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Country guide
Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which band a city sits in decides nearly everything about visiting it — Lima, the capital, is a coastal city under grey winter cloud, Cusco sits high enough in the Andes to cost a first day doing nothing, and Iquitos in the rainforest has no road connecting it to the rest of the country. It is the third largest country in South America. The distances between those three worlds are why itineraries here are counted in flights rather than in bus rides.
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
Photograph · Corminos · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photograph · gertrudis2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
100 places match
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Typical visit duration
The Historic Centre of Cusco is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed core of Peru's former Inca capital. It encompasses the original Inca street grid, surviving stone walls, colonial-era churches, and public plazas built atop and around Inca foundations.
Plaza Mayor de Lima is the historic square at the core of Lima's World Heritage-listed centre. UNESCO identifies the surrounding historic centre as the colonial core whose monuments and urban fabric express Lima's role as a major Spanish American capital.
San Blas Quarter, known locally as Barrio de San Blas, is a historic neighbourhood in Cusco, Peru. It occupies a steep hillside above the city centre and retains narrow lanes from the Inca era.
The Puente de los Suspiros is a wooden footbridge in Lima's Barranco District, a coastal neighborhood known for its bohemian character. The bridge spans a narrow ravine and has become an emblematic landmark of the area.
The Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo is a significant colonial religious complex in Lima's historic centre.
Iglesia de San Blas is a small parish church in the historic San Blas quarter of Cusco, Peru. It sits within the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Cusco.
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco. The archaeological complex stands at an elevation that creates dramatic cloud-forest surroundings.
The Cusco Municipal Theatre, known locally as Teatro Municipal del Cusco, is a municipal performance venue operated by the city government. It serves as a cultural institution within Cusco's official visitor infrastructure.
Cusco is a city in southeastern Peru, historically the capital of the Inca Empire. Located in the Andes Mountains at high elevation, it serves as a gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
The Municipal Palace of Lima, known locally as Palacio Municipal de Lima, serves as the city hall of Peru's capital. It stands on the historic Plaza Mayor, the foundational heart of Lima's colonial grid.
Caral is an archaeological site in the Supe Valley of Peru, recognized as one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Americas. The complex belongs to the Norte Chico civilization, which developed complex societies contemporaneous with ancient Egypt.
The Central Market of Lima, known locally as Mercado Central de Lima, stands in the historic centre of Peru's capital. It functions as a major municipal food market serving everyday commerce.
Vilcabamba, known locally as Willkapampa, is an archaeological site in the Cusco region of Peru. It served as the final refuge and capital of the Inca state after the Spanish conquest of Cusco in 1533.
Pachacámac is a vast pre-Columbian archaeological site southeast of Lima, Peru. The Zona Arqueológica Monumental Pachacámac served as a major religious center for multiple Andean cultures over approximately 1,500 years before Spanish contact.
The Archbishop's Palace of Cusco, known locally as Palacio Arzobispal del Cusco, stands on Hatunrumiyoc street in the historic centre. The site represents significant architectural layering, incorporating the former Inca Roca palace beneath colonial structures.
Sacsayhuaman, known locally as Saqsaywaman, is an immense Inca ceremonial and defensive complex situated on a hill above Cusco.
Choquequirao is a remote Inca archaeological site situated in the Vilcabamba mountain range of the Cusco region. Often called the sister city of Machu Picchu, it remains far less visited due to its isolated location.
Tambomachay is an Inca archaeological site on the northern outskirts of Cusco, Peru. It functions as a ceremonial water shrine, featuring finely engineered stone channels, aqueducts, and waterfalls that demonstrate sophisticated hydraulic engineering.
Plaza Santa Ana is a historic public square in the upper reaches of Cusco's colonial centre, situated beyond the main tourist circuit that concentrates around the Plaza de Armas.
The Historic Centre of Lima, locally Centro Histórico de Lima, is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial core of Peru's capital. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it preserves a substantial ensemble of Spanish colonial architecture, religious buildings, and civic structures.
Puka Pukara is a small Inca archaeological site situated on the northern outskirts of Cusco, Peru. Its Quechua name translates to Red Fortress, referencing the distinctive reddish hue of its stonework.
The Government Palace of Peru, known locally as Palacio de Gobierno del Perú, serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Peru.
Moray is an archaeological complex in the Sacred Valley near Cusco, Peru. It consists of circular agricultural terraces built into a natural depression. The site is managed under Peruvian state heritage oversight with reference to regional authorities.
Santa Ana Church is a colonial parish church located in the Santa Ana neighbourhood of Cusco, Peru. It forms part of the Historic Centre of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tipón is an archaeological site in the Cusco region of Peru, recognized as a significant example of Inca hydraulic engineering. The complex features agricultural terraces with integrated irrigation channels that remain functional.
