11 Fascinating Cities in Peru (2023)

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Wondering which cities in Peru you should visit? We’ll go over 11 cities that are must-see!

Quick Rundown On Peru

Peru is a beautiful country, rich in culture and history. Peru also has vastly different climates for a country of its size.

While traveling to Peru, you could experience the cloudy, sea level, and breezy humidity of Lima. Just a few hours from there, you’ll be in the dune-filled desert that surrounds Huacachina and Ica. At Machu Picchu, you’ll experience the highlands of the Peruvian Andes.

In this post, we’re going to focus on Central and Southern Peru, because I believe it to be the most accessible and doable for planning trips to Peru of two weeks or less.

These are not in order of beauty or ranking but rather more of an itinerary. This is the order in which I visited these cities. I’ll even tell you how I did it!

11 Fascinating Cities In Peru

Let’s get into Peru’s most beautiful and fascinating cities! I’m going to talk a bit about each city and share some experiences so you can have the best and safest Peru trip possible.

1. Lima

Lima is where it all starts. If you’re coming into the country, you’ll land in Lima. A lot of travelers choose not to spend much time here, and I can’t say that I blame them, though there is plenty to do to fill several days.

I’d recommend staying in Miraflores, as it is the safest area and has the best access to everything you’ll want to see in Lima. Staying within a few blocks of Kennedy Park will serve you well, as all the best restaurants and sites in the area are within a few blocks of there.

If you love ruin sites as I do, check out Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca ruin site right in the middle of the city! It’s walking distance from Miraflores and displays some interesting building techniques you don’t usually see in construction from that time.

Take a walk along the Malecon atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean, stopping at all the little parks along the way. Grab a coffee and a crepe at El Beso Frances (The French Kiss) in Parque del Amor. The view of the ocean from there is a great place to enjoy a snack before continuing on down the road.

Take a few pictures at Faro de la Marina, a lighthouse just north of Parque del Amor. Just north of that is Parque Chino, a serene Asian-style park with a gazebo and fountain. All the parks on this walk are beautiful. When you’re ready to head back, take one of the staircases down to the ocean and walk along the water on the way back.

Lima also has a great gastro scene. If you’re a foodie, Lima might be your favorite of the cities in Peru, and you’re just getting started!

We’ve all heard about Peruvian food is to die for. In Lima, all the food is to die for. Lima is a destination for high-quality restauranteurs to bring their food. Whatever your flavor is, you’ll be able to find it. Just make sure and try some seafood before you leave for your next destination.

2. Paracas

Paracas is a three-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Lima. This is doable as a day tour, but if you plan to see these other cities on this list, I wouldn’t go the day tour route. I like to spend as much time in the city that I’m in as possible. Day tours to other cities that I will pass by anyway cut into my enjoyable time.

There are only a few things to do here in Paracas, but they’re all worth doing. I recommend staying a night. I’ll tell you why in a minute.

There are essentially two activities here: the National reserve, and the Ballestas Islands boat tour. If you only spend the day in Paracas, you will not have time to do them both due to tour and bus schedules. Spending the night is the only way you can do both activities.

The Ballestas Islands tour is nice to get out on the boat and see the rocky islands, and some interesting wildlife. You’ll likely even see penguins! Who would have thought?

The National Reserve is largely underwhelming if I’m being honest. There are some great views, and towards the end of the tour, the red sand beach and yellow rocks above it are redeeming and make for great pictures.

I’d recommend doing this tour by buggy. My friend did that, while I took the bus. She had way more fun than I did. If I were to do it over again, I’d do the buggy tour of the reserve.

Wherever you choose to stay in Paracas, make sure you check out the party at Kokopelli Hostel. It’s wild every night! If you’re going to stay the night and be stuck in this small town with nothing to do, you might as well drink pisco and dance all night, right?

Paracas is the last coastal city on our list, and it’s a fishing village. It might be your last chance to eat some fresh seafood. I took this opportunity to have some fresh ceviche before heading out.

3. Huacachina/Ica

I include Ica in the title because it’s right next to Huacachina, but my recommendation is to stay in Huacachina and take advantage of the activities there and the novelty of the oasis in the desert.

Getting from Lima to Huacachina takes about 3.5 hours. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but has a lot to offer, and is worth visiting for at least one night!

