We didn’t expect Ollantaytambo to become our favourite town in Peru, but somehow it did!
After finishing our 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in August 2026, we decided to stay in Ollantaytambo instead of heading straight back to Cusco. And we’re so glad we did!
Here are our favourite things to do in Ollantaytambo, plus a few nearby attractions, prices, where we stayed, and how we saved money getting back to Cusco.
It’s a small, colourful town surrounded by mountains, with incredible Inca ruins, charming streets, little water canals everywhere, cosy restaurants, and some of the friendliest dogs we’ve ever met.
What we loved most? You can explore almost everything on foot, and sometimes just wandering around is the best part.
*Heads up, fellow travelers! Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase or book an activity through them, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We only recommend things we absolutely love and believe will enhance your adventure. Your support helps us keep this site going, so thank you for being part of our journey!
| 📍 Location | Sacred Valley, Peru |
|---|---|
| ⛰️ Altitude | Around 2,860 m |
| ⏳ Recommended stay | 1–2 days |
| 🏛️ Main attraction | Ollantaytambo Inca ruins |
| 💰 Ruins ticket | From S/70 for foreign adults |
| 🚶 Getting around | Mostly on foot |
| 🏨 Our hotel | Picaflor Tambo Guest House |
| ❤️ What we loved | Ruins, markets, dogs, canals and pizza! |
💡 Our recommendation: Don’t just pass through Ollantaytambo on your way to Machu Picchu. Spend at least one night here if you can!
1. Explore the Ollantaytambo Ruins
The Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, often called the Ollantaytambo Fortress, is the town’s main attraction, and it’s impressive!
The enormous Inca terraces rise directly above the town, with incredible views of the Sacred Valley from the top.
The best part? You can walk there directly from the main square in just a few minutes. No taxi needed.
Do You Need a Guide?
We definitely recommend getting one. You can explore independently, but without explanations, you’ll mostly be looking at terraces and stone walls without understanding their fascinating history.
You can usually hire a local guide directly at the entrance. Expect roughly S/40–100 per group, depending on the duration and whether you want a private guide. Agree on the price beforehand.
You can also book this tour guide in advance here:
Ollantaytambo Ruins: Prices & Opening Hours (2026)
| Opening hours | 7:00 am – 4:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket | S/70, valid 2 days |
| Full Cusco Tourist Ticket | S/130, valid 10 days |
| Local guide | Approximately S/40–100 |
| Time needed | Around 1.5–2.5 hours |
The ruins are included in the Boleto Turístico del Cusco. The S/70 partial ticket covers Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray and Chinchero. There’s no separate ticket for just the Ollantaytambo ruins.
Check the official COSITUC website for current prices and ticket conditions.
💡 Our tip: Go as early as possible, ideally at 7 am when it opens! The site is exposed to the sun, and climbing all those terraces gets much less enjoyable once it becomes hot. Bring water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.
2. Get Lost in the Old Inca Streets (And Meet the Dogs!)
This was honestly one of our favourite things to do in Ollantaytambo, and it’s completely free!
The historic centre is full of narrow cobblestone streets, original Inca stone walls, colourful doors and traditional houses.
But what fascinated us most was the ancient water system. Little canals run through the streets, right next to the houses, and parts of this Inca-era system are still working today. How amazing is that?
And then there are the dogs. SO many dogs! 🐶
Ollantaytambo is full of dogs wandering freely through the streets, relaxing in the sun or exploring the town. Many have owners who simply let them roam around.
We absolutely loved meeting and playing with them. The ones we encountered were incredibly friendly, and if you’re a dog lover like us, you’ll probably fall in love with this town even more! Just let them approach you first, as not every dog necessarily wants attention.
💡 Our tip: Wander through the old Qosqo Ayllu neighbourhood without following a strict route. Some of the prettiest corners are hidden in the little side streets.
3. Enjoy the Main Square and Its Rooftop Views
The Plaza de Armas is the heart of Ollantaytambo, surrounded by colourful buildings, little shops and restaurants, with mountains rising behind the rooftops.
We especially loved the balconies and upper-floor restaurants overlooking the square.
Grab a drink or coffee, find a nice spot upstairs, and enjoy the view. It’s a lovely way to take a break between sightseeing.
You’ll probably cross the square several times anyway, because the town is so small!
