If you’re traveling to Cusco and think you’ve already explored the most iconic sites, we’ll provide you with a list of the best off-the-beaten-track activities to do in your free time. Cusco is a city where you’ll always find something new to do, from historical tours to nature walks. Discover must-see plans for your free time in the city of the Incas.

• Cusco in your free time
  • Zone X
  • Walk to the Devil’s Balcony
  • Casa Concha Museum
  • Holistic Activities
  • Popular fairs
  • Visit to viewpoints
• Tips and recommendations
• Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting the Devil’s Balcony in Cusco

Cusco in your free time

The city of Cusco isn’t just about its tourist attractions; it’s a place steeped in so much culture and diversity that you’ll find a wide variety of options to further enrich your trip to this sacred land. Without a destination in mind, just wandering its streets is an adventure.

But if you’re looking for more elaborate plans, we offer historical tours where you can expand your knowledge of Inca and pre-Inca culture. We also offer immersive plans where you can learn a different perspective on Cusco’s traditions and how they intertwine with the diversity of today. (Places you can visit for free in Cusco).

Cusco is surrounded by valleys, which is why when leaving the city we will find immense green areas where we can enjoy short excursions and picnics, a wide range of options to make the most of our free time in Cusco with simple plans without having to make long journeys.

City Tour in Cusco
If you want to discover Cusco’s most notable tourist attractions, this City Tour is for you. On this tour, you’ll get to know the Cathedral, the Temple of Qoricancha, the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, the Qenqo archaeological center, the Puca Pucara archaeological park, and the Tambomachay archaeological center. All in a half-day adventure to make the most of your trip to Cusco.

• Zone X

  An alternative to touring the Qenqo Forest is Zone X, a vast expanse of green spaces where you can have all kinds of adventures. From the moment you arrive, you’ll have the option to explore it on horseback. Further ahead, you’ll see small peaks that will give you a glimpse of the beauty of the place.

  In Zone X, we can also have a picnic, a sports day with friends and family, or take short excursions , because this place also contains small archaeological remains that add a lot of mysticism to the place. One of its most famous sites is the Temple of the Moon, where we can visit and experience the energy that many say emanates from this place.

  To get to Zone X, you’ll need to take a private taxi or public transportation, which will take you from downtown Cusco in approximately 25 minutes. Remember that Zone X can be visited at any time of day.

  
  Archaeological remains – Zone X

• Walk to the Devil’s Balcony

  If hiking is your thing, the Devil’s Balcony route is one of the best free adventures in Cusco . This tour begins in the city, from where we’ll head toward Sacsayhuamán. The hike begins behind this archaeological site; many nearby businesses can help you find the right route.

  The hike to the Devil’s Balcony takes approximately an hour and a half, depending on your pace. There are no steep climbs or difficult sections. We’ll follow a mostly flat path amidst Cusco’s native flora until we reach a small canyon, where we’ll enter a small natural cave with a viewing platform inside.

  The adventure of the Devil’s Balcony doesn’t end there, either. We can descend and enter a much larger cave where, depending on the season, we can see waterfalls. It’s a perfect place for a picnic or simply relaxing surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

  
  Devil’s Balcony

• Casa Concha Museum

  Also known as the Machu Picchu Museum, the Casa Concha Museum displays artifacts extracted from the Inca citadel during its first excavations in 1912 by Hiram Bingham. The museum’s collection includes more than 350 pieces of ceramics, stone objects, bones, textiles, and silver, providing a much more complete overview of Inca culture after your visit to Machu Picchu.

  Visiting museums is an ideal option in Cusco, as most are located within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas. The Casa Concha Museum is located just five minutes from the plaza, on Santa Catalina Street. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and tickets can only be purchased at the on-site ticket office.

  
  Tourist looking at ceramics at the Casa Concha Museum

• Holistic Activities

  Cusco is a land steeped in mysticism, its very culture steeped in traditions wrapped in energy and harmony with the surrounding nature. This is why many wellness centers and holistic activities are centered in Cusco.

  On our tour, we’ll find lighthearted activities such as yoga, meditation, energy cleansing, and even deeper rituals like Ayahuasca and San Pedro. These activities will allow us to discover a different perspective, thanks to their peaceful and informed surroundings, surrounded by nature, ideal for finding peace and tranquility.

  The best place to do this may be the Sacred Valley, but within the city we can also find lighthearted options to fill our itinerary with activities that give us greater meaning.

• Popular fairs

  Cusco’s popular fairs bring color to the weekends and holidays throughout the city. In the main squares, you’ll always find small markets selling a wide range of handicrafts, accessories, plants, books, clothing, and even a variety of cuisine.

