5 Beautiful Places in Peru You Can't Miss- The Adventuring Millennial

Peru surprised me. Like many travelers, I was drawn to Peru to visit Machu Picchu. And seeing these ruins in person was an incredible experience. But I was surprised by how beautiful the rest of Peru is, too.

I didn’t realize how much I would love the architecture in Cusco and Lima. Plus, the mountainous landscape is breathtaking.

If you are planning a trip to Peru or are just looking for some inspiration, keep reading. I’m going to share 5 beautiful places in Peru that blew me away. Before you know it, you might be setting a GoogleFlight tracker for Lima!

Plaza de Armas (Cusco)

Plaza de Armas is the main square in Cusco, Peru. You will probably spend some time in Cusco during your trip. This is where most travelers adjust to the altitude before heading to Machu Picchu. This area used to be an important gathering place for the Incan people. When the Spanish took over, they transformed the square into what you see today. Here you will find two of the city’s main churches, souvenir shops, and restaurant. Festivals and demonstrations occur here regularly.

Full disclosure, I visited this square with a group of friends during a festival. Unfortunately, one of our friends was pickpocketed and his phone was stolen. Overall I felt very safe in Cusco but it is important to be aware of your surroundings especially in a large public area like Plaza de Armas.

Pisac Ruins

Those things that look like giant steps are actually agricultural terraces.

Pisac is a town in the Sacred Valley of Peru. This village was an important Incan town and many visitors travel here to explore the Pisac Ruins. The large steps you see in this image are agricultural terraces. The Incan people would grow crops on these large farm beds.

If you visit Pisac on a Sunday, be sure to visit the famous Pisac Market. This market draws visitors from around the region to shop for crafts and food. This is a great place to pick up a souvenir.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a town and archaeological site in the Sacred Valley. It is a common starting point for the Inca Trail hike. Many visitors explore the Fortress ruins in Ollantaytambo, which was one of the only sites where Incans (briefly) defeated the Spanish conquistadors.

You can also catch a train from Ollantayambo to Aguas Callientes. From there, you can continue on to Machu Picchu. This is exactly what I did, but make sure you also spend some time exploring the ruins in Ollantayambo before you leave.

Lima

Lima is Peru’s capital and largest city. It sits on the Pacific Coast and the city’s beaches are a popular place to relax in the summer. Lima’s historic center is pretty well preserved and here you can see many beautiful colonial buildings. But, Lima is also a major cosmopolitan hub. This is one of the best foodie cities I’ve visited and there are also a ton of museums you can explore. Oh, and don’t be surprised when you see hundreds of cats (I’m not kidding) sleeping in Parque Kennedy. This park is located in Miraflores, Lima and is home to a huge colony of cats.

Machu Picchu

Macchu Pichu — Ok, there’s a reason why this drew me to Peru in the first place. Just look at that view.

I can’t write a post about beautiful places in Peru and not include Machu Picchu. Just look at that incredible view. This Incan estate was constructed in the 15th century but was abandoned when the Spanish conquered the region. Locals, of course, knew about the “Lost City” but it was rediscovered by Europeans in the 20th century.

Visiting Machu Picchu is unforgettable. But it is sadly becoming a victim of overtourism. Local authorities are placing stricter rules on visitors to help preserve this New Wonder of the World. Follow the restrictions and always stay on the designated trails when exploring the ruins. For more information about visiting Machu Picchu, check out my guide here.

I hope you enjoyed my list of 5 beautiful places in Peru. Are you ready to book a trip? I totally get it. After writing this post I am ready to go back! Have you been to Peru? What should I include on my next trip?