Morro de Arica

El Morro is the sheer, 139-metre headland that closes off the south end of Arica and appears on every postcard of the city. On 7 June 1880, during the War of the Pacific, Chilean troops stormed the Peruvian fortifications on top in under an hour, and the site has been a national symbol ever since. A stepped path from the end of Calle Colón climbs to the summit in 20–30 minutes; it's steep and has little shade, so go early and bring water. At the top you'll find the free Museo Histórico y de Armas, with uniforms, weapons and battle maps, a large Christ statue and a panorama over the port, the city grid, the Azapa Valley and the Atacama. Taxis can drive up the paved road if you'd rather skip the climb.