Ayacucho, also known as the “City of Churches”, is a beautiful and often overlooked destination in the Andes mountains of Peru. Read below to find the best things to do in Ayacucho, the main attractions, and why find out why it’s so special during Easter.
Are you planning a trip to Ayacucho?
Check out the best tours and accommodations in Ayacucho.
Best tours and experiences in Ayacucho:
Vilcashuaman Inca ruins
Millpu Turquoise Waters
Visit Pampa de Ayacucho and the Wari ruins
Best hotels in Ayacucho:
ViaVia Cafe (Mid-range. In a colonial house at the main square)
Astromelia Hotel (Mid-range)
Un Sueño Valle de Huajes (Budget)
Ayacucho has some great attractions for pristine turquoise pools, important archaeological sites, beautiful churches, small villages, and much more.
Despite its many treasures, Ayacucho is often overlooked by foreign tourists due to the internal conflict that took place in the region during the 1980s and 1990s.
However, I highly recommend visiting Ayacucho if you are looking for a less touristy destinatination that still offers so much to see and do. I have visited twice and would like going again.
Here are my recommendations for the best things to do in Ayacucho.
1. Walk through the streets of Ayacucho
Ayacucho is a city in the Peruvian Andes where the colonial-era architecture meets the vibrant indigenous culture.
You can walk around the narrow streets of the city center, where you can admire its architecture, wooden balconies and brightly painted walls.
Walk around the main square, Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by beautiful colonial buildings, including the Cathedral of Ayacucho and the Archbishop’s Palace. Make sure to visit one of its many churches. As it’s mentioned below, Ayacucho is known as the City of Churches.
A couple of blocks away from the main square is the local market, Mercado Centenario. You will not find just fruits and vegetables, but also traditional textiles and other handicrafts. You will see women selling fresh baked sweet bread, fresh juice stalls, traditional cheese from the Andes and sacks of coca leaves, among other local products. The atmosphere is lively and friendly.
For a panoramic view of the city, head to the Acuchimay viewpoint, accessible by bus or taxi.
And as the day comes to an end, make sure to visit ViaVia Cafe, a cafe and restaurant located in a hotel. Enjoy a cup of coffee in its nice balcony, overlooking the main square as you watch the life of the locals go by.
2. Visit the Incan ruins of Vilcashuaman
Vilcashuaman is one of the best things to do in Ayacucho.
Actually, this quiet town, two hours away from the city, is my favorite place in the Ayacucho region.
When I visited Vilcashuaman with a friend some time ago, we stayed there for a night. We spent the day walking around the ruins, the town, and also around the cemetery, which is right next to the small town.
From around the area of the cemetery you have an amazing view overlooking the valley. It felt so quiet and serene. I have traveled a lot around Peru (and I am Peruvian), but that particular place felt extremely remote.
Its main attraction is a well preserved Incan archaeological site, which is actually right in the middle of the town.
When we were there, there was a program that taught local children how to do a guided visit of the ruins for visitors. So in their free time they could do this and earn some money. A lovely girl showed us the ruins, with very good explanations and even taught us some words in quechua, the native language.
If you like archaeology, the visit to Vilcashuamán is a must. It is an opportunity to visit Incan ruins almost just by yourself. You can still appreciate its two temples, made of massive stones carved to fit perfectly well into one another. You will also see a church built on top of part of the ruins during colonial times.
The complex could house around 40,000 people, making it ideal to house the large army that accompanied the Inca on his travels. Additionally, the Incas also made animal sacrifices here, on a sacrificial stone that is still that you appreciate at the site.
How to get to Vilcashuaman
To get there, you can book a tour to Vilcashuaman from Ayacucho, which also includes a visit to the Intiwatana Incan ruins.
Otherwise, you can go by public transport. Take a combi (van) at the “Terminal Sur” (it will take 3-4 hours each way). If you want to spend the night there like I did, you should have no problem finding simple accomodation when you get there.
3. Check out Millpu’s turquoise waters
Millpu is a beautiful is a set of 20 stunning turquoise and green pools (depending on the time of year), that look really turquoise, like in the pictures. It’s located 3 hours away from Huamanga. It is a bit far but well worth the trip.
The pools are adorned by the typical vegetation of the Peruvian highlands, forming a landscape worthy of a paradisiacal postcard. Many people consider a trip to Millpu the best thing to do in Ayacucho.
The visit includes a walk along the edge of the canyon to get a panoramic view of the natural pools, as well as going down to them to observe them up close. You will also visit a waterfall that marks the beginning of the pools, and the Millpu, a pool that originates deep in the mountain and from where the river waters are born.
The best time to visit is between May and September, which is the dry season in Ayacucho. Visiting during the rainy season will not be worth it, since the pools will look muddy.
Also, note that as of 2023, it’s forbidden to bathe in the pools (the waters are very cold anyhow!).
How to get to Millpu
You can either book a tour to Millpu, or go by public transport. Otherwise, take a “mototaxi” (tuktuk) to the minivan terminal (Vilcas terminal). Take a van that goes to Circamarca. From there, it’s a 30 minute walk to Millpu.
4. Visit Quinua and Pampa de Ayacucho
Pampa de Ayacucho is an important historical site and worth a visit from Huamanga. This plain (pampa=plain) is where the Battle of Ayacucho was fought in 1824, which was the decisive battle in the fight for Peru’s independence from the Spanish.
You will arrive in Quinua, a small and traditional town that preserves its cobbled streets and tiled houses, making it a great destination for those who want to see how the life is in a small village in the Andes.
Quinua is also famous for its ceramic crafts, which are created in traditional workshops. Visitors can take a stroll through the town and visit some of the workshops. From there, you can also do a short hike to a waterfall.
