Cusco with Kids: Inca Ruins, Rainbow Mountains, and Chocolate You Make Yourself

Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)

Just a short walk from the plaza, this was once the most important Inca temple in the empire and the Spanish built a Dominican convent directly on top of it, so you can see both layers at once. Kids a

Cusco Cathedral (Catedral del Cusco)

Start slow on arrival day with a guided walk through this 16th-century cathedral on the main plaza, where kids can spot the famous painting of the Last Supper featuring guinea pig on the table. Audio

Marcelo Batata Restaurant

This beloved Cusco institution on Calle Palacio serves approachable Peruvian classics like lomo saltado and grilled chicken alongside more adventurous options, making it easy for picky eaters and adve

ChocoMuseo Cusco

End the afternoon at this hands-on chocolate museum where families can take a bean-to-bar workshop that runs about 90 minutes and results in chocolate you actually get to eat. It sits right near the P

Sacsayhuaman Inca Citadel

This massive hilltop fortress sits a short taxi ride above the city and features enormous zigzagging walls built from stones weighing up to 125 tons, which gives kids an immediate and visceral sense o

Quinta Eulalia

This no-frills Cusco lunch institution near San Blas has been serving traditional comida típica for decades and is a favorite with local families, which is always a good sign. Try the chicharrón de ch

San Blas Neighborhood Walking Exploration

The cobblestone streets of San Blas are Cusco's artisan quarter and genuinely one of the most beautiful urban walks in South America, with whitewashed walls, flower-draped doorways, and working artist

Mercado San Blas Artisan Market

This smaller, less chaotic alternative to the San Pedro market is packed with textiles, ceramics, and alpaca goods made by local artisans, and prices are often better than in the main plaza shops. Kid

Pisac Inca Ruins

The terraced ruins above the town of Pisac are among the most scenic in the entire Sacred Valley and a moderate uphill walk of about 30 to 45 minutes brings you to sweeping views that make excellent f

Pisac Market

The daily artisan market in Pisac town below the ruins is one of the best in Peru for textiles, jewelry, and handmade ceramics, with hundreds of vendors spread through the village streets and the cent

Tres Keros Restaurant

Set in a lovely garden in the Sacred Valley near Urubamba, this family-friendly restaurant serves traditional Peruvian food with ingredients sourced from the surrounding valley, including excellent cu

Ollantaytambo Fortress and Town

The living Inca town of Ollantaytambo at the far end of the Sacred Valley has streets and water channels that have been continuously inhabited since the 15th century, and the fortress above town invol