In a nutshell
- Machu Picchu: The absolute highlight of any trip to Peru and all of South America. The Inca site is one of the seven new wonders of the world.
- Rainbow Mountain: A top Instagram spot and seriously impressive — you’ve probably never seen a mountain this colorful before.
- Colca Canyon: One of the deepest canyons on earth, located near the volcanic city of Arequipa.
- Lake Titicaca: One of the most famous lakes in the world, sitting at around 3,800 meters above sea level.
- But Peru has so much more to offer than these four highlights. In this article, we’ll walk you through the 22 most beautiful places to visit in Peru — so you won’t miss a thing.
Peru Attractions on a Map
To give you a quick overview of where the highlights in Peru are located, we’ve marked them on a map for you.
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Southern Peru
The classic route for a road trip through Peru usually takes you through the south — this is where the most famous things to do in Peru are concentrated. Here are the highlights you absolutely can’t miss.
Machu Picchu
If Peru had only one attraction, it would be Machu Picchu. For many travelers, visiting the Inca site is the single greatest moment of their entire trip.
It’s no wonder that Machu Picchu — alongside highlights like the Colosseum in Rome and the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro — is counted among the seven wonders of the modern world and the most famous places to visit in the world.
It’s seriously stunning to see the precision with which the Incas built their city from plain stone — this architectural craftsmanship is something you simply have to see in person.
There are various treks to Machu Picchu. Our recommendation is the Salkantay Trail! We go into more detail on that in number 5 below.
Read all our tips on Machu Picchu
Cusco
If you’re heading to Machu Picchu, you’ll almost certainly stop in Cusco. That works out perfectly, because Cusco is genuinely gorgeous and ranks among the top things to do in Peru in its own right.
Highlights in Cusco include the main square Plaza de Armas with its historic churches, the San Blas neighborhood, the Mercado San Pedro, and much more!
Beyond the classic sights, the local culture in Cusco is a real highlight in itself. Women in colorful traditional clothing and alpacas on leashes are an everyday sight here.
To all our tips for Cusco:
Rainbow Mountain
The second most popular Peru attraction after Machu Picchu is Rainbow Mountain. Its original name is Vinicunca, and it’s sometimes also called Montaña de los siete colores.
Thanks to various minerals, the mountain shines in a wide range of colors and has become a top Instagram spot and tourist draw since its discovery. What many people don’t know — it sits at an elevation of 5,200 meters!
You can’t walk on Rainbow Mountain itself, but there’s a viewpoint right next to it.
A word of warning: The place gets seriously crowded. And Rainbow Mountain isn’t quite as vibrantly colorful as it looks in many photos — but it’s still impressive nonetheless.
Day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain
Laguna Humantay
Laguna Humantay is a stunning mountain lake sitting at around 4,200 meters above sea level, with a breathtaking panorama to match.
Turquoise water, snow-capped peaks in the background, and untouched nature — the laguna is simply spectacular and makes for a great photo opportunity.
The best way to reach it is with a tour from Cusco. During the final stretch, you’ll need to hike nearly 5 kilometers uphill, which is genuinely exhausting at over 4,000 meters of elevation.
Guided tour to Laguna Humantay from Cusco
Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek
Many visitors to Peru skip the train to Machu Picchu entirely and opt for a multi-day hike to the Inca site instead.
The classic option is the Inca Trail, which winds through the stunning mountain landscape of the Andes. Because it’s so popular, it’s usually booked out several months in advance.
If you’ve left it too late, there’s a great alternative: the Salkantay Trail, which is equally spectacular and easier to book on shorter notice. Along the way, you don’t just reach Machu Picchu — you also pass by Laguna Humantay.
We’ve also written a detailed trip report about the Salkantay Trail:
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley — in Spanish, Valle Sagrado — is the name for the valley north of Cusco, stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo.
One beautiful sight follows another: the salt terraces of Maras, the circular terraces of Moray, and the market at Pisac — we could honestly go on forever.
