Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive attractions in the world, and in case you didn’t know, the town of Pisac is the second most sought-after place in Cusco. It attracts thousands of visitors every day, both for its ancient Inca citadel in the mountains, and for the bustling and growing “colonial” village at the base of those mountains.

• The colonial town of Pisac
• The Inca town of Pisac
• How to visit Pisac?

Inca town of Pisac

And it is not difficult to succumb to the charms of this place, moreover, in recent years has had a universal pull massively attracting followers of the new era and people from around the world who decided to make Pisac their home. It is a magnet for spiritual seekers. You can find everything from yoga retreats, to sessions with guided hallucinogenic natural medicine, with plants such as Ayahuasca and Chakruna.

But in Pisac there is more, an ancient Inca city on top of the mountains behind the village, and a world famous market.

The colonial town of Pisac

It is located 33 km from Cusco, is reached by a paved road and is where the guided tours of the Sacred Valley of the Incas begin. Founded in 1570 by Viceroy Toledo, the city of Pisac is located in an original Inca settlement. Strategically built along the Urubamba River, the town has grown to cover much of the valley floor on both sides of the river. The oldest buildings of the town are located around a central plaza with a pisonay tree in the middle, from where all the central streets start.

The handicraft market of Pisac

The world famous Pisac market is held every day, although it is on Sundays when it is completely filled with traders and visitors from all over. The stalls are spread out in the main plaza and extend down the sloping streets to the foot of the mountain; literally hundreds of individual stalls, stretching the length and breadth of the plaza and continuing into the adjoining streets. Although many of the vendors sell similar products, such as alpaca wool fabrics and handicrafts, there are some stalls that sell unique and quality products, ideal for a great souvenir of this beautiful town.

One of the most fun parts of shopping in this quaint market and what you should be prepared for is negotiating for your purchases; asking for a discount and agreeing on a price is part of the buying process.

Pisac handicraft market

The Inca town of Pisac

The ancient Inca village of Pisac is located in the mountains behind the colonial town. Situated on the mountain slopes, it is a must-see for anyone who wants to tour the Sacred Valley, or if you are on your way to Machu Picchu. However, it is unknown to most tourists. If you want to experience something different, be sure to include the hike to the ancient Inca city of Pisac in your itinerary.

This ancient Inca settlement is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru, and one of the best previews of what you will see at Machu Picchu. Many researchers suggest that the name Pisac derives from the Quechua (language of the Incas) word “Pisaca”, which means partridge, and that the wings of the bird are represented by the vast agricultural terraces.

In Pisac (Inca) you can see the largest and oldest Inca cemetery in South America, a residential settlement and ceremonial baths; down the mountain is the temple complex, exquisitely carved in pink granite; it has a temple of the Sun, ceremonial altars, water channels and wells. A few meters further down you can see a beautiful urban area, surrounded by agricultural terraces that intermingle with the natural curvatures of the mountain landscape.

How to visit Pisac?

To enter the ruins of Pisac or any other while touring the Sacred Valley, you will need to have in your possession the Cusco tourist ticket. The partial ticket – Circuit 3 “Sacred Valley Archaeological Sites”, includes archaeological sites in Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray.

Most people visit the site as part of a group, which includes a guide who will take you through the Inca city of Pisac, with free time to tour the colonial town and the Pisac market. It is possible to get a different history of Pisac from different guides, and it is great fun to compare it with the stories of others.

The tour of the amazing Inca constructions of Pisac will take you between 2 and 3 hours; you will walk from the town square to the ancient Inca village at the top of the mountain. However, a less strenuous way to visit the archaeological site is to take a cab from the village and go around the back of the mountain, along a road that will take you to the top, touring the ruins from this place will take about 2 hours.

If you have time, we recommend spending at least a full day in Pisac, its market and its magnificent Inca constructions. You can include the restaurant in the organized tour and we will choose it for you, or you can see your options. Although they will be quite limited; there are some country restaurants on the way out, around the plaza there are also some good restaurants offering a varied menu.

General view of the town of Pisac

Advice from people who have been there

Pisac

By: Tania A.

“Beautiful place to connect“

“I spent about 6 hours in this place, walked through all its streets and archaeological sites, and everything I could observe was just great. There are people from all over the world living peacefully in this town. On the day of your visit I recommend bringing water, something raincoat just in case, the weather is changeable. It is one of the most beautiful places in the whole valley. Wear comfortable shoes.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 10, 2024