10 Best Places to Visit in Peru

For all the archaeology aficionados, Peru is one of the most beautiful countries that holds more questions than answers, and that mystery is something valuable.

Peru is not all about the ancient Inca City of Machu Picchu and the crumbling ruins – it has so much more to offer to the travelers and tourists – culture, history, adventure, and activities.

If you are considering your next vacation in Peru, here are the best places to visit in Peru to make the most out of your vacation.

Read also: Learning About Peru With Little Global Citizens Subscription Box

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see our full disclosure & disclaimer policy for details.

Places to visit in Peru

1. Paracas National Reserve

Paracas National Reserve is rich in scenery and archaeological sites, but the beautiful beaches and wildlife inspire many travel photographs. Around 250 km south of Lima, Paracas National Reserve features various marine, coastal desert ecosystems, rocky islands, etc.

If you are wondering what to do in this Peru tourist attraction, you will probably find that sailing, windsurfing, swimming, relaxing, etc., are some of the must-do activities in Paracas National Reserve.

You can also take boat trips to enjoy some of the more spectacular sites like rock formations, sea birds, sea lions. You will find tour guides for hiring who will take you to ancient archaeological sites.

2. Nazca Desert

The mysterious Nazca lines are not unheard of anymore, but the mystery is surely unsolved. These inscriptions are so gigantic that they will not make any sense while you look at them from proximity. A look down below from the air, however, tells a few things about these lines. These carved patterns are of animals and geometric patterns that haven’t been covered by any natural or climate conditions until today.

This is one of the best of Peru’s attractions, and you wouldn’t want to miss it for anything but cost. That’s right. The flying cost above these mysterious lines isn’t always cheap. But there’s still hope for all the travel enthusiasts. An observation tower along the Panamerican highway can provide you with a good view of all the figures of the Nazca desert.

3. The Inca Trail

A 4-day hike through the Inca Trail will take you to the Machu Picchu, one of Peru’s famous places. This hike is one of the best things to do in Peru. If you want to start traditionally hiking this trail, you can begin at 82 km of the Cusco – Aguas Calientes rail line. This trail is not winning any most accessible trail competitions anytime, but the diverse ecosystems and landscapes make it a rewarding trail.

4. Lima

Being the capital city of Peru, you can expect Lima to be a busy city with around 9 million people. But don’t let the crowded nature of the place discourage you. Lima can surprise you with its rich history and culture, plus great food.

Walking through the busy streets will not distract you enough to fail to see all the buildings with traditional and colonial architecture. The three centuries of Spanish rule are evident in Spanish-colonial churches, cloisters, and monasteries.

5. Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is one of the best places to visit in Peru, where you get to enjoy the world’s second-deepest canyon, a bit of Adrean culture, and of course, some scenic beauty. Apart from being one of the Peru tourist attractions, Colca Canyon is also a local favorite.

The area was inhabited by Collagua, Cabana, and Inca people, and you will find many terraces along the canyon wall.

6. The Cordillera Blanca

The Cordillera Blanca might not be the most important place in Peru, but the mountain range offers various hiking opportunities. There are also climbing opportunities in Huandoy. Every year, Cordillera Blanca attracts climbers, hikers, and adventure buffs and stands as one of the popular places in Peru.

If you want to take a walk around the scattered archaeological sites, you will get to enjoy various fauna and floras.

Read also: 30+ Best Places For First Time International Travelers

7. The Sacred Valley

One of the cool places to visit in Peru is the Sacred Valley, which is just an hour’s car drive north of Cusco. This valley features Pisac Ruins, the Sunday Market in Pisac. The Incas valued this valley because of its unique geographical and climatic qualities.

You can enjoy many adventure-based activities in this valley, like trekking, rafting, and rock climbing. Many towns around the Sacred Valley are now a hub for spiritual relaxation and mediation.

8. Cloud Forest

One of the most important biodiversity hotspots, Peru’s Cloud Forest is located at a high altitude and so high that it can meet the clouds. This forest features a wide range of fauna and flora. You will also find the national bird of Peru in this forest.

Travelers enjoy some of the key attractions: Capuchin, woolly monkeys, bromeliads, orchids, etc.

9. Lima’s Historic Center

Lima’s Historic Center is one of Peru’s famous places, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history buffs would love to wander around in this place which holds rare historical value. Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in the 15th century and previously known as the ‘City of Kings.’ Among many activities to do and places to visit, you can eat Peru’s most delicious chocolates and visit the catacombs and art museum for a great time.

Apart from these, there’s nothing in Lima’s Historic Center that is not worth your view. A walk through the place will be enjoyable.

10. Ollantaytambo Ruins

We all know the history of battles of the Incan against the Spanish invaders, and no other place like Ollantaytambo Ruins will take you closer to that history and battles. This place is swarmed with a rich history, and with rugged and rocky structures, you can enjoy some fun time in these ruins.

The ruins at Ollantaytambo also have religious significance – the large Inca fortress and Temple of the Sun are evident of this fact. You can also wander around Princess Baths, known for ceremonial baths.

On a final note…

Traveling to Peru will be one of the most memorable times in your life – with beautiful sceneries, history and culture. But if you are not a careful traveler, you will remember your trip to Peru for all the wrong reasons.

Express kidnappings, muggings, and distraction burglary are a few of the things you might want to look out for a while enjoying Peru. But don’t let these little issues discourage you from exploring this beautiful country.

About the author:

Shakir Malik is a lifestyle blogger at thelifehype.com who loves exploring new places, eating good food, and watching thriller series on Netflix. When he’s not working, he enjoys taking afternoon naps with his pet.

Pin this post!

***