No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to Cusco, the city that used to be the capital of the Inca Empire. There’s lots to see in and around Cusco that suit all budgets.
Out of my two months in Peru, I spent one month in Cusco. So in case it’s not apparent, one day in Cusco isn’t enough time. However, it’s better than skipping it entirely. With just 24 hours or less, you can still see Incan ruins, learn about the local culture and history, discover why Cusco attracts so many travelers, and eat amazing Peruvian food.
These three itineraries lay out what to see in Cusco in one day, as well as where to eat. Feel free to follow any itinerary exactly as it’s written, or adapt it to your interests and preferences. You can even take pieces from each itinerary to create your own custom one.
Each itinerary packs in a lot so that you can experience as much as possible, but you can remove a few stops in order to have a more relaxed day. I’ve also included a map below with all the attractions and restaurants mentioned.
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Itinerary for seeing Machu Picchu
If your main reason for visiting Cusco is to see Machu Picchu, it’s doable. But due to how long it takes to get to Machu Picchu, it’s a full day trip. As long as you’re okay with Machu Picchu being the only thing you do, here’s how you can visit it while being in Cusco for just one day.
Note that this itinerary assumes that you already have a ticket to Machu Picchu. You will also need to decide ahead of time whether you want to go to Machu Picchu with a guided tour or on your own. Guided tours will take care of all logistics, tickets, and transportation, so you won’t need to follow this itinerary. If you’re going on your own, this itinerary lays out how to get to Machu Picchu and back to Cusco.
Take the train to Aguas Calientes
The town of Aguas Calientes is the access point to Machu Picchu, so you’ll first need to go from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. The two train companies that go to Aguas Calientes are PeruRail and Inca Rail. You can book your ticket online or buy them in person, but it’s better to purchase them online in advance.
Note that while there are some direct trains between Cusco and Aguas Calientes, sometimes you will need to first take a bus to Ollantaytambo and then get on the train there to Aguas Calientes. Make sure to check which option you’re booking.
Prices for a one-way ticket start at around $60 USD, and there are more luxurious options that cost over $100 USD. The train journey takes about three to 4.5 hours, but the train is comfortable and offers great views.
Getting to Machu Picchu
Once you’re in Aguas Calientes, there are two ways to get to Machu Picchu: take the bus or walk. The bus is much quicker and will save you from walking uphill, but you may want to walk if you’re not in a rush or on a budget. It takes about 1.5 to two hours to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu from town, while it’s only about a 30-minute bus ride.
For bus tickets, you can either buy them online or in person. I recommend buying tickets online since the line to buy tickets in person can be long.
Explore Machu Picchu
Whether you have a guide or not for Machu Picchu, expect to spend at least around two hours there. The site is large and you’ll definitely want to make multiple stops along your circuit for photos. Before you enter, also make sure to go to the bathroom, since there are no bathrooms once you enter the ruins.
If you’ve traveled to Machu Picchu on your own but want a guided tour, you can find tour guides for hire at the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Once you’re done seeing Machu Picchu, either take the bus or walk back to town.
Get lunch or dinner in town
Depending on whether you chose to visit Machu Picchu in the morning or afternoon, you’ll probably be ready for lunch or dinner afterward. Aguas Calientes has plenty of dining options to choose from. Chef House Restaurant, Chullos Restaurant & Craft Beer, Green House, and Pueblo Viejo Machupicchu Restaurant are all excellent restaurants that serve a variety of Peruvian and Western dishes.
Walk around town
If you’ve done Machu Picchu earlier in the day, you should have time to also see Aguas Calientes. The town is small but cute, with several rivers flowing through and around it. I recommend walking down the main street, going up on the elevated walkway, exploring the small side streets, and shopping at the artisanal market.
Take the train back to Cusco
Head back to the train station to take the train to Cusco. At this point, you’ll arrive in Cusco in the evening or late at night. If you need dinner before calling it a day, INKAGRILL, Cervecería Del Valle Sagrado Cusco Centro, Nuna Raymi, and Sa Rang Che are all centrally located around the main square Plaza Mayor.
INKAGRILL and Nuna Raymi offer modern, slightly upscale takes on Peruvian food. Cervecería Del Valle Sagrado Cusco Centro is great for craft beer, burgers, and other bar food. They’re also open later than other restaurants. Lastly, Sa Rang Che serves Korean food if you’re in the mood for another type of cuisine.
