The Cathedral 

The Cathedral is an architectural monument located at the upper end of the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). Its construction was ordered for religious wishes by the local population and paid for in cash and silver bullion by the opulent miners of the era, such as don Miguel Jacinto de San Román y doña María Ayala in the year 1557. It was designed and built by local architect Simón de Asto, whose rubric can be seen on the right side of the main portal.

The Cathedral has a beautiful façade in the baroque style combined with indigenous motifs (Quechua and Aymara). All construction is in stone with receding columns and adored with stone from Huamanga. This work of the architect Emilio Hart Terre (Italian); the frontal or main altar is of sliver and its sides are embellished with paintings from different artist's schools, such as the Cusqueñan, Italian and Venetian.

Plaza de Armas (Main Square)

Previously called Supay Huassi (The House of the Devil) and surrounded by both public and private buildings, in the centre of the Plaza de Armas is a monument to Colonel don Francisco Bolognesi, hero of the battle of Arica, which was erected on 25th July 1925 by The Committee of Ladies and Gentlemen of Puno. There was previously a bronze water pool where the statue now stands.

San Carlos College

Built in 1851, and originally known as "Science and Arts by Order of the Liberator Simón Bolívar" in 1825. It was elevated to the category of "University" by its director Neptalí Zavala del Valle, who gave birth the phrase, "A Carolino, a Gentleman."  This college has educated many of Puno's most famous figures.

The Deustua Arch

A tourist attraction lying two blocks from Parque Pino and dating back to 1847, the Deustua Arch is made of masoned and coloured stone with a circular plinth and has archways on either side. It was built by citizens of Puno to honour those patriots who fought in the battles of Junin and Ayacucho, battles which sealed the liberty of Peru and of all South America.

Huajjsapata Hill

Huajjjsapata is closely tied to the history and traditions of Puno. It has natural outcrops of rock with various small caves, or "chinganas", and it is said that one of these chingana was the entrance to a subterrenean path that led all the way to the Koricancha, or santo domingo church, in Cuzco. Huajjsapata hill is a hideaway for lovers and visitors, and is a favourite spot for the "Pandillas Puneñas" (Puno dance groups) to meet and practice their traditional dances. At its highest point, there is a statue of Manco Capac, from where one can enjoy the very attractive scenery that dominates part of the city and Puno bay.

Esteves Island

Sited 5km from the city of Puno, on the Esteves Island there is a Tiahuanaco burial site with the dead buried in large wicker baskets underground in a series of laberynths. This site clearly demonstrates the relationship between the Tiahuanco culture and the Altiplano region of Puno.

At the highest point of the island, there is a replica "chullpa", built to honour the famous Northamerican scientist James Horton, who died here whilst studying the biodiversity of lake Titicaca.

There is also a museum of the island inside the hotel Libertador, where one can admire those objects found whilst the hotel was under construction.