Hello, Dear reader! If you are planning a trip to South America, you probably already know that ancient ruins in Peru are the heart of the country’s identity. While the world-famous Machu Picchu ruins are usually the first thing on every traveler’s bucket list, 2026 is the year to look beyond. From the mysterious desert lines of the south to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Peru is an open-air museum waiting to be explored.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the best ruins in Peru, organized by region, to help you plan the ultimate archaeological adventure.

Ruins Peru cabeza clava chavin | Peruvian Sunrise
Cabeza clava  from the Chavin Culture

1. Cusco

Cusco is the area of Peru that still contains the most Incan ruins, many of which are still used for traditional ceremonies today.

  • Machu Picchu: The crown jewel. This 15th-century citadel remains the most iconic example of Incan engineering.
  • Sacsayhuaman: Located just above Cusco, its megalithic stones are so large that many still wonder how they were moved.
  • Ollantaytambo: A "living Inca town" where the fortress served as a royal estate and a stronghold.
  • Pisac Ruins: Famous for its massive agricultural terraces and its colonial market nearby.
  • Moray Ruins: These circular, sunken terraces were an Incan "agricultural laboratory" used to test crops at different temperatures.
  • Choquequirao: Often called the "Sister of Machu Picchu" this remote site is perfect for trekkers looking for a crowd-free experience. It may be 3 or 4 times bigger than Machu Picchu, but just the 40% of it can be seen. 
  • Chinchero, Tipón, and Qenqo: Smaller but equally vital sites focusing on textile traditions and sacred water worship.
Ruins Peru Chan Chan | Peruvian Sunrise
Chan Chan citadel

2. Lima

Many travelers don’t realize that you can find ancient ruins in Peru right in the middle of its capital city.

  • Huaca Pucllana: A stunning adobe pyramid located in the heart of the Miraflores district.
  • Pachacamac: The most important pilgrimage center on the coast for over a thousand years before the Spanish arrived.
  • Caral: Located 3 hours north of Lima, this is the oldest city in the Americas, with aprox. 5,000 years old!, even older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Ruins Peru Nazca Lines | Peruvian Sunrise
Nazca Lines

3. Northern Peru

The north offers some of the most impressive pre-Columbian ruins in Peru, often with far fewer tourists.

  • Kuelap (Chachapoyas): Known as the "Machu Picchu of the North," this huge walled city was built by the "cloud warriors" or the Chachapoyas. 
  • Sarcophagi of Karajía: Mysterious 600-year-old clay coffins perched high on a cliffside in the Amazonas region.
  • Chan Chan (Trujillo): The largest adobe city in the world and the former capital of the Chimú Empire.
  • El Brujo: Home to the "Lady of Cao", a tattooed Moche mummy that changed our understanding of female power in ancient Peru.
  • Chavín de Huántar (Ancash): A UNESCO site considered the "Mother Culture" of the Andes, famous for its underground stone tunnels.

4. Ica: Mysteries in the Sand

  • Nazca Lines: These giant geoglyphs in the desert remain one of the greatest archaeological mysteries in the world. Whether it's the Monkey, the Spider, or the Astronaut, seeing them from a flight is a life-changing experience.
Ruins Peru Sarcofago Karajia | Peruvian Sunrise
Sarcófagos de Karajía

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Ruins Peru Chavin de Huantar | Peruvian Sunrise
Chavín de Huantar

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What ruins are in Peru?

Peru is home to thousands of archaeological sites. The most famous include Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, Chan Chan, Kuelap, and the Nazca Lines. They range from coastal adobe pyramids (Huacas) to mountain-top stone fortresses.

What are the famous ruins in Peru?

Beyond Machu Picchu, the most famous ruins are Ollantaytambo (Cusco), Pachacamac (Lima), Chavín de Huántar (Ancash), and the circular Moray ruins.

What are some famous pre-Columbian ruins in Peru?

Some of the most significant pre-Columbian (pre-Inca) sites include Caral (Supe Valley), Chavín de Huántar (Ancash), Kuelap (Amazonas), and the Moche Huacas (Trujillo).

What area of Peru still contains Incan ruins?

The Cusco region and the Sacred Valley are the primary areas that still contain a vast concentration of Incan ruins, including the "living" town of Ollantaytambo.

Which are the best ruins in Peru to visit besides Machu Picchu?

If you want something unique, visit Kuelap for its scale, Choquequirao for the adventure, and Chan Chan for its incredible adobe art.