Exploring the Plaza de Armas of Cusco

The main square of Cusco is a bustling and vibrant space that marks the colonial center of the city. The square, with its wide stone paths and colorful gardens, is home to two iconic buildings: the Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus.

The Plaza de Armas of Cusco covers part of the area that was once the Haukaypata, the Great Square of the Incas. Today, however, Spanish colonial buildings and long stone arcades dominate the square’s architecture, but many of the precisely carved Inca walls remain as foundations.

The Plaza de Armas of Cusco is the place where many of the city’s most important gatherings, events, and festivals take place, such as the Inti Raymi —the Inca Festival of the Sun— and the religious feast of Corpus Christi.

The square is always full of activity at any hour of the day (or night), and it’s an ideal place to soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this Andean city.

Food and Drink in the Square

The Plaza de Armas of Cusco also offers a wide variety of restaurants and venues, serving everything from traditional Peruvian food such as cuy, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina, to more familiar international dishes like pasta, pizza, and steak. In fact, the square is home to some of the best restaurants in the city, such as the luxurious Limo or the gourmet burger joint Papachos by Gastón Acurio.

Nightlife in the Square

Unlike many cities around the world, Cusco is lively every night of the week, and if you’re looking for nightlife, just head to the square. The Norton Rat’s Tavern pub is a favorite among both locals and tourists, who enjoy drinks throughout the night while playing darts and pool. The Irish pub Paddy’s is another great spot to meet people from all over the world, while enjoying exceptional homemade food and some local Cusqueña beers. If you’re in the mood to dance, there are also plenty of great nightclubs and lounge bars around the square; Mushrooms and the famous Mama Africa are among them.

Vendors in the Square

As you stroll through the square, you can expect to see local vendors (often children) selling everything from day trips to Machu Picchu to wooden carvings, paintings, and alpaca clothing. If you’re not interested, simply say “no thank you.” Keep in mind that many vendors can be persistent, but just ignore them or repeat “no thank you.” If it feels bothersome, think about the poor expats living in Cusco who get asked day after day if they want to buy a finger puppet. Nevertheless, Cusco is one of the best places in Peru to buy souvenirs at good prices.

Adapting to the Altitude in Cusco

Cusco is a beautiful city surrounded by many equally stunning tourist attractions, such as fascinating Inca and pre-Inca ruins and the incredible Sacred Valley mountains for hiking and sightseeing. However, many of these experiences cannot be fully enjoyed by travelers who suffer from altitude sickness, as often happens. Many travelers fly directly from Lima and don’t allow time in their itineraries to adapt to Cusco’s altitude. For some, this just means shortness of breath and mild headaches. However, for many others, these conditions can worsen significantly, and medical attention may be needed after a few hours.

We recommend preparing in advance to allow time to acclimatize to the altitude. One of the best ways to adapt is to travel gradually through Peru by bus rather than flying directly from Lima to Cusco.

Do You Want to Visit the Plaza de Armas of Cusco?

Our hotel in Cusco is located just 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas. For your stay in the imperial city, we offer comfortable rooms in Cusco.