If you’re into culture and history, Nazca is a must-visit during your trip to Peru. This region was once home to the ancient Nazca culture, known for the mysterious Nazca Lines, huge geoglyphs in the desert still studied today. You can view them best from the air on a scenic flight. Nazca also offers fascinating underground aqueducts and ancient cemeteries with mummies. In this travel guide, you’ll find the best things to do and see in Nazca, Peru, plus tips for observing the Nazca lines, tours in the surroundings, hotels, and places to eat.
The Nazcas lived between about 100 BC and 600 AD. along the coast in southern Lima and the southern highlands. This civilization is known for the Nazca lines in the Pampa of San José, but also for its knowledge in the fields of astrology, architecture, ceramics and textile art. The small town of Nazca, located in the desert of Peru, is one of the most famous places and best things to do if you want to get acquainted with this culture.
When I first came to Peru more than twenty years ago, I couldn’t believe I had never heard of the Nazca Lines. And it still surprises me how relatively quiet it is here in terms of visitors. Most tourists who travel to Peru head straight to Cusco and its surroundings, and rightly so. But it’s a shame that only a handful of people make their way to Nazca.
This is partly due to its location. Yes, you have to make quite a detour to get there. And Nazca is all about seeing the lines, which can only truly be appreciated from a small airplane. But if you’re interested in Peru and its history, the Nazca Lines are incredibly impressive. And once you’re there, you might as well dive deeper into this intriguing Nazca culture. In this article, I’ll tell you more about the best things to do and see in Nazca, Peru.
One of the absolute famous things to do in Nazca Peru is flying over the Nazca lines. There is no better way to see them than from the air. A flight takes about 30 minutes and costs around USD 100. You fly past a dozen of figures including the monkey, hummingbird, pelican, alien, condor and spider. And with a small book in your hands you can perfectly recognize the creations.
Afterwards you will probably even have more questions. What is the meaning of the lines and how did they manage to create them so perfectly hundreds of years ago? Seeing the lines with your own eyes is a truly unique experience. A
One of the most important tips I can give you for booking a flight over the Nazca Lines is to go with a reliable company. This is not something you want to compromise on when it comes to safety. So make sure to do your research before booking and read plenty of reviews. One company I had a good experience with, and that also has many positive reviews, is this one.
The Nazca Lines are located in a 350 km² desert plain in Peru and consist of countless lines and animal figures, some stretching up to 10 kilometers long. They were created by removing pebbles, revealing the lighter ground beneath. The lines were only discovered from the air in 1927. Thanks to the dry climate, they remain clearly visible and can now be admired on flights.
A flight over the Nazca Lines is an unforgettable experience, but it takes a bit of planning. Curious about what to keep in mind when booking your Nazca Lines flight? Check out our next travel guide for practical tips to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Don’t feel like flying over the Nazca lines? There is also an observation tower where you can observe a part of the lines. You will find more information later in this article.
A cemetery of bones and mummies? It might sound a little creepy, and in some ways it is. But visiting Chauchilla Cemetery is above all impressive and, in my opinion, one of the things to do in Nazca, Peru you can’t miss. Located on a vast sandy plain in the middle of the desert, the Nazcas wrapped their dead in cloth, often in a seated position, before burying them in tombs.
At Chauchilla, you can view several mummies in open tombs, remarkably well preserved thanks to the dry, constant climate. Small shelters have been added above the tombs to protect them, but if you wander further into the desert, you’ll be surprised by the number of bones still scattered across the plain. Tip: always explore with a guide, it makes the visit far more interesting. This is a tour that visits the Chauchilla Cementery from Nazca.
Can’t get enough of the cultural sights in Nazca Peru? Then visit the Museo Antonini. Contrary to what many travel guides say, this museum is definitely one of the things to do in Nazca, if you are interested in the history of the region.
It’s fascinating to see how the Nazcas accessed water in this dry, desert environment. They built special underground aqueducts to channel water from the mountains through funnel-shaped wells for drinking. Ventilation and even access for cleaning were carefully planned to prevent the water from spoiling.
There are 46 aqueducts in and around Nazca, many of which are still in use today. Several, including Cantalloc, can be visited for a small entrance fee. It’s recommended to go with a guide, so you can learn not only how the aqueducts worked, but also more about the Nazca culture and their way of life.
You can’t get around this woman in Nazca: Maria Reiche. A German scientist that spent years researching the mysterious lines on the pampas. Her former home is now a small museum and one of the places to visit in Nazca Peru. It is nice to walk in and get an idea of her life and the important research she did. The Museum of Maria Reiche is located near El Mirador, the Nazca viewpoint, making it easy to combine.
