Cusco on foot. Cusco step by step during the day or at night. In the afternoon, too. After all, any time is a good time to explore its streets, following your travel instincts or following the itinerary for the walking tour in Cusco that you prepared before arriving in the former Inca capital, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique blend of Andean and Hispanic architecture and its original urban layout.
In this legendary setting, where Inca temples and palaces were transformed into colonial mansions and Catholic churches, you can put together and organize more than one “walking tour route in Cusco” to discover the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo—built on the Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun—San Francisco Square, the traditional Loreto Street or Inti Kijllu, and other places of interest in the Historic Center.
Walking through ancestral Cusco is the best way to explore and discover the city founded by Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the “Children of the Sun”. As you do so, you will not only experience the atmosphere of the Historic Center, but you will also gradually acclimatize to the city’s elevation of 3,400 meters above sea level. This adjustment will help you make the most of every adventure in the “navel of the world”.
Now, if in addition to walking you want to hear the history behind each tourist attraction and share the experience with other travelers like yourself, join our Free Walking Tour in Cusco’s Historic Center, a tour where you will see the best of the city in a group and accompanied by a local guide. At each stop, the guide will give you a complete explanation of the palace, temple, or archaeological site you are seeing.
Before taking your first step, whether independently or on our walking tour route, keep the following information in mind:
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Basic Information About the Walking Tours
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
Difficulty: The walk is easy and takes place at a leisurely pace. There is no need to hurry because the aim is to explore the city and have a good time.
Route characteristics: The streets around the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings are mostly flat. Along the route, only a few streets have some incline. Don’t worry—if you walk them calmly and at a leisurely pace, you will manage them without any problems.
Recommendations:
+Don’t forget to bring water. Walking under the Cusco sun will make you thirsty.
+Protect yourself from the sun’s rays by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
+If you have UV-protective clothing, wear it during your walks around the city.
+Take care of your skin by applying sunscreen.
+As a precaution, always carry a rain jacket or rain poncho.
+Carry some cash. Not too much, just enough for small expenses.
+Don’t let your guard down. Although Cusco is a safe city, keep an eye on your belongings. Never leave them unattended.
What You Will See on the Walking Tour
If you decide to join us or prefer to explore on your own, take a look at the itinerary of our free tour in Cusco’s Historic Center. We would love to explore it together, but if you are an independent traveler, the information below can serve as a basis for creating your own route through the urban heart of Peru’s main tourist destination.
Step 1: Head to Regocijo Square, also known as Cusipata, where our local guide will be waiting for you every day at 10:00 and, Monday through Saturday, also at 13:00 and 15:30. Meet the guide in front of Chicha Restaurant (290 Heladeros Street) and identify them by their green vest. Tours are available in both Spanish and English.
Step 2: Visit the exterior of the house of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, located around Regocijo Square. During this stop, your guide will explain the importance of this historical figure, considered the first cultural mestizo of Peru and the Americas. The son of a conquistador and an Inca princess, Garcilaso was the author of Comentarios Reales, a work that explores the history, customs, and traditions of the Tawantinsuyo.
Step 3: It is time to walk towards San Francisco Square, home to the colonial church of the same name and the Colegio de Ciencias of Cusco, founded in 1825 by the liberator Simón Bolívar. During this stop, the guide will show you the cantuta (Cantua buxifolia), Peru’s national flower, as well as cedar, cat’s claw, and other plant species that grow in this urban setting.
Step 4: The Santa Clara Arch and the San Pedro Central Market are the next stops on the route. The former was built to commemorate the creation of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, an integration effort led by Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz in 1836. Next comes a visit to one of Cusco’s main food markets. Opened in 1925, it is famous for its breakfasts and lunches. Give them a try!
Step 5: You will arrive at the Plaza de Armas, the historical and founding heart of Cusco. Its beautiful fountain topped by an Inca figure, its stone arcades and arches, and the monumental Compañía de Jesús and the Cathedral Basilica, the second largest in the Americas, complete a lively setting where restaurants and cafés with balconies overlooking the square are plentiful.
Step 6: Your footsteps will echo along a street steeped in history: Loreto or Inti Kijllu (Street of the Sun, the main deity of the Tawantinsuyo), a pedestrian street that retains its pre-Hispanic features. The enormous stone blocks of the Inca buildings of Amaru Cancha (now the Church of the Compañía) and the Aclla Wasi line this refuge from the past, which connects the Plaza de Armas with Pampa del Castillo Street.
Step 7: Cusicancha, the former palace of Pachacutec—the legendary ruler who consolidated the empire—is your next destination. With large stone walls and striking gardens, during the colonial period it served as the headquarters of the Spanish army. Please note: this stop is only included in the free tours held Monday through Friday at 10:00 and 13:00.
Step 8: Visit the exterior of the Church of Santo Domingo, built on the foundations of the Qoricancha (“the Golden Enclosure” in English), the main temple dedicated to the Sun god. This magnificent architectural complex is the final stop on the route. Before you leave, remember that it is customary to leave a tip for the guide, whose knowledge and information enrich the experience for all participants.
What to Do: Walk Alone or in a Group
The first thing is to set your doubts aside. Exploring and discovering Cusco’s Historic Center is always a great urban and sightseeing adventure. If you decide to explore on your own, you will plan the itinerary, the starting time, and even the pace of your walk. If you opt for a free walking tour, you will share the experience with other travelers while learning from the knowledge of your local guide. Their insights will give you a different perspective and understanding of each stop.
Getting to know a city like Cusco goes beyond simply observing its Inca and colonial buildings. In this ancient city, it is important to understand the historical processes, cultural contexts, and current dynamics that make it a unique destination. These are the insights and information shared by our local guides. Their explanations add extra value to every step of the journey.
A good approach is to alternate independent walks with organised tours. This way, you can enjoy the best of both travel styles and gain a much broader perspective. Free tours will help you learn about the roots of the “navel of the world” and meet other travelers, while exploring on your own will allow you to experience the city in a different way. As you can see, you can’t go wrong in Cusco. You always come out ahead.
