Peru Monuments: 9 Must-See Old and New Landmarks That Define the Country

Peru stands out as a country packed with remarkable ancient and colonial landmarks that tell the story of its rich past. The country hosts some of the world’s most incredible stone buildings, mysterious geoglyphs, and impressive colonial architecture that showcase both native engineering skills and European influences.

Indian travelers visiting Peru can explore everything from the mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu to the enormous adobe city of Chan Chan near the coast. These Peru monuments represent various periods and cultures, including the pre-Inca civilizations, the mighty Inca Empire, and the Spanish colonial era that followed.

9 Iconic Peru Monuments

1. Machu Picchu

Source: wikipedia

Machu Picchu sits high in the Andes Mountains at 2,430 meters above sea level, crowning the Urubamba River valley below. This 15th-century Inca citadel remained hidden from the outside world until American explorer Hiram Bingham brought it to global attention in 1911. The site features around 200 structures arranged in religious, agricultural, and residential zones, displaying the architectural genius of the Inca civilization.

Highlights

• The site perfectly blends human-made structures with the natural landscape, demonstrating the Inca respect for topography and environment

• The precision stonework uses massive blocks fitted without mortar that have withstood earthquakes for centuries

• The astronomical alignments of certain buildings suggest the site had important ceremonial and agricultural calendar functions

Location: Machu Picchu, 08680, Peru

Timings: Daily, 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM (hours may change seasonally)

Time Required: Plan for 4–6 hours to properly explore the main ruins. Add extra time if you want to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.

Entry Fee: Prices vary based on nationality and what areas you want to access.

• Adults: Approximately 152 PEN (Rs. 3,300)

• Students with valid ID: Approximately 77 PEN (Rs. 1,650)

• Purchase tickets through the official government website to avoid scams

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2. Sacsayhuamán

Source: wikipedia

Sacsayhuamán (pronounced “sack-say-wah-mahn”) is a massive stone fortress overlooking the city of Cusco. Built by the Incas in the 15th century, this ceremonial complex features enormous limestone blocks—some weighing over 100 tons—fitted together with incredible precision. The site once served as both a military stronghold and a venue for important religious ceremonies.

Highlights

• The zigzag walls represent the teeth of the puma, an animal sacred to the Incas, and the shape Cusco was designed to resemble when viewed from above

• The site hosts the annual Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) celebration each June, drawing thousands of visitors

• Some individual stones stand taller than a person and weigh as much as 200 tons, yet fit together so tightly that not even a piece of paper can slide between them

Location: Sacsayhuamán, Cusco 08002, Peru

Timings: Daily, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Time Required: Allow 2–3 hours to explore the fortress walls, ceremonial areas, and enjoy the panoramic views of Cusco.

Entry Fee: This site is included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico)

• General Ticket (16 sites): Approximately 130 PEN (Rs. 2,800)

• Partial Ticket (selected sites): Approximately 70 PEN (Rs. 1,500)

• Available for purchase at the official ticketing office in Cusco

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3. Plaza Mayor of Lima

Source: wikipedia

Plaza Mayor sits at the historic heart of Lima, established by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro when he founded the city in 1535. This central square has witnessed nearly 500 years of Peruvian history, from colonial rule to independence celebrations. The plaza remains Lima’s main public space, surrounded by the most important buildings in the country.

Highlights

• The central bronze fountain dates back to the 17th century and stands as the plaza’s oldest existing monument

• The square is flanked by the Government Palace (official residence of Peru’s president), the Cathedral of Lima, and the Archbishop’s Palace

• The yellow buildings with wooden balconies showcase Lima’s distinctive colonial architectural style

Location: Plaza Mayor de Lima, Cercado de Lima 15001, Peru

Timings: The plaza itself is open 24 hours; surrounding buildings have their own schedules

Time Required: Spend 1–2 hours exploring the plaza and visiting the accessible buildings around it.

Entry Fee: The plaza is free to visit

• Cathedral of Lima: Approximately 10 PEN (Rs. 215)

• Government Palace (guided tours only): Free but requires advance reservation

• Various museums nearby have separate entrance fees

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4. Historic Centre of Arequipa

Source: wikipedia

Arequipa’s historic center earned its nickname “The White City” from the gleaming volcanic sillar stone used in its buildings. Founded in 1540, the city center blends Spanish colonial architecture with indigenous decorative elements in a style called mestizo baroque. The entire historic district gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000, recognizing its cultural significance.

