Top Things To Do In Ollantaytambo: Ancient Ruins, Museums & More
Read on for the best things to do in Ollantaytambo!
Many tourists overlook this quaint and beautiful town when on their way to Machu Picchu in Peru, which is such a shame as there are a lot of fascinating things to do in Ollantaytambo.
This may sound like hyperbole, but Ollantaytambo was arguably my favourite place I stayed at throughout my trip to Peru.
From the peaceful cobbled streets, picturesque mountain views and ancient ruins, there is something undeniably authentic about the place.
That’s why I’ve written this post which details the top things to do in Ollantaytambo, including my recommendations and options on how to get to this magical, special town.
Plan Your Trip With My Recommended Resources:
🚆Bus or Train: Bookaway is a great resource for tickets
🏨 Accommodation: I always use Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Discover Cars has the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Kiwi.com has the best prices on flights
📱eSIM: Airalo has a fantastic range of eSIMs
Things To Do In Ollantaytambo
So without further ado, let’s dive into what I believe to be the best things to do in beautiful Ollantaytambo:
Explore Ollantaytambo’s Archaeological Park
Without a doubt, the main attraction in Ollantaytambo is the National Archaeological Park. Situated very centrally, this park is one of the most significant Inca sites within the Sacred Valley region.
Here you can see the Temple of the Sun and the Royal House of the Sun and get a good insight into Inca traditions and way of life.
Climbing to the top of the park offers stunning views looking back at the town of Ollantaytambo and surrounding hills.
I spent around an hour at the park as it was raining during my visit, I recommend allowing up to 2 hours there in total.
How to buy tickets for Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park
It’s relatively straightforward to buy a ticket to the park – you can buy a ticket at the entrance, but there are two types of tickets to choose from.
You can buy an ordinary ticket that allows you access only to the park. But the second option is a Cusco Tourist Ticket, which allows you access to a total of 16 sites and museums in and around Cusco and is valid for 10 days.
This is great value for money if you’re planning to visit other historical sites nearby, such as Sacsayhuaman in Cusco, Pisac, Chinchero and more.
If you’re planning on visiting any of these other sites, then definitely choose the combined ticket which will save you money. A combined ticket costs around £14, which is great value if you ask me!
👉 Pro Tip: My advice is to visit the Archaeological Park in the morning, rather than the afternoon. I went there at 11 am and while there were a good number of tourists there, there were twice as many during the afternoon.
Hike up to Pinkuylluna
Directly opposite the park in the distance is Pinkuylluna, another Inca ruin based halfway up a hillside in Ollantaytambo.
Pinkuylluna is believed to be a 15th-century granary and offers stunning views looking back on the town and beyond. Most tourists only visit the Archaeological Park and overlook Pinkuyllna, which is a real shame.
You have a short but steep hike to reach the ruins that takes around 20 minutes. I loved exploring Pinkuylluna – the site is completely free to enter and there were hardly any tourists at all when I visited.
Enjoy a meal at the main square; Plaza de Armas
Ollantaytambo is a charmingly small place, the centre of which is Plaza de Armas, the main square of the town.
Here you’ll find several restaurants with balcony views overlooking the square. I enjoyed a nice meal at one of the restaurants and loved people watching below.
Go to the ChocoMuseo
If you’re a chocolate lover (who isn’t??) then you have to visit the ChocoMuseo when in Ollantaytambo.
Situated very close to the Archaeological Park, Ollantaytambo’s ChocoMuseo is a fun little museum where you can learn all about Peru’s history with chocolate, participate in a workshop and of course sample lots of chocolate!
Go to the Moray Ruins
The Moray Ruins is a fascinating historical site located about an hour’s drive away from Ollantaytambo.
The peculiar, circular ruins are believed to be an ancient experimental farming site that dates back to the pre-Incas.
It’s possible to walk around the ruins and marvel at this curious site. I recommend booking a trip with a tour guide for a more insightful experience – I went just by myself and only visited for an hour if that.
The mountain views during the journey to the ruins are incredible however and the trip is an interesting side quest during your Peru adventure.
See the Salt Mines of Moras
A short drive away from the Moray Ruins is the Salt Mines of Moras, a huge and impressive salt extraction site – one of the biggest in Peru.
Made up of over 6,000 salt ponds, the site dates back over 1,000 years and is still run by local families today. I spent about an hour at this place and found it fascinating – the views were once again incredible.
👉 Pro Tip: If you want to visit the Salt Mines of Moras then you can combine it with a trip to the Moray Ruins as well. The sites are about a 20-minute drive away from each other, so visiting both makes for a nice day trip from Ollantaytambo.
Check out the mysterious Ñaupa Iglesia (Choquequilla)
Also known as Choquequille, Ñaupa Iglesia is another interesting Inca site near Ollantaytambo worth exploring.
This mysterious stone temple is believed to have celestial alignments and offers more insights into the Inca’s beliefs, traditions and way of life.
It’s completely free to enter the site and is reachable by taxi. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to get there from Ollantaytambo.
Visit the neighbourhood of Qosqo Ayllu
Known as the only continuously inhabited Inca village in Peru, Qosqo Ayllu is a magical place that is well worth a visit when in Ollantaytambo. Situated within Ollantaytambo (just behind the main square), the village is easily reachable.
A visit here will make you feel like you’ve time-travelled back to the Inca period. A lot of the cobbled streets and housing is exactly how it would have been over 500 years ago.
Enjoy the Perolniyoc Waterfall
Ollantaytambo is surrounded by beautiful nature and dramatic landscapes – Perolniyoc waterfall is a perfect example of this.
Reaching exactly 45 metres high, Perolniyoc waterfall is 20 minutes away from Ollantaytambo by car and is based within another Inca archaeological site – Raqaypata-Perolniyoc.
