1 Plaza de Armas
It's not unusual to see tourists strolling barefoot in this attractive plaza in the belief they're absorbing positive energy from the once-bustling Inca site. In Inca times, the plaza was a great civil square where parades and ceremonies, especially military celebrations, were held. It once had a large stone sheathed in gold known to the Incas as the Stone of War. Nowadays, colonial arcades frame the square with numerous wooden balconies offering great vantage points from which to enjoy the view, people watch and take a reprieve from the irrepressible shoeshine boys and young girls offering to pose for photos with llamas. A must-see is the magnificent 17th-century cathedral that dominates the square (5 soles or HK$12), for its solid-silver altar and the curious colonial painting of the Last Supper, in which Jesus and his 12 apostles are about to feast on guinea pig. The cathedral is open from 10am-11.30am and 2pm-5.30pm.
2 Garden of Good and Evil Catch a taxi (5 soles) as the sun is rising above the hill of El Christo Blanco, the White Christ, for a visual feast of Cusco and its houses clinging to the mountain in the golden, early light. Then, take a nearby trail to the Balcon del Diablo (Balcony of the Devil). This two-hour hike is a secret well-kept from tourists. However, you can collect a rudimentary map (usually reserved for locals) for the hike from the tourist office at Portal Mantas 117-A (8am to 8pm). Consider taking a picnic lunch for the half-day excursion, or forage for supplies at the colourful, sprawling San Pedro Market on Calle Santa Clara (7am-7pm). Stop for a delicious fruit smoothie (2.50 soles) in the market.
3 Divine intervention
4 Pisac