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Things to Do in Peru
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Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Peru
Among the best things to see in Peru are Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca city atop a mountain ridge, and the Sacred Valley, an area full of traditional villages and archaeological sites. You can also visit the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, known for its population of condors.
1. Machu Picchu
Cusco
An amazing blend of history and nature invites you to an adventure. Experience breathtaking views and ancient atmosphere in the heart of the mountains.
Quick facts: The Pride of the Incas towers at an altitude of 2430 meters, where mists often dance over the terraced fields. It served as a secret royal city and contains more than 150 preserved stone buildings precisely fitting together without mortar.
Highlights: The stunning panorama from Huayna Picchu offers views reminiscent of an ancient mystical world hidden in the clouds. Unexpected pizzazz is added by the animal inhabitants: hummingbirds quietly flutter among the temple stones and a llama calmly greets you.
2. Sacred Valley
Cusco
Beautiful mountain scenery and ancient ruins create an unforgettable experience. Walk among the terraces and discover the charm of local culture and nature.
Quick facts: The valley offers breathtaking views of massive terraces and traditional Andean architecture, giving the landscape a unique character. Ancient Inca ruins are scattered in the hills, hiding stories of an ancient civilization.
Highlights: Local markets here come alive with vivid colors and scents, where souvenirs made according to original traditions featuring hundreds of shades of alpaca are sold. Calm rivers flow through the valley, surrounded by steep mountains over 3000 meters high, creating an amazing atmosphere.
3. Colca Canyon
Arequipa
The deepest canyon full of wild nature and breathtaking vistas. Experience majestic condors in flight and uncover ancient agricultural terraces.
Quick facts: Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world with a depth of over 3,400 meters. The area is home to condors, huge birds of prey often soaring above the valley.
Highlights: In the highest parts of the canyon, it is possible to observe the flight of a giant condor with a wingspan of up to 3 meters. The local tribes preserve the traditions of growing corn on terraced fields hundreds of years old, creating impressive patterns from a bird's perspective.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Peru, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Nazca Lines
Nazca
Visiting these gigantic shapes is like a journey into a mysterious past. See gigantic figures from a bird's eye view that will completely captivate you.
Quick facts: Hundreds of huge geometric shapes and animal figures are visible only from above, which is a mystery how they were created without modern technology. Some lines reach up to 370 meters in length and their precision amazes both scientists and tourists.
Highlights: Giant drawings of animals and plants are so enormous that they can only be seen from a plane, giving the entire visit an adventurous touch. When flying over them, each line appears as a precise drawing that could not have been made by a person without a great deal of mystery.
5. Lake Titicaca
Puno
Visit the highest navigable lake in the world, where the water is clear and islands float among the reeds. Experience unique culture and breathtaking nature in one place.
Quick facts: On the surface lies the highest navigable lake in the world at an altitude of about 3,812 meters. The water is so clear that colorful fish and traditional floating reed islands can be observed.
Highlights: The Uros reed islands are home to people who still live today like their ancestors 500 years ago, with wooden shoes and built floating villages. The famous giant water rocket, weighing over 150 tons, was once home to huge maritime legends and local folklore.
6. Huacachina Oasis
Ica
An exceptional place in the middle of the desert offers both relaxation and excitement. Experience swimming in a salt lake and adrenaline-pumping sandboarding on huge dunes.
Quick facts: A lake surrounded by sand dunes in the middle of a desert creates an incredible contrast between dry sand and a living oasis. The local water is salty and popular for refreshing swims as well as adventurous sandboarding rides on the dunes.
Highlights: Among the dunes, you can experience breathtaking sunsets when the sand turns yellow and orange like flames. Additionally, the oasis is the only natural lagoon in all of South America where you can relax right in the heart of the desert.
7. Larco Museum
Lima
Immerse yourself in millennia of Peruvian art and culture. Walk through fascinating exhibits that will captivate you with their details and stories.
Quick facts: The collection contains over 45,000 artifacts covering 5,000 years of Peruvian history. Exhibits include unique ceramic masks and precise gold objects.
Highlights: The museum floors display ancient ceramics that you can even touch. Additionally, there is an iconic collection of erotic ceramics offering an unexpected view into the past.
8. Amazon Rainforest Lodge
Iquitos
A walk among the crowns of evergreen trees attracts nature lovers. Experience the silence of the jungle and the gleaming eyes of wild animals during a night boat ride.
