Cusco's Landmarks, One Ticket at a Time
Cusco, the old Inca capital, sits at 3,400m above sea level, and every landmark below is worth planning around that number before anything else.
1. Sacsayhuaman
A massive Incan fortress just north of the modern center, built from limestone blocks fitted without mortar, some reportedly up to 300 tons. It’s covered by the Boleto Turistico, and the view over the city from the top is free once you’re inside.
2. Qorikancha, correctly
The Temple of the Sun, Qorikancha, was the Inca Empire’s most important religious site, and the Santo Domingo convent now stands over its foundations. This main temple/convent complex takes its own ticket, roughly S/15-20, bought at the door. The Boleto Turistico’s “Qorikancha” entry is a different, smaller place: the Qorikancha Site Museum nearby, not the temple itself, so buying the tourist ticket alone doesn’t get you into the building most people mean by the name.
3. Plaza de Armas
The heart of Cusco, ringed by colonial buildings and the separately-ticketed Cathedral, home to a Cusco School Last Supper painting where the dish on the table is cuy, guinea pig.
4. San Blas
Narrow cobblestone streets climbing above the Plaza, home to artisans, small cafes, and the Twelve-Angled Stone along the way. The climb is steeper than it looks on a map, worth pacing slowly at this altitude.
5. Qorikancha Site Museum
The actual Boleto Turistico inclusion: a small, separate archaeological museum a short walk from the main temple, worth visiting for what it is rather than mistaking it for the temple complex above.
Tips for Sightseeing in Cusco
Acclimatize before a long day on foot: rest, drink water, and treat coca tea as a mild comfort rather than a cure. Dress for cool mornings and stronger afternoon sun, and pack light rain gear regardless of season. cuscoturismo.gob.pe has current hours for the sites above, and Wikipedia’s Qorikancha entry covers the temple’s history for anyone who wants it before visiting. Check guided Cusco city tour options on GetYourGuide if a guide would help make sense of which Qorikancha is which.
Since Machu Picchu itself sits lower than Cusco, at around 2,430m, the safer order is seeing these sights first while the body adjusts, then heading down toward the ruins rather than arriving there straight off a flight. The day trips guide and walking tours guide both build on this same city as a base.
Safe travels, and pace the day around the altitude first; the landmarks themselves are not going anywhere.