Cusco – Historic Romance in the Andes Mountains

Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, sits at over 3,400 meters altitude and is one of South America's most fascinating historical city centers. The city is renowned for its unique architecture, where massive, precisely fitted Inca walls still form the foundation for Spanish colonial buildings, monasteries, and palaces. In the old town, narrow cobblestone streets lead past Plaza de Armas, impressive churches like the cathedral, and quiet courtyards hidden behind heavy wooden doors. Cusco is a living museum, yet also a vibrant city with cafés, small galleries, and craft shops. At the San Pedro market, you encounter the local daily life through colorful stalls offering fruits, spices, and traditional dishes. Over the city towers Sacsayhuamán, whose colossal stone construction and views over the Cusco Valley testify to the engineering prowess of the Incas. The unique atmosphere, where spiritual traditions, Andean culture, and modern life merge, makes Cusco an essential stop and the natural starting point for trips to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.