Itinerary for exploring ruins in the city
If you want to stay in the city but prioritize seeing Incan ruins, this itinerary does just that. It takes you through all four ruins that are easily accessible while leaving you with a little time to see other parts of Cusco.
Have breakfast and coca tea
The breakfast options in Cusco (and elsewhere in Peru) are simple. Most places serve American-like food such as eggs, avocado toast, pancakes/waffles/french toast, and oatmeal. There are also many cafés that serve sweet and savory pastries, along with coffee and tea. The only Peruvian breakfast I had was quinoa porridge, which is a little bit sweet, warm, and comforting.
For incredible coffee, visit Three Monkeys Coffee. The sleek café takes its coffee so seriously that it was 22nd on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2025 list. You can also find high-quality coffee and pastries at female-owned and operated Florencia y Fortunata Café. For a more substantial breakfast, head to El Jardin or Jack’s Café.
If this is your first time at elevation and you’re not feeling great or experiencing altitude sickness, this is the time to get some coca leaves to chew on or drink in a tea. Your accommodation may have some, or you can find a place that serves coca tea. Jack’s Cafe and Cafe Macchiato both serve it. However, if you’re really not feeling okay, it’s best to take this day to rest and not push yourself to sightsee. It is unfortunate to not see Cusco during your one day here, but making sure that you can continue with your trip is more important.
See the ruins on your own or with a tour
The four ruins in Cusco are Sacsayhuamán or Saqsaywaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. They’re all easy to see and reach on your own, but you may want to go with a tour group in order to learn about the history of these ruins. Half-day guided tours will bring you to all four sites, along with some additional stops. However, this can feel rushed, as you won’t spend a lot of time at each ruin.
For a DIY route, I recommend taking a taxi or Uber to Tambomachay first. All the ruins are located up a hill from the city, with Tambomachay being the farthest. By starting with Tambomachay, you can then walk down to the others and eventually make your way back to the city center.
At Tambomachay, you’ll need to buy a boleto turístico or tourist ticket. Make sure to bring cash with you, as credit card is not accepted. Here’s how to figure out which ticket to get.
- Get the Boleto Parcial I (BTCPI), which covers Circuit 1, if you won’t be spending any time in the Sacred Valley and only want to see the four ruins mentioned above.
- Get the Boleto Integral (BTCI), which covers all circuits, if you will be going to the Sacred Valley. If you won’t be going to the Sacred Valley but want to visit the ruin of Qorikancha and other museums in Cusco’s city center, you should also get this ticket. This is because the ticket includes entrance to all sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Get lunch
When you’ve made your way back into town, refuel at one of the many amazing restaurants in Cusco. El Encuentro and Green Falafel Cusco are two affordable vegetarian places that are closest to Sacsayhuamán. La Osteria is a small Italian place. There’s often a wait for dinner, so it’s better to go for lunch. INKAGRILL and Nuna Raymi are near Plaza Mayor and serve high-quality Peruvian food.
Make an optional stop at Qorikancha
If you did the ruins on your own, you may want to also see Qorikancha in town. The Temple of the Sun was once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, and it’s conveniently located near Plaza Mayor. You can use the Boleto Integral to get in, or buy a ticket just for Qorikancha once you arrive.
You can skip this if you saw the ruins via a guided tour, as you would have already visited Qorikancha on your tour.
Visit the museums, go shopping, or wander the local market
You’ve got several options on how to spend your afternoon.
If you bought the Boleto Integral, you should make use of it by visiting some of Cusco’s best museums. Museo Histórico Regional de Cusco (Regional Historical Museum of Cusco) provides a look at Cusco’s history. Monumento Inca Pachacutec (Pachacutec Monument) is about a 30-minute walk from Plaza Mayor and contains a museum about the Incan ruler Pachacutec.
Cusco is filled with shops that sell art, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothes made out of alpaca wool, and more. You can spend countless hours just walking the streets and popping into every interesting store that you see. This also makes it a great place to pick up souvenirs. While the neighborhood of San Blas contains many of these stores, there’s lots of shopping to do outside of it as well.
In case you haven’t noticed, Cusco is very touristy and it can feel removed from everyday Peruvian life. To see a more local side of Cusco, head to Mercado Central de San Pedro (San Pedro Market). Although the market is best experienced in the morning when locals come to buy produce, going in the afternoon offers a less hectic visit. You’ll still be able to see a lot of what vendors are selling and do some shopping.
