The Atlas Obscura Guide To Peru

126 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Peru

Updated July 14, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Peru

Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes, Peru

Machu Picchu: The Lost City of The Inca

The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers.

Peru

Q'eswachaka Rope Bridge

Keshwa chaca, among the last handwoven Incan bridges, crosses Apurimac Canyon in Peru.

The Ausangate trek.

Pitumarca, Peru

Rainbow Mountain

A remote candy-striped mountain in the Peruvian Andes straight out of the pages of Dr. Seuss.

Outside of San Francisco Monastery

Lima, Peru

Convento de San Francisco Ossuary

The mortal remains of an estimated 70,000 people lie in the basement of a monastery in Lima, Peru.

The Boiling River.

Puerto Inca, Peru

The Boiling River of the Amazon

This scalding hot river was thought to be a myth until one geoscientist made it his quest to study the mystical waters.

Lima, Peru

Mercado de Brujas

A market for witches is hidden within a train station.

The Spider (Nazca Lines)

Nazca, Peru

Nazca Lines

A set of ancient drawings in the desert of Peru that are so massive, many of them can only be fully seen from the sky.

See All 126 Things To Do in Peru

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Peru

Salt Pans of Maras

Maras, Peru

Salt Pans of Maras

This Peruvian canyon is filled with geometric salt pools that have been being harvested since the Incan empire.

Coca tea

Cusco, Peru

Museo de la Coca (Coca Museum)

A fascinating little museum all about the rich history of Peru’s famous plant.

Trees surrounding a pond in the Bosque el Olivar

Lima, Peru

Bosque el Olivar (Olive Grove Forest)

A pretty park of over 1,600 olive trees that grew from just three saplings brought over from Spain.

See all 7 Places to Eat in Peru

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Peru

Ruins 27

Archaeology 23

Incas 14

Cultures And Civilizations 14

Nature 14

Natural Wonders 12

Geology 11

Museums 10

Water 9

Lost Tribes 9

Ancient 9

Animals 7

Sacred Spaces 7

Mountains 7

History 7

Geological Oddities 7

Ecosystems 7

Mummies 6

Sculptures 6

Statues 6

Places To Stay 3

Peru Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Peru Activity

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Stories About Peru

GPS-tagging whimbrels on Chiloé Island in southern Chile.

Wings of Survival

A world-first race with nature

by Timm Döbert, Community Contributor

Morning on the Inca Trail

One Way Ticket

by david goodman, Community Contributor

Me in front of the Llactapata ruines

It's Totally Worth It To Do The Long Hike to Machu Picchu

A Transformative Moment in Travel and Why it Changed My Take On How I Visit Places

by Natalie Moore, Atlas Obscura

The view from the Q’eswachaka woven suspension bridge.

This Man Rebuilds the Last Inca Rope Bridge Yearly

High above a roaring river, a man perilously hand-weaves the Q’eswachaka suspension bridge as part of a 500-year tradition. What happens when he retires?

by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

Sunrise hits Machu Picchu.

The Best Ways to Explore Peru’s Ancient History and Exciting Present

A local tour guide gives us an insider look at Peru’s hidden wonders.

Sponsored By Cayman Jack

Macchu Piccu, Peru

Enter For Your Chance to Win a Summer Adventure (Submissions Closed)

We’re teaming up with Cayman Jack for an epic trip giveaway.

Sponsored By Cayman Jack

Podcast: Taquile Island

On a tiny island in Lake Titicaca, a knitted hat symbolizes a man’s code of honor, marital status, and love for life.

by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

February 5, 2024

High-altitude archaeologist Constanza Ceruti climbs towards the highest archaeological site on Earth at the top of the 22,110-foot-tall Mount Llullaillaco in Argentina.

In High Altitude Archaeology, One Woman Isn’t Scared of Heights—Or Mummies

Even when those mummies still have skin, hair, and clothing.

by Laura Kiniry, Atlas Obscura

February 2, 2024

Lists Featuring Peru

A view of the Cushing Center from the entrance

Brain of Helen Hamilton Gardener

The World's Most Fascinating Displays of Preserved Brains

The mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Including The Cushing Center, Mammalian Brain Collection, and Brain Museum