Top 20 most beautiful monuments in Peru2026 ranking

I was lucky enough to visit Machu Picchu twice during my trip to Peru. Three years later, I still do not have the words to describe this experience, both mystical and magical! You have to see it to believe it, and most importantly, visit it with a guide to understand its history. I recommend getting there via the Salkantay Trek (62 kilometers) for more authenticity (and the pride of not having taken the train to get there!).

I really loved my visit to the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa. What struck me were the vibrant colors of the walls, which give incredible energy to every corner and really contrast with the white walls in the rest of the city. The setting is magical, with the mountains in the background, it is almost surreal. While walking through this "village within the city," I felt like I was traveling back in time, all while surrounded by intense beauty. This place touched me with its history and unique atmosphere, and it is a perfect spot for photography lovers and cultural explorers. A must-see in Arequipa.

I see a lot of people saying it is very touristy and it is, but honestly, that does not take anything away from its beauty. I arrived after five days of walking on the Salkantay Trek, and that adventure made every step toward the site even more powerful. When I saw it in the early morning, surrounded by mist and mountains, I had tears in my eyes. It is a place filled with history, mystical. Despite the crowd, I felt something very special. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite memories from my world trip.

Moray is a site that visitors in the Sacred Valley in Peru generally love because it is so different from the others. Moray is shaped like a huge amphitheater with agricultural terraces arranged in concentric circles. At the time, it was a clever technique to allow for better irrigation. You can walk around the top or the bottom, and both are impressive. The Moray site is included in the Sacred Valley tourist ticket.

The Mirador El Condor is on the way to the canyon in Arequipa, Peru. The spot known as Cruz del Condor is famous for being a place where the birds fly over due to the favorable winds. I went there during both of my trips to Peru. You do catch a glimpse of the condor from a distance, but it is hard to realize how big it actually is. You have to leave very early in the morning because the best time is around 10 a.m. I recommend the short walk after the lookout. The most interesting part, however, remains the hike down into the canyon itself. You need to plan for two full days for that.

During my two trips to Arequipa, I really enjoyed the Santa Catalina Monastery. It is just a stone's throw from the Plaza de Armas. It is a real city within a city, covering 20,000 square meters. I suggest you hire a guide at the entrance to better understand everything. Unlike the white walls of the rest of the city, Santa Catalina is full of shimmering colors, especially blue and red. You discover the life of the nuns, isolated from the world, but living quite well if they were from the wealthier families. An essential visit.

It is absolutely insane to see these shapes clearly drawn on the ground. In 2009, I only paid $50 for about 30 minutes of flight! In terms of safety, I imagine it was catastrophic, and I was so nauseous because the plane was shaking so much. But in terms of the quality of the experience, I was amazed to see how distinctly you could see these lines. Today, prices have gone up considerably and there is an observation tower. Their origin still remains a mystery...

There will always be people who complain and say it is too touristy, too organized, spoiled, etc. The reality is that you have to enjoy Machu Picchu while it is still possible to do so. Aside from the Great Wall of China, I have seen all the wonders of the world and it is my favorite. It is not only a feat of humanity but also of nature, because the Inca site is nestled behind mountains covered in vegetation. It is true that in 15 years, the visit has become very regimented and requires preparation. In 2009, I was able to hike up to Wayna Picchu spontaneously, which is no longer the case now.

Locally, tour guides call "Sacsayhuaman", "sexy woman". We can all agree it is a lot easier to remember now. It is an Inca fortress that is easily accessible by hiking up on foot from the Cusco city center. This site is part of a second tourist ticket, independent from the one for the Sacred Valley, which is dedicated to points of interest inside Cusco. If you have little time and do not want to spend money, just go to see the view, which is unbeatable.