34 Impressive Peru Landmarks: The Best Places To Visit!
Last Updated: August 31 2024
We spent just under 3 weeks travelling around Peru and it quickly became one our favourite places. We knew we were going to enjoy it, but we didn’t realize just how spectacular it really was!
One of the things that surprised us the most was the sheer number of impressive landmarks. It doesn’t matter where you go in Peru, you’ll find a vast range of historic attractions and one-of-a-kind sites.
Of course, Machu Picchu is by far the most famous landmark in Peru, but there are so many more you need to see. This guide will take you through the very best Peru landmarks so you know exactly where to visit.
So, make sure you add as many as you can to your Peru itinerary!
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Historical & Man-Made Peru Landmarks You Have to Visit
1. Machu Picchu
Let’s start with the most iconic landmark in Peru. Machu Picchu is one of the main reasons people visit the country and with good reason!
Discovered in 1991, this 15th-century Incan citadel sits high in the Andes Mountain range above the charming town of Aguas Calientes and the Urubamba River. The ancient citadel is famous for its sophisticated stone wall architecture, mysterious astronomical alignments, and advanced technology.
Exploring Machu Picchu is a must if you want to learn more about the Incan empire and the mystery that surrounds it. For example, did you know Machu Picchu was abandoned just 100 years after it was built?
🚌 Visit Machu Picchu on a tour:
2. The Nazca Lines
One of the more unique landmarks in Peru is the Nazca Lines and they’re best seen from the sky! You might have seen the Nazca Lines in Indiana Jones, but if you haven’t, you’re seriously missing out.
The Nazca Lines are a famous group of ancient geoglyphs etched into the Peruvian desert. These lines cover almost 1,000 square kilometres of desert and there are approximately 300 figures to check out.
Most figures represent animals and plants, and every single one has a deeper meaning. Some Nazca Lines are up to 30 metres (98 feet) wide and 9 km (5.6 miles) long!
You can fly over the Nazca Lines on a day trip from Paracas if you wish.
🚌 Visit the Nazca Lines on a tour:
3. The City of Cusco
The next Peru landmark on our list is actually an entire city and we must admit, it may just be our favourite place in the country. The entire city of Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre so you have a lot to look forward to!
Found high in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco was developed in the 15th century by the Incan ruler Pachacutec. During the 16th century, the Spanish continued to develop the city with the addition of Baroque churches and palaces.
If you want to see the best of Cusco, we recommend heading to Plaza de Armas (Cusco Main Square). Here, you’ll find iconic landmarks such as Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus.
🚌 Visit Cusco on a tour:
4. The Historic Centre of Lima
Some Peru landmarks, like the Historic Centre of Lima, have been damaged in the past by earthquakes, but that doesn’t make them any less famous. Until the 18th century, Peru’s capital was the most important Spanish-occupied city in South America.
As a result, the city is filled with unique architecture that dates back hundreds of years. The most impressive examples of Spanish architecture in Lima can be found in the Historic Centre.
In our opinion, Lima Cathedral, built in 1602, and the mindblowing Convent of San Francisco, which is the biggest of its kind in the world are the best examples of the Old World!
🚌 Visit the Historic Centre of Lima on a tour:
5. Huacachina
Huacachina in Southwestern Peru is easily one of the best and most visited landmarks in Peru, so make sure you spend a day there. Found alongside the city of Ica, Huacachina is a world-famous desert oasis, surrounded by towering sand dunes, and vast wilderness.
Aside from being an incredible sight, there are lots of things to do in Huacachina. After wandering around the oasis, you can jump in a dune buggy, surf down the sand dunes, or simply kick back with a refreshing cocktail and a traditional Peruvian lunch.
You can visit the oasis on a day trip or stay overnight, so you don’t have to rush your time here.
🚌 Visit Huacachina on a tour:
6. Arequipa
Our list of Peru landmarks simply can’t exclude the city of Arequipa, after all, it’s the colonial-era capital of Peru’s Arequipa Region. With three volcanoes serving as a backdrop and a huge array of stunning baroque buildings to visit, everything about this place will blow you away.
What’s interesting about the architecture in this ancient city is how the buildings are made. Most of the old architecture in Arequipa was constructed using sillar, which is a type of white volcanic stone. This leaves the city with a truly remarkable appearance.
Like Lima and Cusco, Arequipa has a Historic Centre and a Plaza de Armas to explore.