  One of the most popular fairs is the Plaza Túpac Amaru fair, a great Saturday morning activity where you can explore local businesses, buy a small souvenir, or buy some flowers to brighten up any space. Another plaza where this type of fair is regularly held is Plaza San Pedro and in some parking lots along Amauta or Magisterio streets.

• Visit to viewpoints

  Thanks to the city’s geography, we’ll find many viewpoints in the surrounding area that offer a moment of tranquility surrounded by beautiful views. Among the most notable are the Cristo Blanco, Cruzmoqo, San Cristóbal, San Blas, Pikol Hill, and the Qenqo Forest.

  There are so many different viewpoints in Cusco that when you visit them, there won’t be too many people, so you can relax and enjoy them. Many of them are also located next to green spaces, so you can enjoy many other activities while visiting them.

Tips and recommendations

If you’d like to learn more about the must-see attractions in Cusco during your free time, we’ll provide a series of tips and recommendations to enhance your experience and improve your knowledge as you explore these incredible places.

• Exploring Cusco’s historic center is an activity in itself. Discover the most important streets of this incredible city and the history behind them.
• Keeping your distance during your first few days in Cusco is essential to avoid altitude sickness.
• The hike to the Devil’s Balcony is completely free and safe, but remember that doing it in a group can make the experience even more enjoyable.
• If you are in Cusco during the rainy season (November – March), be prepared at all times with waterproof clothing or a rain poncho, as the weather can be drizzled at any time.
• When visiting Cusco during the dry season (April to October), we will find more stable and clear weather, although there are usually more visitors.
• Remember that you can explore Zone X without a guide; it’s easy to find your way around, and there are many locals who can recommend ideal places to rest.
• Traveling to Cusco to perform rituals such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro is ideal, as they are carried out in a completely safe and informed environment.
• Remember that you can visit Cusco’s best museums with the comprehensive tourist ticket for Circuit 2, which includes admission to the Pachacútec monument, the Regional History Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, and the Folk Art Museum.
• Each of the places on the list allows you to take a break near some natural sites or parks, so you can take a breather during your tour.
• Remember that along with Boletomachu Picchu, you can book experiences in Cusco. Ask our advisors about all the options available to enhance your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) What is the best time to visit the viewpoints in Cusco?

  Most of the viewpoints in Cusco can be visited at any time of day, but the best times are during sunrise or sunset.

• 2) Is a guide needed to visit Zone X or the Devil’s Balcony?

  A guide is not required to visit Zona X or the Devil’s Balcony. Both sites are easily accessible, although it’s advisable to research the route thoroughly before starting the hike.

• 3) Is it safe to do these hikes on your own?

  Yes, the trails are safe and popular with locals and tourists alike. However, it’s recommended to hike them during the day.

• 4) What kind of holistic activities can be done in Cusco?

  In Cusco, you can participate in yoga classes, meditation sessions, energy cleansings, therapeutic massages, and even rituals like Ayahuasca or San Pedro, conducted by specialized guides.

• 5) Where can I find popular fairs during the week?

  The busiest fairs tend to take place on weekends. The Plaza Túpac Amaru fair, for example, is especially active on Saturday mornings. However, you can also find fairs in plazas and parks in neighborhoods like San Pedro, Magisterio, and Amauta on holidays.

• 6) How to get to Zone X from the center of Cusco?

  You can take a private taxi or van to the Sacsayhuamán area and then walk a few minutes to enter the forest. The entire trip from the center takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

• 7) Is it possible to combine several activities in a single day?

  Yes, many of these plans can be easily combined. For example, you can hike to the Devil’s Balcony in the morning and spend the afternoon at a local fair.

• 8) What museums are near the historic center?

  The Casa Concha Museum is an excellent option, just five minutes from the Plaza de Armas. You can also visit the Regional Historical Museum, the Museum of Popular Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, all within walking distance from the city center.

• 9) Do I need a ticket for the museums in the center?

  Yes, most museums require admission, some of which are included in the Circuit 2 tourist ticket. Others, like the Casa Concha Museum, sell their tickets directly at the box office.

• 10) What is the weather like in Cusco?

  The climate in Cusco has two seasons. April to October is the dry season, with sunny days and cool nights. November to March is the rainy season, so be prepared with waterproof clothing.

Advice from people who have been there

Zone X

By: Martha R.

“A magical forest“

“It was a light but magical walk. I did not expect to find so much tranquility so close to the city. The Temple of the Moon transmitted a unique energy to me. I took fruit and stayed to read in the middle of the forest, I highly recommend it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 4, 2025