Attractions in Peru

Cajamarca

A historic highland city where the Inca Empire met the Spanish conquerors, famous for its colonial architecture and thermal springs.

National Stadium of Peru

The largest and most important multi-purpose stadium in Lima, mainly used for matches of the Peruvian national football team.

Cumbemayo

An impressive archaeological site known for its pre-Inca aqueducts and the distinctive rock formations 'Los Frailones'.

Chan Chan

The largest pre-Columbian city in South America and the former capital of the Chimú Empire, built entirely of mud bricks.

Chachapoyas

A charming city in the cloud forest, serving as the gateway to the massive Kuélap fortress and Gocta, one of the world's tallest waterfalls.

Q'enqo

One of the largest Inca sanctuaries in the Cusco region, known for its channels and altars carved into the limestone rock.

Ayacucho

The city of 33 churches, famous for its religious tradition, colonial architecture, and the intricate retablo folk art.

Sillustani

A pre-Hispanic cemetery on the shores of Lake Umayo in Puno, famous for its cylindrical stone tombs known as Chullpas.

Coricancha

The most important sun temple of the Inca Empire in Cusco, upon whose ruins the Spanish built the Church of Santo Domingo.

Pachacamac

A massive archaeological site on the coast south of Lima that was an important religious center long before the Incas.

Choquequirao

An impressive Inca city in southern Peru, architecturally very similar to Machu Picchu, but much more isolated.

Huaca Pucllana

A massive adobe pyramid of the Lima culture, which today is a fascinating relic in the middle of the modern Miraflores district.

Bridge of Sighs

A picturesque wooden bridge in the bohemian district of Barranco in Lima, which has inspired many artists, musicians, and lovers.

Nazca Lines

Huge geoglyphs in the desert of Peru depicting geometric figures and animals, best seen from the air.

Pisac Ruins

An extensive Inca site in the Sacred Valley, known for its huge agricultural terraces and ceremonial centers.

Larco Museum

A privately run museum of pre-Columbian art in Lima, housed in a beautiful 18th-century building.

Plaza Mayor of Lima

The main square and birthplace of the city of Lima, surrounded by significant historical and architectural buildings.

Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna

Two massive pyramids of the Moche culture near Trujillo, known for their colorful murals and reliefs.

Real Felipe Fortress

A massive historical fortress in Callao, built in the 18th century to protect against pirates and corsairs.

Monastery of San Francisco

An impressive baroque church and monastery complex in Lima, particularly famous for its underground catacombs.

Chavín de Huántar

An archaeological site and important religious center of the pre-Hispanic Chavín culture in the Peruvian Andes.

Santa Catalina Monastery

A colorful, historical monastery in Arequipa that looks like a small city of its own with streets and plazas.

Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa

The most important Catholic church in Arequipa, famous for its white facade made of volcanic sillar stone.

Kuélap

A massive fortress of the Chachapoya culture high in the Andes, often called the 'Machu Picchu of the North'.

Sacred City of Caral

The oldest known city in the Americas, featuring monumental architecture and impressive pyramids.

Cusco Cathedral

The magnificent main church on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, built on the foundations of an ancient Inca palace.

Cristo Blanco

A large white statue of Jesus on Pukamoqo Hill, watching over the city of Cusco with open arms.

Ollantaytambo

One of the best-preserved Inca towns with an impressive fortress, located in the Sacred Valley.

Sacsayhuamán

A massive Inca fortress near Cusco, known for its massive, seamlessly fitted stone blocks.

Huaca Rajada

The archaeological site in northern Peru where the famous tombs of the Lord of Sipán were discovered.

Machu Picchu

The famous Inca citadel high in the Andes, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonder of the world.

Tambomachay

An Inca archaeological site that served as a sanctuary dedicated to water or baths of the Inca.

Nazca

Famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines, giant geoglyphs etched into the arid Peruvian desert.

Moray

An Inca archaeological site consisting of deep, circular terraces dug into the earth.

Nature

Llanganuco Lakes

The Llanganuco Lakes are two turquoise glacial lakes at the foot of Huascarán in the Cordillera Blanca.

Lake Sandoval

Lake Sandoval is a beautiful oxbow lake in the Tambopata Reserve, hosting a rich variety of wildlife.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable body of water in the world, shared between Peru and Bolivia.

Huacachina Oasis

The Huacachina Oasis is a natural desert lake surrounded by massive sand dunes.

Chachani

A massive volcanic complex near Arequipa, often considered the easiest six-thousander to climb due to the lack of glaciers.

Chopicalqui

Chopicalqui is a popular 6000m peak in the Cordillera Blanca, often climbed as preparation for more difficult peaks.

Salcantay

Salcantay is the highest peak in the Cordillera Vilcabamba and a famous alternative trekking peak en route to Machu Picchu.

Siula Grande

Siula Grande in the Cordillera Huayhuash became world-famous through Joe Simpson's book and film 'Touching the Void'.

Nevado Mismi

A glaciated mountain peak whose meltwater ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean after a long journey through the Amazon.

Huandoy

A striking mountain in the Cordillera Blanca with four distinct peaks, rising right next to the higher Huascarán.

Artesonraju

A pyramid-shaped mountain in the Peruvian Andes, often believed to have inspired the Paramount Pictures logo.

Huaynaputina

A volcano without a distinct profile, famous for the largest volcanic eruption in South American history in 1600.

Yerupajá

Yerupajá is the second highest mountain in Peru and is considered one of the hardest to climb in the Andes.

Sabancaya Volcano

An extremely active, heavily glaciated stratovolcano near the Colca Canyon, often emitting ash clouds.

Mount Ampato

A dormant, ice-capped volcano in the Andes where the famous Inca ice mummy 'Juanita' was discovered in 1995.

Ausangate

Ausangate is the fifth highest mountain in Peru and is considered a sacred mountain (Apu) in Andean mythology.