Photo of the Week: Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru

Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru

Often labeled as the gateway to Machu Picchu, the city of Cusco has developed into one of South America’s premier tourist destinations, and for good reason.

The city has many claims to fame – former capital of the Inca Empire, current UNESCO World Heritage Site, historical capital of Peru, archaeological capital of the Americas and, most importantly, our favourite city in South America (but Buenos Aries gives it a good run).

The Plaza de Armas, known as the “Square of the Warrior” in the Inca era, has retained many of its pre-Columbian buildings and streets, making it an living outdoor museum (although many of the historical buildings have been converted into travel agencies, hotels and restaurants that cater to the tourist masses).

This photo was captured from the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, an ancient walled complex located on a steep hill that overlooks the city of Cusco. It’s one of many sites that must be visited when traveling to Peru.

Check out these past weekly travel photos:

• Spectacular views from the clifftop Village of Oia, Santorini
• Giant sand dunes of Huacachina Peru
• Colourful Geothermal Pools in Rotorua, New Zealand
• Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Egypt
• The lively streets of Varanasi, India

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Have you visited Cusco, Peru? What did you think?
Share your experiences in the comments section below, we’d love to read about it!

See map below to find out where this photo taken.

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