Cusco, the city of the Incas, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Therefore, in the city and its surroundings you can find many ruins and ancient buildings that remind of the Inca Empire as well as the time of Spanish colonization. The city is known for its many artistic and narrow streets. Although it can be quite crowded with tourists from all over the world, it offers a great opportunity to experience Peruvian culture first hand!  It's not every city center where you walk the streets and encounter alpacas!If you're staying a little longer, you should also explore the area surrounding the Inca capital, as it includes not only the wonder of the world #MachuPichu, but also many other stunning mountain landscapes. Here we have listed some of the highlights in and around Cusco:

Plaza de Armas 

'Plaza de Armas' is the main square of Cusco. Here you will find the cathedral as well as many restaurants and small stores. It is the scene of many local and traditional festivals and parades. At night it turns into a lively meeting place for many tourists as well as Peruvians who want to spend the night with 'Pisco Sour' , Peru's traditional drink, and some salsa dancing lessons. All over the city you can find old Inca walls, but near the 'Plaza de Armas' there is a famous 12-sided stone called Hatunrumiyoc that is worth a stop. It won't be hard to miss it, as most likely there will be tour guides and Peruvians dressed as Inca warriors standing next to it.Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is the most important ruin in Cusco and has a very important military and religious significance. If you look at a map of Cusco, you will notice that the city was built in the shape of a puma. Sacsayhuaman represents the head of the puma.San Pedro Market 

Another place you should check out while in Cusco is the San Pedro Market. This market is not only used by locals to buy any kind of traditional food, but it also offers a great selection of souvenirs, such as hand-knitted and colorful hats, scarves and alpaca sweaters. Knowledge of Spanish can be very useful here, as the locals are used to skillfully bargain the price.San Blas

In the northeast of the city is the San Blas neighborhood. Because of its artsy narrow and stepped streets with small cafes, restaurants, art galleries and stores, this part of the city is a very #instagrammable place. Although it can be a bit tiring to walk up the steep streets, it is definitely worth it as they offer a break from the touristy city center.  Once at the top, there is a beautiful and amazing view of the whole city.

Machu Picchu

One of the seven modern wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. These ancient Inca ruins are world famous and a must see on your Peru trip.... There are a few ways to get to Machu Picchu. The easiest and fastest is to take a bus or cab from Cusco to 'Poroy/Ollantaytambo' and from there take the train to 'Aguas Calientes'. From 'Aguas Calientes' you can either take a bus to Machu Picchu or hike up. If you are interested in the history of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can get a guided tour of the ruins. And don't forget to get your passport stamped before you go! If you are into hiking, the Inca Trail is another option to get to Machu Picchu. It takes a total of 3 to 4 days and you have the opportunity to get a unique view of nature and the mountains that surround Machu Pichu. In any case, it is important to book your trip to Machu Picchu well in advance, as it is very touristy and can get quite expensive.Rainbow Mountain

The #rainbowmountain, also known as Vinicunca, is made up of 14 different colorful minerals that make the mountain look like a rainbow. It is a 3 to 4 hour drive from Cusco and once you get there , it takes about 1 to 2 hours to hike to the top! However, you have to keep in mind that the mountain is at an altitude of 5200 meters above sea level, which is more than half of Mount Everest. This makes the hike to the top difficult and not recommended if you get altitude sick easily or have breathing problems. But don't worry, along the hike there are many trained guides equipped with oxygen tanks, water and coca leaves (useful against altitude sickness).Other places near Cusco that are worth a stop are Sacred Valley and Moray, Salt mines of Ara and Laguna Humantay.