16 Places in Cusco So Beautiful They Feel Like Magic
In 2021, I was lucky enough to spend a whole week and a half visiting Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley in Peru. While there, I got to know a few neighborhoods quite a bit – even treating myself to a little photography tour! The city is so beautiful, but there were a few spots that particularly caught my eye for their cinematic flair and aesthetic. If you’re planning a trip to Peru in the future, make sure to stop by these 16 Places in Cusco So Beautiful They Feel Like Magic.
Mirador de Plaza Sán Cristobal
Located at in the San Cristobal neighborhood, Mirador de Plaza Sán Cristobal offers sweeping views over Cusco’s Centro Histórico.
Neighborhood: Sán Cristobal
Secret Tip:
Mirador de Plaza Sán Cristobal is located at the top of a steep hill. Visit this spot first thing in the morning while it’s still cool out and work your way to other spots downhill from there
Siete Borreguitos
Another dreamy spot located at the top of Sán Cristobal is Calle Siete Borreguitos. The steep “Seven Lambs” street was named for the many farmers who would pass through this way with their cattle, llamas and sheep.
It’s also one of Cusco’s seven streets whose name literally begins with “seven”, a sacred number to the Incas linked to the rainbow. The street is idyllic in that you’ll pass rows of potted plants dotting both its walls and stairs as you ascend or descend into the city.
Neighborhood: Sán Cristobal
Secret Tip:
After Siete Borreguitos take a 3-minute walk over to the Sapantiana Aqueduct! Like most of Cusco’s historic sites, the aqueduct is a Spanish colonial construction built on top of a sacred Incan site, known in Quechua as Huaca.
Calle Carmen Alto
Arguably a major street in Cusco’s San Blas neighborhood, Calle Carmen Alto is a picture perfect street that begins at the top of Calle Carmen Bajo, near Plaza San Blas.
Walking through, you’ll pass bright blue doors and windows set against the famous white stucco buildings that San Blas is known for. Clothing stores, vegan restaurants, small hotels and art boutiques mainly take up residence here – many waving Pride flags year-round.
Carmen Alto ultimately ends right in front of L’atelier Café Concept, a coffee house offering sightseers and photographers with a unique blue balcony viewpoint that sits dead center over the beautiful street below.
Neighborhood: San Blas
Sacsayhuamán
Located in the Sán Cristobal neighborhood on the outskirts of Cusco, Sacsayhuamán is one of the main tourist highlights in Cusco – and for good reason. The site is actually a former Incan citadel with stone walls so giant I left feeling absolutely mesmerized. The magic and beauty of this site is only amplified by the fact that the Incas had such precise building techniques that they didn’t even need mortar to hold these large stone walls together.
Neighborhood: Sán Cristobal
Qoricancha Temple
A great place to view for its beauty and tour for its history, I was absolutely blown away by Qoricancha Temple. This is definitely one of the best spots in Cusco’s Centro Histórico to view both Incan and Spanish architecture together. Additionally, for those trying to avoid hiking too far up one of Cusco’s steep hills, Qoricancha’s height allows for picturesque views over part of the city.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Benches at Calle Tocuyeros
Located on Calle Tocuyeros near Cusco’s Twelve Angle Stone are two wooden benches surrounded by potted plants and cacti. Not only is this a great spot to rest after climbing up Cusco’s many steep hills, but it’s also a great somewhat tucked-away spot for photos!
Neighborhood: San Blas
Plaza San Blas
Plaza San Blas is small, but central square in the neighborhood. It contains a central stone fountain, an old church and multiple green benches to rest your feet on after all the climbing you’ll do throughout town.
In addition, this beautiful spot acts as a gateway of sort to many of the neighborhood’s streets and alleyways – this is a great spot to both start and come back to, to ensure you never get too lost!
Neighborhood: San Blas
Tambomachay
Similar to most Inca sites, the exact function of the Tambomachay ruins is unknown. However, because the site is made up of connected aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that has earned it the Spanish name, “the Bathroom of the Inca”.
This was one of my favorite Inca sites in Cusco for its unique features and lack of crowds!
Neighborhood: Huayllarcocha
Qenqo
Qenqo is an Incan archeological site that’s usually visited in tandem with Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara on “4 Ruins” Tours.
The site is divided into two parts: Big Qenqo, which can be explored today, and Small Qenqo, where visitors are prohibited.
It’s believed that Big Qenqo was used by the Incas as a place of worship. The site contains a former astronomical observatory, sacrifice room and amphitheater.
Neighborhood: Balconcillo
Plaza De Armas
If you’re visiting Cusco, you will undoubtedly walk through Plaza De Armas, Cusco’s main square. While it’s easy to get swept up in the restaurants, shops and crowds, try stopping by in the morning before most of the businesses have opened up for the day.
Some of the city’s most spectacular facades are in the square and can best be enjoyed at this hour, like that of the Cusco Cathedral and Iglesia de la Companía de Jesús (Church of the Society of Jesus).
Alternatively, you can try your luck scoring one of the coveted tables overlooking the main square at either Morena or Limo restaurants for lunch or dinner.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Puca Pucara
Not far from Tambomachay is Puca Pucara, a site that’s believed to be former Inca military fort as its strategic location would allow soldiers a 360 degree view of the valley and entrance to Cusco.
Another notable feature of this large site is that it had multiple rooms that could allow opportunities of rest to weary Inca trackers and explorers.
Neighborhood: Huayllarcocha
Convento La Merced
A hidden gem in the heart of Centro Histórico, Convento La Merced has striking murals, blue-roofed porticos and a vibrant green gate that can all be explored without the crowds. Definitely one of Cusco’s most unique and brilliant places to see.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
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Plaza Tricentenario
Located near Rucula and Organika restaurants, Plaza Tricentenario is certainly one of Cusco’s easier viewpoints to reach on foot – and it also happens to be a hot spot on Instagram.
Not only does the Plaza offer sweeping views of Cusco’s Cathedral and Plaza De Armas, but it also has a reflective fountain and two pairs of back-to-back benches to help make any rest or photography stopa bit more enchanting.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Plazoleta de las Nazarenas
Plazoleta de las Nazarenas is home to Cusco’s Pre-Columbian Art Museum and the 5-star Inkaterra La Casona and Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel.
Venture here for beautiful doorways and Calle Siete Culebras, a narrow street with a picturesque arch and an ancient Incan block carved with the image of seven snakes.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico
Calle Waynapata
Located at the top of Centro Histórico and the bottom of Sán Cristobal, Calle Waynapata contains a beautiful section of stairs overlooking Cusco’s Plaza De Armas and surrounding streets. If you’re looking for a slightly more hidden viewpoint, this is it.
To find this spot, navigate toward Kusykay Peruvian Fusion. Once at the restaurant, the view will be just on the opposite side.
Neighborhood: Centro Histórico / Sán Cristobal
Córdoba del Tucumán
From Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, head down Calle del Almirante until it dead ends into Córdoba del Tucumán. There you will find one of the few fire engine red doors and bright green balconies in all of Cusco.
Neighborhood: San Blas
