Aguas Calientes

Things to do in Aguas Calientes

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Aguas Calientes

View all Attractions
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

9.8
4.6/5
179 reviews
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu means "old mountain" in Quechua and is often called the "lost city of the Incas." This mountain citadel, built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century, sits on a steep ridge in the Andes at an elevation of approx. 2,400 m, overlooking the rushing Urubamba River valley. Hidden among mountains and clouds, it eluded Spanish colonizers and was abandoned with the empire's fall until its rediscovery in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, led by a local guide. The city is constructed with precisely fitted dry-stone walls that have withstood centuries of weather and earthquakes. Visitors can explore two main areas: the agricultural terraces and the urban sector. The Temple of the Sun's windows align with the summer solstice sunrise, reflecting Inca sun worship; the Temple of the Three Windows, with its massive stonework, and the central plaza formed the religious core. The Intihuatana, a finely carved monolithic stone, is believed to have served astronomical purposes, giving rise to its name meaning "hitching post of the sun." The viewpoint near the Guardian's Hut frames the ruins with the towering Huayna Picchu peak—a classic photo spot—while alpacas often wander into shots on the terraced lawns. Morning mists clearing at sunrise, with sunlight bathing the stone walls, create a magical scene, so early arrival is recommended. Due to the high altitude and strong UV rays, sun protection and warm layers are essential. For the adventurous, hiking the Inca Trail for days and glimpsing the citadel from the Sun Gate remains an unforgettable arrival for many trekkers.Urubamba · 2.3km from Aguas Calientes
Intihuatana, Urubamba

Intihuatana, Urubamba

4.4
3.9/5
24 reviews
One of the greater mysteries at Machu Picchu is a massive stone carving called the Intihuatana, Urubamba. Some archaeoastronomers speculate that this exquisite, quadrilateral stone carving on a raised platform in the plaza is a sundial, while others say it was used for some form of astronomical observation. Although there is no consensus on its purpose, almost all archaeologists agree that the Intihuatana, Urubamba is one of the most sacred structures within Machu Picchu. How do you identify the Intihuatana, Urubamba? If you see a group of tourists from afar surrounding a large stone, reaching out their hands without touching it to feel the energy released by the stone, that is the Intihuatana, Urubamba. This Intihuatana, Urubamba has three very peculiar features. First, there is a corner next to the Intihuatana, Urubamba; this protruding corner points due north. You might want to bring a compass to verify the exquisite calculations of the Incas in the mid-15th century. The second peculiar feature is the upright stone on top of the Intihuatana, Urubamba. The cross-section of the stone has four corners that look somewhat irregular, and these four corners point exactly to the cardinal directions. The corner pointing due north aligns perfectly with a peak called Huayna Picchu, and the opposite direction, due south, also aligns with a peak. Similarly, the due west direction also aligns with a peak, but there is no peak to the east. Why? Because the sun needs to shine in. The Incas built this "City in the Sky" at such a high altitude to welcome the rising sun from the east, so how could there be a mountain blocking it? This is another peculiar feature, which is enough to show that the Incas were very wise.Urubamba · 2.4km from Aguas Calientes

Traveller favourites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Aguas Calientes

Featured Culture & history in Aguas Calientes

View all Culture & history
Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour from Cusco by Train
󱌍
4.9/5
· 7 reviews· 93 booked
Duration: 11.9 hrs
English
From€ 358.61
Day Tour to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu from Cusco, Peru (1 person minimum, daily departures, admission ticket included)
󱌍
From€ 357.54
Tour guide in Machu Picchu
󱌍
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 12.51
Machu Picchu: Expert Guided Tour
󱌍
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 52.72
Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco
󱌍
From€ 382.28
1-day tour to Sacred Valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Zona Arqueologica Moray from Cusco, Peru
󱌍
From€ 62.29

Featured Food & drink in Aguas Calientes

View all Food & drink
Aguas Calientes: Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra Restaurant
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 20.55
From Cusco: Humantay Lake Tour + Breakfast and Buffet Lunch
󱌍
Duration: 1 day
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 20.91
Cusco: ChocoMuseo's Chocolate Workshop
󱌍
4.8/5
· 22 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 29.79
Cusco: Peruvian Cooking Class, Cocktails & Local Market Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 48 reviews
Duration: 250 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
48 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 57.90
Cooking class and market tour with a local chef
󱌍
5.0/5
· 24 reviews
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
24 consecutive positive reviews
From€ 52.72
Hands-On High-End Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Visit
󱌍
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 52.72
Cusco: Walking Food Tour & City Tour
󱌍
4.9/5
· 14 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From€ 70.59
Unlock the Secrets of Pisco: A Hands-On Tour in Cusco
󱌍
4.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
From€ 31.29

