One of the most diverse and incredible countries in South America, there are many awesome sites to visit in Peru.
If you are looking for an enchanting wild experience full of exotic animals, then areas of the Amazon like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado will be perfect for you. If exploring glacial lakes and hiking through the Andes is on your bucket list, then you will also want to visit Cusco or Huaraz on your trip. The options really are limitless here in Peru.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore 15 of the very best sites to visit in Peru, and everything you need to know about each one. We’ll also answer questions you may have in our FAQ section later in this guide.
Table of Contents
The 15 Very Best Sites To Visit In Peru
Below in no particular order we’ll now take a look at the very best sites to visit in Peru.
1. The San Francisco Catacombs (Lima)
Arguably the most chilling site on this list, these famous catacombs are known to house the remains of over 25,000 humans below the San Francisco Monastery. Walking around you’ll pass through a labyrinth of mazing underground passages, where you’ll see skulls and large bones organised in intricate patterns. The San Francisco Catacombs are located within the Historic Centre of Lima, and can best be seen with a private guided tour where you can understand the importance of this incredible historical site.
2. Sacsayhuamán Ruins (Cusco)
As you may have already seen, Peru as a whole has dozens and dozens of incredible ancient ruins, with most found around the Cusco region. This was where the Inca built the heart of their kingdom, and Sacsayhuamán was a classic example of their incredible stonemasonry work. Here we can find ginormous stones that weigh as much as 125 tonnes and up to a height of 5 metres, and it’s said that they are so perfectly-fitted together that not even a needle can pass through!
3. Huacachina (Ica)
Perhaps you’re looking for an iconic oasis town sandwiched between giant rising orange dunes? Then Huacachina is the town for you, which is surrounded by sand dunes that measure up to 500 meters in height. Not only can we take amazing panoramic photos here, we can also head on an adrenaline-pulsating Sandboarding Tour where you’ll fly down these giant mounds on a wooden plank. Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we include both Sandboarding and a Dune Buggy Ride on our Huacachina day tour from Lima, as well as private transport to and from the capital. Definitely one of the most epic sites to visit in Peru which you’ll want to add to your plans!
4. The Amazon Jungle (Iquitos)
With over 3 million teeming wildlife species to be explored, the Amazon Jungle is by far the most biodiverse region on the planet. Iquitos is the deepest-lying jungle city found in Peru, and as such is the best place to head on a wildlife tour throughout the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Here we can potentially spot Sloths, Capybara, Spider Monkeys, Jaguars and Caiman. Given the isolated location of Iquitos, the only way to arrive here is to fly from Lima – as there are no roads connecting this jungle city to the rest of Peru.
5. Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes)
One of the legendary New Seven Wonders of the World, the UNESCO-protected ruins of Machu Picchu remain an absolute must-visit during any trip to Peru. Built on top of a mountain within the remote high Amazon Jungle, it was once used as a Royal Estate by the Inca Emperor Pachacútec, and here we can see various ancient temples such as the Temple of the Condor. The ways of getting to Machu Picchu are varied too, where you can choose between the comfortable luxurious trains that run from Cusco, using local buses or even hiking the unforgettable Four Day Inca Trail hike.
6. Qorikancha Temple (Cusco)
The most important religious temple of the Inca civilization, the power and influence of Qorikancha extended much further than just modern-day Peru. At the height of their rule, the Inca controlled a giant area which expanded as far north as Colombia and south as Argentina (which was known then as Tawantinsuyu). This particular temple was once layered with solid gold walls, and still today we can see ancient structures within the complex as well as many religious figures from the Spanish who later conquered the site during the 16th Century.
7. The Tambopata National Reserve (Puerto Maldonado)
Similar to Iquitos, The Tambopata National Reserve is another breathtaking region of the Amazon Jungle – however this time located in the south of the country. Less explored, a rainforest expedition here feels much more authentic, where we will have a much larger chance of spotting Jaguars in the different wildlife lodges of the region. Here we can also see the rare Giant River Otters playing about in the Sandoval Lake. You can easily customize your own Tambopata Jungle tour with us here at TravelBuddiesPeru, and get the very best wildlife guides to lead your rainforest expedition.
