Historic Site · Cusco, Peru
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,97. Built 1450. It drew 950,000 visitors in 2023.
Photo: Draceane via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized for display.
Landmark facts
| Location | Cusco, Peru |
|---|---|
| Type | Historic Site |
| Built | 1450 |
| Elevation | Elevation: 2430 m |
| Annual visitors (2023) | 950,000 |
| Coordinates | 13.1633° S, 72.5456° W |
Every fact above is taken from the sources listed below; anything no source states is left blank rather than guessed.
What Machu Picchu is known for
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,97.
About Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 ft). It is situated in the Machupicchu District of Urubamba Province about 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco, above the Sacred Valley and along the Urubamba River, which forms a deep canyon with a subtropical mountain climate. Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic symbols of the Inca civilization and a major archaeological site in the Americas.
History
Machu Picchu’s early chronology continues to be a matter of scholarly debate. Earlier chronological models, based mainly on John H. Rowe's historical reconstruction of the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, have placed the beginning of construction around 1450, 10 years after his takeover.
Planning a visit? Visit the official Machu Picchu website — the official site has the current visiting information.
Best time to visit
April to October, the dry season, has the clearest skies; June to August is the busiest stretch.
How to get there
| Nearest town | Cusco |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport | Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) |
| Distance from the airport | 48.0 miles (straight line) |
Nearest major airport by straight-line distance from the landmark’s coordinates; road distance will be longer.
Airports near this landmark
The airports a visitor would actually fly into, nearest first — each link opens its profile on our sister site AirportProfiles.
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) · Cusco, Peru · 48.2 miles away
Landmarks nearby
The closest landmarks in this library, by straight-line distance.
Where to stay nearby
Places to stay near Machu Picchu, with a link to each place's own site.
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge · Machu Picchu
The only hotel at the citadel entrance
- Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel · Aguas Calientes
Eco-lodge in Aguas Calientes
Where to eat nearby
Places to eat near Machu Picchu, with a link to each place's own site.
- Tinkuy Buffet Restaurant · Machu Picchu
Buffet restaurant at the Sanctuary Lodge
- Indio Feliz · Aguas Calientes
French-Peruvian bistro in Aguas Calientes
More landmarks in Peru
More historic sites
Frequently asked questions
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,97.
Where is Machu Picchu located?
Machu Picchu is in Cusco, Peru. Its coordinates are 13.1633° S, 72.5456° W.
How do I get to Machu Picchu?
The nearest town is Cusco, and the nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), about 48.0 miles away (straight line).
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
April to October, the dry season, has the clearest skies; June to August is the busiest stretch.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Picchu — Wikipedia article — overview, history and core facts (CC BY-SA).
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q676203 — Wikidata — built year, architect, height/size, visitors, official website (CC0).
- http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ — Official website of the landmark / managing body.
- https://github.com/jbrooksuk/JSON-Airports — Nearest major airport computed from landmark and airport coordinates (haversine); airport list: jbrooksuk/JSON-Airports.
- https://www.peru.travel/en — Official tourism / managing-body page — best time to visit.
Page last updated 13 November 2026.