A paradise for surfers, nature lovers, Epicureans, historical past buffs, and extra, Peru is house to among the most marvelled locations on earth, together with the Amazon Rainforest and Machu Picchu. As for the cities in Peru, nicely, they do not disappoint.
For those that can’t get sufficient of the thrill of metropolis life, the colourful nooks and crannies of Peru’s cities are an city explorer’s dream. From stunning Arequipa to Lima’s thrilling nightlife and Iquitos’ Amazonian pop artwork scene, listed here are 12 Peruvian cities you have merely bought to see in your subsequent journey.
1. Lima
Sprawling alongside the Pacific coast, Peru’s capital metropolis is house to greater than 10 million individuals. Blessed with cliffside vistas, piers, surf spots, and seashores, Lima additionally presents loads of historical past, unbelievable meals, and leisure.
Meander the historic centre, a delegated UNESCO web site, and marvel at centuries-old Spanish colonial buildings, together with the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral. Thought to hook up with a number of church buildings through underground passages, this Baroque masterpiece is tough to overlook.
People watch within the Plaza Mayor de Lima, the place tall palm timber and Neoclassical buildings body the scene. Afterward, head to close by Miraflores to expertise its vibrant nightlife. While there, seize an awesome meal and a Pisco bitter — Lima’s most well-known cocktail.
To study concerning the area’s pre-Columbian historical past, try the Huaca Pucllana Site Museum proper within the coronary heart of Miraflores — or go to close by Pachacámac, the place adobe temples and pyramids have stood for over 2,000 years.
2. Cusco
At an altitude of three,400m (11,200 ft), Cusco is without doubt one of the highest cities on this planet and is taken into account the Incan capital. From Andean Baroque church buildings to Inca ruins, Cusco presents an interesting medley of pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial historical past. Known for its full of life nightlife, Cusco can be the start line for onward journeys to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, and Ollantaytambo.
While on the town cease by the Cusco Cathedral towering over the Plaza de Armas, and see one in every of Peru’s most well-known work, The Last Supper, by Marcos Zapata. Featuring a roasted guinea pig as Christ’s closing meal makes for a pleasant Peruvian twist.
A couple of blocks away, the Convent of Santo Domingo shares area with the ruins and museum of Koricancha, an Incan Sun Temple as soon as lined in gold. For extra Inca historical past, head to the mysterious Saqsaywaman, an enormous complicated on the fringe of city unearthed in 2008.
3. Ica
Known for its many wineries, together with Tacama (one of many oldest in South America), the desert metropolis of Ica can be well-known for Pisco brandy — a Peruvian specialty.
Although Ica is likely to be one of many driest cities on earth, its ardour for wine is something however!
After a morning of wine tasting and vineyards, spend the afternoon exploring the Museo Regional de Ica. Known for artefacts spanning from Prehistoric to Spanish Colonial, you will additionally get to see the elongated skulls of the pre-Incan Paracas peoples.
For a novel day journey, head to the Huacachina oasis, a pure lagoon on the sting of the Atacama desert. Surrounded by countless dunes, it is the proper spot for sandboarding and dune buggying. To proceed desert adventures, journey onwards to the Cañón de Los Perdidos. Here, you’ll encounter a 200-metre (660-foot) deep canyon that appears like one thing from Mars.
4. Trujillo
Trujillo is one in every of Peru’s largest cities and was as soon as the centre of the Moche and Chimu Kingdoms. Aside from its wealthy historical past, town can be identified for Marinera dancing and Paso horses. Once protected against Pirates by a Seventeenth-century wall, Trujillo’s historic centre is a vibrant place stuffed with Neoclassical buildings of yellow, orange, and blue.
Spend a while on the toy museum or go to the Casa de Urquiaga — a colonial-era mansion the place Simon Bolivar, the previous president of Peru, as soon as dwelled.