8. Lake Parón (Huaraz)
If witnessing an incredible glacial lake is a must for you when in Peru, then consider visiting Lake Parón in Huaraz. Nestled within the towering Cordillera Blanca range around 6 hours away from Lima, these are some of the tallest mountains in Peru. This means lakes like the bright-blue Parón are very high altitude, and have an unforgettable backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the distance. Given how it can be tough to hike in these higher altitudes, we suggest waiting for two days in Huaraz before heading on treks – as this will allow your body to properly acclimate and avoid any negative altitude sickness symptoms.
9. The Ballestas Islands (Paracas)
Located a few miles off the Pacific Coast, the Ballestas Islands are one of the most ecologically diverse coastal areas in all of South America. They are often compared with the Galápagos Islands given the amount of maritime bird species here, such as the Guanay and Nazca Booby. During a boat ride it’s also highly likely to see lots of Sea Lions as well as the colony of Humboldt Penguins. The Ballestas Islands are located a few hours south of Lima near the fishing village of Paracas, and here at TravelBuddiesPeru you can see them with our epic day tour from the capital.
10. Larco Museum (Lima)
One of the most comprehensive ancient history museums on the planet, Larco is up there amongst the must-visit sites in Lima. With multiple exhibition rooms we can learn more about the ancient civilisations that once roamed Peru, and how they often used many unorthodox practices in their day-to-day lives. Out of all of these incredible sites to visit in Peru, we highly suggest visiting the Larco Museum first on your trip to Peru – given it will help you better understand different ruins around the country, as well as how cultures have since unfolded and developed.
11. The Nazca Lines (Nazca)
It’s highly likely you have already heard of the Nazca Lines – which are arguably the most mysterious ancient site in all of Peru. With numerous giant geoglyphs measuring up to a total length of 370m, they depict both animals (such as the Condor, Hummingbird and Spider) as well as different deities. It’s often thought that they were created by the Nazca culture who removed top layers of the desert to expose the red minerals underneath (which creates the solid contrast), and today they are best seen when heading on a Nazca Lines overflight tour.
12. Gocta Falls (Chachapoyas)
Situated in the far north of Peru within the Amazonas Jungle state, we can find one of the world’s tallest waterfalls. Measuring a whopping 771m tall, Gocta Falls is an absolute must-visit for any nature lover. Here we can trek through the high Amazon Jungle to see the multiple cataracts, including local wildlife and brightly-coloured butterflies along the way. The closest city to Gocta Falls is Chachapoyas, where you’ll need to take a couple of local colectivos and then walk along the forested trail until you reach these giant waterfalls.
13. Huaca Pucllana Ruins (Lima)
Whilst the most visited ancient ruins are found in and around the Andes regions of Peru, there’s also one that’s located right in the middle of the capital city. Huaca Pucllana was once created some 1500 years ago by the Lima culture, and was used mostly by the elite classes who lived on these staggered pyramids. Known for their adobe brick formations (which was common for ancient coastal cultures), it’s now completely surrounded by the upscale Miraflores district – providing us with a curious contrast of both the old and the new Peru.
14. The Uros Islands (Puno)
Now we head to the far south of Peru, to the iconic man-made Uros Islands. Located on the shores of Lake Titicaca not so far from Bolivia, we can find the floating Uros Islands – which are entirely made out of Totora Reed. Built by indigenous groups that survived in these remote areas for over 3000 years, they are still lived on full-time by three different cultures which are the Uru-Chipaya, Uru-Murato, and the Uru-Iruit. You can board the stylish dragon boat from the port of Puno to visit them, getting both incredible photos and local interaction during the trip.
15. Caral Ruins (Supe)
Did you know Peru is home to one of the oldest recorded settlements in the history of the Western Hemisphere? Known as Caral Ruins, they were once occupied by the Norte Chico civilization some 5000 years ago – and today we can still see many of these fascinating temples and stone creations within the desert. Caral Ruins are located some 4 hours away from Lima, and can be a bit tricky for newcomers to explore independently. We highly recommend heading on our private Caral Ruins tour from Lima, which includes all transport and an expert local guide to show you around.