There are a lot of great things to do in Huacachina, but the dune buggy and sandboarding activity is absolutely the king of those. If you’re on the fence about whether that’s too thrill-seeking for you, I say do it. I’m not exactly an action sports type of guy, and this was amazing for me.

The sandboarding is a little intimidating, sure. I’m not going to lie; I was even a bit scared standing at the top of that hill with my board, wondering if I’m going to be the guy who flips over and wrecks. But after boarding the first hill or two, that goes away, and you’ll love it!

The dune buggy ride feels like a roller coaster. Ascending and dropping off those huge dunes is a rush! You’ll have a chance to look down on the oasis too, which is awesome! Make sure to take a picture of that.

Wherever you stay in Huacachina, the party is at Wild Rover. If you’re not in the mood for a party hostel and want to get some sleep, Bananas Hostel right down the road is super laid back.

I recommend booking a room at Bananas, partying until you can’t anymore at Wild Rover, then heading back to the room for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The pisco tasting and tour in Ica is worth putting on your list on your way out of Huacachina towards the rest of the cities in Peru on this list. It’s interesting to learn how the pisco is made, and fun to try all the different varieties.

You’ve likely got a long bus ride ahead of you, so why not get a little sloshed first, so you can sleep better on the bus?

4. Nazca

Nazca has two parts, the famous Nazca Lines, and the town proper.

The Nazca Lines are etched into the surface of the ground a few miles outside of the town proper. They’re conveniently located right next to the highway for easy tourist access.

The lines are visible from towers on either side of the highway, or from low-flying planes that take tourists on short flights over the lines. The tower was enough for me, but if you’re into planes or possibly supernatural activity, the flight might be for you.

The town ofNazca is a charming little town, as I find most small towns to be. It’s worth grabbing a bite and spending a few minutes in the square if you have the time.

5. Arequipa

Arequipa is considered by many, including myself, to be the most beautiful of all the cities in Peru. Its Plaza de Armas is the prettiest and most photogenic that I observed in Peru.

There are a number of volcanoes visible from Arequipa. A particularly morbid walking tour guide informed me that if one were to erupt, we would only have twenty seconds to react. Fun fact, huh?

If by chance you are visiting these cities in Peru in the order I’ve gone in, Arequipa may be where you start noticing the effects of elevation. Arequipa has an elevation of about 7,500 feet (2,300 meters).

For comparison, Denver, Colorado (America’s “Mile High City”) sits at 5,200 feet (1,600 meters). We’ll touch on elevation again at our next stop.

I quite enjoyed the time I spent in Arequipa. I walked around the city, had coffee, or ate at a bunch of cafes and restaurants. There are some great opportunities for tours in Arequipa.

You’ll want to spend some time walking around the city and talking to locals and visiting the markets. Days like that are what I love about traveling. Immersion.

Of all the cities in Peru I visited, I’m glad I chose Arequipa to have my immersion days. The city is lovely and charming.

6. Puno

Puno sits on the Peruvian shores of Lake Titicaca. It’s famous for its access to the floating islands that are home to the Uros people. These islands are fascinating. If you’re in Puno, take a tour of the floating islands. You won’t regret it.

The islands are constructed from the native totora plant that grows in and around the lake. The reeds are bundled and used as the floor of the islands.

The reeds are also used to build houses. All the reeds have to be replaced periodically to maintain the island and the integrity of its structure.

The Uros people have lived this way for hundreds of years. There are an estimated 1,200 people living on 60-100 floating islands. Visiting the people on the islands and seeing how they live will give you a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.

Remember the elevation we mentioned a few minutes ago? Well, Puno sits at an elevation of 12,500 feet (3,800 meters). I’m not a mathematician, but that’s roughly two and a half times the elevation of the Mile High City, Denver.

Denver, by the way, is notorious for being a hard place for visiting professional athletes to play, due to the high elevation. In addition to not being a mathematician, I’m also not an athlete.

I got winded walking down the street while trying to have a conversation. So did the other five people I was with. To get to our boat, we had to climb over a handful of other boats. I also got winded doing that.

When I climbed the six-foot ladder from the boat floor to the roof for a better view, I was out of breath again.

