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Things To Do In Machu Picchu – 18 Incredible Sights!

Mark Whitman

Stretched over 13 km² (8 mi²), Machu Picchu is a wealth of interesting sights and one can literally spend hours wandering from marvel to marvel, getting lost in a city of wonders.

In order to help you get the most out of your visit to the citadel, I have put together a list of my favourite 18 things to do in Machu Picchu.

You may not get time to see them all, but hopefully you'll be able to tick off quite a few!

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Best Sights In Machu Picchu

Situated high in the Andean hills, Machu Picchu sits atop a ridge overlooking several large valleys. Its iconic status as one of the worlds most interesting places to visit means that millions of tourists enter the ancient citadel every year.

The large ruins, perfect masonry and strange architecture has baffled researchers for many years and continues to captivate visitors on mass. The ancient city certainly allows us a glimpse into the lost culture of the Incas, but the site often asks more questions than it answers.

Without further ado, here are my favourite 18 things to do in Machu Picchu!

1. The Sun Gate (Inti Punku)

sun-gate-machu-picchu

Considered to be one of the most important features of Machu Picchu, the stairs leading up to the Sun Gate are believed to have been used as a control port for people entering and exiting the city. The site is a favourite among tourists as the sunrise from the Sun Gate is simply spectacular.

Those hiking in the Inca Trail (both the 4 day, 2 day and Salkantay/Inca combo enter via the Sun Gate)

2. Huayna Picchu

climbing huayna picchu

If you want the bird's eye view of Machu Picchu seen plastered over café walls the world over, then you need to climb Huayna Picchu. Located directly behind the city, the towering mountain is actually a fairly straight forward climb and requires no technical ability. You will need to pay a bit extra though to get your climb permit.

3. The Inca Bridge

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-bridge

Built as a secret entrance for the Incan army, the bridge is carved into a cliff face on the west route just outside of Machu Picchu. There is actually no bridge, instead a stone path is carved out of the cliff rock. Where there should be a bridge, there is instead a 20 foot drop to deter unwanted guests. The gap can be bridged with several tree trunks.

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4. Watchman's Hut

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-Watchmans-Hut

After entering the city, you'll see the famous Watchman's Hut overhead. This is the perfect place to get a fantastic view over the whole city. This one of many things to do in Machu Picchu and should not be missed!

5. The Funerary Stone

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-funerary

Just outside the Watchman's Hut lies a strangely carved rock known as the Funerary Stone. Researches are still puzzled as to what it could have been used for. However, a number of historians have suggested it could have been a sacrificial altar.

6. Temple of the Sun

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-sun-temple

One of the best things to do in Machu Picchu is visit the Temple of the Sun. It's located next to the main fountain, demonstrating some of Machu Picchu's finest stone work. The temple was possibly used as an astronomical observatory and there are several niches in the temple where offerings would have been placed.

7. Royal Tomb - Palace of the Princess

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-royal-tomb

Located right next to the Temple of the Sun is the Royal tomb or Palace of the Princess. Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu, described the outer wall of the building as the finest wall in all of the Americas. Like the Sun Temple, there are tall niches for offerings and the base of the building has a sort of cave-like structure. This is why Bingham referred to the site as a 'tomb' - even though no bodies have ever been found there over time.

You may also like: History of Inca trail and how to do a day trip to Machu Picchu

8. The Fountains

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-fountains

Fed from natural spring waters by 750 metres (2,461 feet) of stone channels, Machu Picchu is alive with little fountains that fill over 16 baths! It is thought that the baths were used for purification and ritual ablutions, however, this is not known for certain.

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9. The Temple of Three Windows

the-temple-of-three-windows

Located in the Royal sector, the Temple of Three Windows is the first of three buildings that make up what Hiram Bingham described as the 'Sacred Plaza'. Like other buildings in the royal sector, the Temple of Three Windows is made up of much larger blocks of stone, some weighing 3 tons in excess! Because the three windows frame the three facing mountains perfectly, Bingham believed that the windows represented the three mythological caves from which the Ayar brothers - the three children of the sun - came onto Earth.

10. The Principal Temple

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-pricipal-temple

The second building in Bingham's Sacred Plaza is the Principal Temple, so named because of its large size. The building is a three sided edifice with beautifully cut stone and enormous foundation blocks. A kite-shaped stone is embedded in the temple which is thought to represent the Southern-Cross star formation.

11. House of the High Priest

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-priest-house

The third structure in the Sacred Plaza is the House of the High Priest. Although it is not clear if the high priest actually lived here, this is the only foundation in the plaza that has four walls. The House of the High Priest is one of the great solid structures and one of many great things to do in Machu Picchu.

