Peru is a country located in western South America. It is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Peru is a country of great cultural and historical wealth and is located between 3,500 and 5,000 meters above sea level, with a wide range of climates and geographical wonders, such as mountains, glaciers, rainforest, Amazon basin, sand desert and beaches. Many archaeological remains, pre-Columbian civilizations and colonial architecture are scattered across its diverse geography. The capital of Peru is Lima, whilst Cusco is the country’s second-largest city.

What are the best places to visit in Peru?

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Peru, you’ve come to the right place. Our list of ten incredible Peru travel destinations will amaze you.

10. Huacachina

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Huacachina is a tiny oasis town near Ica surrounded by towering sand dunes and a small natural lake. Once a playground for the Peruvian elite, these days Huacachina mostly attracts international tourists. The big draw here is the opportunity to sand board and taking dune buggy rides on the sand dunes.

9. The Sacred Valley

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Less than an hour’s drive north of Cusco is the beautiful Sacred Valley and the towns of Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. In this fertile valley, there are many Inca ruins worth exploring, but you can also wander through markets or soak up local culture. There are several highlights in the valley, including Pisac Ruins, the Sunday Market in Pisac (smaller markets are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays), and the ruins and fortress at Ollantaytambo. A little out of the way but worth the trip is the town of Moray with circular terracing used as an agricultural testing area by the Incas, and the salt mines at Salinas, which have been in use since the time of the Incas.

8. Santa Catalina Monastery

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Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa was founded on October 2, 1580, and covers 20,000 square meters with walls, streets, walkways, stairways, and small squares. The monastery is predominantly of the Mudéjar style, and is characterized by the vividly painted walls. It is one of the most important monasteries of colonial Peru and Latin America.

7. Uros Islands

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Made of dried totora reeds, the artificial islands of the Uros are Lake Titicaca’s top tourist attraction. The lives of the Uros, a pre-Incan people, are interwoven with these reeds, which is a primary source of food and are also used to make their homes, their boats and even a reed flower tea. Reeds are added to the top of the islands constantly, about every three months, as they rot from the bottom, so the ground is always soft and springy.

6. Lima

As Peru’s capital and largest city, Lima is a sprawling metropolis of almost 9 million people. The city was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and offers a rich history, exceptional food, and a great sense of culture. You’ll find modern buildings contrasting with traditional and colonial architecture and orderly slums alongside raving nightclubs and bars. Ruled by the Spanish for three centuries, Lima boasts intriguing Spanish-colonial churches, cloisters, and monasteries – a real treat for history buffs.

5. Puerto Maldonado and the Amazon

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Just a half-hour flight from Cusco, Puerto Maldonado is a key jumping-off point for tours of the Amazon. This is a completely different experience than what you will find in other parts of Peru, with a hot humid jungle and a chance to see all kinds of unique wildlife. Caimans, capybaras, monkeys, parrots, turtles, and piranhas are what you can expect to find in this part of the country. The Reserva Nacional Tambopata and the Parque Nacional Bahuaja Sonene are the two main attractions, and they are well-serviced by a number of jungle lodges.

4. Colca Canyon

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Those who think the U.S. Grand Canyon is deep may change their minds after visiting Colca Canyon in southern Peru. At 4,160 meters (13,650 feet), Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, though the canyon’s walls are less steep. The big attraction here, in addition to the awesome sights, are the Andean condors. The condors can be seen at fairly close range as they float on the rising thermals.

3. Cusco

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Located in the Southern Sierras, colorful Cusco was once the capital of the Incan Empire. Today, it holds the title of the archaeological capital of the Americas. It’s one of Peru’s most-visited destinations, and for good reason: it offers easy access to Machu Picchu and the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incas.

2. Plaza de Armas

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 Built by the Spanish on the ruins of age-old Incan temples and palaces, The heart of the city is the main square, the Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and churches. The colorful San Pedro Market is nearby with vendors selling Quechua handicrafts like alpaca textiles, painted pottery, ceramics and Peruvian dolls as well as fresh produce and drinks.

1. Machu Picchu

One of the most beautiful and impressive ancient sites in the world, Machu Picchu is the undisputable nr 1 among the top tourist attractions in Peru. The “Lost City of the Incas” is invisible from the Urubamba Valley below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces and watered by natural springs. Although known locally, Machu Picchu was largely unknown to the outside world before being rediscovered in 1911 by historian Hiram.

That’s where we’ll call it a wrap for today’s article on the top 10 best places to visit in peru. The 10 listed places will make your visit to Peru a memorable one.