The Historic Center of Cusco is the old heart of the city of Cusco in Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its streets, plazas and buildings reflect a colonial city built on Inca foundations, so a walk through the centre often means seeing Spanish-era architecture standing directly on older stonework.
The centre is organised around the Plaza de Armas, the main square and a natural starting point for any visit. The site is known for its numerous churches and plazas, and for archaeological remains that are woven into the urban core rather than set apart from it.
What a visit offers
- Churches and plazas: the centre holds many religious buildings and open squares, each worth a slow look.
- Inca foundations: in several places, older masonry is visible beneath later colonial walls.
- Walking on foot: the compact urban core is best explored by wandering between the plazas and side streets.
Planning your trip
The Plaza de Armas is the address to head for first, and it sits within easy reach of the rest of the historic core. Because the site is a living city centre rather than a single enclosed building, you can visit at many hours and simply stroll through. You may wish to set aside time to step into the churches and sit in the plazas, which give a good sense of daily life in the old city.
For further details, the site can be reached by telephone at +51 84 582030. Visitors often also appreciate combining a stroll through the centre with time spent in the wider city of Cusco around it.
