9 Things to Do in Cusco at Night

Among the plans that Cuzco has to offer, the night-time activities are undoubtedly the most important. Although many of them can also be done during the day, the night gives them a mystical and magical touch that is well worth experiencing. From wandering the streets to entering museums or exploring the viewpoints, Cuzco has many surprises in store for you.

Nightlife is very active in this city. You can visit bars and discos and have a great night out. These places offer a variety of drinks and food that you will surely love. If you prefer to cook for yourself, a night cooking class will be the best option for you.

Booking a tour in Cuzco at night is one of the must-do experiences during your visit to this mythical Peruvian city. You will have the opportunity to explore the main tourist attractions and most famous sites. Besides, at night you will see a different perspective than during the day, it will be like getting to know a different place.

Generally, the tour starts in the historical centre of the city. You will pass through the Plaza de San Francisco, the botanical garden, the National College of Sciences and Arts and the Arch of Santa Clara. Other points of interest include the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus. These last two will impress you. In fact, I recommend that you book your ticket for the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus.

Finally, you will pass through the Calle del Sol, the Palace of the Inca Pachaquteq, the Church of Santo Domingo and the Temple of Qoricancha. The whole tour takes about two hours and is always on foot, so you should wear good shoes.

The Plaza de Armas of Cuzco is one of the most emblematic sites of the city. Although it is usually a frequent destination during the day, exploring it at night has a more special touch. After dark, the square is illuminated and everything around it, including the Cathedral. It's an incredible postcard. This square is usually included if you book the Cuzco sightseeing bus.

The colonial architecture of this site has the power to transport visitors to a bygone era. Near the square you will also find a variety of activities and places worth visiting, especially restaurants. You can make the most of the occasion and try a delicious Peruvian-style dinner. Some of the places offer a lively atmosphere with live music. Others are handicraft shops.

It is worth noting that this square is often included in city tours, so you can save time and money by booking one of these tours. If you don't feel like taking a tour of the whole city, a stroll through the square at sunset is a great way to end your day. The best experience might be to just sit on one of the benches and enjoy the atmosphere and watch the locals stroll around.

Booking an excursion to Rainbow Mountain is a must. This famous tourist destination is located just a few hours from Cuzco and is an ideal place for camping.

If you book a camping tour, the guide will give you all sorts of details about the site and the reason for its impressive colours. Before sunset, you can make several stops along the way to appreciate the scenery - take as many photos as you like! Finally, you will arrive at the specific camping area. Enjoy the sunset and watch the starry night sky.

The next morning, get up early to see the sunrise. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience! After breakfast, you will start your journey back to the city. Before arriving, there is always a stop for lunch. The best thing about doing these tours from Cuzco is that the organisers include everything you need to make sure you are always comfortable.

Among the best museums in Cuzco is the Museo de Arte Precolombino which closes its doors at 10pm. If you are looking for things to do at night in Cuzco, this is one of the best options. The cost of a visit to this museum is approximately €5.

The Museo de Arte Precolombino is home to an impressive collection of Peruvian pre-Hispanic art. The objects you will see include jewellery, textiles, metal items and ceramics, among others. All were meticulously crafted by the ancient peoples of this country.

In addition to seeing the vast collection of art, you can learn about Peruvian history and culture. The museum guides will explain all the details and important facts about the history of the country. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn and have a very enriching experience. One of the most outstanding advantages of visiting this museum at night is that you will find less people than during the day and your visit will be more peaceful and relaxed.

Interesting details

• Price: around 5 €.
• Opening hours: daily from 8am to 10pm. Maximum entry time is 9.30pm.
• Location: Plaza de las Nazarenas 231, Cuzco, Peru.

Among the best activities you can enjoy in Cuzco are the night tours around the Barrio de San Blas. This place has a charming bohemian atmosphere full of magic and music. You will be able to walk through its streets illuminated by lanterns and colonial façades.

