Peru Attractions

Discover Peru's must-see attractions, including:

Cuzco
Built by the Spanish on the remains of Inca temples, Cuzco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America.

Dominated by the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuamán, Cuzco’s unspoilt, whitewashed, stone-walled streets and red-tiled roofs are home to a wealth of traditional culture, from Quechua-speaking Incan descendants who still crowd the centuries-old streets, to fascinating museums, walks and tours.

Discover creepy dungeons and torture chambers inside the Museo de la Inquisicion, the former headquarters of the Spanish America Inquisition (1570 to 1820 AD).

The mountainous region around Cuzco boasts some of the country’s best trekking and to the west lie the Sacred Valley of the Rio Urubamba and Machu Picchu.

Celebrate Inti Raymi (Incan Sun Festival), one of the most spectacular Andean festivals in South America with parades, processions, music and dancing in the streets of Cuzco and at Sacsayhuamán. The festival is held annually on 24 June – coincidentally the same day as the Day of Cuzco and Peruvian Day of the Indian.

Find the best hotels in Cusco . . .

Machu Picchu
Beyond the ancient town of Ollantaytambo at the end of the stunning Inca Trail – a 45km hike over three Andean passes – lie the most famous ruins in South America.

Clinging to sheer cliffs, the high-altitude awe-inspiring city of Machu Picchu is believed to have been an important ceremonial centre (from around 1450 AD) or possibly a royal retreat abandoned at the time of the Spanish invasion. After the fall of the Incan Empire, Machu Picchu remained ‘lost’ for more than three centuries, until it was rediscovered in 1911 by US historian Hiram Bingham.

Explore a myriad of staircases, terraces, temples, palaces and towers. Hire a guide to learn more about the ceremonial baths and temples and the Intihuatana, a carved rock pillar used to predict the solstices.

Visit the Inca Bridge, a stone path carved into the cliff face, and climb the summit of Huayna Picchu for stunning views overlooking the Inca citadel. Ideally plan to spend a full day exploring the 40ha site.

Find the best hotels in Machu Piccho . . .

Nazca Lines
One of the world’s great archaeological mysteries, the Nazca Lines form a series of geometric figures, straight lines and spectacular animal and plant drawings spread across 500sqkm of dusty and stony ground.

Almost imperceptible at ground level, the lines can only be viewed from above. Who constructed these lines and for what purpose? And how? Archaeologists believe they were etched in the landscape around 3000 to 5000 years ago. For an unforgettable sight join an afternoon or morning flight, lasting 30 minutes, from the town of Nazca. (Entry on foot is prohibited).

Lake Titicaca
At 3825m above sea level, Lake Titicaca is known as the world’s highest navigable lake. It covers 10,000sqkm and shares a border with Bolivia as well as Peru. Take a boat ride and glide between the unique man-made floating islands in the lake, home to the Uros Indians, who believe they are the direct descendants of Inca royalty.

In November, head to Puno for the Semana de Puno, a colourful festival celebrated with ornate masks, wild costumes, music and much dancing. Otherwise look out for some of the more than 300 folkloric dances performed in the streets of Puno throughout the year.

Find the best hotels in Puno near Lake Titicaca . . .

Chavín de Huántar
Explore the well-preserved, 3000-year-old ruin built by one of Peru's most sophisticated ancient civilisations. Located around 110km from Huaraz, the fortress-temple complex, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built of stone by the Chavín culture from around 1200 to 300 BC.

Venture into a subterranean tunnel to examine the Lanzon de Chavín, a magnificent 4m-high carved granite stela, set at the meeting point of four tunnels in the castillo.

Callejón de Huaylas
Explore on foot, horseback or by mountain bike a network of trails that criss-cross this picturesque valley near the Cordillera Blanca. Follow paths through lush meadows, past alpine lakes and picturesque Andean villages and through 5000m-high mountain passes.

Huacas de Moche
On the outskirts of Trujillo, discover a mysterious collection of Moche adobe pyramids that date to around 500 AD. Enter the Temple of the Moon (Huaca de la Luna) to admire polychromatic friezes of the decapitator god.

Chan Chan
Explore the sprawling former capital of the Chimú empire in the Moche Valley, near Trujillo. Built around 1300 AD, the city is the largest adobe complex of pre-Columbian America. Explore the partially restored Tschudi Palace, featuring several unusual friezes.

Kuélap
Clamber over crumbling pre-Inca stone ruins that archaeologists believe were inhabited from 800 AD to around 1570 AD. Partially hidden by thick cloud forest, the fortress complex is accessed through one of three narrow passageways.

Created by the Chachapoyas people, Kuélap clings to a limestone ridge high above the Utcubamba Valley and consists of nearly 400 round buildings surrounded by a massive 19m-high defensive wall.

Find nearby hotels in Trujillo . . .

Ceviche
Savour Try this classic Peruvian seafood dish of fish, shrimp, scallops or squid, marinated in lime juice and chili peppers, then served raw with corn and sweet potato and onions.