By osama281 
Been wanting to get the most out of your vacation to Peru? I have the ideal solution for you!
Peru resembles a long-lost, secret treasure trove just waiting to be discovered. Beautiful vistas and scenery interspersed with ancient ruins, temples, and cities. It's a place where every corner has their own past stories, and visiting these historical sites is like going inside a time machine.
Peru’s history is everywhere, from the world-famous Machu Picchu to the lesser-known but equally fascinating Chan Chan. These destinations pull you right into the centre of long-gone but enduring ancient civilizations, whose history you may feel in every stone and ruin that remains.
Having travelled more than once across Peru, I can’t help but feel like the places there have their own character, stories, and charm.
Here’s my personal list of the most worth-visiting historical sites in Peru that you should not miss!
1. Machu Picchu
Let’s start with one of the most popular UNESCO heritage sites – Machu Picchu.
But popular doesn’t mean it’s overrated. This breathtaking citadel needs no introduction. I’ve seen it in magazine covers, and so do you guys. But seeing it in person is an entirely different experience.
High up in the Andes, Machu Picchu is frequently covered in mist, giving the stone buildings a mysterious appearance.
In the fifteenth century, the Incas constructed Machu Picchu, which was used as a royal residence and a place of worship. Its strategic position within mountains served as both defence and a source of great spiritual significance.
The stonework architectures are going to blow your minds off, because quick fun fact, they are made completely without the use of contemporary tools.
Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. The sunset and sunrise are going to be worth it for your incredible photos and Insta stories, of course. Not to mention the energy of the place is more palpable when it’s quieter.
2. The Sacred Valley
Now, this destination is not far from Machu Picchu.
There’s two places that stood out to me in The Sacred Valley – Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Pisac is well known for its beautiful terraced fields, which are not only great to look at but also functional for the Incas. They cultivated crops here, and even today you can still see how advanced their agricultural techniques were.
Walking through the ruins there, I knew right away this was a place I’d be telling all my friends to visit. I could feel the strong connection between the land and the ancient people.
If you’re into window shopping and buying locally made handicrafts, Pisac also has a local market.
Then there’s Ollantaytambo, a town that looks like it hasn’t changed much since Inca times. The ruins are seriously impressive, the way they fit those massive stone blocks together is nothing short of genius.
Standing atop the castle, Ollantaytambo is an important bastion for the Incas during their defence against the Spanish. It is easy to imagine the fights that took place here. It was as if I was walking into the past while I was there, as if I could witness history being made in front of me.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting the Sacred Valley, really take your time exploring and admire it. Each site has a story to tell, and rushing through them would be a disservice.
3. Chan Chan
If you go to the north, you’ll see the capital of the Chimu civilization, Chan Chan.
The largest adobe city in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is really unlike anywhere else I've ever been.
When most people think of ancient ruins, they picture stone or brick, but Chan Chan is built entirely from adobe, which is basically mud brick.
I was speechless when I walked through the ruins. The detail in the carvings on the walls, with designs of waves, fish, and all kinds of ocean symbols, you should see it in person as I couldn’t justify the beauty in words!
One thing I loved about visiting here is that you really get a chance to explore in peace and admire it, since it’s way less crowded than places like Machu Picchu.
Pro Tip: Make sure you pack sunscreen and plenty of water, because believe me when I say, the desert sun is no joke. These are key travel essentials every traveller must carry: a hat for sun protection, sturdy walking shoes, and a good camera.
I also recommend going with a guide, it’s totally worth it to really understand the past events and scale of the place.
4. Nazca Lines
One of the most unique sights I have ever seen in Peru is the Nazca Lines.
These huge geoglyphs depict a wide variety of animal and plant forms as well as bizarre geometric patterns, all carved directly into the desert. I flew in a little plane to get a good view, I highly recommend it! That's the best way to see them.
As we soared above, I had this moment where chills ran down my spine. How on earth did ancient people, without any way to see from the sky, create such huge, perfectly formed designs? It’s mind-boggling.
The Nazca people made these lines somewhere between 500 BCE and 500 CE, but no one really knows why. Some believe they were an astronomical calendar, while others claim they were utilised for religious events.
I was amazed by ancient people's work and hard work as I stood there and admired them from the plane. The amount of work that went into making something that would last for centuries and continue to astound individuals like me struck me hard.
Pro Tip: You can also see a few lines from ground-based observation towers if you're not a fan of flying. After trying both, I do recommend flying, it’s so worth it!
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Travelling through Peru’s historic sites is like embarking on a journey through time. And while you’re taking in the breathtaking views, the intricate carvings, or the sheer size of these ancient cities, don’t forget to pause and let the history sink in—you’re standing where great civilizations once thrived.