Cusco Ancient Ruins

Ancient Ruins in Cusco, Peru

Cusco Ancient Ruins

Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
Awards
Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
Traveller rating
Good for
38 results sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.


Showing results 1-30 of 38

What travellers are saying

  • Nohelia M
    Miami, FL4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting this ancient site was amazing! The massive stone structures are impressive and well-preserved. The views are stunning, and the history feels alive. A must-see if you love culture and nature. Highly recommend!
    Written 12 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JosĂ© P
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A city with a rich history, reflecting a combination of old and new. I enjoyed the fact that there is the city center and then there are remains of stone structures on the outskirts.
    Written 13 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sridhar
    Eden Prairie, MN459 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was just a 5mins walk from our hotel. This was a religious center and a sacred place where appreciation was shown for Inti(Inca Sun God).To enter the temple, worshippers needed to have been barefoot, fasting and carrying a heavy load upon their back as a sign of humility to the god. Please visit the place with a local guide.
    Written 20 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was on a half day city tour with Travel 1 Tours and this was one of the 4 stops. There is a slight uphill walk to the main site on a dirt/gavel road. A couple of local vendors are located just pass the 1st water feature area. Bathrooms are at the entrance of the site.

    Tambomachay is known by the names of "Inca Bath" and "The Temple of Fertility”. Crystal clear water still runs through its aqueducts. The Incas used their ingenuity to channel the water from a small waterfall and divide it into 2 waterfalls. Legend has it that if women drink from these waters they can easily conceive; if the water comes from the right side of the fall, they will have a male child; if it comes from the left side, it is a female. Only the Inca and his entourage could use its facilities.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was on a half day tour with Sur Tours and this was one of the sites that we visited.
    The Incan archaeological complex of Tipon is known for its water channels and agricultural terraces (andenes) which were built to create microclimates that enabled the Incas to experiment with hybrid cereals and crops, one reason why Peru today produces more than 3,000 varieties of potato. The water channels of Tipon are believed to be used as a ceremonial centre by the Incas to worship water. Water continues to flow in them, 500 years after their construction. There are various trails from the main one to visit several buildings.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was on a half day city tour with Travel 1 Tours and this was one of 4 stops.
    There wasn't much left to see after the Spanish arrived. Inca ceremonial center of Q'enqo is an ancient worship site that also displays impressive stonework. Archaeologists believe this was a significant site where ritualistic sacrifices and mummification took place. Little remains of the paths, aqueducts, enclosures, deposits, or liturgical baths. It was said that a great layer of gold use to illuminate the entire place.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited this site a couple of times since it was on the way to the main plaza from my hotel. There is usually people in front of it taking selfies in case you can't find it.

    The stone of the 12 angles is part of the architecture of the archiepiscopal palace (religious art museum of Cusco). This Inca structure is famous due to its large dimensions & the precision with which it was polished to fit into the wall.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI704 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was on a half city day tour with Travel 1 Tours and this was one of 4 stops. There are plenty of vendors near the parking area before you reach the entrance of the site. At the top of the fortress is a great view of the valley below.

    Puka Pukara, also known as the Red Fortress, had specific military purposes. It was the entry control post to the city of Cusco, "the capital of the Empire", and also served as a "tambo" (place of rest) for the chaskis who carried messages or packages from town to town. On the hillside, thanks to the strong winds, products could be kept for longer in a kind of refrigerator and the dehydrated products were stored here.
    Written 3 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Pete S
    Tampa, FL608 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Went on 7 day tour of macchu Picchu Cusco and Lima with gate one travel, the tour guide Ron did a fantastic job, whoever you go with get a guide to explain everything and go to the highest point and work down. You will get awesome pictures. Trip was better than I expected. Plan properly and you will have a great time.
    Written 31 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Willowbroom Sam
    Houston, TX1,384 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A huge town surrounded by big walls. Per the guide, this was pre Inca, I.e. the Wari dynasty. A beautiful princess of the town said she would marry the person who got water to the village. Two men competed and one was successful in getting water from the huanatay lake. One can see two channels in the mountains.

    The town was built like a perfect rectangle with rectangular homes and absolutely straight pathways/ walkways. Almost three floor high walls and homes.

    The guide told us that seven columns were found and each column had the skeleton of a man. And that this was an honor for the men to give up their lives for building the erect columns.

    Gypsum plastering is found in walls and floors. Sh was also found leading tk the belief that the volcanic mountain behind the city may have erupted making the people abandon the place.

    He told me that the place was eventually used by Incas as a concentration camp for prisoners.

    A visit with a tour guide is a must. Otherwise one will just see some old broken ruins and cannot appreciate the history.
    Written 31 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sridhar
    Eden Prairie, MN459 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The visit to this place was part of a half day city tour we did through CuscoPeru company.

    This colonial hydraulic structure was built with four level arches using stone elements and used to channel and transport water from one peak to the other.
    Written 19 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scott B
    San Antonio, TX43 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    On a guided tour with National Geographic. We arrived after hours so we had the place to ourselves. Had traditional Peruvian food of potatoes, vegetable pasta, and Alpaca. My wife and I have gotten where we love the juice they serve in Peru.
    The restaurant is beautiful, and the service was first rate. Food, company, and atmosphere all made for a memorable experience. Highly recommend.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rafal W
    Skoki, Poland1,456 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    There's few other Inca sites outside of Cuzco, that can be found here and there in area between Q'enqo and Tambomachay Usually, because they are located away of well trodden paths, not many tourists visiting them. Also, degree of their preservation is rather bad. Temple of the Moon is one of such a sites. Built around the massive bedrock outcrop, remains of old shrine are still used for shamanic ceremonies and Cuzco's dwellers and people from nearby villages coming in here for picnic. Not much left of temple's walls and rock carvings are heavily eroded, but site itself is quite romantic. On the one side of the rock there's big crevice that leads in to underground chamber or corridor. Although entering it is prohibited, locals sneaking inside of it, ignoring calls of the keeper of the temple . I couldn't find any information about this very place, and my knowledge of Inca history is rather superficial, therefore, this time I can't give you any interesting information or anecdotes regarding Temple of the Moon. To the south of shrine lays waterlogged meadows with muddy path leading to it, and to the east of them remains of old Inca road are still well visible. To the north of the outcrop some more rocks and small ravine can be found, and beyond them, there's another Inca site called Chukimarca, but I haven't visited it. Templo de la Luna and its surroundings is ideal place for somebody who's tired of busy and noisy cities and more popular and overcrowded historical sites. There's no ticket needed for this site. I found this place by a chance, wandering around area outside of the Cuzco.
    Written 8 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kinshuk P
    Bengaluru, India60 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you have the time make the trip after you probably have done Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero and other significant Inca ruins like MP. This one has some great city overlooking views and stylish ruins if you are historically inclined
    Written 14 June 2014
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert D
    Heers, Belgium176 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you like architecture and want to see / know how the houses were build by the Inca's, then this is the place to be.
    There are no tourists at all. You can walkd freely around. It is quite a big place. Take about 3-4 hours.
    If possible take a guide, he/she can can give you all the necessary information:
    How and why the houses were build .
    It is very impressive
    Written 7 November 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
All Cusco HotelsCusco Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Cusco
All things to do in Cusco
Day Trips in Cusco
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars