Getting There

By air: Cusco has a small airport on the outskirts of the city. Here flights from Lima and Arequipa arrive, along with those from small airstrips in the Amazon. From the airport the easiest way to the city centre is by taxi.

By train: If you travel to Cusco by train you will arrive at the city's San Pedro train station in the city centre on Calle Cascaparo. It is well connected with other Peruvian cities such as the capital Lima and Aguas Calientes, the base town for trips to Machu Picchu.

By bus: Bus is arguably the most popular mode of public transport in Peru, so if you are travelling to Cusco you may well be taking the bus.

Getting Around

On foot: Downtown Cusco is extremely compact and you can cover the city and most of its attractions on foot. Some of the hostels are up steep hills, but if you're even moderately fit you won't have a problem getting to them.

By bus: While most of the city's attractions are reachable on foot, you may need to avail of the city's bus service at some stage during your stay.

By taxi: Taxis are generally inexpensive in Cusco. They can be picked up around Plaza de Armas and other main streets in Cusco.

Cusco is a city that doesn't experience boiling hot summers or freezing cold winters. Its average annual temperature is 12°C. Instead it has the rainy season, which goes from November to March, and the dry season, which goes from April to October. The best time to visit is between June and October, when you will experience brilliant sunshine for most of the day. It can get chilly at night though so make sure to pack accordingly. While things are hotter in the summer, they are wet, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Embassies *

USA: + 51 (0)1 618 2000
UK: + 51 (0)1 617 3000
Canada: + 51 (0)1 319 3200
Australia: + 51 (0)1 205 4000
South Africa: + 51 (0)1 612 4848
Ireland: + 51 (0)1 449 6289 **
Germany: + 51 (0)1 212 5016
Italy: + 51 (0)1 463 2727
New Zealand: + 51 (0)1 422 7491 **
France: + 51 (0)1 215 8400

*Embassy in Lima
** Number is for consulate

Jack's Café, Choquechaca 509 This extremely popular café just minutes from Plaza de Armas serves a great selection of hearty sandwiches, salads and cakes throughout the afternoon making it perfect for a lunchtime pit stop. Managed by a true Aussie girl, if you pass by it later in the evening it's a great place for tea also. Open daily 7am-10pm.

You cannot be serious A Mi Manera, Triunfo 393 Something of a unique delicacy in Peru is 'coy', or roast guinea pig in English. The only thing is that chefs don't go to the trouble of extracting the meat from those would-be pets destined for Peruvian plates. Instead they come out whole, looking at you. Maybe not to everybody's cup of tea, but when in Rome...nd this restaurant is known for it. Open daily 12 noon-10pm.

Pacha Papa, Plazoleta San Blas 120 If you're looking to try other Peruvian specialities that don't involve household pets, try Pacha Papa. Extremely welcoming and with a pleasant courtyard for some alfresco dining, it is known for the best alpaca stew in town. Other tempting mains include lamb braised in beer and the pizzas. Open daily

Green's, Santa Catalina Angosta, 135 This is extremely intimate restaurant serves quality food at reasonable prices in a relaxed atmosphere thanks to the chillout tunes you can hear through the speakers. Thanks to a varied menu you can visit any time of the day. You can choose from finger food such as baked empanadas, mains from all over the globe, and sandwiches too. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Chez Maggy, Plateros 348 This small restaurant has been one of the busiest places to go for bites for years. Here you can get everything from pizza to alpaca, and from pasta to Mexican food. If you're lucky there might even be live music when you go. Open daily from 6pm-11pm.

Mama Africa's, Portal de Panes 109, Plaza de Armas Clubs and bars around the world could learn from this extremely popular haunt in Cusco. Their aim is to ensure that borders and flags are left behind, and use music and fun to have great nights. As a result of their mission, every night is party night here. Open daily 9am-5pm.

Mushrooms, Portal de Panes By far one of the coolest bars in the city, Mushrooms has lots going for it. Overlooking Plaza de Armas, here you can enjoy your drinks while lazing in the beanbags, or at the high seats at the windows. DJs entertain with an eclectic range of tunes while the bar has its own pool table if you feel like sinking a few balls when you’re here. Open daily 9pm-5am.