🚌 Visit Arequipa on a tour:
7. Sacsayhuaman Fortress
Next up is Sacsayhuaman Fortress, sometimes spelt Saqsaywaman. Sat in the hills above the city of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman Fortress is one of the most famous places in Peru and rightly so.
This ancient Incan site was built in the 1400s by order of the Incan ruler Pachacuti and it still stands strong today. Once a military base, the site is now an important archaeological site because the ruins are so well-preserved, despite the Spanish invasion.
The fortress is a fine example of how skilled the Incas were so make sure you check it out. The way the rocks have been intricately cut to form each wall is unbelievable!
🚌 Visit Sacsayhuaman Fortress on a tour:
8. Iquitos
Next up, we have Iquitos, which is probably one of the most unique and intriguing cities in the world.
Iquitos is a port city that serves as a gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. Most people visit the city on their way to the jungle’s tribal villages and lodges, and you could do the same!
In Iquitos’ Belén district, you’ll find an enormous open-air market and the most amazing stilt houses, most of which line the Itaya River. In the Historic Centre, you’ll find some of the most famous buildings in Peru.
The combination of ancient Peru, modern Europe, and the wild world of the Amazon Rainforest make Iquitos truly magical.
🚌 Visit Iquitos on a tour:
9. Chinchero
Chinchero is a very underrated place so make sure you leave enough time to visit – you’ll regret it otherwise. Referred to as the ‘birthplace of the rainbow’, Chinchero is a traditional Andean Village that features Inca ruins, colonial architecture, and a thriving market.
Here, tourists have the opportunity to step back in time, while enjoying the picturesque views, but that’s not all, as this village is also home to the Chinchero Weavers.
The Chinchero Weavers is a small community that specialises in making traditional hand-woven clothes, which you can watch them make and buy. We watched a demonstration and then bought some beautiful jumpers!
🚌 Visit Chinchero on a tour:
10. Chauchilla Cemetery
Chauchilla Cemetery is arguably the strangest landmark in Peru but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. Besides, strange places often turn out to be the most interesting!
Found around 30 km (19 miles) south of Nazca, Chauchilla Cemetery is a 200 AD cemetery that was discovered in the 1920s.
What makes it so interesting are the prehispanic mummified remains that sit inside the tombs, along with a wide range of archaeological artefacts. Eerily, the mummified people can still be seen in the tombs today, despite the burial grounds being plundered over the years.
You can expect to learn more about the ancient methods used to mummify people here!
🚌 Visit Chauchilla Cemetery a tour:
11. Moray
One of our favourite landmarks of Peru is Moray because it’s incredibly interesting. Moray is an archaeological site located 50 km (31 miles) away from Cusco on a plateau 3,500 metres (11,500 feet) above sea level.
The site is home to ancient Inca ruins consisting of several circular terraces, the largest being 30 metres (98 feet) deep. These circular rock formations were used for farming and seed germination.
Each terrace is designed to hold more or less heat, with the difference between the top and bottom terraces being as much as 5°C (9°F).
After walking around the site, spend some time admiring the mountain views from the ruins too.
🚌 Visit Moray on a tour:
12. Ollantaytambo
On a tour of Moray, you can also see the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, so add it to the list of Peru landmarks you want to visit. This Sacred Valley village sits on the Urubamba River amongst Incan ruins and the Andes Mountain Range.
The village itself is wonderful, offering a wide range of attractions, but, the Inca fortress is where you’ll want to spend most of your time. Here, you’ll find an enormous Sun Temple, unique rock formations, large stone terraces, and Princess Baths Fountain.
The Inca Trail starts near Ollantaytambo too, so you can see everything before you start your hike.
🚌 Visit Ollantaytambo on a tour:
13. Maras Salt Flats
You’ll find that many tours will take you to Maras Salt Flats, so consider booking one if you want to see a variety of the best Peru landmarks in one day. Also known as Salineras de Maras, the Maras Salt Flats have over 3,000 individual salt ponds.
The salt is extracted from the flats by hundreds of local families before it’s exported all over the world.
Most experts believe the Maras Salt Flats were created by the Wari civilization in 500 to 1100 AD. There are two main viewpoints to visit and you’ll be able to see the families working here which is really interesting!
🚌 Visit Maras Salt Flats on a tour:
14. The Inca Trail
The Inca Trail isn’t a landmark as such, but you’ll pass lots of Peruvian landmarks along the way and get the chance to visit Machu Picchu.
