12:31 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jan. 8.
The
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which today marks the 45th anniversary of its establishment, has captivated millions of people with its attractions and unique energy—including world-renowned celebrities, among them actors and film directors who have chosen it both as a setting for their productions and as a destination for leisure and relaxation.
Despite the challenging access conditions to Machu Picchu, the movie industry has managed to transport its crews there and capture scenes later immortalized on film and video.
The first production filmed at this site was 'Secret of the Incas' (1954), starring Americans Charlton Heston and Nicole Maurey, with a special appearance by Peruvian singer Yma Sumac.
Another film that vividly showcases the grandeur of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is 'The Motorcycle Diaries,' shot in 2002.
The movie stars Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal, who portrays Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara during his journey through this part of Peru.
Bollywood—the name given to India's multi-billion-dollar film industry—has also made its way to Cusco.
Part of the science-fiction film 'Enthiran'—available on the streaming platform Netflix—was shot there in 2008. It features star Aishwarya Rai in a striking musical scene set amid Inca landscapes.
Amid a massive display of fantasy and special effects, the natural and pre-Hispanic landscapes of Machu Picchu stand out prominently in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'
It was filmed in 2022 not only at the Inca citadel itself but also across various locations in Cusco.
One of the most recent high-profile films partially shot at Machu Picchu was 'Paddington in Peru' (2024), an adventure starring the beloved bear created by British author Michael Bond.
In this film, attention is drawn not only to the Inca citadel's beauty but also to the importance of the ecosystem surrounding Machu Picchu, which is closely linked to the Amazon rainforest.
Stars on the Inca Trail
One of the leading figures in that cinematic venture is acclaimed actor Antonio Banderas, who has been among the high-profile visitors to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
In 2019, accompanied by his daughter Stella del Carmen, the Spanish actor spent four days trekking the Inca Trail, which leads to Machu Picchu.
Irish singer Bono, born Paul Hewson and best known as the frontman of the rock band U2, has been spotted visiting Machu Picchu in 2012 and again in 2019.
While his first visit was brief and hampered by the intense attention of fans, seven years later he was able to complete the full tour of the site.
Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody visited the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in June 2007.
U.S. model and actress Cindy Crawford did the same in September 2014, traveling with her daughter and—despite persistent efforts—struggling to remain incognito.
In June 2011, comedian Jim Carrey made an appearance, taking on the Inca Trail and displaying a down-to-earth demeanor. He even joked with the press and fellow tourists, offering quips—"Inca-ible," he replied when asked about the tour—and mimicking Leonardo DiCaprio by exclaiming, "I’m the king of the world!"
DiCaprio himself visited Machu Picchu in 2003, accompanied by his then-partner, Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen, in an attempt to remain incognito.
Versatile actress Cameron Diaz visited the Historic Sanctuary in 2007 to film the reality show 4Real for National Geographic; however, the use of the Maoist slogan "Serve the People" on her backpack prompted public backlash and led her to issue an apology to the local population.
In 2019, the indefatigable Robert De Niro proved at Machu Picchu that he is not only a "tough guy" on screen.
At age 77, he climbed Huayna Picchu without difficulty and stoically endured being stranded for four hours on a train due to bad weather.
Actor Zac Efron—who rose to fame with the hit film High School Musical—visited Machu Picchu with his father in September 2013, drawing the attention of fans along the way.
He greeted them with notable warmth and simplicity.
More discreetly, Richard Gere sought to remain unnoticed when he visited the Inca citadel for two consecutive days in March 2011, accompanied by his wife.
Earlier visits
Going further back in time, we find Shirley MacLaine, who later reinvented herself as a New Age author. The television adaptation of her book 'Out on a Limb'—which recounts her life story and alleged past reincarnations—brought her to Cusco in 1986, sparking mixed reactions, as the plot suggests that Machu Picchu was built by extraterrestrials.
Going even further back in time, in January 1970, Billy Gray—known for playing one of the children on the 1960s television series 'Father Knows Best'—became the first and only case of a celebrity reported missing in Machu Picchu after deciding to explore the sanctuary’s jungle area without a guide.
Three days later, he was found on the Mandopampa plain, suffering no apparent harm other than the effects of having gone without food.
Chilean poet Pablo Neruda arrived at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in 1943, where he found in the Inca citadel the inspiration for his exultant poem 'Alturas de Machu Picchu.'
In 1981, the Chilean band Los Jaivas set this work to music and staged a concert at the Inca citadel, held exclusively for the documentary associated with the album. The project featured the participation of writer Mario Vargas Llosa as well.
Shortly before Neruda, in 1939, musician Cole Porter—one of the most important and influential composers in the history of U.S. popular music—visited Machu Picchu after spending the night in a cabin without electricity or running water.
Musicians and film divas
Other music-related figures who have visited Machu Picchu include British singer Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, who in 2011 toured the site amid relentless rainfall.
The late Australian star Olivia Newton-John unsuccessfully attempted to remain incognito during her visit in June 2007.
In September 2015, U.S.-born singer Katy Perry, accompanied by a group of 15 people, fulfilled her long-held wish to visit Machu Picchu.
The same occurred in April 2014, when Harry Styles and Liam Payne—then-members of the band One Direction—took advantage of the Historic Sanctuary’s breathtaking scenery to film a documentary.
Comedian Seth Green and his wife, actress Clare Grant, visited Machu Picchu in June 2012. They ran into trouble when Green left a Lego figurine at the site and later attempted to have his spouse return to retrieve it, treating it as if it were hidden treasure.
Less complicated was the visit of actor and film director Ron Howard to Machu Picchu in June 2009.
Actresses Lucy Liu (2009), Susan Sarandon (2010), Demi Moore (2016), and Gwyneth Paltrow (2019), as well as star Matthew McConaughey (2012), are part of the seemingly endless list of celebrities who have visited Machu Picchu and later expressed their amazement and admiration for this archaeological treasure, renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity.
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Published: 1/8/2026