In the official tourism portal of Peru they have it very clear: traveling to this South American country "is to awaken from pending dreams, it is to connect with oneself, it is to enter 5,000 years of living history." And the truth is that they are right, since here you will have the possibility to enjoy a wide range of experiences, being able to contemplate all kinds of ecosystems (deserts, jungles, canyons, Andean peaks …), discover important historical monuments (twelve places have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), immerse yourself in ancient traditions, enjoy the latest in leisure and restoration …
Today at Vuela Viajes we move to Peru to discover some of its most important cities. Specifically, we are going to talk about the 10 most populated cities, some of which are also important tourist centers. Would you like to join us?
lime
How could it be otherwise, the most populated city in Peru is Lima, which is also its capital . Located on the central coast of the country, it is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Among its main points of interest are the historic center, its archaeological centers, its museums and its art galleries.
Arequipa
Known as the White City, Arequipa is the capital of the homonymous department, as well as being the seat of the Constitutional Court and the second industrial city in the country. Its historic center is surprising, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Trujillo
The third most populated city in the country is Trujillo, capital of the department of La Libertad. Much of the city’s cultural, architectural and urban heritage is found in its urban nucleus, although its main points of interest are the archaeological sites of Chan, which has been declared a World Heritage Site; and Huacas del Sol y de la Luna.
Chiclayo
We continue our tour of the most populated cities in Peru in Chiclayo, which is the capital of the department of Lambayeque. It is important to note that it is located near the ruins of Norte de Wari, an important prehistoric archaeological site.
Iquitos
The fifth most populous city in the country is Iquitos, which is the capital of the department of Loreto. It is one of the major cities that was the protagonist of the enormous Rubber Fever, a period that Europeanized it at different levels. Today it is a cosmopolitan city ​​with strong Amazonian roots. It is important to bear in mind that its historic center contains several National Cultural Heritage monuments.
Piura
We also have to talk about Piura, which is the capital of the Piura Region. It is known as the City of Hospitality, thanks to its hospitable inhabitants ; City of the Eternal Sun, for its heat and sun; Ciudad de los Algarrobos, for its carob forests; and City of Museums, for its many museums.
Cusco
The seventh most populated city in Peru is Cuzco, also called Cusco. Located on the eastern slope of the Andes mountain range, it is declared the historical capital of the country, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the large number of monuments it houses.
Chimbote
On the north-central coast of Peru we find Chimbote, the eighth most populated city in the country. It is known for its port activity and for being an important headquarters of the Peruvian fishing and steel industry.
Huancayo
Another important city in Peru is Huancayo, which is famous for its nickname of Uncontrastable City, as well as for its craft fair on Sundays, its landscapes, its history and its crafts.
Tacna
Finally, we are going to talk about Tacna, a city in southern Peru, a land of deserts and fertile valleys. Its landscape is unique and its past dates back to the cave paintings of the Toquepala Caves. We want to highlight its beaches, its hot springs and its lagoons.
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– The impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuamán in Peru
– The enigmatic Nazca lines in Peru