If you want to see what Peru has to offer and take on a serious physical challenge, the Inca Trail is perfect for you!
Also referred to as the Camino Inca, this hiking trail consists of three main trails – Mollepata, One Day, and the Classic Inca Trail. No matter which route you take, you can expect to see epic mountain views, Inca ruins, famous sites, and an array of the most important landmarks in Peru.
🚌 Visit the Inca Trail on a tour:
15. Qorikancha
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in Cusco, you have to visit Qorikancha because it’s one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Qorikancha, otherwise known as the Sun Temple was constructed by the Incan Empire during Túpac Yupanqui’s reign.
The temple was then destroyed by the Spanish and rebuilt. Today, an impressive structure stands in the heart of Cusco City!
For just a small entrance fee, you can explore the marvellous exterior and interior of the temple and walk around its lush gardens. Everything from the intricate stone walls to the ancient Incan artefacts is fabulous.
🚌 Visit Qorikancha on a tour:
16. Choquequirao Archaeological Park
If you love Machu Picchu and you’re looking for similar vibes, you should visit Choquequirao Archaeological Park, where you’ll find a structure not too dissimilar.
Choquequirao Archaeological Park or ‘Cradle of Gold’ is where the Incas made one last stand following the Spanish invasion.
Like Machu Picchu, this ancient national heritage site consists of Incan houses, terraces, ceremonial centres, and pilgrimage sites. The views from around the site are pretty special too, so be sure to check it out!
The beauty and grandeur of Choquequirao is immense but it does take a 4 or 5-day trek to get there.
17. Aguas Calientes
If you decide to visit Machu Picchu during your Peru trip, which let’s face it, you probably will, you’ll likely stay in the town of Aguas Calientes. It’s a small town in the Urubamba River Valley, sitting below Machu Picchu.
The town is known as the gateway to Machu Picchu and for its thermal baths, which we can highly recommend. Extremely vibrant, you’ll enjoy wandering around the local markets, searching for the local attractions, and indulging in traditional Peruvian food.
We found that Aguas Calientes had a collection of the most interesting Peru monuments, including the Statue of Pachacuti.
18. Chan Chan
Chan Chan is one of the lesser-known Peru landmarks but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting, in fact, that’s probably more of a reason to visit!
This Peruvian landmark is a pre-Colombian city and an impressive archaeological site in Northern Peru, not too far away from Trujillo.
The city was once the seat of the Chimú civilization before it was taken over by the Incas. A vast adobe complex was built on the site, which is what we can see today. Absolutely stunning, the complex is complete with a restored Tschudi Palace, citadels, temples, cemeteries, and plazas.
Museo de Sitio Chan Chan displays a collection of Peruvian artefacts too!
🚌 Visit Chan Chan on a tour:
Natural Peru Landmarks You Have to Visit
19. Humantay Lake
Peru has a wide range of amazing natural landmarks too and they don’t get much better than Humantay Lake. As the name suggests, this place is a pristine alpine lake with crystal-clear turquoise waters and a backdrop of dramatic mountains.
In our opinion, Humantay Lake has a lot in common with the famous lakes in Banff, Canada, so why wouldn’t you want to visit?
You can easily access the lake on a day trip from Cusco, but more adventurous tourists prefer to visit as part of the Salkantay Trek. Humantay Lake takes its name from Mount Humantay, which is a 5,474-metre (17,579-foot) mountain.
🚌 Visit Humantay Lake on a tour:
20. Tambopata National Reserve
If you love wildlife, you have to visit and stay in Tambopata National Reserve. This Reserve in Southeast Peru covers a huge area of the Amazon Basin, where you can immerse yourself in a biodiverse world that consists of rainforest and savannah.
We stayed here for three nights (in Chuncho Lodge) and it’s still one of the best things we’ve ever done. Being able to say we’ve slept under the stars in the Amazon jungle is pretty special, so why don’t you do it too?
During our time in Tambopata, we saw macaws, parrots, capybaras, snakes, tarantulas, monkeys, and so much more. We stayed alongside the beautiful Sandoval Lake too!
🚌 Visit Tambopata National Reserve on a tour:
21. Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon is a large canyon that sits on the Colca River in South Peru, approximately 160 kilometres (99 miles) away from Arequipa. Roughly 120,000 tourists visit the canyon every year and you should be one of them!
