Peru attractions

Built atop the Inca palace Viracocha, the Cusco Cathedral was a triumphant statement for conquering colonists who laid the foundation stones in 1559. Now Plaza de Armas’ showpiece, the cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco and a significant cultural monument holding the largest collection of Cusco School paintings.

Nearly 12,000 feet (3,600 meters) above sea level, the sky high Q’engo temple features some of the best examples of intact Inca carving. The name Q’enqo, which means labyrinth in Quechua, refers to the zig-zagging channels the Inca carved into a single rock monolith, used for mysterious death rituals not yet fully understood.

The mighty Amazon River and its enormous, thickly forested basin are the heart of South America and the guardian of 20 percent of the Earth's fresh water. Visitors from around the globe come to Iquitos to cruise the river's storied waters and catch a glimpse of diverse fauna both above and below the surface.

Once the shimmering capital of the entire Inca Empire, Cusco is the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the ruins of Machu Picchu. Bearing its original Inca name, meaning “Navel of the Earth,” Cusco pulsates with a unique and magical energy rivaled by few other South American cities, most notably in its historic center.

Lima’s main cathedral is located within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site on the lovely Plaza Mayor, a square marked by palm trees and grand palaces. Over the years, earthquakes spurred rebuilding and refurbishments of the Cathedral of Lima, adding baroque and neoclassical elements to the original colonial adobe structure.

After the iconic Machu Picchu, the enigmatic Nazca Lines are one of Peru’s most famous archaeological sites. The mysterious geoglyphs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site range from geometric shapes and swirls to a hummingbird and monkeys. Theories on their purpose include astronomical markers, irrigation canals, and alien messages—a mystery that has baffled archaeologists since their discovery in the early 20th century. Though they were found relatively recently, the etchings are estimated to date back thousands of years.

From the coastal deserts of southern Peru to the frigid peaks of the Andes, every part of the vast Inca Empire traced back to Cusco. Tucked within the Andean mountains, the scenic capital city was the beating heart of one of the greatest civilizations in history. Today, you can feel this powerful history most palpably in its central square, Plaza de Armas.

Barranco is an atmospheric, seaside neighborhood in Lima known for its street art and hip, bohemian culture. The area was once a summer playground for fashionable Limeños and is full of old colonial buildings. Small cafes and artist-run boutiques buzz during the day, while bars and dance define the area at night.

The Church and Convent of San Francisco is one of most-important sites in the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Lima. A spectacular example of Spanish baroque colonial grandeur, the church has a labyrinth of underground catacombs, and the convent has a remarkable library of antique texts and a tranquil cloistered garden.

Thanks to its designation as a UNESCO World heritage Site, the historical center of Lima is immaculately preserved. Encompassing the area between Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, the core includes the majority of the city’s outstanding colonial attractions and palm-fringed green spaces, all within easy walking distance.

Lima is dotted with sacred pre-Columbian ruins and ceremonial sites known as huacas. Located in the coastal Miraflores neighborhood, the Huaca Pucllana complex, with its towering stepped adobe pyramid, is one of the city’s largest and most important ancient monuments. Built around the fifth century, it was once an administrative and ceremonial center of the indigenous Lima Culture civilization.

The enchanting colonial Plaza de Armas in the heart of the Trujillo’s historical district built by the Spanish conquistadors upon founding the city in 1534. Nearly 300 years later, the resistance of Trujillo declared the city’s independence from Spain, the first municipality in Peru to do so.

Salkantay Trail, a remote trekking route in the same Andean region as the Inca Trail, offers travelers spectacular scenery. Trekkers pass soaring mountains, picturesque villages, lakes, and lush jungle. While Inca Trail tours are typically booked far in advance, Salkantay offers another (more affordable) way to reach Machu Picchu.

The Larco Museum (Museo Larco) is the only place in Peru that houses an extensive private collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. The museum displays more than 4,000 years of Peruvian history with tens of thousands of ceramics, textiles, pottery, metalware, and other excavated findings unearthed by the affluent Larco family.

The unusual 40-plus floating Uros Islands are the most photographed attractions on Lake Titicaca. Constructed with springy totora reeds and anchored to the lake bed, the fragile islands must continually be built and rebuilt, changing in shape, size and even number over time.