Several scientists have studied the Nazca Lines, with Maria Reiche being one of the most well-known. She believed the lines formed an astronomical calendar based on star constellations and that the Nazca people used advanced math to create them with such precision. To support her theory, she built observation towers that you can still visit today. Others believe the lines mapped underground water sources, a logical idea in this dry region. And of course, the mystery has sparked more out-there theories too, like the idea that only aliens could’ve made such perfect shapes visible only from the sky.
On half an hour’s drive from Nazca, you will find El Mirador, the viewpoint. This observation tower was built by researcher Maria Reiche to prove her theories about the origin of the lines. Today you can climb the tower to see parts of the hand and tree lines on the pampas. A nice alternative if you are not going to fly. But even if you do: It is definitely one of the easy things to do if you want to get the most complete overview of the Nazca lines in Peru. Entrance is a few sol.
The town of Nazca in Peru is still known for its ceramics. There are a number of small ceramic factories, where the owners are more than happy to demonstrate how they work. The nice things is that it doesn’t feel very commercial. You often literally walk through the family’s house to attend a demonstration in the backyard. Taller de ceramica de Tobi is located in the center and Cerámicas Emilia can be visited near the airport. You can also go on a little tour or choose to visit a pottery workshop in combination with a tour to the Chauchilla Cemetery.
In the planetarium of Nazca you can learn more about how the Nazca lines relate to the galaxy. There are daily performances of approximately 45 minutes. The planetarium is located in the DM hoteles Nasca and for sure one of the educational things to do in Nazca Peru.
Of course you will find many souvenirs of the lines in Nazca. From paintings to books and key chains. Because the area is also known for its silver, you will find also beautiful jewelry, including silver earrings with figures from the Nazca lines. A recommended items to bring as a souvenir. I have a whole collection myself.
Nazca is a dusty town that people mainly visit because of the Nazca lines. Nevertheless, it is a nice town to walk around and take in the atmospheres. Around calle and plaza Bolognesi you will some of my favorite restaurant spots that I have been visiting for years: La Encontada, Mamashana (good vegetarian dishes) and El Portón.
There are many small and simple hotels in Nazca. A good mid-range hotel in the center is Casa Andina. The rooms are simple but well maintained and located around a nice inner garden with lots of greenery. There is also a swimming pool where you can enjoy the sun during the day. Are you looking for something more luxurious? Then take a look at the DM hoteles Nasca, the place where scientist Maria Reiche stayed during her research for almost 25 years. It is possible to view her former bedroom, enjoy the swimming pool and visit the planetarium with daily performances.
Curious about hotels in Nazca Peru? Here you will find the availability and prices of Casa Andina and DM hoteles Nasca. An overview with more hotels in Nazca Peru can be found here.
Nazca is not a destination where you want to spend days. My recommendation is to stay here for 2 or maybe 3 nights. You want to schedule at least one entire day for the the Nazca lines flight, because you don’t know when you will be able to fly. Schedule this early in the morning so that you have enough back up time, in case of weather limitations. Check out our next travel guide with practical tips for booking your Nazca Lines flight and making your experience as comfortable as possible.
Depending on your arrival time in Nazca, you can visit the cemetery of Chauchilla and the aqueducts on your day first day. If you come from the coast, with your own car, make a stop on the way at el Mirador and the museum of Maria Reiche.
Nazca is best reached overland. These buses depart daily from Lima and take around seven hours. You can also travel from Ica, the nearby town of Huacachina to Nazca in under three hours. Heading further into the Andes? These comfortable overnight buses will take you from Nazca to Arequipa in about 11 hours. You can choose from different bus types: standard, semi-sleeper, and sleeper—with the sleeper option offering the most comfort for a long journey. Alternatively, you can rent a car, giving you the freedom to stop wherever you like along the way.
You can also visit Nazca as a day tour from Lima. With this tour, you can even combine it with Paracas and the oasis of Huacachina. It’s an intense and long day, usually with an early departure and a late return, but you’ll get to see three unique places in a short amount of time. If you have a bit more flexibility in your itinerary, it’s recommended to spread this route over two days. This way, you can travel at a more relaxed pace, enjoy the journey more, and have extra time for activities like a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands or sandboarding in the Huacachina dunes.
Planning a trip to Peru or just starting your research? In the next travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Peru, including practical tips, essential travel info, and inspiration for where to go and what to see. Hopefully, my articles will help you get the most out of your trip, or convince you to add Peru to your travel bucket list.
Did you enjoy reading this article with tips and things to do in Nazca Peru? Let me take you on a further journey along the most beautiful destinations and attractions in Peru in the next articles.
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Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
