07
30 min
Plaza Regocijo
Plaza Regocijo is a colonial-era public square in the historic centre of Cusco, Peru.
- Must see
- Activity
- Cusco
Country guide
Up to 1 hour in Peru — page 2
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.
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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
- 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.
Filter the list
79 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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08 30 minPlaza San Blas
Plaza San Blas is the public square within Cusco's traditional San Blas neighbourhood, not the neighbourhood as a whole, San Blas Church, or a market.
- Must see
- Activity
- Cusco
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09 30 minPlaza Nazarenas
Plaza Nazarenas is a quiet historic square in Cusco's upper old city. It connects several significant cultural sites including the Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) and Casa Concha.
- Must see
- Activity
- Cusco
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10 45 minMachu Picchu
Ciudadela de Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco. The archaeological complex stands at an elevation that creates dramatic cloud-forest surroundings.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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11 1 hourCusco Municipal Theatre
Teatro Municipal del Cusco
Cusco Municipal Theatre, or Teatro Municipal del Cusco, is a city-run performance venue in Cusco’s historic urban core. It belongs to the city’s public cultural life and provides a setting for performances and events.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Cusco
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12 45 minMunicipal Palace of Lima
Palacio Municipal de Lima
The Municipal Palace of Lima, known locally as Palacio Municipal de Lima, serves as the city hall of Peru's capital. It stands on the historic Plaza Mayor, the foundational heart of Lima's colonial grid.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Lima
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13 45 minCentral Market of Lima
Mercado Central de Lima
The Central Market of Lima, known locally as Mercado Central de Lima, stands in the historic centre of Peru's capital. It functions as a major municipal food market serving everyday commerce.
- Must see
- Market
- Lima
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14 45 minArchbishop's Palace of Cusco
Palacio Arzobispal del Cusco
The Archbishop's Palace of Cusco, known locally as Palacio Arzobispal del Cusco, stands on Hatunrumiyoc street in the historic centre. The site represents significant architectural layering, incorporating the former Inca Roca palace beneath colonial structures.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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15 45 minSaqsaywaman
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
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16 45 minChoquequirao
Choquequirao is a remote Inca archaeological site situated in the Vilcabamba mountain range of the Cusco region. Often called the sister city of Machu Picchu, it remains far less visited due to its isolated location.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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17 45 minTambomachay
Tampu Mach'ay
Tambomachay is an Inca archaeological site on the northern outskirts of Cusco, Peru. It functions as a ceremonial water shrine, featuring finely engineered stone channels, aqueducts, and waterfalls that demonstrate sophisticated hydraulic engineering.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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18 45 minSanta Ana Square
Plaza Santa Ana
Santa Ana Square is a historic public plaza in the upper part of Cusco’s colonial centre. It sits beyond the busiest circuit around Plaza de Armas and offers a quieter view of the city’s traditional neighbourhood fabric.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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19 45 minHistoric Centre of Lima
Centro Histórico de Lima
The Historic Centre of Lima, locally Centro Histórico de Lima, is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial core of Peru's capital. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it preserves a substantial ensemble of Spanish colonial architecture, religious buildings, and civic structures.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Lima
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20 45 minPuka Pukara
Puka Pukara is a small Inca archaeological site situated on the northern outskirts of Cusco, Peru. Its Quechua name translates to Red Fortress, referencing the distinctive reddish hue of its stonework.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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21 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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22 45 minMoray
Moray is an archaeological complex near Cusco in Peru’s Sacred Valley. Its defining feature is a group of circular agricultural terraces cut into a natural depression.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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23 30 minSanta Ana Church
Iglesia de Santa Ana
Santa Ana Church is a colonial parish church in Cusco’s Santa Ana neighbourhood, within the Historic Centre of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Must see
- Place of worship
- Cusco
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24 30 minPlaza Limacpampa
Plaza Limacpampa is a public square in upper-central Cusco. It works mainly as a connecting space between San Blas, Qorikancha, Avenida El Sol, and nearby modern commercial streets.
- Must see
- Activity
- Cusco
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25 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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26 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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27 45 minPísac
Pisaq
Písac is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, approximately one hour northeast of Cusco. The settlement sits at a lower elevation than the city, making it a common destination for visitors adjusting to altitude.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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28 45 minReal Felipe Fortress
Fortaleza del Real Felipe
The Real Felipe Fortress, locally named Fortaleza del Real Felipe, stands as Callao's monumental colonial fortress and ranks as the strongest military-history site in the Lima metropolitan area.
- Must see
- Historic monument
- Lima
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29 20 minAusangate
The Ausangate Circuit is a multi-day trekking route encircling Nevado Ausangate, the highest peak in the Cusco region at approximately 6,384 metres.
- Must see
- Viewpoint
- Cusco
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30 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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31 45 minQ'inqu
Q'enqo Grande
Q'enqo Grande is the principal and larger section of the Q'enqo archaeological complex near Cusco, Peru. This Inca site features ceremonial passages and altar-like rockwork carved from living stone.
- High
- Historic monument
- Cusco
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.