With a depth in the region of 2,000 metres (6,600 feet), Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. To top things off, this enormous natural landmark is also 70 km (43 miles) long.
Super vibrant, the views from the Colca Valley are unbelievable. Not only can you hike to a variety of epic viewpoints, but you can also explore old Spanish colonial towns and Inca ruins along the way.
🚌 Visit Colca Canyon on a tour:
22. Paracas National Reserve
Another popular tourist attraction and one of the major landmarks of Peru is the Paracas National Reserve, which you can find near the charming seaside town of Paracas. This national reserve spans, desert, islands, and the ocean, covering more than 335,000 hectares.
Aside from being an extremely impressive sight, Paracas National Reserve has a huge range of things to do. You can hike through the desert, ride dune buggies, go quad biking, head out on a boat trip, and even paraglide!
Some of the key places you’ll want to visit include the Paracas Candelabra geoglyph, Museo de Sitio C. Tello, and the area’s many beaches.
🚌 Visit Paracas National Reserve on a tour:
23. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca isn’t just one of the best Peru landmarks because it crosses over into Bolivia too. By far one of the most impressive and largest lakes in South America, this breathtaking place is the perfect destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
Lake Titicaca is actually the world’s highest navigable body of water too, so it’s well worth visiting. Believed to be the birthplace of the Incas, this vast lake features aquatic wildlife, ancient ruins, floating villages and panoramic views.
What’s not to like? The best way to visit the lake is on a guided tour!
🚌 Visit Lake Titicaca on a tour:
24. The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley makes our list of landmarks in Peru because, like Cusco and Machu Picchu, it was formed in what is thought to be the heart of the Incan Empire.
Sitting high in the Andean highlands, the Sacred Valley is a 60 km (37-mile) stretch of mountainous landscape that features some of the most unique and famous Peruvian attractions.
Hiking is the main activity carried out by tourists in the area, so you might want to get your walking boots ready. During a trip through the valley, you’ll be able to walk through Spanish colonial villages, explore Inca ruins, and hike some of the best trails in South America.
🚌 Visit the Sacred Valley on a tour:
25. Huascaran National Park
The next landmark on our list is Huascaran National Park in the Cordillera Blanca, which is the highest tropical mountain range in the world.
Rising 6,768 metres (22,204 feet) above sea level, Huascaran is the perfect place to visit if you enjoy challenging hikes, stunning vistas, and unique experiences.
Offering spectacular beauty, you can expect to see turquoise glacial lakes, dense forests, deep ravines, and wonderful wildlife. Spanning 340,000 hectares, the national park is home to the Andean Condor and the spectacled bear.
Those of you who enjoy mountain hiking might be pleased to hear that Huascaran National Park has a mighty 27 snow-capped peaks!
🚌 Visit Huascaran National Park on a tour:
26. The Ballestas Islands
If you have the time, you have to visit the Ballestas Islands during your time in Peru.
Commonly referred to as Islas Bellestas, the Ballestas Islands is a group of small islands found off the south coast. These mostly rocky islands are home to a wide variety of marine and bird life. In fact, we’d argue the wildlife here is some of the best in Peru and that’s saying something.
A two-hour boat tour will take you to the islands, allowing you to spot Humboldt penguins, pelicans, sea lions, fur seals, Peruvian booby’s, and so much more!
🚌 Visit the Ballestas Islands on a tour:
27. Manu National Park
Manu National Park is one of the best places in Peru to see wildlife, so make sure you plan a trip here if you want to experience the wilderness of the Amazon jungle. Situated in Southeastern Peru, the reserve spans lowland jungle, cloud forest, Andean highlands, and the Manu River.
The area is best known for its breathtaking biodiversity, particularly its array of bird species. You’re likely to spot macaws, parrots, toucans, kingfishers, and more during your visit.
On a boat trip along the Manu River or during a trek into the jungle, you also have the chance to see black caimans, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and even the elusive jaguar.
🚌 Visit Manu National Park on a tour:
28. The Andes Mountain Range
The Andes Mountain Range is up there with the largest landmarks in Peru, so you definitely won’t be able to see everything they have to offer in one trip. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still see a variety of the main highlights!
The Andes Mountain Range spans seven South American countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Peru is home to the Central Group of the Andes, where you can find several peaks higher than 6,000 metres (19,640 feet).
The main activities in the Peruvian Andes include hiking, climbing, and camping, but you’ll also find popular tourist destinations like Machu Picchu here.