More things to do

Private Tours in Aguas Calientes

View More Private Tours in Aguas Calientes

Group Tours in Aguas Calientes

View More Group Tours in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes Today's weatherPartly clear 13-28℃
Aguas Calientes weather for the next 2 days11/5: 13-24℃, 11/6: 13-23℃

Free things to do in Aguas Calientes

What travellers say about Aguas Calientes

user-avatar
shanghaiboyu27 August 2025
5.0
Machu Picchu boasts 140 structures, including temples, sanctuaries, parks, and residences, as well as over 100 stairways, numerous fountains, and a comprehensive water system. Abandoned during the Spanish invasion and the fall of the Inca Empire in the 16th century, Machu Picchu was discovered by Yale University professor Hiram Bingham in 1911. The ruins consist of two main areas: an urban area and an agricultural area, separated by a stone wall. Beyond the wall lie terraced agricultural areas, divided into high and low terraces depending on the terrain. The urban area is divided into three zones: the sacred area, the area for priests and nobles, and the southern area for commoners.

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

user-avatar
乖小咪12 September 2019
5.0
This Inca Trail in Cusco has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was the trade route for the ancient Incas to travel between cities. Most of the roads along the way are mountains and ridges, and the road is very rugged. There are also many relics of Inca culture along the way. Now it is a great hiking route.

Inca Trail

user-avatar
DEAR张小球17 May 2020
5.0
Huayna Picchu is on the other side of the mountain from Machu Picchu. There are relatively few tourists here. It takes some time and energy to get there from Machu Picchu. It's a different feeling to see this mountain city from another high place.

Huayna Picchu

user-avatar
东张西望望东西12 April 2020
5.0
The Sacred Stone is a must-see when entering Machu Picchu. The Sacred Stone may be given more religious power in the local area, so it is more special. Of course, for us it is just a big stone, but respecting local beliefs and culture is absolutely necessary.

Sacred Rock at Machu Picchu

user-avatar
apabaru7 September 2026
3.0
After visiting the Sun Gate at the Machu Picchu ruins, I returned to Machu Picchu village and, having some free time in the afternoon, went to the pool. It's a short 20-minute uphill walk from the town center. I brought my swimsuit, but forgot to bring slippers, though they are sold near the entrance. I bought some for 10 soles. The entrance fee is 20 soles, and there's a waterfall at the top, but that's an extra charge. There are lockers, and you get a locker key in exchange for your ID (passport). The pool is like a swimming pool with slightly lukewarm water. It's a little cloudy, but I managed to tolerate it and got in. About 80% of the people there are locals, and it seems like a place where children are having fun.

Machu Picchu HotSprings

user-avatar
泰宁根吴承恩1 May 2020
5.0
The Sun-Suppression Stone is located at the highest point of Machu Picchu. It is a stone that looks simple but full of mystery. From here you can see the entire view of Machu Picchu. The scene is very spectacular. The Inca civilization is really a treasure of mankind.

Intihuatana, Urubamba

user-avatar
quqky14 October 2020
3.0
It doesn't seem to be that famous, and the outline of the temple is not easy to associate with anything religious, because there are not many things left, but this place is still quite important in the local religion.

Temple of the Condor

user-avatar
A73030 May 2016
5.0
It's spectacular, and the style is different from others.

Templo Principal

user-avatar
chinadesk121 July 2022
5.0
The Temple of the Three Windows is one of the attractions in Machu Picchu. In ancient times, it was used to worship the sun god, and this place may have been a place for religious ceremonies. The huge stones are neatly stacked, as if they were strictly measured. Many places in Machu Picchu are hard to imagine and full of mystery.

Temple of the Three Windows

Trip Moments in Aguas Calientes

Popular cities near Aguas Calientes

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Aguas Calientes?

Don't miss these attractions in Aguas Calientes: Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, and The Temple of the Sun. If you like Culture & history, try Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour from Cusco by Train. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Aguas Calientes: Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra Restaurant.

You can give Aguas Calientes: Lunch at Cafe Inkaterra Restaurant and From Cusco: Humantay Lake Tour + Breakfast and Buffet Lunch a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.