For a peek into the traditional previous, take a brief journey to Chan Chan. The greatest pre-Columbian metropolis within the Americas, it was as soon as the bustling capital of the Chimu empire. In the other way, discover the exceptional pre-Incan temple of Huaca de la Luna, delighting guests with its vibrant friezes of historic gods and animals.
For outside lovers, head to close by Lake Conache, a lagoon surrounded by steep dunes preferrred for sandboarding. Alternatively, seize a surfboard and spend the day driving the waves at Huanchaco Beach, a well-known surf spot providing tasty ceviche.
5. Arequipa
With a inhabitants of 1.3 million, Arequipa is second solely to Lima in measurement and stays one of many main cities in Peru. Renowned for its Andean and Colonial structure, its centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 500 protected buildings. Built predominantly with white and pink volcanic stone, Arequipa is nicknamed ‘the white city’.
Stop by the Plaza de Armas, the place parterre gardens encompass an elaborate bronze fountain, and views of the snowcapped Andes are seen simply past the Cathedral Basilica. Peek contained in the cathedral to discover or head to the Andean Sanctuaries Museum, the place Inca relics and sacrificial mummies supply an interesting exhibit.
Another distinctive spot is the close by Santa Catalina Monastery, the place arcades of orange and blue cloisters open onto peaceable courtyards. Built in 1579, the monastery remains to be in use at present.
For outside lovers, Colca Canyon is a three-hour street journey from Arequipa and presents trekking alternatives by way of one of many world’s deepest valleys.
6. Iquitos
Hugged by the Amazon Rainforest from each angle, Iquitos is the world’s greatest metropolis inaccessible by street. It’s additionally Peru’s largest metropolis within the Amazon area — and the one technique to get right here is by airplane or an unbelievable three-day boat journey.
From the marvels of the Amazon proper at its doorstep to the busy markets and European-inspired buildings, Iquitos is one in every of a form. It’s additionally an extremely inventive metropolis. To try Iquitos artwork, go to Mercado Artesanal de San Juan, the place native craftspeople promote their items. For a conventional market expertise, head to the Mercado de Belen for a implausible glimpse into the soul of this metropolis.
Because Iquitos is a social hub for regional Indigenous communities, it is the proper place to study concerning the many cultures of the Peruvian Amazon. Visit the Museum of Amazonian Indigenous Cultures to study extra.
Outside town, Isla de los Monos, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for monkeys, and the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve are nice spots to come across wildlife.
7. Chiclayo
The Northern metropolis of Chiclayo presents guests the prospect to discover a treasure trove of museums and archaeological websites that make clear Pre-Incan Peru.
Visit the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum. Most well-known for the Lord of Sipán mummy, a pre-Incan chief adorned in ceremonial apparel, you will additionally see a number of different mummies and artefacts from the Moche kingdom. And for those who’re feeling impressed, head to Huaca Rajada, the 1,500-year-old funerary mounds of the Sipán mummies.
Less than an hour from town’s centre in both path, you will discover the 26 pyramids of Túcume and the lately found ruins of Cerro Pátapo.
Back on the town, try the various church buildings, together with the Neoclassical Cathedral of Chiclayo, check your bargaining expertise on the Mercado Modelo (market), or enterprise to the Mercado De Brujos (Witches market) for an expertise to recollect. For beach-goers, head to the sandy shores of Pimentel Beach and relax for a day by the Pacific Ocean.
8. Cajamarca
The metropolis of Cajamarca is well-known for its historical past and in addition for its Carnaval celebration. A 3-day pageant main as much as Lent, Cajamarca involves life with music, dancing, and festivities — simply be careful for the water balloons, otherwise you may get splashed!
Exploring town, you’ll see a number of Seventeenth-century church buildings, together with the Cathedral of Cajamarca. Featuring an intricate Andean Baroque facade, take a second to admire its particulars. Although most of Cajamarca is thought for its Spanish-colonial structure, El Cuarto del Rescate (Ransom Room) predates Spanish affect. It’s additionally the spot the place the ultimate emperor of the Inca Empire, Atahualpa, was held captive, extorted, and later executed by Spanish Conquistadors.
