Things to do in Peru
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Top 10 attractions in Peru
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca straddles the Collao Plateau on the border of Peru and Bolivia, with an altitude of approx. 3,800 m. It is a rare, large, high-altitude navigable freshwater lake in the world, often known as the Pearl of the Plateau. Although located inland, its water is not salty, and despite its high altitude, it never freezes. The crisp, thin air of the plateau and the light, which is closer to the sun's true color, make the lake surface appear even bluer than the sky. The origin of the lake's name is debated, but a widely circulated theory is that it is derived from the local language for Rock of the Puma. A highly recognizable experience here is the reed floating islands of the Uros people: hundreds of years ago, this small tribe moved onto the lake to escape the encroachment of the Inca Empire, creating floating islands using layers of bundled reed roots and stalks. Today, there are still hundreds of floating islands on the lake, where thousands of Uros people have lived for generations. On the islands, reeds are almost everything in life—houses, boats, and beds are all built from reeds, and the tender stems of the reeds, playfully called lake bananas by the islanders, can be eaten directly, with the craft of building with reeds passed down from generation to generation.Peru · Puno
Lima Main Square
Lima Main Squarealso known as the central square, is the birthplace of the old town of Lima, the capital of Peru. In 1535, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here, and the square subsequently became the center of the entire city's planning and expansion. It is surrounded by the Government Palace of Peru, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipal Palace, and the Palace of the Union. The colonial-style facades are often adorned with carved wooden balconies, creating a highly recognizable cityscape for Lima, and the Cathedral houses the coffin of the city's founder, Pizarro. The bronze fountain in the center of the square was completed in the mid-17th century and is one of the oldest monuments preserved in Lima, as well as a popular spot for tourists to take photos.Peru · Lima
Centro Historico
Centro Historico is the historic core of Lima, the capital of Peru, spanning the Lima and Rímac districts on both banks of the Rímac River. In the 16th century, the Spaniard Pizarro founded the city here. Over the following centuries, churches, convents, mansions, and squares were built one after another. The old town long served as the political and religious center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, with facades in Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Baroque, and Neoclassical styles layered upon one another, where traces of Mediterranean, Moorish, and Andalusian decorative techniques can also be seen. A highly recognizable feature of the old town is the rows of carved wooden balconies, mostly built between the late 17th and 18th centuries, which are intricately carved and projecting. The Palacio de Torre Tagle and Casa de Osambela are representative examples. The old town is compact, spreading out from the Lima Main Square along pedestrian streets, and the main attractions can be connected on foot. The changing of the guard in front of the Government Palace is also a common sight in the square.Peru · Lima
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a small town deep in the Sacred Valley of Peru and a stop that is hard to bypass on a Sacred Valley itinerary—most trains to Machu Picchu depart from the station in town, and many travelers choose it as a transfer stop. However, its charm is not limited to being the gateway to Machu Picchu: it is often called a living Incan town, where the neighborhoods still follow the urban layout from the Incan period, with stone-paved roads, narrow car-free alleys, and Incan water channels that still flow along the streets today, all retaining their appearance from hundreds of years ago, making it perfect for slowing down and wandering aimlessly.Peru · Ollantaytambo
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is the main square of Cusco, Peru, and the heart of the entire city. During the Inca Empire, it was known as Warrior Square and served as the center for celebrations, religious ceremonies, and military triumphs in the capital, surrounded by the palaces of successive Inca kings. After the arrival of the Spanish, churches and stone mansions were built on the ruins of the palaces, forming the layout seen today. Plaza de Armas is surrounded by a ring of stone arcades, which now house many restaurants and shops. Choosing a seat on a balcony to watch the locals chat, feed pigeons, and soak up the sun is a relaxing way to adjust to the high-altitude pace. Keep an eye out for the seven-colored rainbow flag flying over the square. It is the official flag of Cusco and is considered a symbol of Inca tradition, which has a different meaning from the rainbow flag commonly seen elsewhere.Peru · Cusco
San Martin Square
San Martin Squareis located in Lima, the capital of Peru. Inaugurated on July 27, 1921, to celebrate the centennial of Peru's independence, it is named after José de San Martín, the leader of the South American independence movement and the Liberator of Peru, and is one of the most representative public spaces in the old town. In the center of the square stands a bronze equestrian statue created by Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure, capturing the moment San Martín led his army across the Andes: the general sits calmly and focused on horseback, without the typical pose of a rearing horse or brandishing a weapon; the pedestal also features a female statue adorned with a small alpaca, symbolizing Peru, and the surrounding marble railings and granite paving were also part of the original meticulous design.Peru · Lima
Malecón de Miraflores
Malecón de Miraflores is located in the Miraflores district of Lima, the capital of Peru. It is a coastal promenade built on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, stretching nearly 10 km. From north to south, it connects three coastal green spaces: Marina, Cisneros, and Reserva. On one side are garden neighborhoods, and on the other is the vast Pacific Ocean. It is a go-to spot for Lima residents for daily walks, jogging, and cycling. The pedestrian and bicycle paths are separated, and the route is lined with flower beds, sculptures, and viewing platforms, offering both leisurely strolls and the opportunity to cycle along the entire coastline. Malecón de Miraflores sits atop cliffs dozens of meters high, with waves constantly crashing against the rocks below. It is especially popular in the evening; finding a bench facing the sea to watch the sun slowly sink into the Pacific Ocean is a memorable experience for many visiting Lima.Peru · Miraflores
