Peru attractions

Part of the ruggedly beautiful Paracas National Reserve, Playa La Mina and its sheltered waters offer respite from the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean—making it the area’s best place to swim. The beach is flanked by rocky ledges with views of the Pacific, and visitors are allowed to camp overnight, so you can enjoy being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean.

Curious rock formations decorate the Marcahuasi plateau in the section of the Andes Mountains that passes through central Peru. These abstract formations comprise the plateau’s “stone forest,” while small lagoons and panoramic viewpoints fill out Marcahuasi’s scenery. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the crowds around Cusco’s mountains should turn their attention this way.

Whether you want to admire traditional Peruvian handicrafts or enjoy some last-minute souvenir shopping, the Indian Market (Mercado Indio) is one of the best places to shop in Lima. Located at the heart of the Miraflores District, the market has dozens of stalls selling quality handmade arts and crafts.

Built deep beneath the desert of Nazca in southern Peru, the Cantalloc Aqueducts (Acueductos de Cantalloc) are a marvel of engineering from the ancient Nazca culture. Thought to have been constructed more than 1,500 years ago, these subterranean waterways offer a glimpse into this pre-Inca period.

One of Arequipa's favourite spots for shopping and snacking, Mercado San Camilo is the place to go to sample Peruvian dishes and delicacies. Expect to see everything from rows of colorful fruit to cheese stalls and butchers, plus plenty of vendors selling fresh juices and local snacks.

Visible from many parts of Arequipa, Pichu Pichu is an inactive volcano with seven summits, which is locally known as the Sleeping Indian, due to its silhouette that resembles a sleeping man. Archaeologists have found mummified human remains and other evidence of ancient Incan rituals on its slopes, and the mountain is still considered sacred by many people.

In the heart of Lima's La Victoria neighborhood, Gamarra Market is a massive shopping area specializing in clothes for men and women. It's considered one of the cheaper areas to shop, and is a great place to pick up a new outfit without having to splash much cash.

The Lima Cruise Port (Cruise Portao) is situated in Callao, around 8 miles (13 kilometers) from central Lima. A major shipping terminal welcoming freight vessels from across the world, as well as cruise ships, the terminal is the jumping-off place for passengers who want to spend their time in port exploring the Peruvian capital.

Nestled among the rocky undulations of the Colca Valley in southern Peru, Chivay is a quaint and charming village 11,975 feet (3,650 meters) above sea level. The heart of this small settlement is Chivay Plaza de Armas, a square home to a historic church and a stunning mountain backdrop. It’s the perfect place for people watching, to stop for refreshments, or for a break after hiking the Colca Canyon.

Running along the northern border of the rainforest city of Iquitos, Nanay is a slow tributary of the Amazon River where rare white-sand beaches appear when water levels are low. Lodges scattered along the banks offer day trips, journeys upriver into the wilderness, and visits to native Yagua, Bora, and Mestizo communities.

Reflecting the city’s modernity, the Gustave Eiffel-designed Chiclayo Cathedral was not constructed until 1869, and despite its relative youth, the neoclassical cathedral with its twin bell towers and white cupolas exudes a sense of grandeur and stands as one of the most striking buildings in Chiclayo.

In San Jeronimo de Surco, about two hours outside of Lima, the waterfall at Huanano is a popular day-trip destination for trekking and swimming at the base of the cascades. Adrenaline junkies come here to make the thrilling rappelling ride down the 100-foot (30-meter) face of the falls.

Of all the magical islands on Lake Titicaca, privately-owned Suasi Island offers luxury-seekers a stay in a sumptuously-appointed ecolodge amongst the island’s stunning vistas, rocky outcroppings, and cascading bougainvillea. Still quite remote, this tiny (106 acres, 43 hectares) island relies on simple rustic pleasures and renewable energy sources.

The Itaya River is a tributary of the mighty Amazon River in the northern Loreto Region in Peru, flowing parallel to the city of Iquitos and the floating town of Belén. Forming the eatern border of the city, the waterway offers the easiest access in and out and most of the city’s main attractions fall along its banks.

Located in an 18th-century rococo building called the Casa de las Trece Monedas, Lima’s National Afro-Peruvian Museum (Museo Nacional Afroperuano) delves into the history of Peru’s Black and Afro-descendant peoples. Here, learn about the beginnings of the slave trade in Peru, the culture of the enslaved people, and the legacy of African traditions in present-day Peruvian life via artifacts, documents, and more.

While the views of the Amazon basin from Tres Cruces Viewpoint (Mirador de Tres Cruces) are stunning, this isn’t just any lookout. It comes into its own during the winter solstice, when the sunrise creates an extremely rare visual phenomenon. Part of Manu National Park, the site is surrounded by the wildlife and wonders of the Amazon Rainforest.

With its relaxed atmosphere and peaceful plazas, the district of Cayma offers respite from the bustle of Arequipa’s UNESCO-listed city center. According to locals, it's where the hearty and delicious Peruvian adobo stew was created, so it's the perfect place to grab a bowl of that.

The focal point of the small port town of Salaverry on Peru’s north coast, Playa Salaverry boasts unique black sands and water ideal for wave-jumping. Consistent swell makes it an ideal place to try surfing for the first time or hone your skills, while the hill behind it is a popular place to go sandboarding at sunset.

Built around 1730, Moral House is a solid example of stylized baroque architecture. The house’s name has nothing to do with ethics, but instead comes from the ancient moras (mulberry) tree in the central courtyard. Today, the building is known for its collection of maps, religious art, and Peruvian coins that date back hundreds of years.

While the Inca Trail is the most popular trail amongst travelers hiking to Machu Picchu, it’s often crowded, and at times, difficult to acquire permits in time. Luckily, the serene Quarry Trail is an alternative route that winds its way above Ollantaytambo, offering quiet off-the-beaten path moments and breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley of the Inca.

Among the world's deepest canyons, the Cotahuasi Canyon is famed for its rugged landscape, which features mountains, deep gorges and gushing waterfalls. While its natural sights are spectacular, it also attracts visitors for its local culture and history, and offers a less-trafficked alternative to the ever-popular Colca Canyon.

Poking out from a carpet of carob trees, forming the largest dryland forest on South America’s west coast, are the eroded tops of brown pyramids—all that remain of Sicán tombs once packed with gold. Archaeologists say over 90% of Peruvian gold in private collections was looted from what is now the Batán Grande archaeological complex.

Paseo de las Musas is a lovely pedestrian thoroughfare festooned with manicured floral arrangements, welcoming plazas, and a striking monument with nine statues of ancient muses from Greek mythology and four white columns that tower 20 feet (6 meters) over the park.

The fantastically ornate Municipal Palace is a Republican-style administrative building with a festive four-story clock tower and soaring parallel arches gracing the center of town. This elegant building is so lavish, it cost 30,000 pounds of gold to build in 1919.

At the center of Chiclayo is the city’s main square, the Parque Principal (also known as Plaza de Armas). Spanning the compact area between the city’s double-domed neoclassical cathedral and the Republic-style city hall, this attractive green space buzzes with activity, music, and food vendors at all times of the day.

Up the coast from Lima, the colonial seafront town of Callao is the capital’s principal cruise port, receiving thousands of annual visitors. With easy transport links to the center of Lima, most cruise travelers head straight into Lima, though Callao has worthwhile attractions and is a jumping off point to nearby islands.