If you’re at all doubting the effects of elevation, I’m here to tell you, don’t! It’s as real as the air you’ll be trying to breathe. Puno has the highest elevation of all the cities in Peru on this list. There are higher points at some of the tours and attractions you might visit.

I did a book report on Lake Titicaca when I was in the third grade. Since then, it’s always seemed like this mythical place that I could never go to. Even when I initially planned my trip to Peru, I wasn’t sure I would make it all the way out to Lake Titicaca. But getting there, seeing the Lake, and being on it, lived up to my mythical expectation.

7. Cusco

Cusco is the tourist capital of Peru. Lima might be the political capital, but the heart of the country is in Cusco.

It’s the gateway and home base to some of the most amazing places you’ll see in Peru. When asked about their favorite cities in Peru, the majority of people will say Cusco.

Cusco’s Plaza de Armas will surprise you with two buildings dominating the square, instead of the usual one in plazas across Latin America. When the Spanish invaded, they demolished the Inca structures and used the stones to construct their churches.

The Plaza is a cultural hotspot, playing host to parades, marches, and general gatherings of people. There are many great restaurants around the square, some of which have balconies that provide a wonderful view of the goings on in the square.

Make sure to visit the charming San Blas district. It’s worth the climb up the stairs to find the lovely shops and cafes of San Blas. The stairs almost made me collapse, as I wasn’t fully accustomed to the elevation yet.

By the way, be careful with that. Shortness of breath from working out is one thing. You can push through it, finish the workout, and feel good about it.

Shortness of breath from elevation, when there’s not enough oxygen in your blood to make your body function properly is different. You can’t push through it. There’s not enough air. Sit down. Take breaks.

It’s a good chance to take in the humanity and the life around you for a couple of minutes.

8. Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley refers to most of the area between the city of Cusco and Machu Picchu, along the Urubamba River. There is a LOT to see in the Sacred Valley. The town of Pisac is a must-see along with the ruins there.

The archaeological site at Moray is also a must-see. It holds terraces that were used for growing agriculture at different altitudes. The terraces are reminiscent of the ones you’ve seen and will see at other Inca ruin sites.

The salt mines of Maras are also an interesting stop in the Sacred Valley. From a distance, the salt mines look like a layer of snow. When you get there, you’ll see a huge number of small ponds that are believed to have been built by a pre-Inca civilization.

The mines or ponds are still operated today by families that live in the valley, each family responsible for the care and gathering of salt from their pond. When you go, try some of the snacks and chocolate made with salt from Maras.

There is an awesome activity where you visit the Moray archaeological site and the Maras Salt Mines on ATVs!

The Sacred Valley provides sprawling views of the countryside with the Andes Mountains standing in the backdrop. I grew up with a daily view of the Rocky Mountains in America. It’s a beautiful sight. But, I’ve never seen anything like the jagged skyline of the massive Peruvian Andes.

If you decide to stay the night in the Sacred Valley, there’s no better place to do it than Mountain View Experience (they have a new website, but I had better luck contacting them through Instagram), near Maras. It’s a bit pricey for Peru but totally worth the experience!

9. Ollantaytambo

Technically, Ollantaytambo is in the Sacred Valley, but I’m giving it its own section. It deserves its own inclusion amongst the cities in Peru, as there is plenty to do there.

Exploring the ruin sites there is a great way to spend a day. The main site takes a few hours to explore. It covers a lot of ground and has a huge amount of stairs.

The view from the top is rewarding, overlooking the town and the valley. You can also see some ruins set into the face of the mountain across the way. If you have the time, head over and make the climb to those too.

Take a few minutes to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat on the patio of a cafe around the square before the train leaves. The train to Aguas Calientes is the reason we all go to Ollantaytambo, but it holds up on its own as a destination.

10. Aguas Calientes

The train ride to Aguas Calientes is one of the few things in Peru that is surprisingly expensive. I paid about $150 for my round-trip ticket. Of the few options there are, I found that it’s worth a little extra for the Peru Rail Vistadome or higher.

You’ll get a train with lots of glass around and above you to give you a better view of the mountains and the countryside. There’s also onboard entertainment.

There are plenty of opportunities throughout these cities in Peru for saving money. The train is the perfect place to spend a little extra.

