Get the app

Sight Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary

A sight in Machu Picchu, pricey ($$$) and worth about 3 hours. Best time to go: First entry.

Open in Google Maps Apple Maps
Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
Photo: bobistraveling · CC BY 2.0 · license

Why go

The Inca citadel on its ridge, visited on fixed circuit routes with timed entry.

It is one of 9 curated places we feature in Machu Picchu, alongside 4 activities, 2 sights and 1 place for a drink. 2 more of our picks sit within 1 km in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum and Huayna Picchu.

Type
Sight · Culture
Price
$$$
Time needed
3 hr
Best time
First entry

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Machu Picchu, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum

    Museum near Puente Ruinas explaining Inca construction, with a botanical garden.

    Sight · 0.7 km straight-line
  2. 2
    Huayna Picchu

    Steep stone-step climb to the peak behind the classic view, with ruins at the top.

    Activity · 0.8 km straight-line
  3. 3
    Machu Picchu Mountain

    Longer, less exposed climb than Huayna Picchu with wide views of the citadel and valley.

    Activity · 1.3 km straight-line
  4. 4
    Mapacho Craft Beer Restaurant

    Riverside restaurant pouring Cusco-brewed craft beer with Andean dishes.

    Drinks · 2.3 km straight-line
  5. 5
    Indio Feliz

    Long-running French-Peruvian bistro with set menus and a quirky, decorated dining room.

    Food · 2.4 km straight-line
  6. 6
    Inti Punku (Sun Gate)

    Gateway on the Inca Trail with the first view down onto the citadel.

    Activity · 2.5 km straight-line

On these curated routes

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary is a stop on our Cusco & Machu Picchu route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More sights to see in Machu Picchu

Another curated sight in Machu Picchu. See the full Machu Picchu guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Machu Picchu run from 19°C in February to 22°C in September; December is usually the wettest month. For Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary itself, we suggest: First entry.

Modelled monthly averages for Machu Picchu from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Machu Picchu weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
08680, Peru
Coordinates
-13.16320, -72.54526
Destination
Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary: quick answers

How much time do you need at Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary?

Plan on about 3 hours at Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary?

Our pick: First entry. Insider tip: Buy tickets and circuit far in advance; a guide is required.

Where is Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary?

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary is at 08680, Peru. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary?

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary appears on Cusco & Machu Picchu, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Machu Picchu.

Get TripsCircle

Plan Machu Picchu

Lists & regions

Also in Machu Picchu

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.