Besides its picturesque atmosphere, the neighbourhood of San Blas has a history that dates back to the times of the Inca Empire. Back then its name was T'oqokachi, which means "salt cave". Just like today, important families dedicated to craftsmanship and architecture lived there.

As you go through the Barrio de San Blas, you will see different shops and workshops that stay open until late at night. There you will find handmade products made from textiles or metal, and even many works of art - don't hesitate to buy one and take it home with you! Among the specific places you can visit is the Church of San Blas. Afterwards, you can choose one of the restaurants in the surrounding area to enjoy a good dinner.

Around Cuzco there are a variety of hills that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can visit the viewpoints at night to see Cuzco fully illuminated and admire the scenery.

• Mirador de San Blas: This is one of the most popular viewpoints and is located in a large square with fountains and benches from where you can watch the sunset. It is also located a few kilometres away from the popular stone of the 12 angles, very popular in the city.
• Mirador de San Cristobal: Located near the main square. Thanks to the height of its location you will be able to get an excellent panoramic view. You can reach it from Cuesta Suecia and Don Bosco Street. Other famous viewpoints are the Santa Ana, Cristo Blanco and Pachacutec viewpoints.

Exploring these sites will give you some of the best views in Peru. I recommend going at sunrise or sunset to enjoy the best colours in the sky.

Peruvian folkloric dances are a spectacle you must see when you visit Cuzco. It is an activity that you can enjoy during the day or at night. During the performances, you will be able to see the colourful costumes of the dancers and their varied choreographies. Everything you see has a deeper meaning in the culture of this country.

The average cost of these shows is around 15 € and they last a maximum of two hours. You will usually find these dance performances in restaurants near the Plaza de Armas and the price quoted includes dinner and drinks. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dinner, good music and dancing.

Usually these performances include six dances and 10 songs. Each of them is performed with Andean instruments. Some performances tell stories of the region, so in addition to being entertained, you can learn a little more about Cuzco. Some of the dances you are likely to see are:

• The scissors dance: It is full of colour and the "Danzaq" dances with two scissors in his hands.
• The huayno: It is the most popular and is usually performed in several festivities and carnivals. It is considered as a dance of courtship or falling in love.

There are numerous things to do in Cuzco. In fact, it is a city known for its scenery. Besides the mountains and beautiful panoramic views, it offers beautiful night skies. For this reason, I recommend you take an astronomical tour to explore the stars that light up the night in this corner of planet Earth.

Being located in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco has a privileged location for stargazing. You can find areas with little light pollution that allow you to observe the stars more clearly. To do this astronomical tour, you must book the experience at Planetarium Cuzco. It usually includes transport, an informative talk, a projection and the observation of the stars through special telescopes.

While you do this observation, the guides will tell you the history and curious facts behind each star or constellation. In addition, you will love being in this planetarium, as it is surrounded by natural landscapes. You will enjoy a quiet night, far from the noise of the city and full of the magic of the night sky of Cuzco.

Interesting details

• Price: around 25 €.
• Opening hours: from 6pm to 8pm.
• Location: Fundo Llaullipata, Carretera a Sacsayhuamán Km2.

In Cuzco you can also visit different discotheques and nightclubs ideal to spend the night with friends. There is a plan for everyone. Depending on whether you like dancing, singing or just drinking, you will find the ideal plan for you in this city.

• One of the places I recommend is La Chupitería: the shot bar, where you can enjoy small shots of liquor and good music to dance until late at night. You can also order food to accompany your drinks and have a better night.
• If you prefer a more relaxed and quiet place, ideal for eating and drinking, I recommend you to visit Mollys Irish Bar Cusco. This place stays open until one o'clock in the morning, so you will have to go back to your hotel at that time.
• Finally, you can take into account the offer of karaoke bars in the city. There are actually a lot of places you can visit. For example, Vocé Karaoke, Woodstock Karaoke and My Way Club Karaoke. Most of these bars close their doors at three in the morning.