4. Shop at the Local Markets and Little Shops
If you love bringing home unusual souvenirs, save some time for shopping in Ollantaytambo!
There’s a colourful artisan market near the entrance to the main ruins, plus lots of small shops throughout the town.
You’ll find textiles, jewellery, ceramics, decorations and plenty of traditional Peruvian souvenirs.
We particularly loved discovering the smaller shops, where we found some really unique pieces.
In fact, this is where we found our bronze bells, one of our favourite souvenirs from our entire Peru trip!
Not everything in the markets is handmade locally, so ask about the origin if that’s important to you.
💡 Our tip: Explore several shops before buying. You can find surprisingly different things just a few streets apart.
We share more of our finds in our What to Buy in Peru guide.
5. Visit Casa Inka and Feed the Guinea Pigs
One of the cutest and most unusual little stops in Ollantaytambo!
Casa Inka – Museo Vivo is a small traditional Andean house where you can discover local customs and meet lots of guinea pigs, known as cuyes in Peru.
And yes, you can even feed them!
Guinea pigs have been part of Andean household life for centuries, traditionally raised as a food source. It’s an interesting glimpse into local culture, and we really enjoyed the visit.
The entrance was free when we visited, although donations were welcome. We’d recommend leaving a few soles to support the place.
📍 Where: Casa Inka – Museo Vivo, Calle del Medio 309, just a short walk from the main square.
💡 Our tip: You only need about 15–30 minutes, so it’s easy to combine with exploring the old town. Be gentle with the animals and follow the family’s instructions.
6. Eat Delicious Pizza at Casa de Madera
For such a small town, Ollantaytambo has a surprising number of pizza restaurants!
Our favourite was Casa de Madera, a super cosy little place that we absolutely loved, especially after our four days hiking the Inca Trail.
The atmosphere was warm, charming and exactly what we needed after so much walking. And the pizza was delicious!
It’s the kind of place where you just want to sit down, relax and enjoy the evening.
📍 Where: Casa de Madera, Horno Calle, Ollantaytambo.
💰 Budget: Roughly S/20–40 per person, depending on your order.
Definitely one of our favourite places to eat in town!
7. Hike to the Pinkuylluna Inca Storehouses
If you still have some energy, there’s another archaeological site overlooking Ollantaytambo that’s worth considering.
The Pinkuylluna ruins are ancient Inca storehouses built high on the mountainside, directly opposite the main fortress.
From the top, you get a beautiful view over the town and the huge terraces across the valley.
The hike starts right from the old town, so again, no taxi needed!
Entrance: Free
Time needed: Around 1–1.5 hours return
Difficulty: Short but steep, with some exposed sections
The path is uneven and can be slippery, so proper shoes are important. Check access hours locally and don’t attempt it in the dark.
This is an extra option rather than somewhere we personally visited. After our Inca Trail, our legs were quite happy to take a break from steep climbs!
8. Discover More Ruins Around Ollantaytambo
If you have a second day and enjoy exploring less-visited archaeological sites, there are a couple of interesting places just outside town.
- Pumamarca Ruins: An Inca site surrounded by mountains and agricultural terraces, around 6 km from Ollantaytambo. You can hike there or arrange a taxi towards the ruins, with some walking still required. Allow a few hours if you want to explore properly.
- Ñaupa Iglesia: A fascinating archaeological site near Pachar, known for its carved stones and rock formations. It’s around 15–20 minutes away by taxi, followed by an uphill walk of roughly 15–30 minutes.
Both are quieter alternatives to the main fortress. Entry has been reported as free, but confirm local conditions before visiting.
💡 Our recommendation: Arrange a driver in town and agree on the price, waiting time and return journey in advance. You can also compare guided excursions on GetYourGuide.
If you have an additional full day, Moray and the Maras Salt Mines are also wonderful Sacred Valley attractions, though we’d treat them as a separate excursion. This Sacred Valley and Moray Salt Mines tour is one option.
Explore More of the Sacred Valley with a Guided Tour
One thing we loved about Ollantaytambo is how easy it is to explore on your own. But if you want to discover more of the Sacred Valley, especially places like the Maras Salt Mines, Moray or nearby Inca ruins, a guided tour can make things much easier.
You won’t have to worry about organising transport, and having a local guide can make a big difference when visiting archaeological sites.
