The short answer
- Days in the city
- 2 to 3
- Days in the region
- 5 to 7 with Machu Picchu
- Tourist ticket
- About S/130, valid 10 days
- Not covered
- Cathedral, Maras salt pans, Machu Picchu
Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire, and its streets still run along Inca walls topped by Spanish churches. It is the base for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain, so most visitors spend at least a week in the region. The question is how much of that to spend in the city itself.
How many days?
How long do you have in the Cusco region?
Choose an answer to see what we recommend.
See all 4 recommendationsHide the list
- 3 days: 1 day in Cusco
- Spend one night in the Sacred Valley, one in Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu, and the last in Cusco with a walking tour of the centre. Tight, but it works.
- 5 days: 2 days in Cusco
- Two nights in the Sacred Valley, one in Aguas Calientes, then two in Cusco: one for the centre and Qorikancha, one for Sacsayhuaman and the ruins above the city.
- 7 days: 3 days in Cusco
- Add a day trip to Rainbow Mountain or the South Valley (Tipón, Pikillacta and the Andahuaylillas church). See our itineraries.
- 10 days or more: 3 to 4 days in Cusco, plus a trek
- Time for the Inca Trail or Salkantay, a cooking class and the San Blas neighbourhood. Compare treks in our trek guide.
What to see in the city
- Plaza de Armas and the cathedral: The cathedral holds a famous painting of the Last Supper with a guinea pig on the table. Separate ticket.
- Qorikancha: The Incas' Temple of the Sun, its perfect stonework now under the Santo Domingo convent.
- San Blas: Steep lanes of artisans' workshops and cafés, with views over the rooftops.
- San Pedro market: Fruit juices, cheap lunches and a sense of local life.
- Sacsayhuaman: Giant zigzag walls on the hill above the city, with Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay nearby.
The Cusco tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico)
| Ticket | Price | Valid | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full ticket | About S/130 | 10 days | All 16 sites, including Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero |
| Partial ticket 1 | About S/70 | 1 day | Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay |
| Partial ticket 2 | About S/70 | 2 days | City museums, Tipón and Pikillacta |
| Partial ticket 3 | About S/70 | 2 days | Sacred Valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero |
Bought with your passport at the sites or the ticket office in Cusco, not online. Discounts for students with an ISIC card. Prices as published in 2026.
Not included: the cathedral and other churches, the Maras salt pans (about S/10 at the gate), Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain. If your tour covers the sites, the ticket is usually included in the price.
Where to stay
- Historic centre: Walk to everything, but it can be noisy at night.
- San Blas: Charming and quieter, but steep: hard work on your first days at altitude.
- The Sacred Valley: For your first nights, to acclimatise. See our Sacred Valley guide.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days in Cusco enough?
Yes, for the city and the ruins just above it, as long as you have separate days for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Is the Boleto Turístico worth it?
Yes, if you visit Sacsayhuaman and the Sacred Valley sites: there are no single site tickets, so you need it anyway. Tours usually include it.
Does the tourist ticket include Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu has its own tickets. See our [ticket guide](/guides/peru/machu-picchu-tickets).
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