If you want to visit the archaeological sites in Moray, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Chinchero, you’ll need the so-called Boleto Turístico. It costs 70 soles and covers entry to all four sites. You can only buy it on-site in Cusco.
Choquequirao
Choquequirao is also known as the sister of Machu Picchu. What few people realize: Choquequirao is actually even larger than Machu Picchu and just as architecturally impressive.
So why is this Inca site barely half as well known and still a genuine under-the-radar pick for Peru? The catch is that you can only reach Choquequirao via a challenging hiking trail, and you should budget at least four days in total.
Hiking tour from Cusco to Choquequirao
Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon is one of the deepest gorges in the world, located in the far south of Peru near the city of Arequipa.
From viewpoints above the canyon, you can gaze down into the depths, take stunning photos, and watch condors soaring overhead.
If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss the chance to descend into the canyon and spend the night down there — it’s a totally different experience.
We’ve written a detailed article on visiting Colca Canyon:
Arequipa
Arequipa is also known as the White City or Volcano City. It sits near Colca Canyon, and right next to it an impressive volcano rises into the sky — quite a spectacular vista!
Beyond the beautiful surrounding nature, there’s plenty to discover in the city itself. Standouts include the Plaza de Armas, the Santa Catalina Monastery, and the Carmen Alto viewpoint.
Because we love Arequipa so much, we’ve written a detailed article on the best things to see in Arequipa:
Lake Titicaca
One of the most famous lakes in the world — and one of the highest-altitude lakes on the entire planet. That’s Lake Titicaca.
It lies partly in Peru and partly in Bolivia, making it not only a top Peru attraction but also one of the best highlights in Bolivia.
Along the shores you’ll find ancient Inca ruins and beautiful overlooks. The most popular destinations are the city of Puno on the Peruvian side and Copacabana on the Bolivian side.
Our tip: From here, you can easily continue on to Bolivia — it’s the perfect opportunity to do a Peru-Bolivia road trip.
Puno
Puno is the largest city on Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian side. With its historic center and an impressive cathedral, it’s one of the most visited best places to visit in Peru.
Highlights in Puno include the small Uros Islands, which float in Lake Titicaca just off the city. Puno is also known for its rich folklore culture — traditional dances are regularly performed here by locals.
Guided tour from Puno to the Uros Islands
Paracas
Paracas is a beautiful small town on the Pacific coast in southern Peru. It sits alongside the nature reserve of the same name — a desert landscape that meets the ocean’s edge, with unusually shaped sea cliffs and stunning beaches.
Out in the water off Paracas lie the Ballestas Islands, which you can explore on a boat tour. But the town itself, with its beach and laid-back atmosphere, is absolutely worth your time too.
Tour from Paracas to the Ballestas Islands and the nature reserve
Huacachina
Not far from Paracas lies the Huacachina oasis, sitting right in the middle of the Ica desert, surrounded by towering sand dunes.
The oasis feels totally surreal out in the middle of nowhere — and makes for a really cool photo spot.
You can not only snap great photos here, but also try out some seriously fun activities like dune buggy riding or sandboarding.
Dune buggy tour with sandboarding near Huacachina
The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Central Peru
Central Peru has fewer highlights than the south — but there are some real gems to be found here, including the capital city of Lima.
Miraflores in Lima
Miraflores is a neighborhood of Lima right on the coast, defined by its dramatic sea cliffs. The towering rocks have been planted with grass and make for a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity.
Whether you’re down on the beach or up at the viewpoints above — the view of the Miraflores coastline is seriously something special.
On top of that, Miraflores is home to many outstanding restaurants and bars. Lima is world-famous for its cuisine. It’s also where you’ll find most of the best hotels in Lima.
Read our hotel tips for Lima too:
Centro Histórico in Lima
The Centro Histórico is Lima’s historic district, home to most of the city’s classic sights — including the main square Plaza de Armas with the Presidential Palace and Lima’s cathedral.
Another standout is the church Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima, beneath which lie catacombs you can tour — super fascinating!
City tour of Lima including a visit to the catacombs
To all our Lima tips:
Laguna 69
North of Lima lies the city of Huaraz, and the surrounding landscape is simply spectacular. A particularly special highlight in the mountains nearby is Laguna 69.