Here are a few GetYourGuide tours worth checking out if you’re planning to explore beyond Ollantaytambo. Just make sure to check the departure point, as some tours start in Cusco rather than Ollantaytambo!
How Many Days Do You Need in Ollantaytambo?
We recommend 1–2 days maximum for the town itself.
One full day is enough to see the main ruins, explore the streets, visit Casa Inka, browse the markets and enjoy a cosy dinner.
With two days, you can add Pinkuylluna or some of the nearby ruins without rushing.
For us, the ideal one-day plan would be:
| 7:00–9:30 am | Main ruins with a guide |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Explore the old Inca streets and canals |
| Lunch | Rooftop restaurant near Plaza de Armas |
| Afternoon | Casa Inka, market and souvenir shops |
| Evening | Pizza at Casa de Madera |
Unless you’re planning day trips around the Sacred Valley, we wouldn’t spend more than two days here. It’s a small town, and that’s part of its charm!
Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo
We stayed at Picaflor Tambo Guest House and really liked it!
It was charming, close to the main square and within walking distance of everything we wanted to visit.
And most importantly after four days on the Inca Trail: a proper hot shower! 😄
🏨 Our hotel: Picaflor Tambo Guest House.
We’d recommend staying somewhere central. You really don’t need transport to explore the town itself.
How to Get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco
Getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is pretty straightforward, with a journey of around 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic.
You have two main options:
- Private taxi: The easiest choice, especially with luggage. Taxidatum offers private transfers for around $35 USD per car, which is a great price compared to many hotel transfers.
- Shared colectivo: The budget-friendly option! Shared minivans leave from the Calle Pavitos area in Cusco and usually cost around S/10–15 per person. Some services require a change in Urubamba.
💡 Our tip: If you’re heading to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Machu Picchu, allow extra time. Traffic can be unpredictable, and colectivos generally leave when they’re full rather than following a fixed schedule.
How to Get from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (And Save Money!)
Here’s one of our best money-saving tips from Peru!
Getting from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is easy, but taxi prices vary quite a lot.
Our hotel offered to arrange a private transfer for around $50–60 USD. We also asked drivers around the main square, but the prices were similar.
Instead, we booked through Taxidatum and paid just $30 USD for a private transfer in August 2026.
We booked online the day before, everything was super easy, and we saved around $20–30!
Taxidatum currently advertises around $35 USD for this route, so check the latest price before booking.
How Long Does Ollantaytambo to Cusco Take?
Normally, the journey takes around 1.5–2 hours, but be careful with traffic!
Our transfer took over two hours, and with heavy congestion, it can take 3–4 hours.
The traffic approaching Cusco can be particularly bad, so don’t underestimate it if you have a flight or something important planned.
For a cheaper option, there are also shared vans (colectivos), although a private taxi is more convenient with luggage.
💡 Our tip: Compare taxi prices before booking, and leave plenty of extra time for the journey.
Is Ollantaytambo Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! It was our favourite town in Peru.
Not because it has hundreds of attractions, but because of its atmosphere.
The old Inca streets, running water canals, friendly dogs, colourful shops, cosy restaurants and incredible mountain scenery make it such a special little place.
We loved that we could simply walk around without needing a complicated itinerary.
If you’re travelling to Machu Picchu, we’d definitely recommend spending a night or two here instead of rushing straight back to Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit the Ollantaytambo ruins without a guide?
Yes, but we recommend hiring one. The historical explanations make the ruins much more interesting, and local guides are usually available at the entrance.
Can you walk around Ollantaytambo?
Absolutely! The town is small, and most attractions, restaurants, shops and hotels are within walking distance. You’ll only need transport for places outside town.
Is Ollantaytambo worth staying overnight?
Definitely. Staying overnight gives you time to explore without rushing and visit the main ruins early, before the heat and larger tour groups.
Planning the Rest of Your Peru Trip?
- 3-Week Peru Itinerary: the full route we followed across Peru
- Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail Review: our experience hiking four days to Machu Picchu
- What to Pack for the Inca Trail: everything we actually used
- What to Buy in Peru: our favourite souvenirs and shopping tips
- Best Things to Do in Cusco: our full Cusco guide
- Peru Travel Guide: all our Peru posts in one place
Written by Ru & Tiago
We explored Ollantaytambo in August 2026 during our three-week trip around Peru. What started as a convenient stop after the Inca Trail turned into our favourite town in the country.
