Cusco
in Peru

Ever fantasized about falling asleep at 14,000 feet, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wooly-coated alpacas, but camping out on a rocky slope not your style? Now you can live the dream. Discover Peru in a truly luxurious way aboard Belmond's Andean Explorer. The Belmond Andean Explorer weaves through the Peruvian Andes, offering breathtaking views, daily pit stops to explore local towns, topnotch meals, and thoughtful service. Think morning tea with a side of Inca ruins outside your window. 

Stay in the luxurious & charming Belmond Monasterio in Cusco, a former monastery from the 16th century restored to its former elegance, promising a breathtaking experience with unrivalled beauty and ancient history. The central location is the perfect starting point for exploring Cusco.

Located in the heart of Cusco, this gorgeous luxurious retreat set in a converted 17th century convent provides an unforgettable stay. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains while experiencing a unique fusion of colonial elegance, world-class dining and pampering spa facilities.

This place has everything you need and more. Casa Ichu is a modern and very sleek house that hosts a restaurant, optimal for brunch, a natural wine bar, well-suited for date night or a relaxing afternoon in the bonfire conversation pit, plenty of co-working spaces and a couple of rooms if you want to stay in the very centre of the city. They do it all and we couldn't recommend this place more, whether it is for wine tasting or a business meeting that popped up unexpectedly. 

Cercanía Pan y Café is an impeccable choice for an early run to the panadería. They are ready to satisfy your cravings, whether it is a sweet pastry with raspberries or a savoury sourdough sando. Visit this cute nook for a good breakfast, a mid-day latte or an early evening treat. Just because we are opinionated and love to give a suggestion, we encourage everyone to try their chocolate cake. 

One thing we believe visitors must do in Cusco is try some of the many artisanal beers. Cerveceria Del Valle Sagrado is one of the best places to do so. Spend an evening or an afternoon with friends tasting different brews in this casual spot. 

Chicha is a widely loved restaurant by the acclaimed chef Gaston Acurio. This friendly locale offers a modern take on Peruvian cuisine, featuring local ingredients and Andean traditions. Try their causas and ceviches, and if you are tempted, this is the right place to go for a dish with alpaca. Visit for lunch and sip the afternoon away with a chicha sour as you relish the view, overlooking Plaza de Armas. 

Cusco is home to many Baroque churches, but nothing beats The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús. Located in the vibrant Plaza de Armas, is this stunning 16-century relic and landmark. Admire the facade from the outside but make sure to approach the beautiful gold-leaf altar as well as the insane blend of European and Andean styles, reflective of its time.

Just a few blocks away from the beautiful Plaza de Armas is a colonial building that hosts the iconic Cicciolina. This renowned place blends the best Andean ingredients and techniques with classic Mediterranean recipes. Visit their tapas bar to get a bit of everything and then transition to the salon for a proper meal... legend says the gnocchi with Andean cheese are other-worldly. We suggest making prior reservations, yes plural. You will certainly be back. 

Cusco’s cathedral (la Catedral Basilica de la Virgen de la Asunción) is a spectacular building and one of the main pillars that give life to Plaza de Armas. The cathedral, built around the 15th century, showcases the merging of Indigenous and Spanish colonial architecture through its Gothic-Renaissance and Baroque style. This beautiful emblem of the city is adorned with gold, silver, insane wood carvings and sacred masterpieces from Cusco’s Art School from back in the day. Whether it is because of its religious or historical significance, you must walk in. We could spend hours just figuring out its intricate details. 

Hacienda Huayoccari is a culturally rich estate located in the Sacred Valley. The Hacienda is surrounded by green hills and fauna, giving visitors a breathtaking view from any angle. Visit to experience classic Peruvian cuisine (made with local produce) and regional art, from traditional shows of marinera and live criollo music to waltzing around their halls of Incaic vases and ceramics.  Enjoy Pisco sours during the afternoon after horseback riding or a heart-warming soup for dinner looking up at Cusco’s starry night. 

Kampu is a friendly and laid-back outdoor restaurant that serves exquisite and unconventional dishes. Beloved owner and chef Eduardo has mastered the culinary fusion of Peruvian and Thai cuisine. If you are feeling like Pad Thai, this is where you should be and if your taste buds are feeling like a sensorial overload, you should go for his iconic curries, especially the one remixed with Lomo Saltado, a crowd fave. Visit Kampu with your group of friends and spend the afternoon trying artisanal beers and the best Oriental meals of Urubamba. 

