Peru is an incredible country in South America that is attracting a lot of visitors because it has a little bit of something for everybody. It has a rich historical and cultural heritage that is well-preserved alongside the more modern areas of the country. Amazing food, diverse cultures, beautiful landscapes and great historical monuments all come together to create a truly incredible country that you should absolutely visit if you’ve never been there before. It’s a very diverse country with a lot to offer so it can be difficult to know where to go. These are the best places to go for first time visitors to Peru.
Lima
The first place on your list should be the capital of Peru, Lima. Known as the City of Kings, this beautiful city is a symbol of the history of Spain’s involvement in the country so you’ll see some amazing historical monuments from the era. There are some great places to stay like the JW Marriott Hotel Lima that are well situated in the heart of the city. If you’re interested in history, you’ll be in your element in Lima because the place has a rich history that is on display in some of the local museums like the Museo Larco. The city of Lima is on the coast so there are some great places to take a walk along the ocean and enjoy the spectacular views. As well as the great historical sights, Lima has some amazing food on offer. There are some great food tours of the city that you can take in the morning or the evening. Once you’ve had your fill of the capital city, you can head out to some of the other great destinations that Peru has to offer.
Cusco
Lima is the capital city right now but it used to be Cusco. This incredible city was recently made a UNESCO world heritage site and for good reason. It’s a wonderfully romantic city with lots of great architecture and narrow winding cobbled streets. It almost feels like you’re in a European city because of the Spanish influence in the country. The Plaza de Armas, the main square in Cusco is a great place to take a walk, grab a coffee in one of the quaint cafes or do a bit of shopping. You’ll also find the Cusco Cathedral here, complete with a great collection of archaeological artefacts and artwork.
Urubamba Valley
When you’ve done the cities, you should go somewhere a little less built up and see some of the spectacular countryside in Peru. The Urubamba Valley, sometimes known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is the best place for it. As the name suggests, the area is filled with some amazing ancient ruins left behind by the Incas. There are some great hiking trails in the area that will take you around some of the best sights and you can book some great outdoor activities like mountain biking and white water rafting as well.
Peru is an incredible country with so much on offer so next time you’re booking a holiday, you should definitely consider it. On a first time visit, these 3 places will give you a good sense of what the place is all about.
Have you visited Peru?
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Never thought of going to peru – certainly looks fab
What a stunning country. It sounds like there’s so much there to see.