Wiñay Wayna is an Inca archaeological site situated along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in the Cusco Region of Peru. The name translates from Quechua as 'Forever Young.' The ruins occupy a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River valley.
Plaza San Martín is a monumental republican square in Lima's historic centre. It forms the southern anchor of the historic-centre walking route, connecting visitors to the broader colonial and republican urban fabric.
Complejo arqueológico El Paraíso is a pre-Columbian archaeological complex in Lima, Peru. Dating to the Preceramic period, it represents one of the earliest known large-scale monumental constructions in the Americas.
Puruchuco is an archaeological site in Lima, Peru, associated with the Ichma culture that later became part of the Inca Empire. The site features a palace complex with distinctive trapezoidal architecture typical of the region.
Sayhuite is an Inca archaeological complex in Curahuasi district, Apurímac, rather than a monument inside Cusco city. Peru's Ministry of Culture identifies it as a nationally protected pre-Hispanic archaeological monument and one of Apurímac's representative heritage sites.
Piquillacta is a pre-Inca archaeological site located southeast of Cusco in the Lucre Basin of Peru.
Huaca Pucllana is a pre-Inca adobe pyramid and ceremonial complex situated in the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru. Constructed by the Lima culture between 200 and 700 CE, it served as an administrative and religious center.
Waqrapukara is an archaeological site situated southeast of Cusco, Peru. The name translates from Quechua as "horn fortress," referencing the distinctive horn-shaped rock formations that dominate the landscape.
Huayna Picchu, locally called Montaña Huayna Picchu, is a steep mountain rising above the Machu Picchu archaeological site in the Cusco region of Peru. It forms a dramatic backdrop to the famous Inca citadel.
Písac is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, approximately one hour northeast of Cusco. The settlement sits at a lower elevation than the city, making it a common destination for visitors adjusting to altitude.
Cajamarquilla is an archaeological site located in the Lima metropolitan area of Peru. The settlement represents a significant pre-Columbian urban center, originally developed during the early Intermediate Period and later expanded during the Wari civilization's regional influence.
Lake Junín, locally known as Lago Chinchaycocha, is a high-altitude lake in the Junín Region of Peru's central Andes. It sits within the Peruvian Andes ecosystem and forms part of the Lake Junín National Reserve.
Bandurria is an archaeological site in Peru, located near Lima. It represents a significant pre-Columbian settlement associated with early Andean civilizations. The site contributes to understanding of ancient Peruvian coastal cultures and their development.
Garagay is an archaeological site in Lima, Peru, known locally as Huaca Garagay. It represents a pre-Columbian ceremonial complex attributed to the Lima culture. The site features adobe construction typical of early Andean civilizations.
Paramonga is an archaeological site located near the city of Lima, Peru. The structure represents remains from the Chimú culture, which flourished along the northern coast of Peru before the rise of the Inca Empire.
The Real Felipe Fortress, locally named Fortaleza del Real Felipe, stands as Callao's monumental colonial fortress and ranks as the strongest military-history site in the Lima metropolitan area.
The Ausangate Circuit is a multi-day trekking route encircling Nevado Ausangate, the highest peak in the Cusco region at approximately 6,384 metres.
Inka Wasi, locally known as Incawasi, is a historical site in Lima, Peru. Its Wikidata entry Q1528509 and OpenStreetMap way/156496715 confirm its documented presence in heritage databases.
Plaza de Armas del Cusco stands as the historic main square of Cusco, Peru, occupying the ceremonial heart of the former Inca capital. Spanish colonial architecture now dominates the space, with arcades, churches, and portals surrounding the open plaza.
Siula Grande is a mountain in the Huayhuash range of the Peruvian Andes, located near Lima's broader region. It gained international recognition through Joe Simpson's mountaineering memoir Touching the Void.
Vinicunca, locally called Winikunka, is a mountain in the Cusco region of Peru. The area is known for distinctive striped mineral colouring on slopes, commonly called Rainbow Mountain in tourism materials.
The Battle of Junín site commemorates the pivotal 1824 military engagement during Peru's war of independence. Located in the Junín region's highlands, this historic battlefield marks where Simón Bolívar's revolutionary forces clashed with Spanish royalist troops.
Q'enqo Grande is the principal and larger section of the Q'enqo archaeological complex near Cusco, Peru. This Inca site features ceremonial passages and altar-like rockwork carved from living stone.
Morro Solar is a headland located in the Chorrillos district of Lima, Peru. It rises above the Pacific coastline and serves as a prominent geographical landmark for the southern part of the city.