Love Park
Love Park is situated on the coastal cliffs of the Miraflores district in Lima, with steep sandy cliffs below and the vast Pacific Ocean beyond. The park opened on Valentine's Day in 1993 and is a popular spot for local couples. In the center of the park stands "The Kiss" by sculptor Victor Delfin, depicting a couple embracing and kissing. Below the sculpture is a curved bench made of colorful mosaic tiles. Its winding, undulating curves are often compared to the Gaudí bench in Park Güell in Barcelona. The bench and the wall facing the sea are covered in colorful mosaics, engraved with Spanish love poems, many of which were written by Peruvian poets. The atmosphere is particularly special in the evening. Sitting on the bench watching the sunset sink into the Pacific Ocean, you can often see paragliders taking off from the nearby cliff tops and gliding over the sea.Peru · Miraflores
Twelve Angled Stone
Twelve Angled Stone is located on Hatunrumiyoc Street in the old town of Cusco and is a section of Inca-era stone wall standing along the street. The base of this wall was originally part of an Inca palace. Although it has been covered by colonial-era buildings above, the Inca masonry from hundreds of years ago remains in its original state. The entire wall is built from massive stones of varying shapes and sizes, stacked like a jigsaw puzzle. No mortar or other binding materials were used between the stones, yet the joints are so tight that it is difficult to insert even a piece of paper, a testament to the craftsmanship of the Inca stonemasons. One stone on the wall that draws visitors to stop is the Twelve Angled Stone. This massive stone, weighing several tons, has twelve angles and fits seamlessly with the surrounding stones. It is a masterpiece of Inca polygonal masonry, and many tourists make a special trip to take photos when visiting Cusco. This seemingly random, yet meticulously calculated construction method allows the wall to shift slightly during vibrations without collapsing. Having withstood several major earthquakes in Cusco, this ancient wall remains intact, with a level of stability that even surpasses the brick and stone structures built on top of it later.Peru · Cusco
Chinatown
Chinatownis located in the historic center of Lima, the capital of Peru, adjacent to the bustling Central Market, and is one of the largest Chinatowns in Latin America. The main street is a pedestrian street with an oriental flair, lined with Chinese-style pavilions featuring red pillars and green tiles. The road is paved with red bricks and embedded with patterns of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Beneath the archway, shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, and barbershops stand side by side. Most signs are written in Chinese, and the open-air market is crowded with vendors and bustling with people, making one feel as if they have stepped into an old street market in China. It is also famous for "chifa," a fusion of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine. The term originates from the Cantonese word for "eating a meal" and is now the general term Peruvians use for Chinese food. Fried rice, stir-fried noodles, and wonton soup retain their Guangdong roots while incorporating local ingredients. Enjoying a meal in a restaurant under the Chinese-style eaves is a reason many tourists make a special trip here.Peru · Lima
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What travelers say about Peru
M25***4019 April 2021
4.0
The Titicaca Lake on the Copacabana side is quieter and less commercialized than the Puno side. However, the weather was not very good during the two nights we stayed in Copacabana, so we did not take a boat tour of the lake. It was still beautiful to watch from the shore, but the wind was a bit strong.
Lake Titicaca
D31***6120 February 2020
5.0
One thing that you have to say about LIMA is it has some of the most beautiful buildings that I have ever seen. there is a large police presents so you feel very safe providing that you stay in all the tourist in busy areas of the city. I would definitely say LIMA is worth a visit if you are coming to South America
Lima Main Square
仙人掌花花🌸8 August 2023
5.0
Lima, known as the "rainless city", has an average annual temperature of around 18 degrees, making it suitable for living.
Centro Historico
噼里啪啦1 March 2020
4.0
South America Trip | Passing by Ouyangmen, I took a quick photo. The Temple of the Sun cost 70 Peruvian pesos, but I skipped it. I'd seen plenty of spectacular ruins in Turkey and Europe anyway. I grabbed some pasta and continued on my journey to the long-awaited Machu Picchu…
[Value for Money] Good
Ollantaytambo
_TS***1s3 March 2020
5.0
piękne miejsce.... jedno z niewielu miast w Peru, które mi sie spodobało. Plaza jest w centrum miasta, napić sie wspaniałej kawy albo zjeść coś w pięknych plenerach.
Plaza de Armas
기이냥8 April 2023
5.0
I stayed at a place next to San Martin Square, so I often go there to eat. When I first came here, I thought the police were controlling the area and I couldn't go inside, but the next day, on a Friday night, it was full of people and I was able to sit down and rest, so I loved how it turned into a place for citizens to rest.
San Martin Square
Arcachon13 January 2024
5.0
For outdoors lovers, no matter what your favorite activities might be, it’s one of the most amazing walkways in the world. The water and never ending long trail…
Malecón de Miraflores
_TS***ys6 August 2019
5.0
Lovers Park. A beautiful park overlooking the ocean. Next to the High End Larcomar Mall. Take a stroll by day and also enjoy at night. As you stroll by, make sure to read the tiled engraved phrases of love. Nice place to visit as you make a trip to Larcomar.
Love Park
东张西望望东西10 April 2020
5.0
The Inca Trail and the twelve-sided Inca Stone near the Plaza de Armas attract a lot of tourists. The Inca Stone is very neat and large, which is impressive. In the vicinity, you can also see the life of the locals, which is very nice.
Twelve Angled Stone
泰宁根吴承恩27 April 2020
5.0
Chinatown is a must-visit place in Lima. The number of Chinese here is beyond our imagination. We don’t know how they got here. We flew around half the world and changed planes and were exhausted. Chinatown is very lively. It seems that Cantonese people account for a large proportion of the population.
Chinatown