Peru is one of the most incredible countries on the planet. Its nature full of contrasts, its exquisite gastronomy and its impressive culture make traveling to Peru a very complete experience. In addition, Peru is home to one of the new wonders of the world. Visiting Machu Picchu will be one of the best travel memories of your life.
In this article we will review the restrictions to enter Peru and the main places to see in Peru. On the other hand, if you want to find out when to visit this country, we recommend reading our post about the best time to go to Peru.
What to see in Peru?
We start with the places that cannot be missing from your list if you are going to visit Peru.
1. Lima, capital of Peru
Lima is usually the start of any trip to Peru. The Peruvian capital is an ideal first contact with the South American country. In it you will not only find a beautiful city but it is also one of the main gastronomic destinations in the world. You will eat wonderfully!
One of your first stops in the city should be the historic center of Lima. Start your tour at the Plaza de Armas to see places like the Lima Cathedral or the Municipal Palace of Lima. Very close to the famous square is the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco de Lima, another must-see in Peru.
If you want to visit the most charming neighborhoods in the city, then we recommend heading to Barranco and Miraflores. In the latter you can see the best sunset in Lima.
Simply head to Parque del Amor. Finally, if you like visiting museums, a very interesting one is the Larco Museum. In it you can get up close to pre-Columbian art.
2. Huaraz, nature in its purest form
Huaraz is the city you should go to if you want to enjoy some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Peru. Next to this city, located 400 km north of Lima, is the Huascarán National Park. In this park you can do both day trips and multi-day treks. Two of the most popular places are Laguna 69 and Laguna Parón.
3. Iquitos, enter the Amazon
If you want to enter the jungle, there is no more special place to do it than Iquitos, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. Did you know that Iquitos is the largest city in the world that is inaccessible by road? The easiest way to get there is via a two-hour flight from Lima.
In Iquitos you can enjoy a destination full of nature and animal species. One of the best ways to get to know the Amazon is by taking a cruise for several nights. There are also numerous lodges located in the syllable where you can stay and go on excursions.
In the city of Iquitos itself, it is also recommended to visit the Plaza de Armas, the Casa de Fierro, the Malecón Tarapaca and the Mariposario Pilpintuwasi.
4. Paracas
We arrived at Paracas, one of the most interesting places to see in Peru. This coastal town has two main tourist attractions: the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands. The first can be visited on your own or on a tour. During the tour of the reserve, you will see landscapes that seem to be taken from another planet. The most spectacular place is the so-called Red Beach.
On the other hand, to reach the Ballestas Islands it is necessary to take an organized excursion. Aboard a boat you will get closer to the archipelago, where you will be able to see animals such as sea lions, penguins, pelicans and other species of birds. On the way to the islands, you will pass by the famous Paracas Candelabra.
5. Huacachina Oasis, a must-see in Peru
Due to its unique charm, the Huacachina Oasis is one of the places that is usually not missing from the itinerary of anyone who is going to visit Peru. This incredible oasis is located next to the town of Ica. While the oasis itself doesn't have many attractions, the landscape created by combining it with the huge sand dunes is simply spectacular.
One of the most popular activities is to take a buggy tour. You'll have a great time touring the dunes by motor and sandboarding down the sand slopes. Then, don't hesitate to watch the sunset from the top of the dunes. It will surely be one of the most beautiful sunsets you'll see during your trip.
6. Cusco and its wonderful surroundings
We arrived at one of the highlights of Peru: Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire.
This Andean city is the ideal place to soak up the Quechua culture. One of the first things to do in Cusco is to stroll through its historic center. I recommend starting the tour at the Plaza de Armas, the epicenter of the city, and the Cusco Cathedral.
Among the places you should visit in Cusco are the San Blas neighborhood, the 12-angle Stone, the San Pedro Central Market, the Q'enqo Archaeological Complex, Saqsaywaman and Qorikancha. Although one of the best plans is to get lost in the streets of the city in search of a restaurant with good views. We recommend Limbus Restobar.
Remember to take your first day in Cusco calmly, since the city is located 3,399 meters above sea level. Some of the best recommendations for surviving altitude sickness are not to eat very heavy meals, drink coca tea and not make great efforts as soon as you arrive in the city. Also, don't forget to take out good international travel insurance for Peru.
Another of the strong points of visiting Cusco is that the surroundings are full of authentic gems. Many of the main places to see in Peru are very close to this city. Don't miss the Sacred Valley, the Humantay Lagoon and the Mountain of the 7 Colors.
7. Machu Picchu, a wonder of the world
Near Cusco there is a place that deserves a special mention. Indeed, we are talking about Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, located at 2,430 meters above sea level. It is one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu. The most common way is by train that goes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. If you are on a budget, a much cheaper option is to go to Hidroeléctrica by van, and then take a 3-hour trek to Aguas Calientes.
Finally, you can reach Machu Picchu by taking the Inca Trail, which connects the city of Cusco with Machu Picchu. If you are looking for adventure during your trip to Peru, it is an ideal option. The trek is 4 days long and the highest point of the trail is at 4,224 m.a.s.l.
8. Arequipa, a city with a lot of charm
Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. Apart from having a charming historic center, its surroundings full of volcanoes make the city even more magical. One of the most beautiful places in Arequipa is the Plaza de Armas, which you will surely want to visit more than once. Another essential place is the Monastery of Santa Catalina.
Near Arequipa, a very popular place to visit in Peru is the Colca Canyon, which is one of the deepest on the planet. During your visit you will be able to observe numerous condors flying over the canyon. Near Arequipa you can also visit Chivay, take the Ruta del Sillar or go trekking to one of the volcanoes.
9. Lake Titicaca (Puno)
In the south of the country it is possible to visit the famous Lake Titicaca, which is divided between Peru and Bolivia. It is the highest lake in the world. If you want to visit it, you will first have to go to the city of Puno. From here you can take a boat to visit the floating islands of the Uros. Thanks to this visit you will be able to get to know the rich culture of Peru even better.
10. Trujillo, one of the most picturesque cities to see in Peru
Despite not being as visited as Lima, Cusco or Arequipa, Trujillo is a very interesting city. This Peruvian town is located in the north of the country. It was built next to the ancient pre-Columbian city of Chan Chan. It is the largest adobe city in America.
If you travel to Trujillo, don't miss the Plaza de Armas, the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna, El Brujo, the Trujillo Cathedral and the Casa Urquiaga.