We’ve rarely seen water as intensely, brilliantly blue as in this mountain lake. The sight of Laguna 69 is simply breathtaking.
Despite its beauty, the lake is not yet overrun with tourists the way many other Peru highlights are.
Our hotel tip near Laguna 69
Your best bet is to stay in the city of Huaraz — most tours to Laguna 69 depart from there. We recommend the Hotel & Bungalows Villa Valencia.
Hotel & Bungalows Villa Valencia
Santa Cruz Trek
If you can’t get enough of towering mountains and blue lakes, you absolutely have to hike the Santa Cruz Trek near Huaraz — in addition to Laguna 69, you’ll pass several more breathtaking mountain lakes along the way.
The trail is approximately 42 kilometers long and is typically done over four days, passing one natural highlight after another.
For the Santa Cruz Trek, your best bet is to find accommodation in Huaraz and book the hike locally. When planning, make sure to also check out the best time to visit Peru.
The Most Beautiful Attractions in Northern Peru
Northern Peru is less touristy, significantly more affordable, and packed with beautiful things to do. Here’s what you’ll find.
Gocta Waterfall
With a drop of over 700 meters, the Gocta Waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls on earth and an absolute must-see in northern Peru.
You can reach this natural spectacle via two manageable hiking trails from Cocachimba or San Pablo. Both paths are around 5 kilometers long with a gain of approximately 400 meters in elevation.
From the viewpoint at the end of the hike, you have a fantastic view of the falls. Admission costs 20 soles.
Our Hotel Tip for the Gocta Waterfall
The nearest larger city to the waterfall is Chachapoyas — buses run from here to Cocachimba and San Pablo, and there are plenty of accommodation options. A lovely place to stay with a fantastic view is the Chachapoyas Backpackers Hostal Boutique.
Chachapoyas Backpackers Hostal Boutique
Iquitos and the Amazon
A large portion of northern Peru is covered by the Amazon rainforest. The regional capital is Iquitos, which sits far removed from the rest of the country’s civilization.
The Amazon River flows right through Iquitos and is the city’s absolute highlight.
Since Iquitos is so remote, your best bet is to fly there from Lima. You can find the best flight connections on Skyscanner.
Our Hotel Tip for Iquitos
To truly experience the Amazon in the most authentic way possible, we recommend staying at the Amazon Oasis Floating Lodge. The bungalows float right on the Amazon River.
Chan Chan
The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone is a complete contrast to the Amazon.
Chan Chan was the former capital of the indigenous Chimú people — a city built entirely from adobe mud, which is something you’ve probably never seen before.
Wandering through this abandoned city, you’ll discover the remarkable arts and culture of the Chimú. Around 60,000 Chimú people once lived here. Chan Chan is located near the coast in northern Peru, close to the city of Trujillo.
Our Hotel Tip for Chan Chan
For a visit to Chan Chan, your best bet is to stay in Trujillo. We recommend the Hostal Donde Alberto.
Temple of the Sun and the Moon
While Chan Chan lies north of Trujillo, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon — in Spanish, Huanco del Sol y la Luna — are located to the south of the city.
The temple complex was built by the indigenous Moche people, and you’ll find impressive murals throughout. We’d strongly recommend taking a guided tour — you’ll learn fascinating facts about the Moche culture that you’d completely miss on your own.
For this Peru attraction as well, your best base is Trujillo. A guided tour to Huanco del Sol y la Luna can be booked locally.
Máncora
Great surf, a flat sandy beach, and cool beach bars. If you just want to relax during your trip to Peru and have no desire for more hiking and sightseeing, you absolutely have to stop in Máncora.
Máncora sits at the very northern tip of Peru’s coastline, almost at the border with Ecuador. It’s the perfect spot in Peru for a proper beach vacation.
Our Hotel Tip for Máncora
Hotel La Maison is quintessentially South American. A lovely outdoor pool surrounded by palm trees, a wooden terrace with hammocks — so relaxing!
