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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Peru
Peruvian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Peru map · historical landmarks in Peru
Peru has 14 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 9 cultural, 2 natural and 3 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1983 and 2021. This map of UNESCO sites in Peru covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Peruvian World Heritage Sites range from Chan Chan Archaeological Zone onwards; City of Cuzco was the country's first inscription, added in 1983; Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex is the most recent, listed in 2021; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations, lost cities and sacred places.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System. Start with Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex and Chavin (Archaeological Site), then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 14
- Cultural
- 9
- Natural
- 2
- Mixed
- 3
- First inscribed
- 1983
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- CUZCusco4 sites
- CHMChimbote2 sites
- LIMLima2 sites
- TRUTrujillo1 site
- HUUHuánuco1 site
- AQPArequipa1 site
Prints from Peru
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All 14 sites in Peru
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Peru
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Chan Archaeological ZoneThe Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its apogee in the 15th century, not long before falling to the. | 1986 | Cultural | The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its apogee in the 15th century, not long before falling to the. |
| Chankillo Archaeoastronomical ComplexChankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2021 | Cultural | Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Chavin (Archaeological Site)The archaeological site of Chavin gave its name to the culture that developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. | 1985 | Cultural | The archaeological site of Chavin gave its name to the culture that developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. |
| City of CuzcoSituated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with disti. | 1983 | Cultural | Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with disti. |
| Historic Centre of LimaHistoric Centre of Lima — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1988 | Cultural | Historic Centre of Lima — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Historic Sanctuary of Machu PicchuMachu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinaril. | 1983 | Mixed | Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinaril. |
| Historical Centre of the City of ArequipaHistorical Centre of the City of Arequipa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2000 | Cultural | Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Huascarán National ParkSituated in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 m above s. | 1985 | Natural | Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 m above s. |
| Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and PalpaLocated in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, some 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana c. | 1994 | Cultural | Located in the arid Peruvian coastal plain, some 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nasca and the pampas of Jumana c. |
| Machu PicchuCloud city of the Inca above the Urubamba. | 1983 | Mixed | Cloud city of the Inca above the Urubamba. |
| Manú National ParkThis huge 1. | 1987 | Natural | This huge 1. |
| Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road SystemThis site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. | 2014 | Cultural | This site is an extensive Inca communication, trade and defence network of roads covering 30,000 km. |
| Río Abiseo National ParkRío Abiseo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 1990 | Mixed | Río Abiseo National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Sacred City of Caral-SupeSacred City of Caral-Supe — UNESCO World Heritage Site. | 2009 | Cultural | Sacred City of Caral-Supe — UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Peru
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Peru?
- Peru has 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 9 cultural, 2 natural and 3 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Peru?
- City of Cuzco was inscribed in 1983. Situated in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban centre with disti.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Peru?
- Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex, inscribed in 2021. Chankillo Archaeoastronomical Complex — UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Which sites in Peru are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 14 listings are natural: Huascarán National Park and Manú National Park.
- Which UNESCO sites in Peru are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Peru.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Peru?
- The 14 UNESCO-listed sites above are Peru's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with City of Cuzco (1983). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Peruvian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 14 Peruvian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.