Free things to do in Cusco: 15 plans that cost nothing (or almost)

Cusco can feel expensive once you add up entrances, trains and tours, but the city itself is an open-air museum you can enjoy for free. Its Inca streets, colonial plazas, viewpoints and markets offer whole days of exploring without paying entry. This list gathers the best free or nearly free plans, ideal for acclimatisation days or for balancing the budget between excursions.

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In the historic centre

1. Stroll the Plaza de Armas: sit on a bench, watch local life and the façades of the Cathedral and La Compañía church, especially at dusk when they're lit up.
2. Walk Hatun Rumiyoc street and see the famous twelve-angled stone, a perfect example of Inca stonework.
3. Walk Loreto street, an alley lined with original Inca walls between the plaza and Qorikancha.
4. See Qorikancha's walls and lower gardens from Avenida El Sol.
5. Visit the smaller plazas: Regocijo, San Francisco and Limacpampa, each with its own vibe.

• Plaza de Armas in Cusco: history, what to see around it and practical tips
• Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun: tickets, hours, what to see and history

San Blas and its alleys

The artisans' quarter of San Blas is best explored on foot and for free: steep cobbled streets, blue balconies, open workshops, a small plaza with a fountain and views over the centre's rooftops. A craft fair is often held in the plaza on Saturdays. Climb the Cuesta de San Blas and wander the lanes above.

• San Blas, Cusco's artisan quarter: what to see, viewpoints and tips

Free viewpoints

1. San Blas viewpoint: a few minutes from the neighbourhood plaza, overlooking the rooftops.
2. San Cristóbal viewpoint: beside the church of the same name, with one of the best city panoramas.
3. Cristo Blanco: walk up from San Blas or San Cristóbal; the statue and viewpoint are free, though the path passes near Sacsayhuamán, which requires a ticket.

• Cristo Blanco in Cusco: how to walk up, best time for views and safety
• The best viewpoints in Cusco: where to see the city from above
• Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do

Markets

1. San Pedro market: free to enter and one of Cusco's liveliest places: exotic fruit, giant breads, medicinal herbs and food stalls. If you spend anything, a fruit juice or set lunch costs very little.
2. Neighbourhood markets such as Wanchaq or Rosaspata, with far fewer tourists.

• San Pedro Market in Cusco: what to eat, what to buy, opening hours and tips

Free walking tours

1. Free walking tours leave the centre daily and cover the city's history. They run on voluntary tips at the end: pay what you think is fair for the guide's quality.

• Free walking tour in Cusco: how it works, tipping and what to expect

Festivals, parades and events

1. Sunday parades: on many Sunday mornings there are civic ceremonies with flag-raising on the Plaza de Armas.
2. Festivals: Corpus Christi, the Inti Raymi season in June with weeks of parades and dances, Christmas with the Santurantikuy fair and many patron-saint fiestas. Many street events are free.
3. Temporary exhibitions: cultural centres and some galleries have free shows; check posters and local social media.

• Cusco festivals: a month-by-month calendar
• Corpus Christi in Cusco: dates, the saints' procession, chiriuchu and tips
• Inti Raymi in Cusco: date, schedule, tickets and how to experience the Festival of the Sun

Free walks

1. Walking along the Saphy river or up to the higher neighbourhoods shows everyday Cusco. If you're fit and acclimatised, there are hiking routes nearby without entry fees, but go accompanied and ask about safety first.

• Is Cusco safe? Real risks and practical tips for a worry-free trip

Almost free

• Student discounts at churches and museums with a valid card.
• Cheap colectivos to nearby villages such as Chinchero or Pisac, where wandering the village and market is free.
• A partial Tourist Ticket if you only want some sites.

• Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): what's included and is it worth it
• Cusco on a budget: saving on accommodation, food, transport and Machu Picchu
• Chinchero: weaving, Inca ruins and market between Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Itinerary: a full day for free

1. Morning: simple breakfast and a stroll through San Pedro market to see how the city stocks up.
2. Mid-morning: Loreto street and the outside of Qorikancha, back to the plaza via Avenida El Sol.
3. Midday: free walking tour of the centre (tip the guide fairly).
4. Afternoon: slow climb up the Cuesta de San Blas, artisan workshops and the viewpoint.
5. Sunset: San Cristóbal viewpoint as the city lights come on.
6. Evening: walk the illuminated plaza, sticking to busy streets.

Money-saving tips

• Carry a reusable bottle and refill with filtered water at your lodging.
• Eat the set menu at markets or neighbourhood places.
• Walk: the centre is compact, if hilly.
• Ask your hostel about free events that week.

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).