Free Walking Tour of Cusco

Heading to the heart of the city

Back on the street with the blessing of San Francisco and San Pedro. The next point of interest is the colonial house of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the first mestizo chronicler of the New World. Born in 1539, this writer was the illegitimate son of a Spanish captain and the granddaughter of Emperor Túpac Yupanqui.

Today, the house where the author of the Comentarios reales—a fundamental work for understanding Inca civilisation and the colonisation process—serves as the Regional Historical Museum. We recommend visiting it afterwards.

Next, you’ll visit the famous Escuela Cuzqueña—Cuzco School (exterior visit), Espinar Square, Hotel de los Turistas (exterior visit), the renowned Mantas Street, from where you’ll also catch a glimpse of the famous El Sol Avenue, built in 1942, and the University of San Antonio Abad (exterior visit), founded in 1692.

Next, you’ll discover the ancient Huacaypata Square, better known as the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas. Despite the passage of centuries, political and social changes, and the pressures of a globalised world, it has retained its cultural roots and Andean essence.

In the Plaza de Armas, you’ll be captivated by the colonial architecture—built on the stone walls of the temples and palaces of the Children of the Sun—and by the stories told by your guide. Their voice will transport you back to how Cusco was before the Spanish “invasion,” before the fall of the Tawantinsuyo.

These images of the past will linger as you walk down Loreto Street, a narrow, cobbled road “flanked” by Inca walls. Originally called Inti K’ijllu (meaning “Street of the Sun” in English), this urban path was once used to carry the Inca on a litter to Aucaypata during the Sun Festival or Inti Raymi.

City of mansions and palaces

Let’s go! the free tour of Cusco isn’t over yet. There are more streets to explore, calmly and without rushing. That’s the best combination when walking at 3,399 m.a.s.l. This way, you’ll reach Romeritos Street without getting winded, where you’ll find the mansion of Francisco Pizarro, the conquistador who took Cusco in 1534.

The final steps. The last attractions. The iconic Stone of 12 Angles, a masterpiece of pre-Hispanic masonry. It fits perfectly without the use of mortar. Located on Hatun Rumiyoc (“the street with the big rock” in English), it’s the perfect prelude to your visit to Pachacútec’s palace.

Discover the Cusicancha Palace, the residence of the ruler who consolidated and expanded the Tawantinsuyo after defeating the Chanka civilisation, the nemesis of the Inca nation. Pachacútec (1438 – 1471 AD) is credited with designing the magnificent Machu Picchu.

Your journey through Cusco’s past ends near the palace of the Andean “reformer” (which is what Pachacútec means in English) and the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, a city that you’ll now see with different eyes and feel closer to, perhaps a little more your own.

It’s time to say goodbye, to express thanks, to bid farewells, and to leave tips that are much appreciated. If you want to experience what we’ve just described, book our Free Walking Tour of Cusco. Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for walking with us!

What is the group size for free tours?

We usually have groups of 10 people.

Are the free tours conducted in only one language?

Yes, the guided tours are 95% in English or Spanish. We do not mix English and Spanish groups — we do not offer bilingual free tours.