The massive empire of the Incas didn’t disappear overnight. Evidence of their civilization remains all over Peru. Many sites are conveniently located out in the countryside where hiking up to see a fortress comes with a beautiful view.

We’re not just talking about Machu Picchu. Beyond that well-known, and admittedly remarkable, landmark there are other ruins that leave visitors feeling just as amazed. Some are sites founded by other indigenous groups and transformed by the Incas. Others began with the Incas before being taken over by the Spanish.

Regardless of how they began or ended, these sites are forever marked by the time in which the Incan Empire inhabited them.

Let’s look at 15 Inca structures and sites you can visit in Peru today.

15 Mountain top temple Waqrapukara

Distinguishing the mountain from the temple at this point can be quite difficult since centuries of wear and tear have melded the two together. The brown walls of the structure now resemble the rock that they’re embedded in. This one is a steep climb that results in a stunning view.

14 The Incas went big with the stones at Sacsayhuamán

Brown bricks of average size are a building material most Inca structures have in common. However, for this fortress, black boulders were heaved into position to form a fortress so tight that even a piece of paper couldn’t slip through its walls, according to Ticket Machu Picchu.

13 Give empty storehouses on Pinkuylluna some company

This location is a stop on one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. However, squeezed between Machu Picchu and Cusco, the Ollantaytambo region gets far less attention than it deserves. One of its key sites is this collection of storehouses built in rows on Pinkuylluna mountain.

12 Skip up the staircase terraces of Tipón

The size of this staircase would only make it fit for giants. In reality, these staggered, rectangular terraces were used for farming. Their creation was a feat unheard of in the Incan Empire, according to Ancient Pages. Water channels run its length and still spray fresh spring water centuries later.

11 To find this untouchable fortress, just look up

This spot is located on the Inca Trail which most trekkers take to reach Machu Picchu. However, steep peaks and high walls make accessing it complicated. The Incas overcame this issue themselves when they defeated its previous occupants and turned it into their own fortress, according to Machu Picchu.

10 Landmarks from separate centuries stack up at Coricancha

Much of what Peru Hop calls one of the Incas’ “most important and most sacred temples” was destroyed to make room for a Spanish church in Peru. Luckily, colonists only got to half of the temple before abandoning the demolition. Now, these monuments from opposing groups form a single landmark.

9 Landmark Machu Picchu is a must-see

The extensive ruins of Machu Picchu that wind through the Andes are one of Peru’s most visited locations without a doubt. Historic temples and fortresses caught up in the forest and mist make it irresistible if you’re in the area. Upon arriving, make sure to be on your best behavior.

8 Secluded city of Choquequirao is three times its size

It seems this fact hasn’t done much to encourage tourism in the area since just twelve visitors venture out to this destination a day, according to Lonely Planet. That probably has something to do with the city’s location in the tiny village of Cachora behind high hills and dense jungle.

7 Ancient farmland watches over the modern valley in Pisac

Visiting these ruins doesn’t require venturing out into uninhabited lands. Instead, it gives visitors a chance to explore ruins alongside a city other than Cusco for once. Pisac isn’t nearly as big, but that’s part of the colonial town’s charm. It lights up on market days with all the best souvenirs for sale.

6 Often overlooked site of Raqchi

According to Machu Picchu, tourists tend to skip out on this spot since it’s not heavily advertised. Travelers who want to experience ancient Incan civilization but not the modern crowd should try this place out. A festival in June brings the ruins back to life with traditional dances and music.

5 Kuelap: Fortress of the Cloud Warriors

Part of the reason Incas built their fortress high up on this mountain was to give themselves easy access to the clouds. When the rains dried up, they would launch stones up into the sky, according to Worldly Adventurer. Punctured clouds would then release torrents of nourishing rainwater.

4 Pisac has its own city uphill

Earlier we spoke about the modern town of Pisac, but within the ruins, there is also an old town of Pisac. The difference between the two is striking. Walk the ruins before or after visiting the new city to witness how civilization in the area has changed and developed.

3 Incas may have gone to Tambomachay for spa days

This Incan site in Cusco had all the makings of a 5-star spa spot with its fresh spring water access. According to Atlas Obscura, archaeologists consider “spa” one possible explanation for the site’s construction. The image of ancient people relaxing in these stone pools makes it a popular one.

2 Circular terraces resemble crop circles in Moray

Manmade crop circles at the local farm have nothing on these staggered steps carved out by ancient people in Maras. That doesn’t make the feeling of standing at the center of this valley feel any less otherworldly. Coming up close also makes the work necessary more apparent.

1 Pachacamac looks nothing like the rest, here's why

That’s because this site has been repurposed by every indigenous group to take control of the area since it was built 2,000 years ago, according to the Ancient History Encyclopedia. When the Incas took it over, they transformed it into a part of the empire with added temples and residences.