The Incas called it the House of the Sun, and it stands just north of the main square of Cusco. Today we know it as Sacsayhuaman, the great Inca park of the city. This guide explains what it is, how to get there, what your ticket covers and the rules for 2026. Facts come from the official website of the Cusco office of Peru’s Ministry of Culture (DDC Cusco). This is an independent guide, not the official peru.travel site.
New to the city? Start with our first day in Cusco guide. For a trip with everything arranged, compare the Fullviajes tour packages for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
What Sacsayhuaman is
The DDC Cusco calls it the most important place after the Inca city of Cusco itself. It was known as “the House of the Sun of Hanan Qosqo.” Today, however, the official name is Saqsaywaman.
Work began under the ninth Inca ruler, Pachakuteq. Then his heirs kept building it. The DDC Cusco names Topa Inka Yupanqui, Huayna Qhapaq and Huáscar Inka.
In colonial times, people took some of its stones away. They used them to build churches and large houses in Cusco. So what you see today is only part of the original work.
What to see at Sacsayhuaman
The protected area is much bigger than the famous walls. It is a national archaeological park with 96 archaeological sites, says the DDC Cusco.
If you have little time, start with the main monumental area. It has these parts:
- The Baluartes. These are the huge zigzag walls in the photo above.
- Muyuqmarca. A sector named in the official list of the monumental area.
- The Rodadero. Another named sector of the monumental area.
- The Chinkana. The last sector named in that list.
Other sites inside the park also include Q’enqo, Tambomachay, Kallachaca, Patallaqta and Amaro–Markawasi.
Take your time at the walls. When you stand close, look at how each stone has its own shape. Then walk the short loop at an easy pace.
Key facts at a glance
These numbers come from the DDC Cusco page for the park:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | North of the Plaza de Armas of Cusco |
| Opening hours | 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Size | 2,997.265 hectares |
| Perimeter | 62,040.10 meters |
| Archaeological sites | 96 |
| Access | Flat entrance and a Short Tourist Circuit |
The flat entrance and the short circuit also help visitors who prefer an easier walk.
How to get to Sacsayhuaman from the Plaza de Armas
The park sits just north of the main square. You can walk up through two old Inca neighborhoods. They are Qolqampata, today San Cristóbal, and Toqocachi, today San Blas. Both still have footpaths that lead up to the park.
There are also two paved roads for cars and taxis:
- Calle Saphy. It goes up through the Llaullipata sector, straight to the park.
- Avenida Circunvalación. It crosses the park toward the Sacred Valley. On the way, it passes Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
Cusco is high, so walk slowly on your first day. Our altitude sickness guide has simple tips.
Which Cusco Tourist Ticket covers Sacsayhuaman
First, know that entry is part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket. According to COSITUC, the office that runs it, Sacsayhuaman is in Circuit I. That circuit has four sites:
| Circuit I site | What it is |
|---|---|
| Sacsayhuaman | The national archaeological park with the big walls |
| Q’enqo | A site inside the same park, on the road to the Sacred Valley |
| Puka Pukara | A site on the same road, past Q’enqo |
| Tambomachay | The fourth site on that road, also inside the park |
COSITUC sells a partial ticket for Circuit I with one day of validity. Its full ticket, however, covers Circuits I, II and III for ten days. So plan all four Circuit I sites for the same day if you buy the partial ticket.
Not sure which ticket to buy? Read our Cusco Tourist Ticket guide.
Rules at Sacsayhuaman
The DDC Cusco lists these rules for visitors:
- Visit only during opening hours.
- Do not bring food into the site.
- Do not climb or paint the walls.
- Do not bring animals.
- Do not fly drones without DDC Cusco permission.
- Do not bring alcohol or drugs.
- Do not film or take photos for commercial use without permission.
- Do not camp inside the site.
These rules are simple, but they help protect the walls for the next visitors.
A simple half-day plan
Here is one easy order for a first visit:
- Start early with your Cusco Tourist Ticket in hand.
- Walk the main walls of Sacsayhuaman first.
- Take a taxi along the Circunvalación road to Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
- Head back before the 5:30 p.m. closing time.
Pack water, a hat and sunscreen for the hill. Also wear comfortable shoes and carry a light jacket.
Want to add the Sacred Valley next? See our Sacred Valley day trip guide. If you have more days, our 8-day itinerary with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu adds the rest of the region.
Final word
Sacsayhuaman is an easy first visit from central Cusco. It is a large Inca park just north of the main square. It opens from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Your entry is in Circuit I of the Cusco Tourist Ticket. Also follow the DDC Cusco rules and go slowly on the hill. You will leave with a clear idea of how great Inca builders were.
