Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Fortress
By CityToursCusco
December 19, 2025
One of the most important architectural complexes of Inca culture is Sacsayhuamán. An impressive fortress located high above the city of Cusco, featuring massive stone walls that astonish every visitor. Today, only about forty percent of its original structure remains, yet it is still one of the must-visit sites in Cusco.
Contents
Importance of Sacsayhuamán
Sacsayhuamán Walls
- Sacsayhuamán is an Inca ceremonial temple built by the Inca Pachacútec in the 15th century. However, it was Inca Huayna Cápac who completed it in the 16th century.
- It is believed that the site was a military fortress due to its impressive walls, but at that time the Incas did not face major threats, so it likely had a religious and ceremonial function.
- The size of Sacsayhuamán during the Inca Empire was much larger, covering approximately 2997 hectares. It today includes 96 archaeological sites, such as Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
- The most striking feature of Sacsayhuamán is its massive walls, made up of huge stones, some weighing between 90 and 125 tons. Their perfectly fitted structure, without mortar, is one of the best examples of Inca engineering.
| Main Features of Sacsayhuamán | |
|---|---|
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Cusco, about 2 kilometers north of the Plaza de Armas |
| Approximate Altitude | 3,700 meters above sea level |
| Construction Period | 15th century, during Pachacuti’s reign, continued by his successors |
| Main Function | Ceremonial, military, and religious center |
| Key Features | Plazas, water channels, towers, massive walls, chincanas (underground tunnels), viewpoints, and forests |
| Current Condition | Partially preserved archaeological site |
| Recognition | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Entrance | Entrance ticket available at the entry gate or as part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket |
| Average Duration | 1 to 2 hours of tour |
| Tourist Traffic | Medium, with very large and extensive areas to explore |
What will I see at Sacsayhuamán?
Tourists at Sacsayhuamán
- The architecture features enormous structures such as residential buildings, towers, warehouses, aqueducts, and places of worship.
- One of the main attractions at Sacsayhuamán is its main wall, which stands 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide (weighing between 90 and 125 tons).
- The fortress also has several different sections to visit: the archaeological site, the sliding area, the Inca throne, bastions, Muyucmarca, the Inca bath, amphitheaters, chincanas, tower bases, and more.
- Sacsayhuamán is surrounded by nature, so you can find many fields and small forests where you can rest during your visit.
- Every June 24th, Sacsayhuamán is the stage for the most important Inca festival, the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival). It’s a celebration full of dances, traditional music, color, rituals, and hundreds of actors portraying the entire Tahuantinsuyo empire along with the Inca’s entourage.
- Throughout the site, you’ll find many viewpoints offering panoramic views of the city of Cusco and the archaeological fortress. Some of the most notable are:
- The Cruzmoqo Viewpoint: This viewpoint is one of the least visited at Sacsayhuamán, but it’s one of the most beautiful, where you can enjoy views of the city in a tranquil setting surrounded by nature. Its name comes from a large cross nearby, which can be seen from the historic center.
- The White Christ: The most famous viewpoint in the city, a symbol of Cusco that holds great history and beauty. It’s right next to the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, so during your visit, you can enjoy some of the most stunning views of Cusco.
- The Queuña Forest: Ideal for resting during your visit, with benches and informative signs, it also allows you to learn more about Cusco’s typical flora.
How to visit Sacsayhuamán?
Explanade of Sacsayhuamán
- Sacsayhuamán is located at the top of Cusco, which can be reached by public transport, taxi, or even by walking (a little over an hour from the Plaza de Armas).
- The archaeological site is open every day of the year, and the opening hours are from Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
- To enter Sacsayhuamán, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which can also be purchased at the entrance gate of the archaeological site. Most tours include it in the classic route.
- Watching the sunset from the viewpoints of Sacsayhuamán is one of the most incredible experiences you can have in Cusco, so visiting in the afternoon is highly recommended.
- If you want a more extensive tour, we recommend also visiting the Temple of the Moon, Zone X, the Devil’s Balcony, or simply exploring the vast nature surrounding Sacsayhuamán.
💡 The Cusco City Tour
Sacsayhuamán is part of the classic City Tour of Cusco, a historical experience that takes you to the most emblematic sites of the city such as: the Cathedral, Qoricancha, and the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. This service also includes transportation, entrance fees, and a professional guide. It’s a 5-hour experience that you can enjoy in the morning or afternoon, complementing any other tours in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sacsayhuamán is one of the most important archaeological sites of Inca culture. We recommend visiting it because it was a key ceremonial and symbolic center of the Tahuantinsuyo and is considered by many chroniclers to be the greatest Inca architectural work ever built.
Although the imposing walls of Sacsayhuamán suggest it was a military fortress, it seems that it mainly served a ceremonial and religious purpose. As you walk through the archaeological site, you’ll see many structures dedicated to its principal deities.
At its peak, Sacsayhuamán covered nearly 2,997 hectares. Today, it is part of a complex of 96 archaeological sites, including Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, which you can visit to complement your tour.
Without a doubt, you’ll be impressed by the immense stone walls of Sacsayhuamán. You’ll also be amazed to learn that some stones weigh between 90 and 125 tons, assembled with such perfect precision that it continues to astonish visitors today.
During your tour, you’ll visit plazas, towers, bastions, chincanas (underground tunnels), the Inca Throne, the Inca Bath, amphitheaters, and viewpoints, all spread across a vast space surrounded by nature.
The complex is located approximately 3,700 meters above sea level, so we recommend walking calmly, staying hydrated, and taking breaks during your tour. If you visit in the afternoon, be sure to bring warm clothes and a windbreaker or waterproof jacket.
You can get there by public transport, taxi, or even by walking from the Plaza de Armas in a little over an hour. However, it’s ideal to visit Sacsayhuamán as part of the Cusco City Tour, as it provides transportation, entrance tickets, and a professional guide.
Sacsayhuamán is open every day of the year, from Monday to Sunday, from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, giving you a lot of flexibility to organize your visit and combine it with other tours.
We recommend visiting Sacsayhuamán in the afternoon, as you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Cusco from its viewpoints—an unforgettable experience.
Yes, the visit to Sacsayhuamán is part of the Cusco City Tour, a 5-hour tour that includes transportation, entrance tickets, and a professional guide—an ideal tour that combines history, culture, and archaeology.