🚌 Visit the Andes Mountain Range on a tour:
29. Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain is probably one of the best and most popular Peru landmarks in the Andes Mountain Range, so add it to your itinerary. A great day trip from Cusco, Rainbow Mountain is a vibrant, otherworldly mountain that features several different colours.
Also known by the name Vinicunca, the entire range around Rainbow Mountain is red, purple, yellow, and green. These different colours occur because of the different minerals in the rock!
As you can probably imagine, this is an impressive sight and one you don’t want to miss. It’s worth noting that Vinicunca sits at 5,200 metres (17,060 feet), so the air is quite thin.
🚌 Visit Rainbow Mountain on a tour:
30. The Amazon River
The main reason we visited Peru was to stay on the Amazon River, which is the largest river in the world by discharge volume, but that’s not why you should visit.
The main reason you should visit the river is to explore the vast jungle that surrounds it. The Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, and Peru is home to 13% of it.
You can explore the Amazon on a tour and you’ll have the chance to see rare birds, reptiles, mammals, and marine life. During our time in this amazing rainforest, we saw macaws, toucans, howler monkeys, capybaras, a sloth, and so much more!
🚌 Visit the Amazon River on a tour:
31. Chicama (The World’s Longest Wave)
Keen surfers will love this next landmark because it’s home to the longest wave in the world. Chicama, La Libertad, in North Peru, faces the South Pacific Ocean, which is already renowned for offering some of the best surfing destinations in the world.
However, Chicama offers a unique experience, which sees surfers ride waves for hundreds of yards (and for a couple of minutes). A geological wonder, Chicama regularly features 50 lines of waves and is also home to one of Humanity’s oldest known examples of wave riding – the ‘Caballitos de Totora’.
The secret behind the waves here is a perfectly placed headland that helps bend and swell incoming waves!
32. Gocta Waterfall
Until 2005, Gocta Waterfall was unknown to anyone outside the small villages within the vicinity, which is quite strange because it’s one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the world.
While it may only have become a tourist attraction recently, Gocta Waterfall is now one of the most popular natural wonders in Northern Peru.
A sight to behold, Gocta Waterfall is 771 metres (2,531 feet) tall, which means it has the fourth-longest free-falling drop in the world. So, how did it stay hidden for so long? Well, locals in the area were superstitious, so they believed the waterfall was dangerous. Therefore, nobody ever spoke about it.
33. Laguna 69
We’re moving on to the penultimate location on our list of Peru landmarks. Also known by the name Lake 69, Laguna 69 is a relatively small lake near the Peruvian city of Huaraz, which can be found in the Áncash region.
One of the 400 lakes that make up Huascarán National Park, this lake also has a lot in common with Banff, including turquoise waters, large mountains, and powerful water sources.
Most tourists visit the lake on a day trip because you can cover more of the park in a shorter space of time. However, it’s possible to visit the lake on a trekking expedition too!
🚌 Visit Laguna 69 on a tour:
34. Misti Volcano
The final landmark on our list is Misti Volcano, otherwise known by the names Guagua Putina and Putina. This volcano is a huge stratovolcano that consists of andesite, rhyolite, and dacite rocks.
It’s located in southern Peru and isn’t too far away from Arequipa. In fact, it’s possible to see Misti Volcano and its snow-capped cone from Arequipa, so you could find a good vantage point in the city.
The volcano stands at 5,822 metres (19,101 feet) above sea level, so you can’t miss it.
🚌 Visit Misti Volcano on a tour:
Final Thoughts on Visiting Landmarks in Peru
There you have it, 34 epic Peru landmarks! In this post, we’ve told you everything you need to know about the best landmarks in Peru, including what they have to offer and where you can find them.
We’ve also shown you some great tours that will take you to each location. In fact, some tours might take you to more than one place.
While you might not get the chance to visit all the landmarks on our list, we hope you can plan your trip to include at least a few. After all, these are the country’s most iconic landmarks.
If you have any questions about the Peru landmarks in this guide, don’t hesitate to contact us via Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments below!
Here are some other guides that you may find helpful:
- The Best Day Trips From Cusco: 16 Places To Visit
- The 12 Best Things To Do In Paracas, Peru
- 35 Fun Things To Do In Cusco, Peru
I’m one half of Acouplescalling. I'm passionate about all things travel and photography and I love sharing my experiences with others. I've seen a lot of the world already and I want to help as many people as I can do the same thing!
