Cusco is such a beautiful city with a rich history and some of the most amazing restaurants.
If like most tourists in Peru, you have a busy schedule seeing all this beautiful country has to offer and have limited time in Cusco, here’s the perfect itinerary to see the best Cusco has to offer in one day!
Here’s an overview of your 1 day in Cusco!
Basics Of Cusco
Language: Spanish
Currency: Sol
Transportation: Cusco is a very walkable city, but there are taxis and a bus system
How many Days Should You Spend in Cusco?
Cusco is such a beautiful city to explore on its own, but its also serves as a central location for some of Peru’s most popular attractions. I would recommend staying in Cusco for at least 4 days. While you’re here, these are some of my favorite excursions from Cusco:
- 2 Day Macchu Picchu Hike with Alpaca Expeditions
- Sacred Valley Tour
- Rainbow Mountain Hike
Detailed, 1 Day Cusco Itinerary
9am: Coffee and Pastries from Three Monkey’s Coffee:
Cusco has so many great coffee spots, but Three Monkey’s Coffee is one of the best! Not only is the coffee delicious, but there is a colorful courtyard where you can enjoy the coffee. It also has great internet service if you need to get any work done and extremely friendly, accommodating staff.
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10am: Souvenir Shopping
Cusco was my favorite place in Peru to shop around and find good deals. One of the best places to shop is in the artistic San Blas neighborhood. In this beautiful area of the city, you can find many handmade crafts and paintings as opposed to the mass produced items from many souvenir shops in the area.
Some items you should consider buying in Cusco are alpaca knitwear, local paintings, colorful textiles, a bottle of Pisco, Peruvian salt from the Maras salt flats, and local Peruvian coffee and chocolates.
Tip: Many vendors prefer cash and will be more willing to negotiate down prices if you are paying cash. Bring at least $300 dollars per person to spend on souvenirs, taxis, and tips if your trip is a week long.
12pm: Lunch at Kusycay
This traditional Peruvian restaurant was ranked number one on Trip Advisor and for a good reason! The staff goes out of their way to make your experience amazing and the delicious food is locally grown. Try the Andean quinoa soup, trolly ceviche, and Alpaca loin with port wine. They also have an extensive non-alcoholic drink list in addition to their cocktail menu.
2pm: Cusco Walking Tour
If there is one tour you should book in Cusco, it’s this one! Explore the main highlights Cusco has to offer in one condensed 3 1/2 hour tour. A local, knowledgeable tour guide to educate you on the rich history and culture of Cusco. There is so much to Cusco’s rich history, but this gives a great overview in a condensed 3 and a half hour tour. Some of the sights you can expect to see are the Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha, and the old market of San Pedro. This tour departs everyday at 2pm. To book, click here!
5:30pm: Dinner at Yaku
The best meal I had in Peru! Following your walking tour, enjoy a delicious dinner at Yaku. The beautifully plated food not only looks amazing, but everything we ate here was delicious. The colorful restaurant also features a live band.
Tip: Get the baked trout or alpaca steak- 2 of Yaku’s most popular dishes! This restaurant is also great if you’re traveling with a picky eater as they have options such as pizza and burgers.
7pm: Watch the sunset at the San Blas Viewpoint:
The perfect way to end the day. This is one of the best viewpoints of the city during the day and it’s even more beautiful at sunset. This viewpoint is about a 15 minute walk from central Cusco with much of the trip being uphill. To get to this viewpoint, enter “Mirador De San Blas” into your phone’s map app. This can be a difficult trek due to the altitude, but definitely worth it for the spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains.
8pm: Grab a drink from the bars surrounding the viewpoint . If you’re not wiped out yet (or feeling sick from the altitude) there are some great bars at the top of the San Blas Viewpoint. For a more calm atmosphere with a great view of the city, check out Limbus Resto Bar. For a smaller bar with a more laid back atmosphere, Aura Restobar is another great option with amazing cocktails.