For an awesome view of town, climb the steps to the hilltop of Santa Apolina and encounter a fairly chapel and a number of other mysterious carved stones, which can have been an Incan altar. Close to a number of archaeological websites, day journeys from Cajamarca to the traditional ruins of Kuntur Wasi, Cumbe Mayo, and the pre-Incan gravesite of Ventanillas de Combayo are a should.
9. Ayacucho
Ayacucho is a full of life metropolis identified for its Easter celebrations and lots of church buildings — there are 33 in complete! With vibrant Holy Week parades that includes candlelight processions and a operating of the bulls, Ayacucho is without doubt one of the finest cities in Peru for observing Semana Santa.
Outside of Easter celebrations, Ayacucho additionally presents nice day journeys. For historical past buffs, head to the ruins of Vilcashuamán, the place you’ll discover an Incan pyramid and Temple of the Sun. Another archaeological web site to not be missed is the pre-Inca capital of Wari. At 1,200 years outdated, this huge complicated was as soon as a bustling settlement of greater than 40,000 individuals.
Three hours from Ayacucho, the geological formation of Millpu is a collection of cascading turquoise mineral swimming pools providing a dreamy escape.
10. Huancayo
Perched at 3,256m (10,692 ft) above sea degree, with views of Mount Huaytapallana, Huancayo is a hub of Andean arts and tradition.
To discover that good one thing, go to Huancayo’s Sunday market, which presents an array of hand-crafted jewelry, loom-woven textiles, artwork, and extra. You’ll additionally see loads of ornately carved gourds known as Mates burilados — a neighborhood artform with a 3,500-year historical past. Of course, Sundays aren’t the one time to take a look at the market scene. There’s additionally a big produce market open each day of the week.
To perceive Huancayo’s playful spirit, head to Parque de Identidad Wanka — a fairytale-esque park showcasing town’s historical past by way of artwork installations and gardens. Afterward, journey uphill to Cerro de La Libertad for excellent sundown views and engaging snacks.
For an otherworldly expertise, hike by way of Torre Torre, a path that guides you thru a sandstone valley stuffed with extraordinary rock formations. Or, go to Paca Lake, an lively spot for boating, fishing, and water-side eating, the place recent trout is a staple dish.
11. Huaraz
Deep inside the Andean Valley of Callejón de Huaylas at 3,052m (10,013 ft) above sea degree, Huaraz is one the perfect cities in Peru for mountain climbing, biking, mountaineering, and extra.
Head to Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO nature reserve, and hike alpine trails dotted with azure lakes and Andean glaciers. Marvel at Mount Huascarán Peak, one of many tallest mountains within the Americas, and for those who’re daring, be part of a climbing expedition. After a day of mountain climbing, go to the new springs of the Monterrey Baths. Your drained legs will thanks!
For a dose of historical past, go to the Museum of Ancash. Located in central Huaraz, it additionally occurs to be surrounded by a powerful monolithic park. Just past town limits, Chavín de Huantar, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, presents practically 2,000 years of historical past and is without doubt one of the oldest identified pre-Columbian websites.
12. Pisco
The Pacific port metropolis of Pisco is thought for glorious seafood and its proximity to a number of wildlife habitats. Though you may assume Pisco is the hub of the Peruvian brandy by the identical identify, most Pisco distilleries are within the close by metropolis of Ica.
From the neighbouring seashore city of Paracas, go to the Paracas National Reserve, the place wildlife viewing alternatives abound. Another choice is the Ballestas Islands, referred to as the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’, a protected island house to distinctive wildlife together with Humboldt penguins and marine otters. Hop on a ship and also you may even see dolphins!
For a memorable journey from Pisco, head to the Tambo Colorado ruins deep inside the desert. An hour’s drive northeast of town, this historic Inca settlement might have been an administrative hub. And in fact, no go to to Pisco is full with no journey to the Nazca Lines. Book your spot on one of many many day by day flights to see an unbelievable aerial view of the mysterious geoglyphs.
