The Three Doorways building is an impressive Inca construction, located on the northern side of Machu Picchu and sometimes hard to find. It owes its name to the set of eighteen rooms and three courtyards and three symmetrical doorways that give it its name. It is speculated that this place served as a workshop, although it may also have been used as a storehouse (colcas) or simple rooms. The Three Doorways can be visited with tickets to the Classic Circuit of Machu Picchu. Learn more!

• What is the Three Doorways building of Machu Picchu?
• Location
• How to get there?
• History of the Three Doorways
• Which Machu Picchu ticket includes the Three Doorways visit?
• Visiting hours
• More information for your visit
• Questions and answers about the Three Doorways in Machu Picchu

Three Doorways – Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu houses more than 150 important constructions and temples, among the most famous you can visit: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the 3 Windows, or the Temple of the Condor. The Three Doorways building does not have the fame of these constructions. However, its visit reflects the rustic style the Incas used for building houses, storehouses, and workshops for the people (Quechuas).

What is the Three Doorways building of Machu Picchu?

• The Three Doorways building of Machu Picchu consists of stone and adobe rooms (rustic style) that would have served as craft workshops, storehouses (called colcas in Quechua language), or simply rooms for the working class of the Inca city.
• The Three Doorways have 18 rooms, of which 16 are part of an octagonal plaza with beautiful architectural organization. Two others are located outside this octagonal plaza.
• This set of Inca constructions is distributed around three other courtyards. The rooms are rectangular with double-jamb entrances and three walls.
• Research at Machu Picchu has divided these sectors into ‘Upper Group’ and ‘Three Doors or Three Doorways Complex’.
• Despite their architectural beauty, they are little visited by tourists at Machu Picchu. They are in good conservation condition.

Location

• The Three Doorways building is located on the northern side of the Machu Picchu archaeological site (a few steps from the entrance gate to Huayna Picchu mountain).
• Its route is part of circuit 2 (classic route), where you can also visit the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Plaza, the Sacred Fountains, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, and the Agricultural Terraces.

How to get there?

To visit the Three Doorways building, you must follow the following route from the Machu Picchu entrance gate:

• From the entrance gate of circuit 2 of Machu Picchu, you must ascend to the lower terrace, ideal for taking dream photographs (route approximately 15 minutes).
• From this place, you must descend to the urban sector. There you can visit constructions such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, and the Temple of the 3 Windows (route approximately 60 minutes).
• From the urban sector of Machu Picchu, you must continue on the return route which includes visiting constructions such as the Sacred Rock. There you will find the Three Doorways complex (route approximately 30 minutes).
• Finally, you must follow the return route to the Machu Picchu exit gate visiting constructions such as: the Water Mirrors Hall, the Water Fountains, or the agricultural terraces sector.

View from outside the Three Doorways building

History of the Three Doorways

• The Three Doorways building was constructed by order of Emperor Pachacutec in the mid-15th century along with the rest of the buildings of the Inca citadel.
• The stones used in its construction came from quarries located in Machu Picchu. The labor force came from the northern side of Tahuantinsuyo, more than 2,000 kilometers away.
• During the Vilcabamba Wars (from 1532 to 1572 A.D.) the population of Machu Picchu gradually abandoned the site.
• Gradually, the dense vegetation covered Machu Picchu. Thus, for more than 400 years the Inca city was forgotten until in 1911 the American explorer Hiram Bingham announced its worldwide discovery.

Which Machu Picchu ticket allows visiting the Three Doorways?

The Three Doorways building can be visited with the following Machu Picchu tickets:

Visiting Hours

• The Three Doorways building can be visited every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The 10 entry time slots are given at one-hour intervals, starting from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Rooms of the Three Doorways – Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu ticket time slots
Each of the 10 Machu Picchu entry tickets has different time slots; some have only two entry groups, others four, and some up to ten, such as the Classic Designed Route (2-A) and Classic Lower Terrace Route (2-B) tickets, which include the visit to the Three Doorways construction.

More information for your visit

• The Three Doorways building is one of the most spacious in Machu Picchu. It is ruled out that it had a religious function. Most likely, it was a workshop for making ceramics, textiles, and more.
• During your visit to the Three Doorways building, don’t miss the opportunity to see other famous Machu Picchu constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Main Plaza, among many others.
• During your visit to the Three Doorways building, don’t miss the opportunity to visit other famous Machu Picchu constructions such as: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or the Temple of the 3 Windows.
• Remember to book your ticket for the classic Machu Picchu circuit 3 months in advance. This way, you can visit the incredible Three Doorways.
• Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, where you can enjoy different climates according to the season of your visit. The dry season (April to October) and the rainy season (November to March).
• Within Machu Picchu, there are 3 walking circuits, and each of the 10 tickets follows one of these routes. Visiting the Three Doorways is only possible through circuit 2 (classic route).
• For a better adventure in the historic sanctuary, it is recommended to acclimate in Cusco during the first days of your trip to avoid altitude sickness.
• By booking your travel experience with Boletomachupicchu, you will find a great variety of options to make your trip unforgettable. Consult with our advisors about all available tour packages.

Questions and answers about the Three Doorways at Machu Picchu

• 1. What was the function of the Three Doorways building?

  The Three Doorways complex served as a workshop in Machu Picchu (for making ceramics and textiles). It is also believed to have served as a storage (colca) or as housing for the working class.

• 2. Where is the Three Doorways building located?

  This Inca construction is located on the northern side of the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

• 3. Which ticket allows visiting this Inca construction?

  You can visit the Three Doorways building with the following tickets that include the classic circuit: a) Machu Picchu Classic Designed Route (2A) and b) Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace Route (2B).

• 4. What is the history of the Three Doorways building?

  This construction was commissioned by the Inca emperor Pachacutec in the mid-15th century. It was gradually abandoned during the Vilcabamba Wars (16th century). Today, it is one of Machu Picchu’s tourist attractions.

• 5. What are the visiting hours for this Inca construction?

  The Three Doorways building can be visited every day of the year from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 6. Can I enter the Three Doorways building at Machu Picchu?

  Yes, access to this Inca construction is allowed for all tourists visiting the archaeological site.

• 7. How much does it cost to visit the Three Doorways building?

  Tickets for circuit 2 of Machu Picchu cost 152 soles for adults, 77 soles for university students, and 70 soles for minors under 18 years old.

• 8. Which Machu Picchu circuit allows visiting the Three Doorways building?

  You can visit this Inca construction by taking Machu Picchu circuit 2, known as the classic route, which requires booking 3 months in advance.

• 9. How can I visit the Three Doorways building with a professional guide?

  If you do not visit Machu Picchu with an all-inclusive tour, you can request the services of a professional guide at the Machu Picchu entrance gate (cost approximately 8 USD per visitor).

• 10. What other Inca constructions can I visit besides the Three Doorways building?

  On your visit to Machu Picchu via circuit 2, you can also see Inca constructions such as: Temple of the Sun, Main Temple, Temple of the 3 Windows, Main Plaza, Sacred Fountains, Water Mirrors, Sacred Rock, and some agricultural terraces. Enjoy the wonder of the world!

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Aurelia K.

“Machu Picchu is everything I expected“

“Visiting the Three Doorways Building was amazing. I was impressed by how it is built and how well it has been preserved. Being there, surrounded by history and nature, was something unique. It really makes you think about all that the Incas achieved. It’s a place you have to see in person.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 15, 2025