Summer weekend in Cusco
How locals do summer in Cusco — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Cusco
Sacred Valley Day Trip
OutdoorsPisac & Ollantaytambo
Pisac terraces, Maras salt pans, Moray circular ruins, lunch in Ollantaytambo.
San Blas
NightlifeSan Blas
Cobblestone artists' quarter above the plaza — viewpoint cafés, mezcal bars, indie galleries.
San Pedro Market
Food & DrinkSan Pedro
Locals' market with juice stalls, alpaca steaks and 200 varieties of potato.
Where to eat
Chicha por Gastón Acurio
$$$Peruvian · Plaza Regocijo
Acurio's regional showcase — anticuchos, lomo saltado with high-altitude wine list.
Cicciolina
$$$Modern Peruvian · Centro
Cusco classic above a courtyard — tapas, alpaca tenderloin, killer bread basket.
Greenpoint
$Vegan Peruvian · San Blas
All-day vegan menu plus a daily tasting — a relief after a week of altitude meat.
Marcelo Batata
$$Peruvian / Pisco · Centro
Rooftop with pisco tasting bar and a panoramic Sacsayhuamán-skyline lunch.
Pacha Papa
$$Andean · San Blas
Open courtyard for cuy al horno (guinea pig), pachamanca and live folk on weekends.
Live & on stage
Corpus Christi
Plaza de Armas · Jun 19 · Religious / Procession
Cusco Día Festival
Plaza de Armas · Mar 22–23 · Cultural / Free
Festival de la Virgen del Carmen (Paucartambo)
Paucartambo · Jul 15–17 · Religious / Music
Inti Raymi
Sacsayhuamán · Jun 24 · Inca Festival
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: San Pedro Market, Sacred Valley Day Trip, San Blas. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Cusco and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.