Two unforgettable days in Cuzco

Almost all the city's attractions, as well as the travel agencies and most of the bars and restaurants, are located around the Plaza de Armas. This square, the heart of the city, is truly splendid. Here you'll find Cuzco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus, impressive arcades overlooked by ancient balconies from the colonial era, a landscaped garden with a large fountain and, above all, an inimitable atmosphere.

1- Cuzco Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, a must-see on the Plaza de Armas, is truly impressive. Completed in 1654, it took no less than 100 years to build. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic architecture, with 10 chapels, a high altar lined with silver leaf, a choir sculpted with saints from all over the world, paintings by the Cusco School and many other marvels.

⏰ Open daily from 10am to 6pm 👛 Admission €10

2- The Church of the Society of Jesus

Right next to the cathedral, the no less magnificent Church of the Society of Jesus (Iglesia La Compañía de Jesús) was built by the Jesuits in 1571 and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1650. It has one of the largest carved wooden high altars in Peru at 21m high, some remarkable works of art and from its bell tower you have an incredible view of the city.

⏰ Open daily, 9am to 5pm. 👛 Admission €4.

From the Plaza de Armas head south down Avenida El Sol and go to the Cosituc office to buy a Cuzco Tourist Ticket (BTCPI), this ticket to be bought on the first day will open the doors to the city's main museums during the 2-day visit.

If you are planning to stay in the region for longer, buy a Cuzco Integral Tourist Ticket (BTCI) valid for 10 days to gain entry to most of the sites in the region.

3- The Convent of Santo Domingo and the Coricancha

Then head to the Convent of Santo Domingo and the Coricancha. The Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun, was the most sacred site in the Inca Empire.

Once covered in gold, it was completely looted and destroyed by the Spaniards and then used as the foundation for the construction of the church and the convent of Santo Domingo. On site you will also find the Coricancha museum, which is well worth a visit.

⏰ Open every day except Sunday from 8am to 5pm, at the intersection of El Sol avenue and Santo Domingo street, Cuzco.

Admission to the museum with the BTC tourist ticket, free admission to the convent and Coricancha.

4- Lunch at the San Pedro market

Just a few streets away, the San Pedro market is open all day until 6pm. It's the biggest market in Cusco and a great opportunity to discover the local produce, including countless varieties of potatoes, maize, quinoa, chillies and exotic fruits... Part of the market is dedicated to fast food, and you can sit down next to the locals for lunch. Depending on your appetite: caldo de gallina (typical local broth), tallarin (fried noodles), arroz mixto (rice with bananas (platana) plantin tomatoes egg (huevo) and/or avocados (palta) or the famous lomo saltado (stir-fried beef, onions, soya tomatoes and vinegar served with rice and chips), a real treat at around €4 a dish.

It's also a good time to tryinca kola, a fluorescent yellow soda with a candy-like taste that rivals coca cola in Peru, or chicha, a fermented corn drink, or one of those delicious fresh fruit juices.

5- The Regional History Museum

On the corner of Calle Garcilaso and Heladeros, the Regional History Museum is a small museum with an exhibition on the history of Cuzco and its region since pre-Inca times and the daily lives of its inhabitants.

⏰ Open daily, 8am to 5pm, admission with BTC ticket

https://museos.cultura.pe/museos/museo-hist%C3%B3rico-regional-de-cusco?utm_source=easyvoyage

7 The Chocolate Museum

Just next door to the Museum of Contemporary Art is the Chocolate Museum and its café.

For chocolate lovers, the museum offers guided tours, tastings and 45-minute chocolate-making discovery workshops, this for adults and children but only in English or Spanish (around €12 per person).

⏰ Open daily from 9am to 6pm, free admission

https://www.chocomuseo.com/?utm_source=easyvoyage

8 Dinner at a restaurant near the Plaza de Armas

The Kushka restaurant offers delicious and tasty Peruvian cuisine, you can try llama and guinea pig, yum!

⏰ Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 10pm

📍 Calle Espinar, 159 Plaza Regocijo, Cuzco

https://www.kushka.pe/?utm_source=easyvoyage

Restaurant Kion

If you want to try chiffa cuisine, a fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine, head to the magnificent Kion restaurant. Chinese cuisine arrived in Peru with immigration at the beginning of the 20th century and has become very popular with the locals, who have totally integrated it into their daily lives. And it's delicious!