Peru's Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world, with a depth of around 13,650 feet (4,160 meters)—for context, it's twice as deep as the United States' Grand Canyon. Outdoor adventurers flock to Canon del Colca for its otherworldly trekking trails, large population of Andean condors (Cruz del Condor is the best place to spot them), and its pre-Incan historical sites.

Planned by Francisco Pizarro back in 1535, the pedestrian street Jirón de la Unión in the historic center is still one of the city’s most lively streets. Taking a stroll along this atmospheric thoroughfare, with its many cafes, boutiques and theaters is a great way to experience the city as a local.

Dedicated to Lima’s lovers, Love Park (Parque del Amor) understandably attracts couples who come to enjoy sprawing Pacific Ocean views, especially around sunset. Located in the Miraflores district, the park bears a resemblance to Park Güell in Barcelona, thanks to the colorful mosaic walls displaying quotes on love spread throughout.

Tiny Taquile Island in the middle of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, has a dramatic, rocky topography topped with windswept pre-Columbian ruins. The island has become a tourist haven due to its famous knitwear and textiles, designated as elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Glistening atop the Andes Mountains more than 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level, Lake Titicaca is a tourist attraction, spiritual oasis, and cultural hub all in one. It is also South America's highest and largest lake, as well as the highest navigable lake in the world. But even without all of these accolades, its natural splendor is a marvel to behold, no matter which side of the Peru-Bolivia border you see it from.

Mercado Central de San Pedro (San Pedro Market) is one of the best places to experience the vibrancy of everyday Andean life in Cusco. This large and popular city market is where locals shop for food—there are hundreds of potato varieties and hot traditional meals—and any other household item under the sun.

In a lush 19-acre (8-hectare) nature reserve (Parque de la Reserva) on the outskirts of Miraflores, Magic Water Circuit (Circuito Mágico del Agua) is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Choreographed to classical and Peruvian music and colored lights, the circuit’s 13 interactive fountains entice you to watch and to play.

The textile mill at Awana Kancha—or the Palace of Weaving—is a culture-rich stop between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The artisan outpost gives visitors the chance to observe traditionally dressed women weaving textiles made from the wool of alpacas kept in the outdoor yard and to take a photo op hand-feeding the animals.

The simple, whitewashed exterior of San Pedro Apóstol de Andahuaylillas gives no hint as to the mesmerizing murals within, which depict biblical scenes imbued with Inca symbols. Along with lavish embellishments such as a gold-leaf altarpiece, these have earned the church the moniker Sistine Chapel of the Americas.

Ausangate Trail is a remote and challenging trek in the Sacred Valley that features spectacular scenery—soaring mountains, picturesque villages, lakes, and lush jungle—minus the crowds. While the Inca Trail is crowded and typically booked far in advance, this trek is a flexible and adventurous way to explore the Andean landscapes around Cusco.

Arequipa is known as La Ciudad Blanca (The White City) for the white buildings in its historic center made from a porous, volcanic stone known as sillar. Easily explored on foot, must-see landmarks include the neoclassical Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa and Monastery of St. Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina).

One of the most important buildings in Lima’s Plaza Mayor is the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno). The elegant palace, with lavish interiors and manicured gardens, holds 500 years of Peruvian history. Francisco Pizarro marked the city’s founding here in 1535, and today it houses the Peruvian government and presidential residence.

With its Baroque pepper-pot belfry and an expansive convent, the Church of Santo Domingo is one of Lima’s most historic religious sites. Built in 1599, the impressive pink structure features a sumptuous neoclassical interior bathed in gold and turquoise, and an altar dedicated to Americas’ first black saint, San Martin de Porres.

The Raqch’i Inca archeological site is a well-preserved collection of ancient structures that shed light on the lifestyle of the Incas. The site's highlight is the Templo de Viracocha, hailed as one of the holiest shrines in the Inca Empire. There are also many ruins of former houses and storage units.

Located on the outskirts of Cusco, the often overlooked archaeological site of Tipón is arguably the best demonstration of Inca engineering skills in existence. The site comprises a network of agricultural terraces, some of which are still used today, and stonemasonry similar to that of Machu Picchu—but without the crowds.