What to do in Maras

Head to where the action is at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, a large landscaped square bordered by shops, restaurants and ancient churches. For more than 500 years, the square has been at the heart of city life. Come to the plaza nowadays and you might see festivals, concerts and religious processions. Enjoy the lively atmosphere, admire the ornate lampposts and colonial archways and relax with a drink.

Cusco San Pedro Market is a sprawling, open-air market, with everything from produce and meat to clothing and incense. Popular with locals and visitors, the market is an entertaining destination for shoppers and anyone curious about local culture.

Venture into the archaeological park just outside Cusco’s city center to explore the ruins of Sacsayhuaman. This colossal stone fortress and temple sits on a steep hill overlooking the city and attests to the brilliance of Incan engineering. Come to observe traditional Incan ceremonies and to admire how the structure was built, noting the large limestone blocks that lock together without mortar.

The Salt Mines of Maras are a unique group of more than 3,000 working salt pans. With each pool positioned slightly lower than the last on the Andean hillside, the pans give the landscape an unusual and almost ethereal appearance.

The Moray Terraces are an enigmatic example of Incan landscaping, a large bowl-shaped depression with concentric terraces. Resembling a grassy Roman or Greek amphitheater, the terraces may have been used as a site for agricultural experimentation.