Highlights

• The distinctive white buildings made from local sillar stone create a uniform appearance throughout the historic center

• Intricate stone carvings on church facades incorporate European and native Andean motifs, including sun symbols and local flora and fauna

• The Santa Catalina Monastery functions as a colorful “city within a city,” covering an entire city block

Location: Arequipa 04001, Peru

Timings: The historic district is accessible 24 hours; individual sites have varying hours

Time Required: Set aside at least half a day (4-5 hours) to properly explore the main landmarks of Arequipa’s historic center.

Entry Fee: Public areas are free to access

• Santa Catalina Monastery: Approximately 40 PEN (Rs. 860)

• Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa: Approximately 10 PEN (Rs. 215)

• Museum tickets range from 5-20 PEN, depending on the site

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5. Chavín de Huántar

Source: wikipedia

Chavín de Huántar represents one of Peru’s oldest archaeological sites, constructed between 1200 and 200 BCE by the pre-Inca Chavín culture. Located 250 km north of Lima in the Ancash region, this ceremonial center served as an important religious and pilgrimage destination for early Andean peoples. The site features sophisticated engineering and elaborate stone carvings of supernatural beings.

Highlights

• The complex includes a network of underground passageways and chambers designed to manipulate sound and light for ceremonial purposes

• The famous Lanzón monolith, a 4.5-meter tall granite shaft carved with a deity figure, stands at the heart of the underground labyrinth

• The site’s drainage systems have successfully managed water flow for over 3,000 years, even during heavy rainfall

Location: José Luis Bustamante 04009, Peru

Timings: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Time Required: Plan for 2–3 hours to explore both the ruins and the excellent on-site museum.

Entry Fee: Approximately 15 PEN (Rs. 325); tickets available at the entrance

• The nearby Chavín National Museum costs an additional 15 PEN

• Guided tours available for around 30-50 PEN depending on group size

6. Chan Chan

Source: wikipedia

Chan Chan stands as the largest pre-Columbian adobe city in the Americas, built by the Chimú civilization between 850-1470 CE. Located near the modern city of Trujillo, this vast complex once housed around 30,000 people before being conquered by the Incas. The city’s mud-brick walls feature intricate friezes depicting sea birds, fish, and geometric patterns.

Highlights

• The city covers nearly 20 square kilometers and contains nine large walled citadels or palaces, each built by a different Chimú ruler

• Sophisticated irrigation systems channeled water from the Moche River to support agriculture in this arid coastal region

• The walls were originally painted in bright colors and topped with precious metals that were later looted by Spanish conquistadors

Location: Site Museum, Av. Chan Chan 101 Urb, Trujillo 13000, Peru

Timings: Daily, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Time Required: Allow 2–3 hours to visit the main restored sector (Tschudi Complex) and the site museum.

Entry Fee: Approximately 11 PEN (Rs. 240); tickets available at the entrance

• The Huaca Arco Iris nearby costs an additional 5 PEN

• Audio guides available for rent at 20 PEN

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7. Nazca Lines

Source: wikipedia

The Nazca Lines stretch across 450 square kilometers of Peru’s southern coastal desert, creating one of the world’s most puzzling archaeological mysteries. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca culture, these massive geoglyphs depict animals, plants, and geometric patterns visible only from above. Scientists still debate their purpose, with theories ranging from astronomical calendars to religious offerings.

Highlights

• The collection includes over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and 70 designs of animals and plants, including a monkey, hummingbird, spider, and whale

• Some lines run perfectly straight for kilometers despite the varied terrain, demonstrating advanced surveying techniques

• The geoglyphs have been preserved for nearly 2,000 years thanks to the region’s extremely dry, stable climate and lack of wind

Location: Nazca Desert, Nazca, Ica, Peru

Timings: The viewing tower is open daily from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; flight tour times vary throughout the day

Time Required: 30–60 minutes for a scenic flight tour; 1-2 hours if visiting the viewing tower along the Pan-American Highway.

Entry Fee:

• Viewing Tower: Approximately 5 PEN (Rs. 110)

• Flight Tours: Starting from 200 PEN (Rs. 4,300) per person for a 30-minute flight

• Book through certified operators in Nazca city for safety

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8. Cusco Cathedral

Source: wikipedia

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin dominates Cusco’s main square with its massive stone façade and twin bell towers. Construction began in 1559 atop the foundations of an Inca palace called Kiswarkancha, using stones taken from the nearby Sacsayhuamán fortress. The cathedral houses an impressive collection of colonial art that blends European religious themes with local Andean elements.

