Tupac Amaru.
Two parts make it up:
The part reserved for food with magnificent stalls of breads, pastries, vegetables and fruits of all colors and flavors ...
You can have a full meal there for 10 soles (a little over 2 Euros)!
We tasted amazing exotic fruit juices there. You choose the fruits and we prepare the juice in front of you for 4 soles or around € 1 (a huge glass of half a liter!).
The part reserved for tourist souvenirs with lots of crafts and woolen clothes. I was able to negotiate a beautiful handmade alpaca sweater for 50 soles (around 12 €) and a scarf also in alpaca (but industrial) for 20 soles (5 €). You have to take the time to negotiate with a smile, to joke with them and you always end up finding the right compromise. They win and we are happy to have made the right choice.
Visit CUSCO - The Machu Picchu Museum
It is located in Santa Catalina Ancha 320. It exhibits objects and other remains found on the site but it is mainly focused on the discovery in 1911 of Machu Picchu. I think we would have done better to go to the museum before going to Machu!
Visit CUSCO - Artists' Quarter or SAN BLAS Quarter
For my taste, it is the most beautiful district of Cusco. Small and ancient village perched in the heights of the city. Stairs, narrow streets, white walls, blue shutters, cobbled streets… the atmosphere is popular and bohemian. Everything that appeals to the artists who have set up their workshops there. I loved !!! And if you go all the way up you can admire Cusco from a viewpoint unknown to tourists.
This district which attracts tourists with its charm and authenticity is always very lively (small markets, street shows). We were lucky enough to come across a magnificent dance performance.
Visit CUSCO - Handicraft Market or Mercado de Artesanias
This covered market is located on the corner of Avenida del Sol. There are over a hundred exhibitors of Peruvian crafts. You can find everything there: alpaca sweaters, leather bags, silver jewelry, souvenirs.
Visit CUSCO - Chocolate Museum
Very disappointing. Too many people, too formatted "tourist catches" and in addition the chocolate is not good (and I can boast of being a connoisseur ...).
Visit CUSCO - Where to eat in Cusco?
Behind the facade of a bakery and pastry shop, there is a very, very nice little restaurant: El Capricio. It is located at number 390 Santa Catalina Ancha Street. Winter +51 84 265484
We quite simply enjoyed ourselves for an average price of 6 Euros.
Click on the following link to discover my culinary experience at Astrid and Gaston