Quick facts: The rainforest here takes your breath away with over 2,500 species of plants and hundreds of butterflies fluttering around. The nature is so dense that sunlight barely reaches the ground, and visitors often hear the croaking and singing of exotic birds from the surrounding trees.
Highlights: Night boat rides on the flooded waters reveal the lively world of caimans, manatees, and colorful frogs. Narrow wooden walkways among the trees and hanging bridges add an adventurous feeling of exploring a giant green maze.
9. Valle de la Luna family-friendly trail
Explore surreal lunar landscapes carved by millions of years of erosion. Encounter stunning rock formations and vibrant sunsets that paint the valley pink.
Quick facts: The trail winds through landscapes shaped by 500 million years of erosion, resembling the surface of the moon with surreal rock formations. Visitors often spot native foxes and vibrant rock lichens, adding bursts of life to the barren scenery.
Highlights: One striking feature is the amphitheater-like canyon where echoes bounce vividly against the rock walls. The pink-hued sunset here paints the valley in a magical glow that photographers love capturing.
10. Museo de Coca
Explore the cultural richness behind the coca leaf's story. Experience ancient rituals and vibrant exhibits that bring Andean traditions to life.
Quick facts: Coca leaves have played a vital role in Andean culture for thousands of years beyond their controversial use. The museum showcases over 400 artifacts illustrating coca's spiritual and medicinal significance.
Highlights: Visitors can experience a traditional coca leaf ritual performed by local shamans inside a recreated Andean ceremonial room, a practice rarely offered to outsiders. The museum also presents detailed botanical displays comparing coca leaves with other plants, highlighting subtle differences.
Where to Stay in Peru
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Picarones
Picarones are delicious doughnut-like fritters made from squash and sweet potato, typically served with a sweet syrup made from chancaca, a type of raw unrefined sugar.
Mazamorra Morada
Mazamorra Morada is a traditional purple corn pudding flavored with fruits and spices, famous for its vibrant color and connection to ancient Andean culture.
Turrón de Doña Pepa
Turrón de Doña Pepa is a festive layered sweet made of anise-flavored shortbread and colorful syrup, traditionally enjoyed during the Señor de los Milagros celebration.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Ceviche
Ceviche is Peru's national dish, featuring fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices with onions, chili peppers, and cilantro, highlighting Peru's rich coastal seafood heritage.
Lomo Saltado
Lomo Saltado is a hearty stir-fry that blends Chinese and Peruvian flavors, combining beef, tomatoes, onions, and french fries, showcasing Peru's multicultural cuisine.
Aji de Gallina
Aji de Gallina is a creamy chicken stew made with aji amarillo peppers, walnuts, and cheese, exemplifying the blend of indigenous ingredients and colonial influences.
Traditional Beverages
Pisco Sour
Pisco Sour is Peru's iconic cocktail made from pisco brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters, widely celebrated for its frothy texture and balance.
Chicha Morada
Chicha Morada is a traditional non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves, enjoyed for its refreshing and unique flavor.
Emoliente
Emoliente is a warm herbal drink popular in Peruvian markets, made with medicinal herbs like barley and flaxseed, believed to have health-boosting properties.
Frequently Asked Questions about Peru
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Most popular day trips
Cusco
Gateway to Machu Picchu and rich Inca history.
Arequipa
Known for colonial architecture and nearby volcanoes.
Lima
The vibrant capital city with rich culture and history.
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
Local and regional trains toward southern Peru
Use taxi or airport shuttle from Jorge Chávez to city center, about 30 minutes by car.
Click to get eSim for Peru
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Visa & entry
United States, Canada, most South American countries, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan
China, India, African countries, and some Asian countries
Many nationalities can enter Peru visa-free for up to 183 days; check specific entry rules before travel.
Comments (5)
Loved the mix of cultures and the weather was perfect in September. Cusco can be touristy but the vibe stays cool, just bring layers for the cold nights.
Avoid buying souvenirs near Plaza de Armas, prices drop a lot a few blocks away. Also, download local taxi apps instead of hailing on the street for safety and better fares.
The crowds at Machu Picchu were intense early in the morning but totally worth it. Lima’s traffic is nuts, so maybe just focus on the southern coast if you hate city chaos.
If you're taking the train to Machu Picchu, book months in advance and choose seats on the right side for the best views, especially early morning.
Peru's food scene surprised me with its vibrant flavors, though getting around the countryside was slower than expected. Plan at least 2 weeks for a decent experience.