⏰ Every day except Monday from 12pm to 10pm

📍 Triunfo 370, Cuzco

1 The Archbishop's Palace

The Archbishop's Palace or Palacio Arzobispal del Cuzco is a must-see in Cuzco. It houses the Museum of Religious Art with some very curious pieces that explain the syncretism of the Inca people with the arrival of the Spaniards, as well as a large collection of paintings by the Cuzco School.

⏰ Open daily from 9am to 7pm. 👛 Admission €4.

2 The 12-cornered stone

The famous 12-cornered stone (Piedra de los 12 angulos) can be found on the outside wall of the Archbishop's Palace overlooking the Rue Hatun Rumiyoc. Far from being a simple stone, it represents one of the finest examples of Inca masonry.

3 The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MAP)

Returning to Calle Palacio, head for the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (MAP)

undoubtedly one of the most interesting museums in Cuzco, with audio guides in French: a must-see!

This exceptional museum is entirely dedicated topre-Columbian art, with sublime objects from all the Andean cultures from 1500 BC to the Spanish conquest. It has an incredible collection of antiques, with some very fine pieces in ceramic, silver, shell and gold. The MAP Café restaurant is delicious.

⏰ Open daily from 9am to 4pm. 👛 Admission €5.

(this museum is not part of the tourist ticket)

📍 Plaza de las Nazarenas, 231, Cuzco

https://mapcusco.pe/?hl=fr?utm_source=easyvoyage

4 Lunch in San Blas

After this incredible tour, it's time for a bite to eat.

Head for the charming San Blas district, on Calle Carmen Bajo, where you'll find the vegetarian restaurant Green Point.

It's a real favourite: everything here is beautiful and good, and it's an opportunity to discover original vegetarian and vegan cuisine.

⏰ Every day from 11am to 9pm

📍 Carmen Bajo 235, Cuzco 08003, Peru

https://greenpointcusco.com/?utm_source=easyvoyage

You can also grab a quick lunch at the San Blas market.

Stop off, for example, at the stall of La receta de Polita or Yanet, El Extraño.

All of them offer really traditional and very cheap dishes: ceviche, various and varied arroz, fried trout or lomo saltado from €2.

⏰ Every day from 11am to 4pm

📍 Rue Pumapaccha 231, Cuzco

5 A stroll through the San Blas district

San Blas is THE most typical neighbourhood in Cuzco, but also the bohemian district where you can stroll all afternoon discovering art galleries, trendy boutiques and trendy cafés.

It's a must to get lost in the narrow streets with their Inca cobblestones, admire the typical white houses with blue shutters, and come across the workshops of painters, sculptors and craftsmen...

and for a coffee break in the neighbourhood

L'atelier café-concept-boutique

⏰ Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm

📍 Atoqsaycuchi 605, San Blas, Cuzco

https://lateliercafeconcept.com/?utm_source=easyvoyage

A shop selling alpaca woollens

Cocoliso

⏰ Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7.30pm

📍 Calle Carmen Alto, 141, Cuzco

and also,

Xapiri Ground, Café and artworks and shop

⏰ Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm

📍 Plazoleta de San Blas 630, Cuzco

https://www.xapiriground.org/?utm_source=easyvoyage

Next, head to Plaza San Blas to visit** the San Blas church**.

This 16th-century church, although simple at first glance, houses an exceptional Baroque wooden pulpit and from its bell tower there is an impressive view of the whole city.

⏰ Open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 2pm to 6pm on Sundays. 👛 Admission €4.

6 Dining out in San Blas

The charming Pachapapa restaurant serves delicious local cuisine and even guinea pigs, as well as pizzas for the less adventurous. Bonus: its magnificent terrace.

⏰ Daily, 1pm to 9pm

📍 Carmen bajo, 120 Plaza de San Blas, Cuzco

7 The Pisco Museum

On the way back to the Plaza de Armas, to round off your 2 days in Cuzco in style, why not try a good pisco-based cocktail at the Pisco Museum? You'll find a great selection of cocktails for around €6, and what's more, there's live music every night from 9.30pm. Atmosphere guaranteed.

https://museodelpisco.org/?utm_source=easyvoyage

⏰ Daily, 4pm to 11.30pm 📍 Santa Catalina Ancha, 398, Cuzco