Lake Titicaca is an immense freshwater lake sitting high in the Andean Mountains, where the water creates eye-catching landscapes against the peaks.
Puno, Peru by Adobe Stock
Lake Titicaca, Peru by Paul Cook
At the cultural heart of Peru, Spanish festivals and the Catholic faith blend with Inca and indigenous traditions and art to create a captivating array of cultural experiences in this lakeside city. When choosing what to visit in Peru, Puno is a worthy inclusion — here’s why.
What to do in Puno, Peru
Puno’s central market area
The central city of Puno features colonial buildings and a beautiful fountain. The bustling Jerome Lima provides opportunities to shop for colourful local textiles and handicrafts. Try Andean products like quinoa, potatoes, and traditional snacks or look for souvenirs like alpaca textiles and reed crafts.
Plaza Mayor de Puno
Plaza Mayor de Puno, Puno, Peru by Adobe Stock
The main square at the centre of Puno is bordered with Spanish colonial-era buildings, the baroque Puno Cathedral, gardens and benches alongside grassy areas. The Puno Cathedral dominates the square with its majestic facade, a worthy meeting place and significant religious location.
Statue of Manco Capac
Four blocks from Puno’s main square is a huge white statue of Manco Capac, founder of the Inca Empire. The white statue is striking against the deep blue waters of the lake, making a perfect postcard shot.
Statue of Manco Capac, Puno by Adobe Stock
Casa del Corregidor
Casa del Corregidor, Puno, Peru by Flickr
Casa del Corregidor is a famous little yellow house with a Spanish-style decorative balcony, directly opposite the Cathedral of Puno. The house dates to the 17th century and is one of the oldest examples of colonial architecture in the city.
This home was once the house for the governor-general of the Puno region, who administered taxes and duties for the Spanish crown. Painted bright yellow, it now holds local art exhibits, a charming cafe, a library and, in the evening, tapas and craft beer.
Uros Floating Islands
A boat tour on Lake Titicaca takes visitors around five kilometres to the Uros Islands, a group of around 40 man-made floating islands constructed using the Totora reeds which grow in the lake. The number and shape of the islands is constantly evolving as ongoing maintenance continues.
Uros Island, Lake Titicaca, Peru by Marion Bunnik
Taquile Island
Taquile Island is famous for its craft production and beautiful textiles. It’s only one kilometre wide and between six and seven kilometres long. There are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and terraces to explore.
Locals make their incomes from textile weaving, using traditional looms and techniques that are UNESCO recognised and protected. The people here speak Quechua, so knowing a few simple phrases of this indigenous language is helpful.
Enjoy the sunrise or sunset over the lake
Sunrise& sunset placement - Lake Titicaca, Peru by Maria Schiarrone
Watching the sunrise over Lake Titicaca is described as ‘the most beautiful present you have ever received’ — and for those who prefer a sleep in, the sunsets are equally rewarding.
There’s no better place to capture a stunning sunset than in Peru, known as ‘the land of the sun’. In Puno, the Incas worshipped Inti, the star that illuminated men with life. From this sacred region, the sun sets right into the mountains beyond the lake, unlike mountainous areas like Machu Picchu where the sun slides below the horizon some time before sunset.
Watch this daily event from the lakeside boulevard over a pisco sour, or venture up to Mirador Kuntur Wasi viewpoint for a panoramic view and unmatched tranquillity.
Taste Peru’s Andean cuisine
Dinner in Puno is bound to delight even the most health-conscious traveller, with two regional delicacies that must be tried locally. Quinoa soup is a nourishing and filling dish created using quinoa grains, locally grown vegetables and fragrant herbs. The rich flavour and warming experience is perfect after a day boating on Lake Titicaca.
The second dish to try in Puno is ‘trucha frita’, fried trout caught fresh from the lake. Cooked in this way the trout has a crispy outer and tender, flaky inner, seasoned using traditional herbs and served with vegetables and potato.
Trucha Frita, Puno, Peru by Flickr
See a live folklore dance show
Folklore Danca Show placement - Dancing Devil, Puno, Peru by Paul Cook
Puno comes alive during the Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria in February, a two week holiday with religious processions, traditional dance, music and vibrant costumes celebrating the patron saint of Puno. This festival is now a UNESCO designated Cultural Heritage tradition and mixes Spanish and indigenous dance, costume and story. At other times of year, Puno is the place to see folklore come to life through dance and music.
The ‘Dancing Devils’ are traditional dancers costumed in ornate, dazzling masks and outfits that show off the artisan craftsmanship of the local people. With multiple layers and masks adorned with colourful stones, the costumes can be very heavy, weighing up to 50kg and taking a month to make.
The musicians that accompany the dance play traditional wind and percussion instruments including tinyas (little wooden hand drums), zamponas (panpipes), quenas (flutes) and wankaras (large drums used in battle). Some of the more popular dances to see are the La Diablada, with a plot of interplay between demons and angels, or Endiablada telling a story of the ‘Brotherhood of Devils’.
Sillustani Archaeological site
Built by the Colla people, before the Incas, the funerary towers at this site are perched on a hill overlooking the Umayo Lagoon, a dramatic and scenic backdrop for this sombre and ancient memorial.
The site is about 40 minutes from Puno and features around 90 ‘chulpas’, the circular stone towers. Each tower is between two and 20 metres high, designed facing east so the deceased nobles could communicate directly with the sun god. In the late afternoon as the sun drops, this mysterious location is the ideal place to watch the sun setting and capture stunning photographs.
Visit Puno to experience nature’s raw beauty and Peru’s colourful, blended culture
Puno is an often overlooked location on a Peru itinerary, but well worth including to gain a deeper understanding of this country’s blended cultures. Lake Titicaca is exquisitely beautiful and exploring the sustainable and traditional ways of life provides insight and inspiration for travellers.
Visiting Peru with a small group offers the opportunity to form lifelong friendships, explore new cultures and to connect with nature that’s diverse, stunning and different to home. Open your world with travel — why not join the next small group tour to Peru?
Frequently asked questions
Is one day in Puno enough?
To explore all Lake Titicaca has to offer, stay in Puno for two days. This gives a day to fully explore the town, relax a little, enjoy a sunset, and also to visit the Uros Islands and Taquile Island, a key opportunity to witness traditional lifestyles on this mountain lake.
Which country is Puno located in?
Puno is in the southeast of Peru, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, which extends into Bolivia.
Is it worth visiting Puno?
Yes, absolutely. The natural scenery is unmatched, and Puno offers insights into the traditional way of life and the ways in which Incan and indigenous culture melded with Spanish traditions post-colonisation.