It is an absolute joy to wander around Cusco, so it shouldn’t take much effort to keep the kids entertained through the sights and sounds of this ancient city. Mummies and mysterious artefacts from Cusco’s museums will grab the attention of older kids, while surrounding the city are endless outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking.

Hitting the Trails 
Outside of Cusco there are spectacular trails which the locals have used for centuries to get around. A hiking tour of the Inca ruins in Cusco is the most popular excursion, but you can also hit the famous Inca Trail or any number of smaller paths for an outdoor adventure. Horseback riding, and even mountain biking, are also great ways to explore the Andes between April and November.

Inca Wall Walking Tour 
Few things are more dramatic and mysterious than the stonework engineered by the Inca. The ancient streets of Cusco are filled with unbelievable stone walls with blocks that must have been cut by machine (except they weren’t). From the Plaza de Armas, head down Calle Loreto, whose walls are the oldest in Cusco and extremely impressive. Hatunrumiyoc is another street lined by polygonal stones including the famous 12-sided block that was once part of Inca Roca’s palace.

Kayaking and Canoeing 
Adventure travellers may want to consider joining a tour to raft down one of the tumbling rivers around Cusco. A lot of water flows out of the Andes, making for excellent boating conditions at all levels. The three most popular rivers near Cusco are the Urubamba, the Apurimac and the Tambopata.

Mountain Climbing
There are three mountain ranges around Cusco that are ideal for mountain climbing. Several tour operators in Cusco organise treks to the Vilcabamba, Vilcanota and Urubamba mountain ranges, where peaks top out over 6,000 metres.

Museo Inka 
Older kids will find plenty to enjoy about in the Inca Museum. Not only will they get a thorough background in pre-Inca civilisation, Inca culture, and Spanish colonialism, but they can also get a close-up view of mummies. Other cool things in this museum are Inca drinking cups, weapons and a traditional weaving shop in the building’s courtyard. Phone: +51 84 237 380.

The fusion of Inca stone foundations and Spanish colonial architecture is one of Cusco’s most significant features. There are countless temples, churches, plazas and thoroughfares still used by the locals who themselves are a mix of ancient Inca and contemporary Spanish influences. A stroll through the Barrio de San Blas neighbourhood is one of the best representations of this remarkable culture, but in truth you see it everywhere you go in Cusco.

Barrio de San Blas 
To get a real sense of the colour and vibrancy of Cusco, spend some time wandering the streets of the San Blas neighbourhood (during the day). It’s a steep climb from the Plaza de Armas, but its streets are lined with the workshops of artisans, lots of great bars and restaurants and other cool shops. Much of San Blas is pedestrianised, and the views over Cusco are outstanding.

Convento y Museo de Santa Catalina 
This 17th-century convent west of the Plaza de Armas was built over the ruins of the Acllawasi, where Inca rulers kept their Virgins of the Sun. Inside this beautiful monastery is one of Cusco’s best collections of religious and colonial art, including many important paintings by Escuela Cusqueña. The unique style of Amerindian art is well-represented in the convent’s museum. Phone: +51 84 226 032.

Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) 
Cusco’s newest museum does an excellent job with its lighting and displays to present a comprehensive collection of pre-Columbian art. In addition to the 450 pieces of art are handicrafts made from precious metals and jewels, ceramics and ancient artefacts from many regional ethnic groups. Phone: +51 84 237 380.

Templo de la Compañía de Jesús 
Across from the cathedral is this Jesuit church that is one of Cusco’s grandest and most revered institutions. It was built over the foundations of the palace of Inca Huayna Cápac, which was reputedly the most glorious of all Inca palaces. Inside are a number of priceless pieces of art, as well as a striking gilded altar.

Templo de La Merced 
This remarkable church with its lovely façade and cloisters is one of Cusco’s top spiritual landmarks. Erected in 1536, it seems as if it has been suspended in a Spanish colonial time warp. Inside is a museum of religious art featuring some magnificent solid-gold and jewel-encrusted relics. The vault contains the remains of legendary conquistadors Pizarro and Almagro. Phone: +51 84 231 831.

Cusco is not just a massive Peruvian city but also a very popular tourist destination. As such, it offers visitors a staggering range of places to eat and drink for all budgets and every taste. Most eateries are clustered around the Plaza de Armas, where the largest venues feature Andean music performances. But there are even more informal, inexpensive eateries in this area favoured by casual travellers. The narrow Calle Procuradores, also known as Gringo Alley, is a good place for cheap traditional cafés and Cusco’s legendary wood-fired pizza joints.

Cusco’s version of the sidewalk café is the quinta, traditional open-air lunchtime restaurants popular with locals who want to enjoy the bright sunny afternoons. These are the places to try Peruvian cuisine at decent prices. Fried guinea pig (cuy chactado), tamales, deep-fried pork (chicharrón), stuffed peppers (rocoto relleno), potatoes stuffed with meat or vegetables (papa relleno) and fried yucca are all well worth trying. Just remember, the quintas are only open for lunch.

Cusco is overwhelmingly acknowledged to be Peru’s centre for handicrafts. The city is a hot shopping destination, particularly for its exquisite hand-woven textiles. Ancient weaving techniques are still used to produce some of South America’s finest textiles such as alpaca wool. You’ll find places selling alpaca everywhere you turn, but only the high-end shops actually sell (and produce) the real deal. Other great buys include woodcarvings, fine ceramics, jewellery, and Amerindian art.

San Blas barrio, Plaza Regocijo, and the area around the Plaza de Armas are the best spots for shopping excursions. Prices can be shockingly low for what you get, and bargaining is standard procedure. For art and unique handicrafts, spend some extra time exploring San Blas, the hub of Cusco’s artisan community. Incredible antiques can also be found in the antique shops of San Blas. For something really exciting, be sure and visit Cusco’s Central Market. Browsing its array of food, household items and other sundries is a fascinating experience.