Cusco attractions

Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel nestled within the Andes Mountains in Peru. It looms above the Urubamba River valley and commands respect from all angles. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, parts of it are still being discovered today, and the citadel's exact use or function is not fully known.

Cusco Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco. The cathedral is located on the Plaza de Armas. Construction was completed in 1654, and the cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús (known in English as the Church of the Society of Jesus) is a historic Jesuit church in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. It is located in the heart of the Department of Cusco, Peru. The church, which is built in the shape of a cross, is known for its beautiful exterior and baroque architecture. We dare you not to take a hundred photos when you see it – when the light is just right, it really does look heavenly. Amen!

Founded in 1601 in Arequipa, the Monastery of Santa Catalina was soon transferred to Cusco due to a string of natural disasters in the early 17th century. Today, it is a museum of monastic life and it hosts a collection of fascinating artworks that were discovered during the restoration of the monastery. The paintings housed here are an excellent example of the Cusco School, which blends the styles, stories, and influences of two cultures: the Inca and the Spanish. All the paintings are of a religious nature, displaying incredible technique and in some cases, are finished with decadent gold leaf.

The Sacred Valley is a valley just outside of Cusco, in Peru's Andean highlands. It is known for its hiking trails (ranging from easy to almost impossible) and ancient Inca architecture. Along with Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley formed the heart of the Inca Empire.