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Sightseeing Overview
Cusco divides into five districts, each centred on a square or temple. At the heart of the city lies the Plaza de Armas. The majority of sights are within easy walking distance of here. South of the Plaza, Avenida Sol runs past the Inca Sun Temple, the Coricancha. Heading uphill and southwest from Avenida Sol there are the Plaza San Francisco, the central market and the Iglesia de Santa Clara.
One block west of Plaza de Armas is Plaza Regocijo which has Inca origins and contains some of the city's finest mansions and municipal palaces. From the northeast corner of Plaza de Armas, Calle Triunfo climbs steeply through a stunning Inca-walled street to the artisan quarter of San Blas, centred on an attractive church. Uphill and northwest from Plaza de Armas, Calle Plateros climbs towards the Inca fortress Sacsayhuaman.
Should you exhaust the enormous number of city centre historical sights and attractions, there are historical and archaeological sights in the surrounding region and nearby Sacred Valley, which can be visited as part of half or full day excursions.
One block west of Plaza de Armas is Plaza Regocijo which has Inca origins and contains some of the city's finest mansions and municipal palaces. From the northeast corner of Plaza de Armas, Calle Triunfo climbs steeply through a stunning Inca-walled street to the artisan quarter of San Blas, centred on an attractive church. Uphill and northwest from Plaza de Armas, Calle Plateros climbs towards the Inca fortress Sacsayhuaman.
Should you exhaust the enormous number of city centre historical sights and attractions, there are historical and archaeological sights in the surrounding region and nearby Sacred Valley, which can be visited as part of half or full day excursions.
Tourist Information
Direccíon Regional de Industria y Turismo (DRIT)
Portal de Mantas 117-A
Tel: (84) 263 176.
Alternatively, iPeru (website: www.peru.info) have information offices in the main hall at Aeropuerto Velasco Astete and at Avenida Sol 103 (Room 203) (tel: (84) 227 037).
The Cuscoperu website (www.cuscoperu.com) gives a good overview of the city. Also very helpful are the South American Explorers Club, no 4 Choquechaca 188 (tel: (84) 245 484; website: www.saexplorers.org). Travel agencies are usually willing to provide help and information, for a fee.
Portal de Mantas 117-A
Tel: (84) 263 176.
Alternatively, iPeru (website: www.peru.info) have information offices in the main hall at Aeropuerto Velasco Astete and at Avenida Sol 103 (Room 203) (tel: (84) 227 037).
The Cuscoperu website (www.cuscoperu.com) gives a good overview of the city. Also very helpful are the South American Explorers Club, no 4 Choquechaca 188 (tel: (84) 245 484; website: www.saexplorers.org). Travel agencies are usually willing to provide help and information, for a fee.
Passes
An essential purchase is the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico), which is the only way to get into most of the city's and region's main attractions. It is available from the tourist office, iPeru office or the OFEC office on the corner of Garcilaso and Plaza Regocijo. A separate ticket is required to access the Cathedral, San Blas and Museo de Arte Religioso though.
