The 13 Best Places to Visit in Peru in 2026

The 13 best places to visit in Peru

Before we dive into the list of the 13 best places to visit in Peru, we have a couple disclaimers. First, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all of the best places to visit in Peru. We are instead focusing solely on places that we personally enjoyed, as well as a handful that are high up on our list for next time. Also, this list is not in order of preference.

As you look through this list, we want to emphasize one of our biggest tips for visiting Peru: don’t try to do too much. While it’s tempting to squeeze all of these destinations into one trip, it would be pretty impossible, unless you have over a month to spend. Each area requires either a plane, train, or bus to get to, plus offers a wide variety of things to do. We suggest focusing on just a few areas, so you can explore them more deeply.

And if you need help getting started, we have a 2 week Peru itinerary that includes many of these destinations!

Top things to do in Lima

• Go see the adorable cats at Kennedy Park!
• Walk along the Miraflores Malecón, a coastal walkway full of parks and amazing views.
• Enjoy as many traditional Peruvian dishes as possible. And if you have the budget, Lima is home to some of the top ranked restaurants in the world! A few of the popular choices are Mayta, Kjolle, Mérito, Central, and Astrid y Gastón. Make sure to make a reservation well in advance! 
• Explore the colorful streets and murals of Barranco.
• Go on a free walking tour of Centro Histórico with Inkan Milky Way.
• Watch the colorful nighttime water and lights show at Circuito Mágico del Agua.
• Tour the Huaca Pucllana ruins right in town!

How much time should you spend in Lima

We suggest spending 3 days in Lima. This will give you the chance to explore all of its major tourist neighborhoods, try a bunch of local eats, visit ruins, and do a few fun activities. However, if you only have one day, there is still a lot you can accomplish!

Since you’ll likely be flying in and out of Lima, you can either spend time at the beginning of your trip or at the end. Or both!

Top things to do in Paracas

• Head out on a boat tour to the Ballestas Islands! On a 2 hour boat tour you will have the chance to see sea lions, many bird species, and our favorite, Humboldt Penguins. Plus rocky islands and arches, as well as the Candelabra, a mysterious geoglyph. 
• Explore the Paracas National Reserve! This is where the desert meets the sea and here you have endless views of golden cliffs and hills, which contrasts beautifully against the bright blue ocean waters.
• Try a classic Peruvian seafood dish called tiradito at either Valhalla or Milla Cero.
• Stay at a luxury resort, like Hotel Paracas, for the ultimate relaxation.

How much time should you spend in Paracas

For most people, 1-2 days in Paracas is enough to experience its popular sights. We personally spent 4 full days in Paracas, with half of the time spent exploring and the other half relaxing at Hotel Paracas. After two intense weeks of hiking in the Andes, this was the perfect place to recover and unwind!

Top things to do in Huacachina

• Rent a pedal boat and pedal around the lagoon. This was a lot more fun than we expected!
• Go on an exhilarating sunset dune buggy adventure, with views of the Huacachina Oasis.
• Enjoy a delicious dinner in the dunes.
• Spend the night on the dunes in a glamping tent! This was one of our FAVORITE experiences from our entire time in Peru. It includes two dune buggy rides, sand tubing, sand boarding, and dinner in the dunes. Plus breakfast the next morning.

How much time should you spend in Huacachina

In our opinion, you only really need about 2 days in Huacachina, including the travel to and from the Oasis. Many people will take a day trip from Lima (which also includes the coastal town of Paracas), but we think it’s worth staying the night, as the day trips include many hours of driving.

Top things to do in Cusco

• Explore the city’s beautiful plazas and streets, including Plaza de Armas, Calle Siete Borreguitos, and Mirador de San Blas. You could also do a free walking tour to learn more about the city’s architecture and history!
• Stroll through San Pedro Market and enjoy a delicious smoothie from one of the fruit stands.
• Check out some of Cusco’s must-visit restaurants and coffee shops! And if you’re brave, try cuy (guinea pig).
• Visit museums and important sites, like the Inka Museum or Qorikancha.
• Explore Sacsayhuamán, which are Inca ruins right in the city.
• Watch the sunset from Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco.

How much time should you spend in Cusco

Since Cusco is located at a higher altitude than Lima, Paracas, and Huacachina, we suggest spending at least 2-3 full days in the Cusco area. Altitude sickness is very common here, so you will want to have enough time to acclimate. We’d suggest spending one of these days in the city itself and the other in the Sacred Valley, which we’re covering next!

