A trip to Cusco in the Southern Andes of Peru should be on everybody’s bucket list. The city has beautiful churches, Inca ruins, and cobblestone streets.
Did you know you can experience a free walking tour of Cusco, Peru, within the Imperial City? That is right, it is free. These daily tours are a fantastic way to explore the Imperial City and are a highlight of many Peru tours.
Traveling to Cusco is easy; many flights leave daily from the Peruvian capital, Lima. The flight lasts about one hour and passes over the beautiful Andes mountains before landing in the valley where the Imperial City is. Join Machu Travel Peru in one more blog and let yourself be carried away by the magic of Cusco.
All about the free walking tour of Cusco
- Arriving in Cusco
- The free walking tour in Cusco
- Knowing the San Pedro Market
- Visiting the beautiful colonial churches
- Exploring the neighborhood of San Blas
- Alternative attractions to know around
- Advantages of the free walking tour in Cusco
- Knowing the citadel of Machu Picchu
- Tourism in Cusco
Arriving in Cusco
After you arrive in Cusco, a driver will take you to your hotel of choice. It is conveniently located near the city’s historic center, ideally close to the Plaza de Armas. This way, you will have the rest of the day to adjust to the altitude. You can then start your walking tour in Cusco early.
During the first days of your arrival in Cusco, it is highly recommended that you drink water, avoid alcohol, and avoid eating large meals. Most hotels have oxygen tanks at the reception if you are having trouble breathing.
The free walking tour in Cusco
As in any tourist area, most things in Cusco cost money. However, one service is free within Cusco.
We are discussing the free walking tour in Cusco. It begins at Plaza Regocijo, also called Plaza Cusipata. This is two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, and the tour usually starts at 10:20 AM.
You can book a tour, although most people only show up and look for those with green jackets and flags. They are precisely those who will offer this tour of the city of Cusco.
The tour will begin with the essential attractions of the Plaza and its surroundings. Then, with a local guide, you will learn about the Twelve Angle Stone and many other incredible places in Cusco.
Knowing the San Pedro Market
This tour also passes through the renowned and popular San Pedro market, one of the best-known local markets in Cusco. The market sells various fruits and vegetables, including passion fruit and cherimoyas.
You will find a great selection of handicrafts and souvenirs at better prices than the stalls in the Plaza de Armas. You can even buy flowers in any range of colors you want, which is impressive.
The market has a special section to enjoy a classic “menu”. This meal includes soup and a main course at a meager price. There is also a section where you can buy fresh fruit juice and breakfast. Choose to order a delicious mix of the fruits you want the most.
Visiting the beautiful Colonial Churches
After visiting the market, you will return to the Plaza de Armas. There, you can explore the beautiful colonial churches nearby.
These beautiful churches display a mix of ancient Inca empire architecture and styles brought by the Spanish. The Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus are great examples. Some of these even offer displays of religious art from the beautiful Cusco school.
You also might be interested in All about the Cusco Cathedral.
Exploring the neighborhood of San Blas
Then, from the Cusco main square, you can continue down a series of sloping steps toward the curious and beautiful neighborhood of San Blas. Enjoy the main square and a charming old church in San Blas. It has one of the most beautiful altars you will ever see.
In the San Blas neighborhood, many travelers and backpackers are trying to sell you their wares to pay for their trips. San Blas also has many vegan restaurants, bars, art shops, and souvenir.
Alternative attractions to know around
From San Blas, you can return to the Main square and go down to the main shopping street of Cusco. People call this Avenida Sol; banks and money exchange houses are found here. The Palace of Justice is also very close. It is a large white building that takes up almost a whole block. You can see its strong stone walls. Further down the avenue is Korichanca, a must-see on any Cusco city tour.
Korichanca, known as the “Temple of the Sun”, was a large Inca temple used for many grand ceremonies during the Incas’ reign. When the Spanish arrived, they dismantled most of the temple and built the Santo Domingo church on the ruins.
The beautiful Spanish colonial building showcases colonial art and houses, making it a must-see museum. If you have time, visit the different Inca sites, such as Sacsayhuaman and Q’enqo.
Advantages of the free walking tour in Cusco
This tour is full of history and valuable tips for your time there. The tour guides are exceptionally informative, and you will love their work. Do not hesitate to ask them any questions; they will answer you with pleasure. If you continue the tour through the different museums in Cusco, you cannot miss it.
You can choose to tip at the end of the guided tour. Tours usually last around 3 hours, so you should give a tip. The amount you provide depends on the service you think you received. Take a free walking tour as part of your experience in Cusco and Peru.
You also might be interested in: The Best Museums in Cusco.
Knowing the citadel of Machu Picchu
Your vacation in Peru would not be complete without a trip to the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. If you wondering why visit Cusco city, Machu Picchu is the answer. You can reach it in about four hours by train from Cusco.
The trip to Machu Picchu is an experience in itself. You will pass through the pictures of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where the landscapes are truly spectacular and mind-blowing. A trip to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is essential for any visit to the Cusco area.
Tourism in Cusco
Tourism in Cusco attracts thousands of visitors annually, sparking various new infrastructure projects in the city. There are many hotel, tour, restaurant, and bar options, with something for all budgets, from luxurious to budget.
The variety of tourist agencies will leave you speechless. The goal is to have everything organized before you arrive. This is especially important if you travel during the busy tourist season. Remember that during this time, the prices can be higher than average, so booking in advance is a good idea. The different archaeological sites in Cusco are reasons to explore the city.
The ancient capital of the Inca civilization shows why you should visit Cusco. Let yourself be immersed in the magic of the Andes and its history.
“THE WORLD IS A BOOK AND THOSE WHO DO NOT TRAVEL READ ONLY ONE PAGE”
As you can see, the free walking tour in Cusco is a possibility you cannot miss. Especially if you are not willing to enjoy the many tourist attractions in the beautiful Imperial City. We hope, together with the experts from Machu Travel Peru, to have been of help. If you want to know more about our scheduled free tours around Cusco, you can consult with our qualified advisers.
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Peru and any tours around it. Let us help you make your Peru travel experience unforgettable! Contact us today to plan your dream adventure!
