Things to do in Sol Naciente

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Photo by Rômulo Lucena
Photo by Rômulo Lucena

Sol Naciente must see attractions

1. Plaza de Armas

Head to where the action is at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, a large landscaped square bordered by shops, restaurants and ancient churches. For more than 500 years, the square has been at the heart of city life. Come to the plaza nowadays and you might see festivals, concerts and religious processions. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, admire the ornate lampposts and colonial archways and relax with a drink.
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Plaza de Armas featuring a garden and a church or cathedral

2. San Pedro Market

Cusco San Pedro Market is a sprawling, open-air market, with everything from produce and meat to clothing and incense. Popular with locals and visitors, the market is an entertaining destination for shoppers and anyone curious about local culture.
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Cusco San Pedro Market showing markets and food as well as a small group of people

3. Cusco Cathedral

Standing over Cusco’s main square is Cusco Cathedral, an impressive Gothic-Renaissance structure built on the site of an Inca palace. Explore the interior, filled with more than 400 canvases, woodcarvings and a silver altar.
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An imposing building constructed with stones from an Inca fortress is celebrated for its beautiful architecture and artwork that spans three centuries.

4. Sacsayhuaman

Venture into the archaeological park just outside Cusco’s city center to explore the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This colossal stone fortress and temple sits on a steep hill overlooking the city and attests to the brilliance of Incan engineering. Come to observe traditional Incan ceremonies and to admire how the structure was built, noting the large limestone blocks that lock together without mortar.
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Sacsayhuaman which includes a ruin and heritage elements as well as an individual child

5. Coricancha

Qorikancha was the most important and elaborate temple of the Inca Empire. Qorikancha means golden courtyard and at the time of the Incas, the walls were covered in solid gold sheets. When the Spanish colonized the area, they demolished and looted parts of the temple and constructed the convent of Santo Domingo on top of it. The convent is still there today. Marvel at the original stonework, walk down corridors and through the chambers of Qorikancha and find clues to its former splendor.
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Cusco - Machu Picchu showing a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

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Recommended things to do in Sol Naciente

Number of things to do
602
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Peru Itinerary Preparation: $6
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Sol Naciente

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Sol Naciente? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Sol Naciente

Plaza de Armas featuring a garden and a church or cathedral

Plaza de Armas

4.5/5(853 reviews)

Cusco’s busy main square has been the center of public life for centuries. Enjoy its spacious layout, ancient churches and restaurants.

Plaza de Armas
Cusco San Pedro Market showing markets and food as well as a small group of people

San Pedro Market

4.5/5(451 reviews)

Get caught up in the chaos of this intriguing attraction and enjoy a uniquely Andean experience.

San Pedro Market
Cusco Cathedral

Cusco Cathedral

4.5/5(551 reviews)

An imposing building constructed with stones from an Inca fortress is celebrated for its beautiful architecture and artwork that spans three centuries.

Cusco Cathedral
Sacsayhuaman which includes a ruin and heritage elements as well as an individual child

Sacsayhuaman

4.5/5(302 reviews)

The colossal stones of Cusco’s hilltop fortress are a powerful testimony to the ingenuity of Incan construction techniques.

Sacsayhuaman
Cusco - Machu Picchu showing a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Coricancha

4.5/5(270 reviews)

Discover the remains of an important Incan temple dedicated to the sun, admire its construction and learn about its fascinating history.

Coricancha
Incan engineering

Twelve Angled Stone

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Find out about the history of Cusco when you spend time at Twelve Angled Stone. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Twelve Angled Stone
The cobblestone streets of the San Blas neighborhood of Cusco, Peru are some of the highest elevations in Cusco but worth every single step!

Plaza San Blas

Find out about the history of Cusco when you spend time at Plaza San Blas. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Plaza San Blas
Cusco which includes a city and street scenes

San Pedro Church

4.5/5(35 reviews)

Step inside “the Sistine Chapel of the Andes,” a richly decorated 17th-century church full of carvings and religious paintings.

San Pedro Church
Loved all the blue shutters against white walls in Cusco. The best exploring is done outside of the main touristy areas as you're wandering around on your own.

Plaza El Regocijo

5/5(1 review)

You can find out about the history of Cusco with a visit to Plaza El Regocijo. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Plaza El Regocijo

 

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Popular day trips from Sol Naciente

Cusco showing a house, building ruins and heritage architecture

Cusco

Frequently asked questions

Is Sol Naciente worth visiting?
Whether you're here to discover the cultural hotspots and local charm or sample unique foods and explore in nature, there are many things to do in Sol Naciente.
How do I spend a day in Sol Naciente?
Once you've visited major attractions like Museo de Historia Natural, spend the rest of your day discovering the retail and food scene in Sol Naciente.
What is the top tourist attraction in Sol Naciente?
Cusco Cathedral is rated the top tourist attraction near Sol Naciente, so don't go home without checking it out.
Is three days enough to stay in Sol Naciente?
With a three-day escape to Sol Naciente, you'll easily be able to discover the area's many awesome attractions, like Cusco Cathedral and Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.
Is Sol Naciente a walkable neighborhood?
If you love walking, Sol Naciente is ideal. You can get to top attractions like Cusco Cathedral and Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo on foot. At 3 miles from the center, the neighborhood of Santa Ana is also close enough for a nice stroll. So too is Primavera, roughly 2 miles away.
What are some activities to do in Sol Naciente with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all ages, we've got some great ideas for what to do in Sol Naciente with kids.

What to do in Sol Naciente for adults?
Calle Marquez is one of the top things to do in Sol Naciente. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Sol Naciente?
One of the top free things to do in Sol Naciente is Plaza de Armas. You can also stroll to nearby neighborhoods and spend time in public parks and other green spaces in the area. If you're looking for more ideas, just speak with a local tour guide.