The Best Way To Get Around Peru
As you have already seen, there is a vast amount of incredible sites to visit in Peru – which range from spiralling Andean peaks and Sacred Valley treks to spotting native wildlife species in the remote Amazon Jungle.
Once you’ve chosen your personal favourites, the challenge is now working out how to visit these sites during your own trip around Peru. This includes how much time you need for your whole trip, as well as the important factor of how to best get around Peru.
Domestic Flights
Using domestic flights is by far the most efficient and comfortable way of getting around Peru. The good news is that from Lima you can easily fly all over the country, with flights lasting a maximum of two hours. Airlines such as Sky and LATAM cover all destinations from the capital including Cusco, Iquitos, Arequipa, Trujillo and Puerto Maldonado – and prices for a one-way usually cost between $30-100.
Buses
There is also the option of using buses, which is cheaper but can take much longer between destinations. For short routes this could be anywhere from 4-6 hours (such as from Lima to Huacachina), or 10+ hours (such as from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado). When heading into the more rural regions, taking a bus will usually be necessary since there may not be any direct flights serving the route.
Heading On A Private TravelBuddiesPeru Tour
Finally we have the option of heading on a customised, private tour around Peru. Not only does this mean you’ll have an expert local guide to show you the very best bits of Peru, you’ll also get to travel around in more comfortable, air-conditioned road transport when needed. Check out our custom Peru trips now, where you can choose your trip exactly how you want, whilst having all of the difficult logistics handled for you.
Tips For Seeing These Incredible Sites In Peru
Of course booking a customised Peru tour will be one of your very best options. However there are other tips that will help you to see all of these incredible sites in Peru without stressing too much.
Firstly you’ll want to be realistic with how much time you have, and what you’ll need for each destination. If you are super motivated, then could you see Machu Picchu the same day from Lima by booking the earliest flight to Cusco, and then heading on a pre-organised tour to the ruins that pick you up from the airport. However it’s important to consider your personal travel rhythm, and also how you want your experience to be.
Next you’ll want to consider pre-booking certain tours and experiences before you arrive into that region, and in some cases before you arrive into Peru. This way you can guarantee your spot, and not rely on luck when you get there (which is especially important if you are travelling on a strict time frame). Experiences such as the Inca Trail can be fully-booked months in advance, so you’ll also want to plan properly in advance if this is a must-do for you on your own Peru trip.
Best Sites To Visit In Peru FAQ
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about the best sites to visit in Peru, as well as anything else you need to know.
What Is The Most Visited Site In Peru?
Without a doubt, Machu Picchu remains the most popular and visited site in all of Peru. This ancient citadel was once a royal estate used for the Inca upper classes, and also is the ending point of the legendary Inca Trail route. Every year this site welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, either by trekking or taking a combination of buses and trains to get here.
What Are The Three Most Important Cities In Peru?
When considering what makes an important city, we have focused on history, culture, economy as well as touristic pulls. Lima ranks first, given its incredible Pacific coastline, ancient history and ease of access. Next is Cusco for its Sacred Valley region and abundance of destinations and activists. Third on our list is Arequipa, which has pretty colonial streets, fiery volcanoes and an important economic output for Peru.
Which Part Of Peru Should I Visit?
This is a really personal decision and depends on what you most want to do. Cusco is best for ancient ruins and mountain hikes, whilst Lima is best for cosmopolitan city vibes and iconic Pacific beaches. Iquitos is one of the best places to head deep into the Amazon Jungle and spot lots of rare wildlife. Ideally, however, you’d have more time free to be able to see more than just one of these destinations during your trip.
Overview Of The Best Sites To Visit In Peru
And that’s all for this guide on the very best sites to visit in Peru.
All kinds of unforgettable adventures await here in Peru. Regardless if you’re more into hiking, seeing wildlife, learning about ancient history or exploring indigenous towns, there’s something for everyone in this diverse nation. Your only challenge will be trying to fit in as many of these epic destinations into your itinerary around Peru!
Are you currently planning your own trip to Peru? Here at TravelBuddiesPeru we can help you take out all of the guesswork and difficult logistics when planning a custom Peru tour with us. So not only will you be able to fully relax and enjoy your trip the way you want it, you’ll also have our expert team guide you every step of the way.
