Complete Visit Guide to Pisac (Ruins, Markets, and More!)
Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Kelly
Pisac is a small town in Peru that’s located about 20 miles northeast of Cusco. Most travelers fly into Cusco to begin their journey to the ruins of Machu Picchu, but it’s worthwhile spending a day in the Sacred Valley exploring Pisac. There’s an impressive display of Inca ruins on the hill adjacent to Pisac. (Just don’t make our mistake by missing the main citadel!)
Pisac is known as the “City of Towers” because there are over 20 Inca towers on the mountainside looking over the village.
Pisac is also famous for its market, which is filled with brightly-colored textiles and fresh produce. Many of the townspeople in Pisac dress in traditional Peruvian clothing as well.
We had an extra day in Cusco, so we decided to check out Pisac. It ended up being one of our favorite places in the Sacred Valley!
If you’re looking for a memorable day trip from Cusco, visiting Pisac is well-worth the journey. Visiting Pisac was one of our favorite things from our trip to Peru! In this post, we’ll share a complete guide to visiting Pisac, Peru.
About Pisac
Pisac was built by the Inca in the 15th century, when emperor Pachacuti took over the Cuyos. Pachacuti built residences, religious sites, and on observatory. The exact purpose that the citadel served is unknown. Pisac could have been a retreat for Inca nobility, or it could have served as a refuge if Cusco was ever under threat.
When the Spanish arrived to Peru, they took over Pisac in the early 1530s. The modern town of Pisac was then built in the valley beneath the Inca city in 1570.
Today, Pisac has approximately 11,000 inhabitants.
How to Get There
Pisac is located about 20 miles away from Cusco. After flying into Cusco, it’s fairly easy to get to Pisac. When we visited Pisac, we took a colectivo (shared mini bus). It was a very affordable option (less than a couple US dollars for a one-way fare).
In hindsight, though, I think it would have been more convenient to take a taxi. If you arrange a taxi pick-up at your hotel, they can make sure that you are taking a licensed taxi. When you’re leaving Pisac, look for a taxi in front of the bridge on Avenida Amazonas, where there is a taxi office.
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What to See in Pisac
Inca Ruins
The Inca ruins are the most popular thing to see in Pisac. The ruins are located at the top of the mountain’s crest. The ruins are one of the most well-preserved Inca archaeological sites in all of Peru. There’s clear remnants of an observatory, residential buildings, religious sites, agricultural terraces, and the largest Inca cemetery.
To reach the ruins in Pisac, you have two options. You can either hike up the hill, or you can take a taxi to the entrance of the ruins.
The trail to the top of the mountain is moderate to difficult. The trail is 3.3 miles long and has a total elevation gain of over 1,600 feet. Most people spend about 1.5 hours hiking up the mountain. The trailhead is located in the town of Pisac. We stumbled upon the trailhead after walking around the Plaza Constitución, which is the main square in Pisac.
I believe we found the trailhead by walking north on Intihuatana street, but you can ask anyone and they can point you to it. Portions of the trail are very steep, so take your time hiking up. The views along the way of the Sacred Valley are incredible!
Once you reach the Inca ruins, you’ll pay a small fee to enter. It’s believed that the ruins are in the shape of a partridge’s wing, as pisac in the Quechua language means “partridge.” The ruins are divided into four primary areas: Pisaqa (residences), Intihuatana (palaces and temples), Q’allaqasa (citadel), and Kinchiracay (lookout post).
Some people recommend taking a taxi to the top, and then hiking down the trail back to town. (That would be much easier, and you can still enjoy the views!)
Pisac Market
The Pisac artisan’s market is held in the Plaza Constitución, and it’s truly an awesome market! Be sure to take your time exploring all of the stalls. We saw lots of woven textiles, alpaca wool items, handmade belts, silver jewelry, artwork, and fresh produce.
Sunday is the best day to visit the market, because that’s when folks from the rural areas travel to Pisac to sell their goods. The market will have its best selection on Sunday. I’ve read elsewhere online that the market is also active on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and other websites have stated it’s open every day. Before heading to Pisac, I’d just double-check with your hotel’s front desk about the operating hours. We can personally attest that Sunday was a great day to visit though!
If you’re hungry, there’s also a wide variety of street food. We personally really loved eating choclo (boiled corn served with a slice of cheese). You’ll probably also find empanadas and fresh produce.
Felipe Marín Moreno Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico Felipe Marín Moreno)
The Felipe Marín Moreno Botanical Gardens were named after the botanist that created the space in 1917. The garden has a large display of cacti, potatoes, and orchids. The garden’s located nearby the main plaza in Pisac. There’s a small entrance fee.
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Potato Park (Parque de la Papa)
About a 20-minute drive north of the main plaza in Pisac is the Potato Park. The park is dedicated to ecological conservation, and it is managed by 5 indigenous communities: Amaru, Chawaytire, Pampallacta, Paru Paru, and Sacaca. From what we’ve read online, you need to book a tour ahead of time. There are over 1,400 types of potatoes that are farmed there!
Unucha Spa
If you’re tired after a long day of hiking, you can head to the Pisac Inn where they have an open-air spa. There’s a jacuzzi, herbal baths, and sauna. You can also book a massage.
Restaurants
Here’s a few restaurants to consider while you’re in Pisac:
- Tumi Del Inka: Located right off of the Plaza Constitución.
- La Ruta: Gourmet restaurant with beautifully-plated dishes
- Cuchara de Palo Restaurant: Located in the Pisac Inn
Our Experience in Pisac
We took a colectivo from Cusco to spend the day in Pisac. The Urubamba River was flowing heavily after the rainy season, and it was quite a sight to behold!
We first visited the Pisac market. We took our time exploring all the stalls. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken more photos of the market! There were so many beautiful textiles with vibrant patterns.
We didn’t do a lot of research prior to our excursion, and we sort of stumbled upon the trailhead to the Inca ruins. We thought the hike wouldn’t be that big of a deal, but it was more strenuous than we thought for a little impromptu hike. The hike, though, was one of my favorite experiences from our trip to Peru. The views of the Sacred Valley were absolutely spectacular!
Because we didn’t research this trip in advance, we thought we had reached the ruins when we saw the lookout towers on the mountain top. After resting for awhile we hiked back down. We had no idea that the main citadel was still down the path, so we missed the entire thing! I guess we have another reason to go back to Pisac!
We had a quick meal back in Pisac before hopping on board the colectivo back to Cusco. I had a bad stomach ache and was still recovering from altitude sickness, and the colectivo was pretty crowded. If I could do it again, I would just hire a private taxi.
Summary
Pisac is one of the best off-the-beaten path places to visit in Peru! It’s close proximity to Cusco makes it easy to visit as a day trip. Be sure to see the Inca ruins and the artisan market. Have fun on your trip!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please see individual websites embedded in this post for the most current trip-planning information.