Salcantay, known locally as Nevado Salkantay, is a mountain in the Vilcabamba range of the Peruvian Andes near Cusco.
Sara Sara is a place of interest located in Cusco, Peru. The site is recorded in OpenStreetMap data as node 4275668643 and linked to Wikidata entity Q2652409.
Parque Reducto No. 2 is a public park in Lima, Peru, locally known as Parque Reducto. The site preserves historical military significance as one of the defensive positions used during the War of the Pacific.
The Convent of Santo Domingo stands on the Qorikancha complex in central Cusco.
Huaca Huallamarca is a restored adobe pyramid located in the San Isidro district of Lima, Peru. The site functions as both an archaeological monument and a site museum.
Tunanmarka is an archaeological site located in the Lima region of Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian cultural heritage and forms part of the broader landscape of ancient settlements in the central coastal and highland zones of the country.
Huayllay National Sanctuary is a protected natural area in Peru, located in the Pasco Region. The sanctuary is recognized for its distinctive geological formations, particularly its extensive rock forest created by volcanic and erosive processes over geological time.
The Lima Cathedral Basilica, known locally as Basílica Catedral de Lima, stands as the principal cathedral of Lima and anchors the historic Plaza Mayor. This colonial-era basilica serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima.
Laguna Lauricocha, known in English as Lauricocha Lake, is a high-altitude body of water in the Peruvian Andes. It lies within the Lauricocha Province of Huánuco Region, not Lima itself, though often referenced in broader Peruvian travel contexts.
Rasac is a place in Lima, Peru, identified in OpenStreetMap data under node 1503674397. The Wikidata entry Q7294700 associates this identifier with the name Rasac.
Vitcos is an archaeological site in the Cusco region of Peru, identified in OpenStreetMap data as way/37114982. The location appears in Wikidata as Q2045814. Situated in the broader Vilcabamba area, it represents Inca-period remains.
Acaray, known locally as Akaray, is a place of interest located in Lima, Peru. The site is identified in OpenStreetMap under the way identifier 770631178 and holds a Wikidata entry Q2822644.
Campo de Marte is a large central civic park in Lima, Peru. It functions as a significant public green space within the urban environment, serving both ceremonial and recreational purposes for the city.
Parque de la Exposición, known in English as Exhibition Park, is a central public park in Lima, Peru. Established on land used for the 1872 International Exposition, it serves as a cultural and recreational hub connecting several important institutions.
Castillo Rospigliosi is a historic castle located in Lima, Peru. The structure represents an architectural landmark within the city, bearing the name of the Rospigliosi family.
The equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar stands as a monumental tribute to the Venezuelan military leader who played a decisive role in liberating multiple South American nations from Spanish colonial rule.
Suntur, locally known as Sóndor, is an archaeological site near Cusco, Peru. The location appears in Wikidata and OpenStreetMap records as a place of historical significance in the region.
Awkiwatu is the Quechua name associated with Cerro Auquihuato, a 4,980-metre volcanic cone in Páucar del Sara Sara province, Ayacucho. It is not a viewpoint in central Cusco, despite its current placement in the Cusco content pool.
Solimana is a volcanic mountain in the Andes of southern Peru, situated in the Arequipa Region rather than immediately adjacent to Cusco city proper. It forms part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes.
Tres Hermanas Falls, known locally as Cataratas las Tres Hermanas, is a waterfall attraction near Cusco, Peru. The name translates to Three Sisters Falls, referencing its three distinct cascades.
Peñico, known locally as Penico, is a place of interest in Lima, Peru. Its specific function and historical background remain Not recorded in available sources.
Quriwayrachina, locally known as Corihayrachina, is a populated place situated in La Convención Province within the Cusco Region of Peru. The settlement lies in the Peruvian Andes, forming part of the broader Vilcabamba valley area historically associated with Inca-era activity.
Raqch'i is an archaeological site in the Cusco region of Peru, located on the route between Cusco and Puno. The site is primarily known for the Temple of Wiracocha, a significant Inca religious structure.
Rumicolca, known locally as Portada Rumikolka, is an archaeological site near Cusco, Peru. This Inca structure served as a gateway and checkpoint along the important route toward the Collasuyu region of the Inca Empire.
Chicón is a mountain peak situated in the Cusco region of Peru. Located in the Andes, it forms part of the dramatic mountainous landscape surrounding the historic city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire.
Pumasillo is a mountain in the Cusco Region of Peru, situated within the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado is an archaeological complex located in Lima, Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian architectural heritage within the modern urban environment of the capital city.