If you're one who likes to party,.. If you're reading this before you've booked your hostel in Cusco, and you're one who likes to par-tayyyy, then here is some advice. Two of the city's hostels are known for their party vibe. The first is 'Loki' which has a bar to rival any of those in the city. The other is 'The Point' where you'll find the ever-buzzing 'Horny Llama Bar'. Both are known for their party atmosphere so keep this in mind when booking.

Paddy's Flaherty's, 124 Calle Triunfo There aren’t that many Irish bars outside of Ireland, but this is certainly one of them. This is probably due to the fact that it’s run by an Irish man. It boats an extremely welcoming atmosphere as you walk through the doors, a great beers, while the soundtrack is spot on too. Open daily 11am-2am.

Ukuku's, Plateros 316For live music in Cusco look no further Ukuku's, a bar that has been hosting bands of all descriptions for years. These range from rock acts to those playing reggae. The crowd is a mixed bag of tourists and locals, and the atmosphere is always a lively one. Open daily 5pm-2am.

Plaza de Armas This beautifully landscaped square in the heart of the city is Cusco's focal point. Here you can relax on its benches, admiring the colourful flower beds or simply soaking up the atmosphere. Bordered by two of the city's best-known buildings as well as some beautiful fountains, you will return here time and time again during your visit.

Sacsayhuaman Affectionately known as 'sexy woman' (ask the taxi drivers for here when going), this ancient site not far from the centre of Cusco is a walled fortress at an elevation of 3,701m. It could constain over 5,000 fighters, and visitors can marvel at the size of the stones used in the walls which are the size of small trucks (nobody knows how they got there) along with the breathtaking views.

Museo Inca, 103 Cuesta del Almirante Everywhere you look in Cusco you're reminded that this was once the centre of Peru's Inca civilisation. So when you're here make sure to visit this museum for an insight into their lives. Not only does it document life of the Incas, but what life was like before their existence also. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm; admission S/5.

A day to remember Machu Picchu Regarded as one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is one of those sights that, no matter how many time you have seen on TV, in pictures or otherwise, nothing can prepare you for it. It is completely spellbinding, and if you’'e there at the crack of dawn to see the day break over it, you won't forget it for a very long time.

Sacred Valley The Sacred Valley is the land that extends from the town of Pisac to Ollantaytambo. Once the centre of the Inca Empire, it starts just 10 miles outside of Cusco. On trips visitors can explore Inca ruins, enjoy stunning Andes Mountains vistas and charming towns. You can even hike part of the Inca Trail here.

Visit Iglesia La Companía de Jesús While this isn't Cusco's cathedral, it is arguably the most impressive religious building in the city. Built in the 16th century, it was demolished by an earthquake in 1650, only to be rebuilt 18 years later. It is still one of the best examples of colonial Baroque architecture in the Americas and inside its altar is particularly stunning. It also houses some important pieces of art.

Isn't it a wonder Marvel at the '12 Cornered Stone' Within the city of Cusco you can still see the ancient Inca Walls. These branch off Plaza de Armas to the east. In the middle of the walls is one particularly famous stone - the '12 Cornered Stone'. Constantly being photographed from travellers across the globe, it is a marvel of engineering - not even a blade of grass would fit in between it and the other stones.

Shop around for tours One thing you simply can't get away from when walking around Cusco is touts shouting 'Machu Picchu?' at you. They are simply everywhere. Keep this in mind when booking tours if you haven't done prior to your trip. Most are selling the exact same tours so shop around before committing yourself to one particular tour company.

Check out 'La Catedral' Cusco's cathedral was built on the site of the Palace of the Inca Viracocha, and vies with the church Cusco's most notable building. This Renaissance church was completed in 1969 and houses hundreds of paintings that were created some time between the 16th and 18th centuries. Admission free.

Explore the San Blas neighbourhood Located at the top of a steepish hill from Plaza de Armas, this neighbourhood is worth exploring. Home to the city's more bohemian-type folk, its focal point is Plaza San Blas. It's also where you'll find some cafés and restaurants that are quieter to its counterparts.