What to Do in Cusco on Your First Day? A Traveler’s Guide
Arriving in Cusco for the first time often raises the question of what to do on your first day. The best option depends on your arrival time, how much time you have available, and the pace you want to set, so there is no need to try to visit every attraction right away. A better approach is to start with nearby places, explore the Historic Center, and allow some time to rest and adjust to the city. If you have several hours available, you can also take the opportunity to visit some of the city’s main attractions through an organized tour, making the most of your first day in a practical and stress-free way.
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What to do in Cusco on your first day?
The best activity for your first day will depend on what time you arrive in the city.
If you arrive early, you’ll have more time to settle into your accommodation, rest, and start exploring some of the Historic Center. If you arrive around midday, you can plan activities for the afternoon. On the other hand, if you arrive in the afternoon, it’s best to choose a more relaxed itinerary and avoid packing your schedule too tightly.
A simple way to plan your day is as follows:
| What to Do in Cusco Based on Your Arrival Time | |
|---|---|
| Arrival Time | What You Can Do |
| Morning | Drop off your luggage, rest, and explore the Historic Center |
| Midday | Have lunch and visit places near the Plaza de Armas |
| Afternoon | Take an organized tour or explore San Blas |
| Late afternoon | Visit a viewpoint and enjoy the sunset |
- If you arrive in the morning: Explore the Plaza de Armas and the Historic Center, visit Qoricancha, San Blas, or one of the city’s viewpoints. You can also take a Cusco City Tour.
- If you arrive at midday: Have lunch, settle into your accommodation, and spend the afternoon exploring the Plaza de Armas and other nearby places.
- If you arrive in the afternoon: Take a relaxed walk through the Historic Center, visit the Plaza de Armas, San Blas, or a viewpoint without trying to cover too many places.
- Tip: Keep a relaxed pace on your first day and use the time to plan your activities for the following days.
Explore the Historic Center of Cusco
Plaza de Armas – Cusco
The Historic Center is one of the best places to start your visit because it brings together some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
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Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is one of Cusco’s main landmarks. From here, you can begin exploring the city center and easily walk to different streets, temples, and historic buildings. It is also a great place to get your bearings before continuing to other parts of the city. -
Qoricancha
Qoricancha was one of the main religious temples of Inca Cusco. Today, its structures are integrated into the Convent of Santo Domingo, creating one of the most fascinating examples of the blend of Inca and colonial architecture. Its proximity to the Historic Center makes it easy to include in your itinerary on your first day. -
Traditional Streets of Cusco
After visiting the main historic landmarks, you can simply take a walk. Streets such as Hatun Rumiyoc, Loreto, Siete Borreguitos, and other traditional areas allow you to discover different corners of the Historic Center. If you want to explore more places to walk around and take photos, you can check out our guide to the most beautiful streets in Cusco. -
San Blas
The San Blas neighborhood is another great option to add to your first-day itinerary. Its cobblestone streets, artisan workshops, small plazas, and viewpoints offer a different atmosphere from the busier central area. Its location also makes it easy to combine your visit with some of Cusco’s viewpoints.
Visit the City’s Main Attractions
If you have enough time available, you can spend part of your first day exploring some of the historic and archaeological attractions located in and around Cusco.
Some of the best-known include:
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Cusco Cathedral
Located in the Plaza de Armas, it is one of the main religious landmarks in the Historic Center and stands out for its architecture and collection of colonial art. -
Sacsayhuamán
Located in the hills above Cusco, this archaeological complex is known for its enormous stone walls and the panoramic views it offers over the city. -
Qenqo
This archaeological site is located near Sacsayhuamán and is associated with various ceremonial practices of the Inca world. -
Puca Pucara
This archaeological complex is located on the outskirts of the city and is known for its stone structures and strategic location. -
Tambomachay
Known for its water fountains, it is one of the archaeological sites commonly included in traditional tours around Cusco.
You don’t need to visit all of these places on your own during your first day. If you want to see them as part of a single tour, a Cusco City Tour is a convenient option.
Take a Cusco City Tour to Make the Most of Your Day
If this is your first visit to Cusco and you have several hours available, a Cusco City Tour can be a practical way to visit several of the city’s main attractions in half a day.
The tour currently lasts approximately 5 hours and offers morning and afternoon departures. The itinerary includes the Cathedral, Qoricancha, and the archaeological complexes of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
This can be especially useful for travelers with only a few days in Cusco who want to make the most of one of their first days to explore the city.
Why can it be a good option for your first day?
Because it allows you to combine several visits into a single experience, leaving the following days available for longer excursions such as the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, or other destinations in the region.
In addition, the City Tour is available in the morning or afternoon, so you can choose the option that best fits your arrival time and the rest of your itinerary.
💡 Tip
If your first day also happens to be your arrival day in Cusco, avoid scheduling too many activities before or after the tour. Leave some time to rest and get around at a relaxed pace.
Enjoy Cusco at Sunset
Christ the Redeemer – Cusco
After exploring the Historic Center or enjoying an activity during the day, you can spend the last few hours taking in Cusco at a more relaxed pace.
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Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas is an easy option for ending the day. You can walk around the square, admire the architecture, and enjoy the atmosphere of the historic center. -
San Blas
If you’re looking for a quieter, more traditional atmosphere, you can head up to San Blas and explore its streets. The area has restaurants, cafés, workshops, and small shops where you can stop and relax. -
Viewpoints in Cusco
Another option is to end the day by taking in the city from one of its viewpoints. Some well-known options include:- San Cristóbal Viewpoint.
- Christ the Redeemer.
- San Blas Viewpoint.
- Santa Ana Viewpoint.
- Qenqo Viewpoint.
Christ the Redeemer, for example, is located near Sacsayhuamán and offers sweeping views of Cusco. Other viewpoints, such as San Cristóbal and San Blas, provide closer views of the rooftops and streets of the Historic Center.
Tips for Planning Your First Day in Cusco
Your first day doesn’t have to become a race to visit every attraction. Good planning will allow you to enjoy the city much more.
- Don’t try to see everything: Cusco has enough attractions to keep you busy for several days. Choose a few places for your first day and save the others for later.
- Consider your arrival time: The number of activities you can fit in will depend on when you arrive in the city. If you arrive early, you’ll have more opportunities to take a longer tour. If you arrive in the afternoon, it’s better to focus on nearby places.
- Make time to rest: After a flight or road trip, it’s best not to fill your entire day with activities. Leaving some free time will make your itinerary much more comfortable.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Many streets in the Historic Center are cobblestone, and some have steep slopes. Comfortable footwear will be especially useful if you plan to walk for several hours.
- Bring sun and rain protection: The weather can change throughout the day. Bring water, sunscreen, a cap or hat, and something to protect you from the rain.
- Group attractions by area: Grouping nearby places together helps you avoid wasting too much time traveling between them. For example, you can spend part of the day in the Historic Center and another part visiting archaeological sites on the outskirts.
- Consider an organized tour: If you’re short on time or would rather not worry about arranging transportation, a tour can make it easier to visit several places in a single day.