Watch the city light up at Mirador de Sán Cristobal
As the sun goes down, take a short walk up to Mirador de Sán Cristobal. The viewpoint is one of the best free things that you can do in Cusco. Located in front of the Sán Cristobal church, the viewpoint provides a panoramic view of the city. During the day, you’ll see the orange roofs of Cusco. At night, those buildings turn into sparkling lights.
Walk back down for dinner
For dinner, you can go to any of the restaurants that you didn’t check out for lunch. Other solid options that you’ll pass by on your way back toward Plaza Mayor include Organika Restaurant, El Encuentro, and Morena Peruvian Kitchen.
Itinerary for experiencing the best of Cusco
This itinerary is for those who want a little bit of everything in Cusco. In one packed day, you’ll experience the highlights of the city, including seeing an Incan ruin, visiting a local market, and learning about the culture and history.
Start with breakfast
If you want some breakfast to start your busy day in Cusco, check out my recommendations here.
Get an introduction to the city with a walking tour
Whenever I visit a new city, I love taking a walking tour to learn about the city’s history, culture, and sights. Free Walking Tour Cusco runs a tip-based Cusco city tour in the morning. Over two hours, you’ll walk to historic temples, beautiful viewpoints and streets, and more.
Visit San Pedro Market
For a look at what local life is like, walk over to Mercado Central de San Pedro (San Pedro Market). The large covered market houses row upon row of vendors selling fresh juice, produce, souvenirs, clothes, and food. This is a good place to pick up souvenirs, eat, or simply browse. It’s also impressive to see all the different food products that Peru produces, as you’ll find everything from dehydrated potatoes to wheels of cheese.
Grab lunch at the market or in town
While you’re in San Pedro Market, this is a great place to have a cheap, local lunch. You’ll just need to have cash. If none of the options in the market interest you, head back toward Plaza Mayor for more lunch options.
KUSHKA Restaurant is on the way back and serves Peruvian dishes in a modern, slightly upscale setting. Organika Bakery & Coffee has a variety of Western food like sandwiches, pastas, and salads. They also offer all-day breakfast. Cervecería Del Valle Sagrado Cusco Centro is a great place for bar food and local beer, while INKAGRILL is another option for Peruvian food.
Hike up to Sacsayhuamán
Out of the ruins that are closest to Cusco’s city center, Sacsayhuamán is the most impressive. So when you’re short on time, it’s the best one to visit. From the city center, Sacsayhuamán is a short uphill walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber.
Once you get to the entrance, buy your ticket in cash. You’re then free to wander around the ruins.
Learn about indigenous art at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Even if you’re not a museum person, I highly recommend the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo de Arte Precolombino). After visiting several museums in Cusco, this museum was by far my favorite and the most well done. There are many halls inside that feature English explanations of different types of Pre-Columbian art, including ceramics, jewelry, and paintings. For foreigners, it costs 20 soles (about $5.37 USD), which I think is a small fee for how much you get to see.
End your day with Peruvian drinks and food
If you haven’t had Peruvian food or drinks yet, this is perfect time to try some before leaving Cusco.
- Lomo saltado is a favorite for many people, as it’s stir-fried beef (or alpaca), onions, and tomatoes served with a savory brown sauce, rice, and french fries.
- Ceviche is raw fish “cooked” in lime juice and often served with garnishes like corn, sweet potato, and onion. It’s tangy, refreshing, and light.
- Aji de gallina is commonly found but less well-known than lomo saltado. Shredded chicken is covered in a yellow, creamy sauce and usually paired with potatoes, rice, a hard-boiled egg, and olives.
- Cuy (guinea pig) is a traditional food in Peru, and adventurous eaters might want to give it a try. Most restaurants in Cusco roast the guinea pig whole.
- Pisco scours are the drink of Peru. Made out of pisco, lime juice, egg whites, simple syrup, and bitters, the drink is sour, sweet, strong, and a little bit silky.
To try these dishes and drinks, any of the Peruvian restaurants that were suggested for lunch are great options. Here are some additional recommendations: Ofrenda Peruvian Healthy Food, LOCAL Restaurante, and Pachapapa.
More resources for traveling Peru
- How Many Days to Spend in Cusco
- 18 Best Restaurants in Cusco: Where and What to Eat
- 18 Free Things to Do in Cusco: Ruins, Markets, & More
- Complete Salkantay Trek Packing List: Everything You Need
- Rainbow Mountain in Peru: Complete Travel Guide
- Red Valley in Peru: Complete Travel Guide
- Colca Canyon 2-Day Trek: Tour Review & Recap
