Cusco – Inca Heritage on a Backpacker Budget

Cusco sits over 3,400 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains and was once the political and spiritual center of the Inca Empire. Today, the city is a fascinating layer-upon-layer mix of Inca culture and Spanish colonial history, where massive stone foundations from Inca times still support baroque churches and colonial buildings. Above the city towers Sacsayhuamán with its enormous, precisely fitted stone blocks and impressive views of Cusco's red roofs and the surrounding valley. In the historic center, cobblestone streets lead you past Plaza de Armas, Korikancha – the ruins of the Temple of the Sun – and small, hidden courtyards, discoverable only on foot. Cusco is also an ideal destination for backpackers, offering cheap hostels, local transportation, and authentic street food. At the San Pedro Market, you can experience daily life up close with fresh fruit, juice bars, and simple dishes for just a few coins. Cusco also serves as the natural gateway to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and numerous treks in the Andes, making the city a central hub for adventure, culture, and history in Peru.