Situated in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley, the ancient city of Cusco, once the political and geographical centre of the Inca Empire, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Sitting at a dizzying elevation of 3 400 m (11 200 ft), this enchanting city balances age-old Peruvian traditions with Spanish colonial elegance and offers peaceful courtyards, centuries-old passageways, lively European-style squares, open-space temples and sacred hillside sanctuaries for visitors to explore. Now one of Peru’s most popular destinations nestled amongst dramatic Andean panoramas, the city serves as both a base to explore the nearby Inca destinations, such as the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, as well as a vibrant and exciting city attraction in its own right.