It’s common for most visitors to hike to Peronlniyoc waterfall from the town of Socma. I advise visiting a part of a tour, which typically includes a visit to Ñaupa Iglesia as well.
Walk through the town’s lovely cobbled streets
Although there are plenty of interesting activities to do in Ollantaytambo, I found that just wandering through the town was an enchanting experience on its own.
Discovering the town by walking through the many narrow cobbled streets, meeting the friendly locals and admiring the natural landscapes on the horizon, Ollantaytambo by itself is a rewarding experience.
In my opinion, it is a much more rewarding visit than the big cities in Peru like Lima and Cusco, which are both overcrowded with tourists and locals alike.
Enjoy the local markets
Ollantaytambo has a few delightful markets which are worth checking out during your visit:
- Mercado Centro Ollantaytambo – located next to the main square, this is the main market in the town and sells everything from food items to clothing and household goods.
- Souvenir Market – based right next to the Archaeological Park, this is a lovely outdoor market selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.
- Local Plaza de Armas Market – sells food items amongst other things in the main square and is a great spot to observe the local way of life and grab a snack.
Visit Chinchero
Chinchero is a delightful small town situated about a 20 minute drive away from the Salt Mines of Moras.
Famous for producing textiles, you can see a well preserved Inca archaeological site here and the mountain views are spectacular. I visited Chinchero as part of my day trip from Ollantaytambo to the Moray Ruins and the Salt Mines of Moras.
Although there’s not an awful lot to do in Chinchero, it is a very peaceful place with not many tourists. It’s worth visiting if you’re planning to visit the salt mines or the Moray Ruins.
Start your hike on the Inca Trail
Ollantaytambo is an ideal and popular starting point if you’re planning on hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The town is located 35 kilometres from Machu Picchu, so you can expect the hike to take around 10 hours to complete over 2 or 3 days.
Catch a train to Machu Picchu!
As Ollantaytambo is the nearest town to Machu Picchu, it is the last stop before visiting one of the most incredible ancient wonders of the world.
The train journey lasts for 1 hour and 40 minutes and is often described as one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. Having caught the train from Ollantaytambo with Peru Rail, I can attest that the views are certainly spectacular!
I was surprised with the quality and comfort of my train ride as well. You have a drinks menu, the train hostesses are very friendly and the seating is spacious and comfortable.
How much you enjoy the train journey does of course depend on where you’re sitting. The views from the left side of the train carriage are more spectacular as you’ll see the Urubamba River up close.
Keep in mind that if you are allocated an aisle seat rather than a window seat, then the views won’t be so visible and therefore may be a bit disappointing. I had an aisle seat facing backwards on my way to Machu Picchu, which was a shame.
However, I did enjoy a window seat on my way back to Ollantaytambo, which made the journey all the more special.
How To Get To Ollantaytambo
Getting to Ollantaytambo may sound like an arduous journey, but it is quite straight-forward. As the town is based in between both Cusco and Machu Picchu, you will most definitely pass through it – so you have no excuse for not visiting!
Let’s see what your options are when it comes to reaching Ollantaytambo:
Cusco to Ollantaytambo by Train
Most tourists choose to visit Ollantaytambo by train from Cusco, with PeruRail (IncaRail, the other major train company in Peru only offers a bus service).
The train ride is slightly quicker than taking the bus (a bus journey can take up to 2 hours), but train tickets are considerably pricier than travelling by bus.
The cheapest tickets you can find on both rail company’s sites are in the £50-£60 region.
Cusco to Ollantaytambo by Bus
If you want to save a bit of money, then definitely travel to Ollantaytambo from Cusco via bus. It’s cheaper, takes just as long more or less and is just as scenic a ride as the train ride.
The type of bus you get to ride depends on who you book with. I booked a bus through PeruRail and had a pleasant journey on a comfortable, spacious coach on my way to Ollantaytambo.
However, I booked a ticket through Redbus on my return to Cusco, and while the ticket was cheap (just £10!), it was in a small, cramped minivan with a driver who liked to live dangerously!
Cusco to Ollantaytambo by taxi
Taking a taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is a good option to consider as well. Depending on the time of day, traffic and who you book with, you can expect the taxi ride to cost you from £20 to £45.
Make sure to agree on a price with your taxi driver before setting off, otherwise, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you reach Ollantaytambo.
FAQs Things To Do In Ollantaytambo
Still uncertain about visiting Ollantaytambo during your Peru trip? Let me answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this quaint little town:
How many days should you stay in Ollantaytambo?
I would recommend at least 2 days in Ollantaytambo to fully explore the town and the surrounding areas.
It very much depends on how interested you are in visiting the countless archaeological sites and museums in and around the area. I spent two days there which I felt was enough time to before continuing with my Peru adventure.
How long is the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu?
The train ride lasts exactly 1 hour and 40 minutes, and it is a lovely train ride as well as described above. Make sure to book your train tickets well in advance.
Is Ollantaytambo safe for tourists?
YES, it is! Like the rest of Peru, Ollantaytambo is very safe for tourists and there is no need to have any safety concerns.
I never experienced any safety issues during my 3 weeks in Peru, everyone I met was super friendly and kind, especially in Ollantaytambo.
Conclusion: Top Things To Do In Ollantaytambo
So that concludes my top things to do in Ollantaytambo, one of the most interesting and special places you can visit in all of Peru.
With endless archaeological sites, museums and incredible views, you’ll no doubt fall in love with this small but beautiful town. I honestly found it to be more authentic and more memorable than the likes of Cusco.
I hope this post of the top things to do in Ollantaytambo has inspired you to visit this quaint town and discover so many magical places that it has to offer.
You may also enjoy reading this blog post about Peru:
➡️ Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