Top things to do in Sacred Valley

• Learn the entire process of how textiles are made in Chinchero.
• Visit the circular terraces of Moray, also known as the greenhouse for the Incas, where they experimented with different crops.
• See thousands of salt ponds at the Maras Salt Mines.
• Explore the Ollantaytambo ruins, one of the few places where the Incas won a battle against the Spanish.
• Experience one of the best preserved Inca sites in Peru at Pisac.

How much time should you spend in Sacred Valley

The most common way to visit the Sacred Valley is on a day trip from Cusco. However, you could stay the night in Ollantaytambo, if you don’t plan to trek to Machu Picchu, for a shorter journey to Machu Picchu.

We personally did a one day tour with AB Expeditions, which included a visit to Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo, plus lunch at a local buffet. They also offer other itinerary options to choose from!

Things to know before visiting Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu is a bit complex, as it requires advance planning, tickets, multiple route options within the ruins, and more. We cover everything you need to know to visit Machu Picchu in this step by step guide. But here’s a quick rundown to ensure you have a good experience!

• Buy tickets well in advance! You will have to pick from 10 different routes and a timeslot. Our top picks would be either Route 2-A or 2-B (almost identical) and Route 3-A, which takes you to Huayna Picchu!
• You can either trek to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, Lares Trek, and the Salkantay Trek or you can take a train.
• There is no signage inside Machu Picchu, so we recommend hiring a guide so you can learn all about it! You can get a guide in advance (we used Machu Picchu Edu Tours) or find one while waiting in line for the bus.
• To get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes you can either take a bus ($24 roundtrip) or walk. Or do a mix of both!

How much time should you spend in Machu Picchu

While most people visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco or in one day from Aguas Calientes, we suggest visiting Machu Picchu on two different days. This will give you the best chance of seeing it in good weather. We had one very foggy day and one super sunny day. Being able to see it in both conditions was super special, but we are very glad we didn’t only see it in the fog.

Top things to do in the Salkantay region

The best thing to do in the Salkantay region is to hike the Salkantay Trek. This 4 day, 69 km (43 miles) route takes you past striking mountain peaks and glaciers, to a bright blue glacial lake, through a river valley, and down into the jungle, where you’ll see a beautiful waterfall and tour a coffee farm. All before ending at Machu Picchu, which you’ll experience on the 5th day.

You can hike it with a guided tour or without a guide. But if you’re not up to a 4 day trek, there are a couple other ways to experience part of this region.

• Go on a day hike to Humantay Lake! The most popular (and easiest) way to do this is on a tour from Cusco. 
• If the entire Salkantay Trek is too much for you, you can also do a two day Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass trek, which will show you some of the best scenery along the trek, but in half the time.

How much time should you spend in the Salkantay region

If you plan to do the Salkantay Trek, you will need 5 days. This includes 4 days of trekking, plus a day at Machu Picchu. You can also do it in 4 days total (3 days of trekking), but you will miss some of the hike. But as we mentioned above, there are ways to just spend 1-2 days here as well.

However, regardless of how long you visit, we do not recommend visiting this area without at least 2 full days of acclimating in Cusco. The altitude reaches up to 4,630 meters (15,190 feet) and if you’re not acclimated, you may suffer from altitude sickness.

Top things to do at Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain itself is really just a quick photo opportunity. However, it does require a walk to get to (at 16,500 feet in altitude, making it tough!). Once you make it, there are two main viewpoints that overlook its stripes, where you can snap a photo. 

Beyond that, there is another attraction nearby that is worth checking out alongside it, the Red Valley.

This is a valley painted in a deep red color, which is due to high amounts of iron oxide present in the rocks. It requires a short (but all uphill) hike to get to and is accessible right from the main Rainbow Mountain viewpoints, making it an easy addition.

How much time should you spend at Rainbow Mountain

Most people just visit Rainbow Mountain as a day tour from Cusco. However, if you have additional time, we highly recommend doing it as part of a trek! We personally visited Rainbow Mountain as part of a 6 day Ausangate Trek, but you can also do a shorter version of this trek. Or do a 2 day Rainbow Mountain Trek!

Top things to do in the Ausangate region

• Ausangate Trek: There are many different ways to trek Ausangate, from 2-6 days!
• 7 Lakes of Ausangate day hike: This is one of the most underrated day trips from Cusco! On this hike you not only will get to see 7 lakes, which are all different colors, shapes, and sizes, but you’ll also get to see ridiculous views of mountains and glaciers.
• Pacchanta hot springs: One of the gateway towns to Ausangate is Pacchanta. And here you can find hot springs! These are more like a pool, rather than a natural looking hot spring, but it still feels SO nice to soak in. The hot springs are included in some 7 Lakes of Ausangate hikes and Ausangate Treks, so make sure to check to see if it’s something you want to do.