This charming under-the-radar spot has it all. Visit for your morning coffee and a great view of the streets we adore in San Blas. Once you have awakened completely, perhaps pick up some natural palo santo for home, an organic body cream, a hip set of rings or ceramic mugs, an alpaca sweater and every other item they sell. It’s a problem. You will want to take everything…trust us, we’ve been there too. 

Cusco’s nights are chilly and that is why we think a warm comforting dinner (with artisanal beer on the side) is the way to go. La Bodega 138 has a homey feel and even better wood-fired pizzas. Visit this popular spot to start your night out on the town. Commence from slice to slice and end up hopping from bar to bar. 

A few kilometres away from Cusco’s buzzing streets is the most serene place: Laguna Piuray. Take the day to kayak and paddle in the blue waters with a stunning Andean backdrop. Have a picnic or camp for a night, partake in a heavenly yoga session or a hike nearby... and, if you are feeling like a cold plunge, splash in the lake. A wonderful activity for those peace seekers and wellness junkies.

Local is a charming restaurant and café in the heart of San Blas, the coolest area in Cusco. Although this place is relaxed and casual, their menu has many loyal fanatics. They serve Peruvian classics with modern twists, delicious breakfast options, cocktails and desserts. This welcoming place is a favorite for those who love long lunches or a feast for brunch. 

A true wonder of the world. Machu Picchu is a stunning citadel located high in the Andes Mountains. This breathtaking site is renowned for its sophisticated stone construction and intriguing buildings, panoramic views and historical value. Machu Picchu was the religious, agricultural and administrative centre for the groundbreaking civilization of the Incas. Get lost in its pathways and terraces, temples and residential areas and you will sooner or later feel hypnotized by the other-worldly scenery and the harmonious energy. 

Mauka is a fine-dining restaurant run by 2021's World's Best Female chef: Pía León. This spectacular place highlights Andean and Amazonian ingredients, focusing on the preservation of Peruvian biodiversity and local craftsmanship. The menu has interesting dishes like aplaca crudo and low-cooked beef cheek, as well as an array of vegan meals, and many other masterpieces (including cocktails) that embrace and blend traditions with modern techniques. 

In Cusco, you will probably triplicate your daily steps, explore many ruins and sites, hike and be excessively active, which is why, breakfast is essential. As lovers of a morning pastry and crunchy sourdough toast, we suggest you visit Migas del Valle for exactly that. Whether it's for the espresso that will get your heart pumping or the almond croissant that will get your tummy ready to climb Machu Picchu, we think this place is just right for an early pick-me-up. 

Located a mighty 3,600 metres above sea level close to the mysterious Incan ruins at Moray in the Sacred Valley, it takes a little effort to visit the second Peruvian restaurant of Virgilio Martínez. Mil is an Andean microcosm of Lima’s iconic Central. But instead of using ingredients from across the nation, it strictly sources from the ecosystem surrounding the restaurant. Anthropologists on staff foster relations with tight-knit indigenous communities and together they plant, nurture and harvest sustainable tuber crops, maize, legumes, cacao and Andean herbs, as well as care for a small on-site orchard. Guest can also visit Mil’s tiny cacao lab then enjoy its fruits for dessert.

To this day, Moray is one of the most captivating examples of the many innovations and adaptations made in agriculture by the Incas. Moray is an ancient archaeological site known for its impressive round terraces, which are known as andenes. Incas made these stair-step-like terraces to create different microclimates, allowing them to study the growth of crops under distinct conditions. 

If you are in for a frolic afternoon or evening, you must make a stop at Museo del Pisco. Not only for educational reasons. Pisco Sour is Peru’s national cocktail and therefore, every visitor must try it. Visit with friends and try as many Piscos Sours and their heavenly house cocktails as possible. Our favourite? Besides from Pisco Sour, Passionfruit Sour. 

Be aware: The next day's headache will be as strong as your desire to get a second round once you’ve chugged down your first. 

Oculto may be the most hip place in Cusco. This intimate hidden gem is not only iconic for its natural wine bar but also for its creativity and fusion of international and Peruvian cuisine. Visit this minimalistic place for a refined night in the city, perfect to immerse in their unique cocktails list and for dessert, their heavenly chocolate mousse.