Something very picturesque about Quinua, are the roofs of their houses. You will notice that the houses in Quinua have a small clay church figure on their roofs. They put the figures as a symbol of protection against evil spirits.
From the town, you can take a taxi or walk to the pampa or plains, which is located just outside the town. There you will see the Obelisk, which is a monument dedicated to the soldiers who died in the battle. You can also enter the Obelisk for just a couple of soles.
How to get to Pampa de Ayacucho
The easiest way to visit the sites, would be to book a tour to Pampa de Ayacucho (or a private tour).
Otherwise, take a colectivo (minivan) to Quinua at the street José Santos Chocano.
The trip takes around 1 hour and is a great way to see the beautiful Andean landscapes. If you take the tour, you will also be able to visit the Wari ruins, which are on the way.
5. Visit the Wari ruins
The Wari (also known as Huari) ruins are a must-see if you are interested in history or archaology. The Wari civilization existed from 600-1000 AD. It predates the Incas and was one of the most powerful empires in the Andean region. These ruins were once the capital of the Wari empire.
As soon as you arrive at the ruins, you’ll notice the abundance of cacti that cover the area surrounding the site. Some of the cacti bear tuna (prickly pears), a delicious fruit commonly found in Peru. Be careful with the thorns if you want to eat one!
Visiting the ruins, you will be able to explore the remnants of the city, including plazas, temples, and residential areas. The intricate stonework and the grand scale of the palace are impressive.
The Wari civilization is known for their elaborate burial rituals, as you can see in the underground tombs found at the site. The Wari buried their elite there, along with their families, attendants, and personal possessions.
When I visited, a big part of the site was still under study and excavation, like so many other archaeological sites in Peru, and it probably still is. Explore off the path a little bit and you will find pieces of broken pottery scattered on the ground.
How to get to the Wari ruins
The Wari ruins are about 45 minutes from the city center. To get there, you can take a tour, which generally includes a visit to the town of Quinua and Pampa de Ayacucho (or a private tour for more comfort).
Otherwise, you could also go by your own. Take a combi (minivan) to Quinua (read above) and step off at Wari, which is in the middle of the highway. To get back, just flag down one of the colectivos on their way back to the city. Alternatively, take another colectivo and continue your visit towards Quinua.
6. Visit its 33 Churches
Visiting the churches in Ayacucho is a must-do for any traveler interested in architecture and history. Known as the city of the churches, Ayacucho is home to 33 colonial-era churches, each one unique and worth visiting. Each one of the 33 churches represents one of the years of Christ.
But what sets Ayacucho apart from other cities in Peru are the Easter celebrations, which are the biggest and most important in the country, and the second biggest Easter celebrations in the world (after the ones in Sevilla, Spain). It’s absolutely one of the most important religious celebrations taking place in Peru.
Not only the locals fill the streets in breathtaking processions, but people from all over the country travel to Ayacucho during those days as well. It’s a great time to visit the city, with beautiful flower carpets covering the streets.
One of the best things to do in Ayacucho during Easter, is to visit 7 churches on Holy Thursday, to follow the local tradition. The churches all around the city will be alive with most locals doing the same.
The Cathedral
Visiting Ayacucho during Easter is an experience that you will not forget. But even if you don’t get to visit Ayacucho during Easter, I recommend visiting at least some of these churches to understand more of the local culture.
At least, make a visit to the Cathedral, at the main square, and appreciate its altar covered in gold. I would recommend taking the museum and crypt tour (only offered in Spanish when I visited) for 10 soles (~$3).
The museum features a collection of paintings in Ayacuchan style. One of its most interesting pieces is Peruvian painting of the last supper but with a guinea pig on the table instead of a lamb, and with other local food items like potatoes and chillis. You will also discover that artists did not sign their paintings during colonial times. Instead, sometimes they painted sometimes one of their children inside the painting, or some other recognizable sign.
At the crypt, you will be able to see the tombs of the previous bishops of the church. As a part of the tour, you can also access one of the bell towers, and observe the view of the city’s main square from above.
Where to stay in Ayacucho?
Mid-range:
ViaVia Cafe: Located in a colonial house with a big patio, right at the main square. It has a good restaurant overlooking the square.
Astromelia Hotel: Located just 2 blocks away from the main square. It’s located in a quiet building with a nice patio.
Altipacha Hotel: Nice hotel 5 blocks away from the main square. Some rooms have terraces and some rooms also have a jacuzzi. Good breakfast buffet.
Budget:
La Villa de Roel: Simple and well rated B&B, very close to the main square.
Is Visiting Ayacucho, Peru, Worth It?
Ayacucho is a hidden gem in Peru that is worth visiting for many reasons.
For one, it offers a unique travel experience off the-beaten-path. Unlike the more popular tourist destinations like Cusco or Machu Picchu, Ayacucho remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. This means that you can enjoy a more authentic and less crowded experience of Peruvian culture and heritage.
Another reason to visit Ayacucho is its affordability. As compared to other tourist hotspots in Peru, Ayacucho is a budget-friendly destination, where you can stretch your travel budget further without sacrificing comfort or quality. You can find plenty of affordable accommodation, food, and activities without compromising on the experience.
Moreover, Ayacucho is easy to get to from Lima by plane, with daily flights to and from the city.
This means that you can easily add Ayacucho to your itinerary and explore more of Peru beyond the capital.
These are in my opinion the best things to do in Ayacucho, but the region has a lot more to often. I think it’s absolutely worth to visit Ayacucho, and the best moment would be now, while there’s still very little foreign tourism.
Take a look here if you want to find out about other off-the-beaten path destinations in Peru besides Ayacucho.
