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Top 10 attractions in Ollantaytambo
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
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 · 32.2 km from Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a small town deep in the Sacred Valley of Peru and a stop that is hard to bypass on a Sacred Valley itinerary—most trains to Machu Picchu depart from the station in town, and many travelers choose it as a transfer stop. However, its charm is not limited to being the gateway to Machu Picchu: it is often called a living Incan town, where the neighborhoods still follow the urban layout from the Incan period, with stone-paved roads, narrow car-free alleys, and Incan water channels that still flow along the streets today, all retaining their appearance from hundreds of years ago, making it perfect for slowing down and wandering aimlessly.Peru · Ollantaytambo
Zona Arqueologica Moray
Amidst the vast hills of the Sacred Valley in Peru, Zona Arqueologica Morayresembles a set of giant green fingerprints embedded in the earth, revealing the astonishing agricultural wisdom of the Incan civilization. This archaeological wonder, composed of three sunken circular terraces, was once an open-air laboratory for the 15th-century Incan Empire, whose ingenious design still amazes agronomists today. As visitors spiral down the rammed-earth paths, they can clearly see the drainage systems and stone retaining walls built by the Incas. In the early morning, sunlight dyes the terraces in a golden-green gradient, while the distant snow-capped mountains and herds of alpacas form a natural frame.Urubamba · 10.8 km from Ollantaytambo
Salt Mine of Maras
Salt Mine of Marasis an ancient salt pan in the Sacred Valley of Cusco, Peru, situated on the Andean slopes at an altitude of over 3,000 m near Urubamba. Its history of salt production predates the Inca Empire, spanning the Inca and colonial periods to the present day, and is still managed by hundreds of families from the villages of Maras and Pichingoto, a tradition passed down through generations. Saltwater springs at the top of the slope are channeled into a network of ditches and then diverted into thousands of scattered, square salt pools. Once the spring water fills the pools, it slowly evaporates under the intense sun and dry winds of the plateau, leaving layers of salt crystals at the bottom. During the dry season, the salt produced is pinkish-white, while in the rainy season, it is brownish-yellow, with the varying shades of pool water and salt surfaces forming a giant mosaic under the sunlight.Urubamba · 12.9 km from Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley is the valley of the Urubamba River in the Andes. It is near Cusco. The valley's elevation is lower than Cusco's, ranging between 2,000–3,000 m, with a significant elevation difference. The area is rich in produce, capable of growing various crops ranging from potatoes and corn to bananas, spanning cold, temperate, and even tropical climates. The latter formed the economic foundation during the Inca period. Through the valley, the Incas could reach the Amazon plains to trade crops with the tribes living there. After the Spanish captured Cusco, the Inca kings retreated into the valley, relying on defensive fortifications built into the terrain to continue their resistance.Urubamba · 21.1 km from Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo Archeological Site
Ollantaytambo Archeological Site is one of the important sites from the Inca Empire period, attracting countless visitors with its magnificent architecture and unique location. The ancient complex, perched on a cliff, overlooks the surrounding valley and the winding Urubamba River, creating a magnificent view. The site's architectural style reflects the superb craftsmanship of the Inca civilization, with massive stone blocks arranged neatly, demonstrating the Incas' masterful command of construction techniques. In particular, the temples and altars here remain well-preserved to this day, serving as important sites for studying Inca culture and religion. Standing at the site, visitors can gaze out at the surrounding mountains and rivers, feeling a profound sense of connection with nature and history. The surrounding lush tropical vegetation contrasts beautifully with the ancient stone walls, creating a secluded, tranquil, and mysterious place.Ollantaytambo · 238m from downtown
Plaza de Armas de Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo · 83m from downtown
Qorikancha
Qorikancha was the core building of the Inca Empire's religious system. Its name in Quechua, Coricancha, means "golden enclosure." According to records, the temple walls were once covered with hundreds of gold plates, and the courtyard featured statues of llamas, corn, and human figures cast in gold and silver, dedicated to the sun god Inti, as well as deities of the moon, stars, and lightning. This gold was looted after the Spanish conquest. The temple showcases the exquisite stonework of the Inca—using diorite, andesite, and limestone, the stones were perfectly cut and fitted together without mortar, so tightly that the seams are almost invisible. The design of the walls, which are wide at the base and slope slightly inward, allowed them to withstand multiple major earthquakes, whereas the Convent of Santo Domingo, built by the colonists on the site in the 16th century, was repeatedly destroyed by tremors. Today, the two structures coexist, serving as a vivid testament to the collision between Inca and Spanish colonial cultures. Inside, several original Inca chambers with sloping walls and trapezoidal niches remain, and the attached underground archaeological museum displays mummies, textiles, and ritual artifacts. This is also one of the few Inca sites in Cusco that features detailed explanatory signage.Cusco · 42.7 km from Ollantaytambo
Templo del Sol
Urubamba · 340m from Ollantaytambo
Saqsaywaman
This huge stone circle overlooks the city of Cusco. Like other typical Inca buildings, the Incas did not use any reinforced concrete. They used exquisite stone grinding technology to grind the large stones into specific shapes, and then put them together tightly. The stone circles that tourists see now are only a small part of the original ones. Today Sacsayhuaman is not only a must-see attraction for tourists to Cusco, but the highlight of IntiRaymi, the grand festival of the sun at the end of June every year, is held here.Cusco · 41.4 km from Ollantaytambo
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What travelers say about Ollantaytambo
shanghaiboyuAugust 27, 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
D31***61March 6, 2020
5.0
Forget the village just below Matchu Picchu as the place is over crowded. Ollantaytambo is the number one place to stay. cute atmosphere, the ancient ruins make for a great day. worth the extra time if you have it.
Ollantaytambo
apabaruAugust 18, 2026
4.0
On the way from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo, we stopped by after visiting the Maras salt mines. It's a massive, concentric archaeological site. While photos often show it with a greenish tint, it was earthy brown due to the dry season. I planned to visit other archaeological sites around Cusco on a later date, so I bought a combined pass for 130 soles and went in. Behind the ruins, we could see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains, some reaching over 5000 meters, creating a vast and breathtaking landscape.
Zona Arqueologica Moray
小小呆60October 13, 2020
3.0
The entire hillside is divided into small salt pans, and most of these salt pans are still in production. The whole scenery looks very magnificent. I even think it may be better than the salt pans I saw in Turkey.
Salt Mine of Maras
DEAR张小球May 17, 2020
5.0
The Urubama River Valley is a very grand site. It was the agricultural center of the ancient Inca Empire. As for the site similar to terraced fields, it is still seen in the valley. The area is very large and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. It is a very important part of the ancient Inca Empire.
Sacred Valley
泰宁根吴承恩May 1, 2020
5.0
The Temple of the Sun is the most important temple in Machu Picchu. It is very grand and its majesty can still be felt today. When you are inside, you can imagine how grand the sacrifices here were in the past.
Qorikancha
东张西望望东西April 10, 2020
5.0
Sacsayhuaman is as important as Machu Picchu, but it is slightly less famous than Machu Picchu. The scale here is very grand, and its stone formation-like posture is very impressive.
Saqsaywaman
