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Country guide

Peru

Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which...

Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0

18,351 Places
2Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Peru is 1,285,216 square kilometres arranged in three long bands: an arid Pacific coast, the Andes behind it, and Amazon rainforest east of the mountains. Which band a city sits in decides nearly everything about visiting it — Lima, the capital, is a coastal city under grey winter cloud, Cusco sits high enough in the Andes to cost a first day doing nothing, and Iquitos in the rainforest has no road connecting it to the rest of the country. It is the third largest country in South America. The distances between those three worlds are why itineraries here are counted in flights rather than in bus rides.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish; Quechua, Aymara and other Indigenous languages have official status where predominant
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+51
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Peruvian sol (PEN)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
105 police · 116 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A and C · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

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10 places match

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Category

Historic monuments 10 Museums 0 Places of worship 4 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 0 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 10

Interests

History 10 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Saqsaywaman Saqsaywaman
    01 45 min

    Saqsaywaman

    Sacsayhuamán

    Sacsayhuaman, known locally as Saqsaywaman, is an immense Inca ceremonial and defensive complex situated on a hill above Cusco.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cusco
  2. Government Palace Government Palace
    02 45 min

    Government Palace

    Palacio de Gobierno

    The Government Palace of Peru, known locally as Palacio de Gobierno del Perú, serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Peru.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Lima
  3. Plaza San Martín Plaza San Martín
    03 45 min

    Plaza San Martín

    Plaza San Martín is a monumental republican square in Lima's historic centre. It forms the southern anchor of the historic-centre walking route, connecting visitors to the broader colonial and republican urban fabric.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Lima
  4. Huaca Pucllana Huaca Pucllana
    04 45 min

    Huaca Pucllana

    Huaca Pucllana is an archaeological complex inside Miraflores, where successive Lima, Wari and Ychsma communities left evidence of construction and use.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Lima
  5. Plaza de Armas Plaza de Armas
    05 45 min

    Plaza de Armas

    Plaza de Armas del Cusco stands as the historic main square of Cusco, Peru, occupying the ceremonial heart of the former Inca capital. Spanish colonial architecture now dominates the space, with arcades, churches, and portals surrounding the open plaza.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Cusco
  6. Morro Solar Morro Solar
    06 45 min

    Morro Solar

    Zona Histórica Intangible del Morro Solar

    Morro Solar is a headland located in the Chorrillos district of Lima, Peru. It rises above the Pacific coastline and serves as a prominent geographical landmark for the southern part of the city.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Lima
Show 4 more places

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Peru be?

Ten to fourteen days can combine Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley with one additional region. Altitude adjustment and rail or road transfers need their own time, so compressing the Andes and Amazon into the same short visit is unwise.

What entry documents are needed for Peru?

Peru’s Migraciones authority publishes admission information. Passport, nationality and permitted-stay rules must be checked for the actual traveller, and any border or immigration form should come from the government service.

What is the best way to travel around Peru?

Lima is the principal air hub, with domestic services to Cusco, Arequipa and other gateways. Intercity buses cover many routes, and selected tourist trains serve the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu area.

When is a practical time to visit Peru?

May to September is the broad dry-season window for many Andean routes. Lima’s coastal conditions and Amazon rainfall follow different patterns, so an itinerary spanning regions needs separate forecasts and access checks.

What money and payment basics apply in Peru?

Peru uses the sol (PEN). Current acceptance and withdrawal charges are Not recorded here; confirm whether an operator expects soles, cards or advance payment before leaving a major city.

What practical safety details should I save for Peru?

Peru records 105 for police and 116 for fire services. Type A and C sockets use 220 V; national tap-water guidance is Not recorded, so obtain local advice.