12. House of Ornaments (Sacristy)

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-sacristy

Considered by many to be the finest building in Machu Picchu. The Sacristy was a room used to store ornaments as can be seen by the many niches dotted around the room. More impressively though are the two large rocks flanking the entrance. Each colossal stone has at least 30 angles carved into it!

13. Intihuatana

Intihuatana-Solar-Clock-machu-picchu

One of the most recognisable locations in Machu Picchu, Intihuatana was used by the Inca people as a sundial to predict solstices. The terraced type area that holds the pillar is not the only one of its kind as several similar structures have been found at other Incan sites dotted around the country. The shape of the pillar rock itself actually mimics that of Huayna Picchu which sits directly behind the stone.

14. Central Plaza

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-central-plaza

The Central Plaza is the large grassy area that separates the residential buildings from the functional buildings. You'll often spot the odd llama or two grazing here. Generally, authorities will not allow people on the grass.

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15. The Sacred Rock

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-sacred-rock

This giant and intriguing stone takes the shape of Putucusi Mountain which sits directly behind it. Researches are unsure what the sacred rock was used for, but one theory is that poetry and musical recitals took place in front of the stone.

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16. The Mortar/Industrial Section

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-industrial

Although not as interesting or intricate as the rest of the site, the industrial area is by far the largest section within Machu Picchu and is where the average Incan Person would have lived.

17. The Prison Group

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-condor

A complex set of rooms and passages make up the area where prisoners would have been kept. Incan prisoners were kept both above and under ground, sometimes in deep holes with cell doors. Be sure to take a look at the marvellous carving of the condor!

18. Terraces

things-to-do-in-machu-picchu-terraces

As far as things to do in Machu Picchu, no trip would be complete without visiting the many terraces that drop down the side of the ancient city. You can walk along many of these green alleyways - they are a perfect spot for a nice rest and beautiful view!

FAQs

If you have any further questions about things to do in Machu Picchu, please drop us a comment below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to Machu Picchu Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Machu Picchu. I started this guide to help trekkers like yourself get the information you need to plan for an awesome Machu Picchu trekking experience. Over 1 million people have used Machu Picchu Trek to plan their adventure to the famous Incan ruins. We hope we can help you too! If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

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    1. Hey, I am using this site for as a source for a school project, but I couldn’t find the date. Does anyone know when it was published (as specific as possible)?

  1. HI, I'm planning my bucket list trip to Machu Picchu – hopefully fall of 2021. I'd love to go by way of the 4-5 day hike, but not sure I'd be ready for a hike of that magnitude. If I choose to take the train instead, what will be missed?

    Thank you,
    Vikki

    1. Hi Vikki, sounds great. Personally I would go for the trek as the experience hiking the Inca trail or one of the alternative trails is a once in a lifetime event – and something you will never forget. The return journey from Machu Picchu is by train so you get the best of both worlds. Hope this helps!

    1. No, but you do need to pre-purchase your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you also need to pre-purchase entrance tickets.

  2. Is there only one entrance ticket to see all the above at Matchu Picchu or we have to book different ones for each place?

    1. Hi Andriani, that’s right, you only need one entrance ticket to see all the sights in Machu Picchu. The only caveat is if you want to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain you need to get a separate ticket.

  3. Macchu Picchu has been on my bucket list for more the 20 years!.
    Now I'm 67 and my husband is 73. We are physically fit but we are concerned that so many people are telling us we cannot climb to the top
    where we can view the MOST iconic view of Mach Picchu. can you help us with our trek?

    What is your advice? Is it treachourous?

    1. Hi Rose, when you say climb to the top, do you mean climbing Huayna Picchu? If so it is a little strenuous and has some steep bits but I think you can do it if you’re in good health. Personally though, if a tough strenuous hike is not on the cards, then you can still get a great iconic view from the Sun Gate – which is an easy walk from Machu Picchu. All the best!

  4. Hey there Mark. Let me start by saying thank you for creating this wonderful resource. I’m at the absolute beginning of just deciding I want to make my trip to Peru and in particular experience and immerse myself into the Machu Picchu trek plus a number of other visits in Peru. The amount of information I’ve found so far is vast and a little overwhelming information as to where to start. I’m making a ton of notes. Is there are a tour that encompasses all the above must see attractions you’ve mentioned?

    1. Hi Brett, most tour operators will include a guide tour of Machu Picchu that will take in most the sights listed in this article. Hope this helps!

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