
Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
Cusco, Peru
About This Activity
Qorikancha was once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, its walls clad in 700 solid gold sheets. After the Spanish conquest, the Santo Domingo Convent was built directly on the Inca foundations — the extraordinary precision-fitted stonework is still visible beneath the colonial structure, creating one of Peru's most powerful historical juxtapositions. Admission is around S/15 (~$5 USD), open Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–5:30 PM and Sunday 2–5 PM.
Seasonal note: Year-round; dry season May–Sep is most comfortable at altitude. Note: closed Sunday mornings.
Compare with Alternatives
See how Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) stacks up against other must-see activities nearby.
See This in an Itinerary
This activity appears in 57 of our curated itineraries.
Best 5 Days in Peru
Lima → Cusco
Best 5 Days in Peru — Nature
Lima → Cusco
Best 5 Days in Peru — Adventure
Lima → Cusco
Best 5 Days in Peru — Walking Tours
Lima → Cusco
Best 5 Days in Peru — Art & Culture
Lima → Cusco
Best 5 Days in Peru — Food & Wine
Lima → Cusco
More Activities in Cusco

Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
Day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco — train, bus, and the 15th-century Inca citadel above the clouds
Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour
Full-day tour of the Inca heartland — Pisac market, Ollantaytambo fortress, Chinchero weavers

Sacsayhuamán Inca Fortress
Stand before Cusco's colossal Inca fortress walls — limestone blocks up to 300 tons fitted without mortar

Cusco Cathedral & Plaza de Armas
Explore Cusco's 16th-century cathedral — Inca gold, the guinea-pig Last Supper, and the city's vibrant heart
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Hike
Trek to 5,200m Vinicunca — Peru's vivid striped Rainbow Mountain revealed by receding glaciers

San Blas Artisan Quarter Walk
Wander Cusco's hillside artisan quarter — ceramics, textiles, rooftop views, and a remarkable carved pulpit

Cusco Food Tour at San Pedro Market
Guided tasting tour of San Pedro Market — chicha morada, anticuchos, quinoa soup, and Andean street food
Free Day in Cusco
A free day to explore Cusco at your own pace