Pulling into Aguas Calientes reminded me of Jurassic Park, with the surrounding mountains of green. Going to Machu Picchu, we’ve all heard described as magical. Aguas Calientes is the first time I felt it.

Looking around you start to get a feel that you’re about to do it, see one of the greatest sites in the world. The scenery around you will remind you of all the pictures you’ve seen of Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes is one of the more interesting cities in Peru to me. There are no taxis there to pick you up from the train station. There are no cars in the streets.

The city isn’t even accessible by road. The train is the only way in, so cars aren’t necessary in the city. Everyone walks everywhere.

Cars wouldn’t work there anyway, with the sharp inclines all over. Walking around Aguas Calientes might tire you out, there are a lot of hills and a lot of stairs, but it’s worth it. The feeling of walking around the highlands is one you’ll want to hang on to.

There are two ways up to Machu Picchu from here, a $12 (at the time of this writing) bus ride, and a trail that leads to a staircase. I’d recommend taking the bus up and the stairs down.

When you get to the entrance of Macchu Picchu, I don’t want you to be worn out from a seemingly infinite staircase climb. I want you to be 100% when I get to Machu Picchu.

11. Machu Picchu

We made it! Now, the crown jewel of Peru. Ok, I know technically Machu Picchu probably shouldn’t be included among the cities in Peru. But it was a city to the Incas, so it’s a city for this post. Plus, I can’t write about Peru and not dive into Machu Picchu.

Important Tip

Before we get into it, there are a few things to note here. Be mindful of which ticket you buy. I learned this lesson during my own Machu Picchu adventure, so I want to share it with you also.

There are four different circuits to choose from. If you’re hiking one of the mountains (Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu, or Huchuy Picchu) you will not have a choice which circuit to take.

The “postcard photo” of Machu Picchu, the photo everyone wants to take, is in the upper part of the ruins. This is only included in Circuits 1 & 2. If you’re hiking Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, you will not have access to this part of the ruins.

Huyana Picchu is a hike that a LOT of people want to do, and it’s a big attraction. If you want to hike Huyana Picchu AND see the most famous view of the Machu Picchu ruins, you’ll need two tickets. You can either go two days in a row or buy two tickets several hours apart (I did the latter), giving you enough time to do the first before you do the other.

This is pretty inconvenient, sure. But we’ve already traveled a long way and went through a lot to get here, so another $42 to see the rest of what you want to see will be worth it. You won’t want to walk away from Machu Picchu with any regrets.

Machu-freaking-Picchu!

From the moment you walk through the front gate of Machu Picchu, you’re immediately rewarded with views you’ll never forget. In the upper part of the ruins, Circuits 1 and 2, you’ll find a sign that points one way for the Upper Platform, and the other way for the Lower Platform. My advice is to go to the Upper Platform because you’ll be able to go to the Lower Platform after. Whereas if you go to the Lower Platform, you will NOT be able to go to the Upper Platform.

It’s a bit of a climb if you’re not used to the elevation yet. but don’t let that stop you. Take it slow and go for it. When you get to the Guard House, on the Upper Platform, you’ll get a priceless view of the ruins that put every picture you’ve ever seen to shame.

There’s a feeling you get when you have that view, especially if the sky is clear and the weather is good. It’s magical. You won’t want to leave. But there are a lot more ruins to see.

I elected not to go with a guide through the park and was perfectly happy to do so, going at my own pace, stopping where I want, staying longer where I want, and saving the $50-$60 it costs to hire a guide.

After you’ve marveled your way through the park, if it’s not too hot and you’ve got any energy left in your tank, it’s worth the effort to take the stairs/trail back to Aguas Calientes.

I was pretty gassed by the time I got back to town, but if you have the time, it only takes about an hour, maybe less. This to me is an easy place to save $12 by not taking the bus ride back down.

Summing Up Cities In Peru

Whoa! What a journey that was! If you’ve made it this far with me, through all of these cities in Peru, and everything in between, nice work! Now all that’s left is to plan the trip and do it.

I’ve given you advice on where to go. If you need help deciding where to stay, we can help you choose a hostel.

I hope this information and all the pictures of these cities in Peru have inspired you or at the very least entertained you. Peru is a wonderful place, and there’s a lot to explore!

Have fun out there!