How to Spend a Day in Pisac, Peru

Located in the magical Sacred Valley of Peru is a small, charming village called Pisac. Pisac is located just about an hour from Cusco, making it an easy place to explore for a day or even have a fun stopover for a couple of nights. It’s situated on the Urubamba River with beautiful scenery and surroundings. Pisac is known for its vibrant, lively markets and incredible ancient ruins. It’s most definitely a place worth putting on your Peru bucket list!

Hopefully, you’re here because you’ve heard about Pisac and want to know more. Or possibly you’re planning a trip to Peru and trying to figure out the best destinations to travel to while you’re there. Either way, I’m happy to help and I hope to convince you to visit this magical little place. In this post, I’m going to share a simple one-day itinerary for visiting Pisac Peru so that you can get the most out of your time there, given you do decide to visit! I promise if you do, you won’t be disappointed!

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How To Get to Pisac

Most people visit Pisac from Cusco. It’s a very easy, inexpensive, and beautiful journey there. The best way to get there is by colectivo. Colectivos are very popular throughout Peru and chances are you will end up taking one or come across them at some point during your time there. They’re basically minivans used as a public transportation system. You pay your fee, get into the vehicle, and once it’s full, it takes off! If you, unfortunately, miss one, don’t worry! There is always another one.

When heading to Pisac from Cusco, go to Calle Puputi- this is where the collective leaves from. You will see a sign and know you’re in the right place. The cost is just about $2 USD and they leave roughly every 15 minutes (or as I mentioned, however long it takes for the colectivo to fill up). The ride is less than an hour and it’s such a stunning ride! Winding through the mountains with beautiful views of the landscape and countryside.

When you arrive in Pisac, just keep in mind where the colectivo stops to let everyone off. This is exactly where you will go when you are ready to return back to Cusco.

Is One Day Enough Time in Pisac?

Pisac is small. If you’re tight on time, you can spend a day there and be able to experience the best of it. I was staying in Cusco for a while and had a day with nothing planned so I figured it was a good opportunity to go check out something else. It was a perfect day trip and had I not had something going on the following day I would have probably spent one night there. If you have a little extra time, that’s what I would suggest. However, one day is still a perfect amount of time to experience Pisac if that’s all of the time you have.

How to Spend Your Day in Pisac

I suggest trying to arrive in Pisac around 11 am. That way you have a good portion of the day for exploring. Head to the colectivo before 10 am to ensure you give yourself enough time and get there promptly. Pisac is a very walkable town. As I mentioned, it’s not very big so getting around is easy. You’ll also notice within the town, there are no cars that drive down the cobblestone streets, which I found to be very interesting.

Have Lunch at La Valentina

La Valentina is located right in town. It’s a super cute cafe/restaurant that offers a bit of everything. They have great salads, poke bowls, sushi, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. There’s also a variety of beverages and some baked goods if you’d like to end with something sweet. This is a perfect place to start off your day!

Wander Around the Pisac Markets

After you’ve had a yummy lunch, head to the markets for some souvenir shopping. The market in Pisac is a true cultural experience. It’s colorful and vibrant! You’ll find beautiful handmade textiles, lots of clothing, jewelry, and even interesting crystals. On certain days of the week, you’ll also find a section of the market dedicated to fresh produce where many locals come and do their shopping.

Explore the Pisac Archaeological Site

My friend that I was meeting in Pisac had already toured this site, so we skipped over this while I was there so that she didn’t have to do it again. But if you have the time and the interest, I’ve only heard wonderful things about this particular site and its incredible ancient ruins. We did, however, walk up the entrance, which I highly suggest doing even if you don’t care to tour it. The view of the town from up there is breathtaking!

Take a Walk Along the River

Pisac is the best of both worlds. The town itself is so charming and quaint with wonderful cafes and restaurants. But there is also this incredible nature side to Pisac that really makes this place so special. The town is situated right on the Urubamba River and it’s a lovely area to walk along and take in the peaceful views. We walked along, found a quiet spot, and ended up hanging out there for over half an hour. With the sounds of the river and the incredible views around us, I could have stayed here all day.

Have a Juice at Kula Cafe

Kula Cafe is a perfect place to go and relax after a day of exploring and walking around. It has a very cozy, chill ambiance along with a fantastic menu. They have delicious fresh juices, superfood smoothies, coffee, and teas along with really great desserts and tons of vegan/vegetarian lunch options. It’s a great stop to make to unwind before heading back to Cusco.

Thank You For Reading

I hope you found this post useful and that it’s helped to convince you to add Pisac to your Peru itinerary! It truly is a charming, beautiful place that is worth the visit, even if it is just for a day. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and as always, happy travels!