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
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 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.
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
Cities
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
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Lima
Photograph · Corminos · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lima 14,581 places -
Cusco
Photograph · gertrudis2010 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Cusco 3,770 places
Practical information
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
Planning a visit
- No data recorded for this month
- The current month
- January: no seasonality data recorded
- February: no seasonality data recorded
- March: no seasonality data recorded
- April: no seasonality data recorded
- May: no seasonality data recorded
- June: no seasonality data recorded
- July: no seasonality data recorded
- August: no seasonality data recorded
- September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
- October: no seasonality data recorded
- November: no seasonality data recorded
- December: no seasonality data recorded
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
14 places match
14 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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02 45 minGovernment 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
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03 45 minPlaza 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
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04 45 minHuaca 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
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05 45 minPlaza 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
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06 45 minMorro 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
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07 45 minConvent of Santo Domingo
Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
The Convent of Santo Domingo stands on the Qorikancha complex in central Cusco.
- High
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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08 30 minCathedral of Lima
Catedral de Lima
The Lima Cathedral Basilica, known locally as Basílica Catedral de Lima, stands as the principal cathedral of Lima and anchors the historic Plaza Mayor. This colonial-era basilica serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima.
- High
- Place of worship
- Lima
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09 30 minBasilica of La Merced, Cusco
Basílica Menor de la Merced
La Merced Church and Convent, known locally as Iglesia y Convento de La Merced, stands in Cusco as a significant colonial religious complex. The basilica and convent together form one canonical visitor destination.
- High
- Place of worship
- Cusco
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10 45 minInkilltambo
InkillTanbo
Inkilltambo is a restored Inca ceremonial and agricultural complex situated on the urban edge of Cusco, Peru. The site represents a significant archaeological zone that combines religious and farming functions typical of Inca landscape engineering.
- High
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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11 45 minAmaru Marka Wasi (Temple of the Moon)
Templo de la Luna
The Temple of the Moon, or Templo de la Luna, is a rock-cut ceremonial site located on the hills near Sacsayhuaman above Cusco. Unlike the grand fortress of Sacsayhuaman, this location offers a more intimate archaeological experience.
- Notable
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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12 1 hourConvento de San Francisco
Convento de San Francisco is a Franciscan religious complex in Lima's Historic Centre, with a museum and an underground burial circuit. Peru's Ministry of Culture dates the beginning of the monumental complex to 1546 and its inauguration to 1672.
- Notable
- Place of worship
- Lima
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13 30 minIglesia de Santiago Apostol
Santiago Church, or Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol, is a colonial parish church in the south-western sector of Cusco’s historic centre.
- Notable
- Place of worship
- Cusco
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14 45 minMateo Salado
Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado
Complejo Arqueológico Mateo Salado is an archaeological complex located in Lima, Peru. The site represents pre-Columbian architectural heritage within the modern urban environment of the capital city.
- High
- Historic monument
- Lima
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.