cathedral
Cusco Cathedral
16th-century cathedral on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, built on the Inca Kiswarkancha palace foundations.
2 km · about 5 min drive
Cuzco Department, Peru · South America
Cusco works well as a base: 5 minutes from San Sebastián, 3km from Sacsayhuaman.
Cusco is a city located in Cuzco Department, Peru. With a population of 428,450, it is an important destination in South America.
On a road trip, Cusco sits in Peru, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Lima time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cusco to your route.
Cusco or Cuzco (; Latin American Spanish: [ˈkusko]; Quechua: Qosqo or Qusqu, both pronounced in Cuzco Quechua as [ˈqosqɔ]) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountain range, and the Huatanay and Urubamba rivers. It is the capital and largest city of the eponymous Cusco Province andRead more
Cusco Department. It has historically been one of the largest cultural, economic and political centers of Peru.
The region was inhabited by the Killke culture in the 10th century, with the fortress Sacsayhuamán being constructed in the 11th century. The city was originally founded in the 12th century by Manco Cápac, as the capital of the Kingdom of Cusco by and later Inca Empire. The region was conquered in the 16th century by the Spanish and reestablished on 23 March 1534, with most of the city being constructed over monuments left from the Inca Empire. In 1983, Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with the title "City of Cusco". It has become a major tourist destination, hosting over 2 million visitors a year and providing passage to numerous Incan ruins, such as Machu Picchu, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The Constitution of Peru (1993) designates the city as the Historical Capital of Peru.
Cusco is the seventh-most populous city in Peru; in 2017, it had a population of 428,450. It is also the largest city in the Peruvian Andes and the region is the seventh-most populous metropolitan area of Peru. Its elevation is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). The largest district in the city is the Cusco District, which had a population of 114,630 in 2017, making up about one quarter of the city's total population.
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Cusco offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Cusco is located in Cuzco Department, Peru, South America. The coordinates are -13.5319 latitude, -71.9670 longitude.
Cusco has a population of approximately 428,450 people, making it a city in Peru.
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7 notable places within an hour's drive.
cathedral
16th-century cathedral on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, built on the Inca Kiswarkancha palace foundations.
2 km · about 5 min drive
ancient ruins
A massive Inca fortress above Cusco built with enormous precisely fitted limestone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, arranged in impressive zigzag walls.
3 km · about 5 min drive
ancient ruins
A hillside Inca citadel above a vibrant market town, featuring agricultural terraces, ceremonial baths, and sweeping Sacred Valley views.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
A fertile valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu filled with Inca ruins, colorful markets, and agricultural terraces framed by snow-capped Andes peaks.
30 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Over 3,000 shallow salt evaporation ponds cascading down a hillside, harvested continuously since Inca times by local families.
33 km · about 40 min drive
ancient ruins
Mysterious concentric circular terraces believed to be an Inca agricultural laboratory, with temperature differences of up to 15°C between levels.
34 km · about 40 min drive
ancient ruins
A living Inca town with massive stone terraces and a fortress temple, the last stronghold where the Inca resisted Spanish conquest.
44 km · about 50 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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