Cusco travel guide

Built by rich Inca kings and ransacked by Spanish conquistadors, Cusco is the most popular tourist destinations in Peru and one of the most significant archaeological sites in South America.

Visitors are drawn by Cusco’s spectacular colonial architecture, ruined Inca palaces made of perfectly hewn stone and sun-scorched cobbled plazas. White-washed alleys and terracotta-tiled roofs are home to a rich mix of history, fascinating museums, colourful markets, lively nightspots all set amid spectacular mountain scenery. However, Cusco’s greatest magnet is as the last outpost for the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most stunning treks.

Despite rocketing visitor numbers, Cusco remains relatively unspoiled and its beauty and ancient atmosphere remain very tangible today.