Cusco’s top Inca sites explained
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and its stones still tell that story. Before you head to Machu Picchu, these are the sites that make the old capital one of the great historical cities of the Americas.
In the city
Qorikancha — the Temple of the Sun
Once the empire’s holiest temple, its walls were said to be sheathed in gold. The Spanish built a convent on top, and today the two worlds stand fused in one extraordinary building — the finest Inca stonework in the city.
The Plaza de Armas and San Blas
The heart of Cusco, ringed by colonial arcades built on Inca foundations, with the artisan quarter of San Blas climbing the hill above.
Above the city
| Site | What it is |
|---|---|
| Sacsayhuamán | Vast ceremonial fortress of colossal stones |
| Qenqo | Carved ritual rock and underground chamber |
| Puka Pukara | Roadside fort and resting station |
| Tambomachay | Sacred springs, the “Inca baths” |
These four are the classic half-day circuit and the start of many treks. See them on our Cusco city tour.
Explore Inca Cusco
Walk the capital’s greatest sites with a local guide.
Cusco's essential Inca sites
Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire, and its greatest monuments still stand in and around the city. Four sites form the classic circuit, all included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket and usually visited on the half-day city tour.
| Site | What makes it unmissable |
|---|---|
| Qorikancha | The Inca Temple of the Sun, once sheathed in gold, with the world's finest Inca stonework |
| Sacsayhuamán | A vast ceremonial complex of colossal interlocking stones above the city |
| Qenqo | A carved-rock shrine with channels, niches and a ritual cave |
| Tambomachay | The 'Inca baths', an elegant ceremonial water shrine |
The genius of Inca stonework
The detail that astonishes everyone at these sites is the masonry. At Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán, enormous stones are cut and fitted so precisely that a blade of grass cannot slip between them — without mortar, and engineered to survive the earthquakes that have toppled colonial buildings around them. The famous twelve-angled stone in central Cusco is a celebrated example. Understanding how and why the Incas built this way turns a quick photo stop into a genuine appreciation of their engineering.
How to see them
All four sites are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) and are typically combined on the half-day city tour, an ideal gentle activity for your first acclimatization day. Qorikancha sits in the city; the other three lie just above it. Bring sun protection and walk slowly at 3,400 m. See our Boleto Turístico guide for what the ticket covers.
Frequently asked questions
Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas, and the four ruins above the city — Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay — are the essentials.
Allow at least two days, which also helps you acclimatize before any trek. A half-day city tour covers the main Inca sites.