Buena Vista is a recognized locality within Lima, Peru's sprawling capital. Situated in the coastal desert metropolis, it forms part of the greater urban fabric that extends across the Lima metropolitan area.
Tarahuasi, known locally as Zona arqueológica Tarawasi, is an archaeological site near Cusco, Peru. The site represents Inca-period construction and serves as a cultural heritage location in the broader Sacred Valley region.
The Cusco Cathedral, locally named Catedral Basílica de la Virgen de la Asunción, stands as the preeminent colonial religious monument in Cusco, Peru. It dominates the historic Plaza de Armas, the city's central square.
Lake Sibinacocha is a large high-Andean lake in the Urubamba basin of southern Peru. Peru's National Water Authority inventory records a surface area of about 28.11 square kilometres, making it one of the major glacial lakes identified in that basin.
Marcahuasi is a high-altitude Andean plateau known in Spanish as Meseta de Marcahuasi. Situated east of Lima in the Peruvian mountains, this geological formation rises above the Rímac River valley.
Nevado Ampay is a mountain peak located near the city of Cusco in Peru. The local name emphasizes its status as a snow-capped summit.
Callangate, known locally as Qullpa Ananta, is a mountain in the Cusco region of Peru. It stands within the Vilcanota mountain range, part of the larger Andes.
Ccarhuarazo is a locality in the Cusco region of Peru, situated within the broader Sacred Valley and Andean highland area. The settlement reflects the dispersed rural pattern common to many Peruvian altiplano communities, where agriculture and traditional livelihoods persist.
Cunurana is a locality in the Cusco region of Peru, situated in the Peruvian Andes. The area forms part of the broader Sacred Valley landscape, a historically significant zone of Inca civilization.
Pariacaca, locally known as Paryaqaqa, is a mountain in the Lima Region of Peru. It holds significance in Andean cosmology as a sacred peak.
The Necrópolis de Ancón is a pre-Columbian burial site located in the Ancón district north of Lima, Peru. Archaeological evidence indicates this coastal necropolis served as an important funerary center for ancient Andean civilizations.
Casa Hacienda Punchauca is a historic estate located in the Lima region of Peru. The property represents a traditional hacienda architectural typology associated with colonial and republican-era agricultural estates.
Huaca Mangomarca, locally known as Complejo Arqueológico Mangomarca, is an archaeological complex located in Lima, Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian heritage within the urban fabric of the capital.
The Casona of San Marcos is the historic main building of the National University of San Marcos, located in central Lima, Peru. Its local name is Casona de San Marcos.
The Monument to Bartolomé Herrera is a commemorative sculpture honoring the Peruvian cleric, philosopher, and politician Bartolomé Herrera (1808–1864). Herrera served as Archbishop of Lima and held significant influence in 19th-century Peruvian religious and political life.
The Monument to Hipólito Unanue honors the Peruvian physician, naturalist, and statesman who played a foundational role in Peruvian science and independence-era governance.
The Monument to Sebastián Lorente is a public memorial located in Lima, Peru, dedicated to the Spanish-born Peruvian educator and journalist Sebastián Lorente. Lorente was a significant figure in 19th-century Peruvian education reform and intellectual life.
Quinta de Presa is an unusual Rococo country house located in the Rímac district of Lima, Peru. It stands as one of Rímac's most significant surviving viceregal residences, representing an important architectural heritage from the colonial period.
Quinta Heeren is a rare nineteenth-century residential compound located in Lima, Peru. It preserves original streets, gardens, and eclectic republican-era architecture within its boundaries.
Inka Wasi is an archaeological site located in the Ayacucho region of Peru, not in Cusco city itself. The site represents pre-Columbian Inka architectural remains, demonstrating the expansive reach of the Inka Empire across Andean territories.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·
Ten to fourteen days can combine Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley with one additional region. Altitude adjustment and rail or road transfers need their own time, so compressing the Andes and Amazon into the same short visit is unwise.
Peru’s Migraciones authority publishes admission information. Passport, nationality and permitted-stay rules must be checked for the actual traveller, and any border or immigration form should come from the government service.
Lima is the principal air hub, with domestic services to Cusco, Arequipa and other gateways. Intercity buses cover many routes, and selected tourist trains serve the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu area.
May to September is the broad dry-season window for many Andean routes. Lima’s coastal conditions and Amazon rainfall follow different patterns, so an itinerary spanning regions needs separate forecasts and access checks.
Peru uses the sol (PEN). Current acceptance and withdrawal charges are Not recorded here; confirm whether an operator expects soles, cards or advance payment before leaving a major city.
Peru records 105 for police and 116 for fire services. Type A and C sockets use 220 V; national tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain local advice.
