Top 10 things to see in Peru
Peru's sights run from the desert coast to the high Andes: Inca citadels and terraced valleys around Cusco, island communities on Lake Titicaca, condors in the Colca Canyon and giant drawings in the Nazca desert.
Start with our ten favourites, then browse every sight by region, each with practical tips, entry fees and the multi-day tours that include it.
Our top 10
- 1Machu PicchuCusco and the Sacred ValleyUNESCOThe 15th century Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba River, Peru's most famous sight.
- 2Cusco historic centreCusco and the Sacred ValleyUNESCOThe old Inca capital: Spanish churches and mansions built on top of perfect Inca stone walls.
- 3Lake Titicaca islandsLake Titicaca and the southFloating reed islands, Taquile's weavers and homestays on Amantani, on a lake at 3,810 m.
- 4OllantaytamboCusco and the Sacred ValleyA living Inca town below a terraced fortress, and the station for trains to Machu Picchu.
- 5Colca CanyonLake Titicaca and the southOne of the world's deepest canyons, with terraced villages, hot springs and Andean condors.
- 6Nazca LinesThe coastUNESCOGiant animal figures and lines scratched into the desert 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, best seen from the air.
- 7Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)Cusco and the Sacred ValleyRed, yellow and green mineral stripes on a 5,000 m ridge, a long day trip from Cusco.
- 8SacsayhuamanCusco and the Sacred ValleyMassive zigzag Inca walls on the hill above Cusco, some stones weighing well over 100 tonnes.
- 9Moray and the Maras salt pansCusco and the Sacred ValleyCircular Inca terraces like a giant amphitheatre, and thousands of salt pools on a hillside nearby.
- 10Santa Catalina Monastery, ArequipaLake Titicaca and the southUNESCOA walled city within Arequipa: colourful lanes, cloisters and cells of a 16th century convent.
Peru's World Heritage sites
Several of the sights on this page are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the City of Cuzco, the Historical Centre of Arequipa and the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa. The Inca road network, the Qhapaq Ñan, which includes the Inca Trail, is listed too.
A two week tour can include all of them. See our Peru itineraries, with charts of how high you sleep each night.
Machu Picchu
UNESCOThe 15th century Inca citadel on a ridge above the Urubamba River, Peru's most famous sight.
Visitor guide →Cusco historic centre
UNESCOThe old Inca capital: Spanish churches and mansions built on top of perfect Inca stone walls.
Visitor guide →Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa
UNESCOA walled city within Arequipa: colourful lanes, cloisters and cells of a 16th century convent.
Visitor guide →Nazca Lines
UNESCOGiant animal figures and lines scratched into the desert 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, best seen from the air.
Visitor guide →Cusco and the Sacred Valley
The Inca heartland: Machu Picchu, Cusco and the terraced valley between them. Most trips spend 5 to 7 days here.
Sacsayhuaman
Massive zigzag Inca walls on the hill above Cusco, some stones weighing well over 100 tonnes.
Visitor guide →Ollantaytambo
A living Inca town below a terraced fortress, and the station for trains to Machu Picchu.
Visitor guide →Pisac
Sweeping Inca terraces and a hilltop citadel above a market town at the start of the Sacred Valley.
Visitor guide →Moray and the Maras salt pans
Circular Inca terraces like a giant amphitheatre, and thousands of salt pools on a hillside nearby.
Visitor guide →Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
Red, yellow and green mineral stripes on a 5,000 m ridge, a long day trip from Cusco.
Visitor guide →Lake Titicaca and the south
Puno and the lake islands, the White City of Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, all at high altitude.
The coast
The desert south of Lima: sea lions off Paracas and the Nazca Lines, a good start before heading up to the Andes.
See them on a tour
Most Peru tours start in Lima and fly to Cusco, with guides, Machu Picchu tickets, trains and entry fees arranged for you.
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