Language · 11 published
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
Category
Typical visit duration
Ciudad del Cusco
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.
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.
Willkapampa
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.
Zona Arqueológica Monumental Pachacámac
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.
Sacsayhuamán
Sacsayhuaman, known locally as Saqsaywaman, is an immense Inca ceremonial and defensive complex situated on a hill above Cusco.
Palacio de Gobierno
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.
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
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
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.
Piedra de Sayhuite
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.
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.
Qurikancha
Coricancha, known locally as Qurikancha, was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. Located in Cusco, Peru, it was dedicated primarily to Inti, the sun god.
Bandurria
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.
Huaca Garagay
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.
Incawasi
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.
Museo Central
The Museo del Banco Central de Reserva del Perú, commonly known as Museo Central, is a museum institution located in Lima, Peru. It operates under the auspices of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, the country's monetary authority.
Batalla de Junín
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.
Zona Histórica Intangible del Morro Solar
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.
Casa Aliaga is a historic colonial mansion in Lima, Peru, situated in the city centre near the Plaza de Armas.
Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
The Convent of Santo Domingo stands on the Qorikancha complex in central Cusco.
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.
Catedral de Lima
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.
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.
Akaray
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.
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.
Libertador Simón Bolívar
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.
Sóndor
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.
Casa O'Higgins is a historic house museum in Lima, Peru, associated with Bernardo O'Higgins, the Chilean independence leader. The building preserves connections to his residence in the city during the independence era.
Museo Numismático del Perú
The Lima Mint, known locally as the Museo Numismático del Perú, is a numismatic museum in Lima, Peru.
Museo Metropolitano de Lima
The Metropolitan Museum of Lima, known locally as the Museo Metropolitano de Lima, is a cultural institution in Lima, Peru. Its Wikidata entry Q20021983 and OpenStreetMap way/174868391 establish its documented identity.
Museo Oro del Perú
The Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World is a private museum in Lima housing collections assembled by Miguel Mujica Gallo. It displays pre-Columbian gold and silver artifacts alongside a substantial arms collection from various periods and regions.
Penico
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.
Corihayrachina
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.
Portada Rumikolka
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.
Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado
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.
Zona arqueológica Tarawasi
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.
Casa Goyeneche is a historic building located in Lima, Peru. The structure holds significance within the architectural and cultural heritage of the city.
Casa de Osambela
Casa de Osambela, known in English as Osambela House, is a historic building located in Lima, Peru. The structure represents an important example of colonial-era architecture in the Peruvian capital.
Necrópolis de Ancón
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.
Complejo Arqueológico Mangomarca
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.
Bartolomé Herrera
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.
Hipólito Unanue
The Monument to Hipólito Unanue honors the Peruvian physician, naturalist, and statesman who played a foundational role in Peruvian science and independence-era governance.
Sebastián Lorente
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.
Hospital Real de San Andrés
La Libertad
Memorial El ojo que llora
Inka Wasi
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.
Museo de Historia Natural (UNMSM)
Puente Inka
The Inca Bridge, known locally as Puente Inka, is a historical structure near Cusco, Peru. This site forms part of the broader archaeological heritage associated with Inca engineering and construction techniques.
Faro La Marina
Muyuqmarka
Muyuq Marka, also known locally as Muyuqmarka, is a circular archaeological tower foundation located within the Sacsayhuamán complex above Cusco, Peru.
Ñusta Hispana
Ñusta Hisp'ana is an archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru. The site is known for its carved stone features and forms part of the broader Inca cultural landscape in the Sacred Valley region.
Pinkuylluna is an archaeological site on the steep hill east of Ollantaytambo's historic settlement. Peru's official tourism inventory records long occupation evidence from the Formative period onward, including Middle Horizon burials, Late Intermediate Killke ceramics, and later structures.
Pongo de Mainique is a dramatic gorge and canyon on the Urubamba River in the Cusco region of Peru. The name derives from local Quechua terminology associated with this significant geographical feature.
Wamanmarka is an archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian Inca heritage and forms part of the broader cultural landscape of the Sacred Valley region.
Basílica Santuario Santa Rosa de Lima
Convento de San Francisco
Basílica de San Pedro
K'anamarka
Templo de la Luna
The Temple of the Moon, or Templo de la Luna, is a rock-cut ceremonial site located on the hills near Sacsayhuaman above Cusco.
Combate del Dos de Mayo
Rupac
Aeropuerto de Limatambo
Monumento al soldado desconocido
Basílica Menor de la Merced
La Merced Church and Convent, known locally as Iglesia y Convento de La Merced, stands in Cusco as a significant colonial religious complex. The basilica and convent together form one canonical visitor destination.
Basilica María Auxiliadora
Templo de la Sagrada Familia
Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro
Museo de la Nación
Museo Nacional del Perú
The Museo Nacional del Perú, commonly known as MUNA, is Peru's flagship national museum. It stands near the Pachacamac archaeological complex southeast of central Lima.
Choccepujo
Machu Qollqa
Museo Planetario José Castro Mendívil
Torre del Reloj Alemana
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.