Highlights

• The famous painting “The Last Supper” by indigenous artist Marcos Zapata shows Jesus and his disciples feasting on guinea pig (cuy), a traditional Andean delicacy

• The cathedral contains over 400 canvases, primarily from the Cusco School of Art, which merged European and indigenous styles

• A massive, intricately carved cedar choir with 24 seats represents one of South America’s finest examples of colonial woodwork

Location: Cusco 08002, Peru

Timings: Monday–Sunday, 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Time Required: Allow 1–2 hours to explore the main cathedral and its two adjoining churches.

Entry Fee: Approximately 25 PEN (Rs. 540); tickets available at the entrance

• Audio guides available in multiple languages for an additional 20 PEN

• Photography permits cost extra (15 PEN)

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9. Qorikancha

Source: wikipedia

Qorikancha served as the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated to Inti, their sun god. The Spanish built the Santo Domingo Convent directly on top of the temple’s foundations after the conquest, creating a unique architectural fusion. Once covered in sheets of solid gold, the temple’s perfectly fitted stone walls still stand as testimony to Inca craftsmanship.

Highlights

• The temple walls once held more than 700 sheets of solid gold, with a golden sun disk that reflected the morning light

• The precision stonework includes some of the finest examples of Inca masonry, with blocks that fit together without mortar

• The site includes temples dedicated to the moon, stars, thunder, and rainbow, arranged around a central courtyard

Location: Santo Domingo s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru

Timings: Monday–Saturday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Sunday, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Time Required: Allow 1–2 hours to explore both the Inca foundations and the colonial convent.

Entry Fee: Approximately 15 PEN (Rs. 325); tickets available at the entrance

• Guided tours are available in multiple languages for an additional fee

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FAQs

What is the famous monument of Peru?

Machu Picchu stands as Peru’s most famous monument, recognized worldwide as an icon of the Inca civilization. This 15th-century stone citadel sits dramatically on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters above sea level. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, attracting over a million visitors annually from around the globe.

Are there any historical monuments in Peru?

Peru overflows with historical monuments spanning thousands of years of civilization. Beyond Machu Picchu, significant sites include Sacsayhuamán fortress in Cusco, the Nazca Lines in southern Peru, Chan Chan adobe city near Trujillo, and Chavín de Huántar in the Ancash region. Colonial-era historical monuments in Peru include the cathedrals and historic centers of Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, all recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their cultural importance.

Which modern monuments in Peru should I visit?

While Peru is known for ancient ruins, several modern monuments deserve attention. The Monument to the Federation of Peru & Bolivia in Lima commemorates an important historical alliance. Other significant modern landmarks include the Cristo del Pacífico statue overlooking Lima, the Monument to Tacna Heroes in southern Peru, and the contemporary architecture of Lima’s MALI (Museum of Art of Lima).

Is the Peru Museum considered a monument?

The National Museum of Peru (Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú) is not officially classified as a monument, though the building itself has historical significance. However, many Peru monuments are associated with on-site museums, such as those at Pachacamac, Chan Chan, and Chavín de Huántar.

Are there any free monuments to visit in Peru?

Several important Peru monuments can be visited without entrance fees. The Plaza Mayor in Lima, with its historic buildings and central fountain, is completely free to visit. Public squares in Cusco and Arequipa offer views of colonial architecture without charge. The Monument to the Federation of Peru & Bolivia and many churches can be visited for free, though donations are appreciated.

Can tourists visit mosques in Peru as monuments?

Peru has very few mosques as the Muslim population is quite small (less than 0.1% of the population). The handful of mosques that exist in Lima and other major cities function primarily as worship spaces for the local Muslim community rather than tourist monuments. Unlike countries with significant Islamic architectural heritage, Peru’s cultural monuments primarily reflect indigenous, Inca, and Spanish colonial influences, with Christian churches being the predominant religious structures.

Do I need tickets to visit Peru monuments?

Most major Peru monuments require entrance tickets, particularly archaeological sites and museums. Machu Picchu demands advance reservations, often selling out months ahead. Public spaces like plazas are free, while churches may request small donations. Online booking is recommended for popular sites, especially during high season (June-August), to avoid disappointment and long queues.

Which Peru monuments are best for photography?

The Peru monuments for photography include Machu Picchu, especially at sunrise when light bathes the stone buildings. The Nazca Lines offer unique aerial photography opportunities from small aircraft. The geometric perfection of Inca stonework at Sacsayhuamán makes for striking close-up shots. Arequipa’s white volcanic stone buildings provide beautiful contrast against blue skies.