How much time should you spend in the Ausangate region

This really depends on how much you want to experience and how much time you have. Even if you only have a free day, we highly recommend doing the 7 Lakes of Ausangate day hike to see some of this area.

But similar to many of the areas near Cusco, the Ausangate region is at very high altitude. So you will need to ensure you have time to acclimate before visiting here.

Full disclosure: We did not personally visit the next 4 spots on this list. However, they are all places we researched and heavily considered for our trip. We are using the research we did beforehand, plus tips from friends who have been, to give you insights into each area. Our plan is to explore all 4 of these best places to visit in Peru next time!

Top things to do in Arequipa

• Explore the city itself! Arequipa is nicknamed the “White City” because of its many white buildings, which are constructed out of sillar, a white volcanic stone. To experience the city’s architecture, plus learn about the city’s history, go on a free walking tour!
• Try queso helado! This is a cheese based ice cream local to Arequipa. Queso Helado Doña Rosa and Punto Arequipa are both good places to try it. We tried it in Cusco and LOVED it! 
• Go whitewater rafting!
• Visit salt flats in Peru! When we think of salt flats, we think of Bolivia, but you can take a day trip to Salinas de Arequipa while in Arequipa!
• Hike in Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world! You can visit as part of a day tour, but we suggest doing a 2 day or 3 day trek if possible.

How much time should you spend in Arequipa

One important thing to know is that Arequipa is located at 2,328 meters (7,638 feet) above sea level. So if coming from Lima, you may want to spend 2 days acclimating in town or doing lower energy activities. And then you will likely want another 1-3 days to do more adventurous activities, including Colca Canyon.

Top things to do in Lake Titicaca

• Go island hopping! On this tour you will visit the Uros Islands, plus the Taquile islands, with stops for lunch and cultural activities.
• For a more immersive experience, stay at a homestay on the Uros Islands! You will stay with a family, learn about their way of life, and partake in some of their daily activities. It’s a more authentic way to experience Lake Titicaca than some day tours.

How much time should you spend in Lake Titicaca

You can spend anywhere from 1-3 days on Lake Titicaca. With only one day, a guided tour will be best to see as much as you can. But our personal preference would be staying at a homestay for a couple nights!

Top things to do in Huaraz

• Easily the BEST thing to do in Huaraz is Cordillera Huayhuash. This is a trekking circuit that takes you through some of the most insane scenery that Peru has to offer, from glacial peaks to bright blue lakes. It can be done partially or entirely within 6-15 days. We hear Los Amigos de Huayhuash is one of the best companies to go with (read their reviews here!).
• Another popular trek in the area is the Santa Cruz Trek. This 51 km (32 mile) trek takes you from Vaquería to Cashapampa over 3-4 days. It can be done self-guided or with a guide.
• For shorter hikes, Laguna 69 is one of the most popular hikes in the area and is a great warmup before tackling one of the treks. You can visit here with a tour, which will transport you to and from the trail.
• Another fun day trip is to hike and kayak at Laguna Poron or get up close to a glacier at Pastoruri Glacier!

How much time should you spend in Huaraz

Similar to many of the best places to visit in Peru, this all depends on how much you’d like to do. If you just want to do a couple day hikes, a few days may be sufficient (make sure to allot time to acclimate!). But if you want the ultimate experience, you will need anywhere from 6-15 days for the Huayhuash Circuit.

Top things to do in Iquitos

• Stay at a fun ecolodge, like Muyuna Amazon Lodge, Tahuayo Lodge, or Curassow Amazon Lodge! Not only will you get to stay in a cool accommodation, plus wake up in the middle of the Amazon, but they will also coordinate many of the activities for you.
• Some of the most popular activities in the Amazon Rainforest include wildlife tours, jungle hiking, nighttime excursions, piranha fishing, boating trips, swimming near pink dolphins, and so much more!
• Go on an Amazon River Cruise! This will give you the chance to experience a variety of areas and activities in Peru’s Amazon Rainforest, but instead of staying at a lodge, you’ll be on a boat!

How much time should you spend in Iquitos

We would recommend at least 3 full days in Iquitos and the Amazon. Since it requires a flight to get to, plus transportation to your lodge, you will want to have time to get to and from the area. As well as enough time to enjoy the area and do some of the activities above!