Ah, Lima! It may not be to everyone’s taste, but there are plenty of reasons to allow at least a few days to explore the Peruvian capital.
Lima rewards curiosity. Base yourself in Miraflores or Barranco for cliff walks, food and nightlife, add a half day in the UNESCO listed historic center, and spend an evening at the Magic Water Circuit. If you have a spare day, combine Paracas’ wildlife and Huacachina’s dunes on a single round trip with reliable transport and hotel pick‑ups.
Did you know: Peru Hop was setup by 2 Irish guys in 2013 and has been voted #1 Travel Company in Peru for 2024 – Click here for more info!
Plaza Mayor and the Government Palace Stand in Lima’s founding square, framed by the Cathedral and Palacio de Gobierno, inside the UNESCO‑listed Historic Centre of Lima (inscribed 1988; boundary modifications 1991 and 2023). See the ornate wooden balconies along Jirón de la Unión.
Free Maps, Tourist Sim Cards, Free Wifi, a Money Exchange Center, and an ATM machine are just some of the tourist services provided at the Information Center at Kennedy Park in the heart of Miraflores. It’s also a good place for Airport Transfers and their Machu Picchu Information Center is the best place to get information on this wonder of the world.
Visit their Facebook here
View on Google Maps here
Some people love this slice of modern uber-commercialism lodged in the seafront cliffs of Miraflores. You can shop for designer labels, go bowling, play arcade games, eat ice cream and go to the cinema. There are also some chic restaurants with sea views and the way-too-trendy Aura nightclub.
This hands-on experience that allows you to learn about Peruvian history and culture, while learning about and preparing some of Peru’s most incredible dishes. Experience the real taste of Peru at the Luchito’s Cooking Class.
Stroll the glowing fountains at Parque de la Reserva; the complex holds a Guinness World Record as the world’s largest fountain complex in a public park. Tip: Arrive before sunset to see it by day and by night.
“Best is to arrive around 17:00 to enjoy both day and night views.” Fasantos, Brazil, January 2025.
A standout private museum of pre‑Columbian art set in a flowered colonial house; allow 90–120 minutes. The collection tops 45,000 pieces.
“One of the best museums I’ve ever visited.” Jaya_h_c, United States, October 2025.
Lima’s so-called bohemian district. Bohemian or not, it’s a good place for a daytime stroll or a lively night of bars, beers, bands and anything else that begins with ‘b’. That includes bridges: if you like little bridges, you’ll love the ornate Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) that crosses over the Bajada de Baños, a walkway that runs down to the beaches below.
Barranco is also home to the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Lima (MAC Lima), one of the most famous art museums in Lima.
Kennedy Park in the center of Miraflores is home to around sixty cats, that earned it the nickname “Cat Park”. You can usually find them napping under the benches, on the sidewalk or in the grass. Nobody really knows how they got there but they have been there for more than 20 years according to their neighbours.
The Huaca Pucllana ruins are one of the few that still remain from the historic pre-Columbian period in Peru. It is an adobe ceremonial center that would have been used for spiritual ceremonies and sacrifices. It is said that it was built around 500AD during the height of cultural history in Lima. Incredibly enough it is located in what is now a residential area of the Miraflores district so it’s really easy to get there. The entrance fee is S/12 for a daytime visit. For only S/3 more you can visit during the evening when the lights and darkness bring even more mystery to the ruins.
Walk through the remains of an estimated 75,000 bodies buried beneath the convent, a truly memorable and beautifully dark sightseeing experience.
Fancy discovering a unique desert oasis? Or the Peruvian Galapagos full of sealions and penguins? Take a short round trip from Lima to Paracas and Huacachina. There are 1 day, 2 day and day short round trips from Lima and are a great way to see and do a lot whilst basking in the all year round sunshine that exists south of Lima.
If you need a bracing break from the big city, hop on a boat for a tour of island off the coast of Lima. Standard stops include the islands of Palomino (home to sea lions and Humboldt penguins), Cabinzas (for pelicans, gulls, boobies and more) and El Frontón (an island that once served as a quarantine stop in colonial times and later as a maximum security prison). Most boats depart from Callao.
Quick Tip: The easiest and safest way to get from Lima Airport to Miraflores is on the Lima Airport Express bus.
Lima’s barrio chino is an interesting place to explore on foot; keep an eye open for the pedestrian street paved with individually-inscribed red bricks. And if you’re hungry, don’t miss the excellent all-you-can-eat chifa buffets served by a few of the neighborhood restaurants.
Lima attracts an ever-increasing number of major international music acts, so keep an eye on the concert schedule. Concerts have so far included The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Slipknot, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses to name some of the classics. Annual music festivals are also growing in popularity, such as Rock en la Playa, Acustirock, Lima Fest and Festival 7 Mares.
If you can, try to see the Peruvian national team play a competitive game (not a friendly) or get tickets for one of the world’s great local derbies, the clásico between Alianza Lima and their Lima-based rivals Universitario. Two stadiums worth visiting are the Estadio Nacional and Estadio Monumental.
Yep, paragliding is a popular pastime along El Malecón. I think a 10- to 15-minute glide costs about $80-$100.
Take the little tour bus from the Plaza de Armas in the historic center of Lima and head up to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal for an impressive view across the sprawling capital — if there’s a break in the clouds and coastal flog.
Museo de Arte de Lima Housed in the 19th‑century Palacio de la Exposición, MALI curates Peruvian art from pre‑Hispanic to contemporary. Check hours before you go.
A beautiful mansion housing colonial art—quiet, compact, and good with a Barranco wander.
Drop by Surquillo Market No. 1 to see fruit you’ve never tasted and chat with vendors.
Mix military history with urban art and cafes in a revitalized port‑district enclave.
A pre‑Inca adobe complex rising from Miraflores’ streets; evening lights add drama.
You’ll find block after block dedicated to selling clothes and fabrics. The place is a damned nightmare if you don’t like shopping for clothes, but a veritable paradise if you do. You’ll find everything from small stores selling shoddy replicas of major brands to shopping malls packed with quality items at great prices. It’s not the safest of areas, so go during the day and take only what you need.
Ne it for a civic event such as the anniversary of Lima (January 18) or a major religious parade like the Virgen del Carmen Festival (July) or El Señor de los Milagros (October).
The observatory, which is run by the Peruvian Astronomy Association, includes a modern digital planetarium and an onsite museum. Public presentations currently occur on Sundays at 11:30 am (S/.5 entrance); the museum is located on the Morro Solar in Chorrillos.
Or jog. Or skate. Or cycle. The Malecón is a stretch of paths and parks that runs along the top of the seafront cliffs. There are great views out over the Pacific and along the curving Lima coastline, as well as some notable works of art including the “Intihuatana” sculpture by acclaimed Peruvian artist Fernando De Szyszlo and the popular “El Beso” (“The Kiss”) sculpture by Victor Delfín (located in the Antoni Gaudí-inspired Parque del Amor).
You don’t even need to leave the security of Lima’s upscale districts to see these two truncated pyramids, both of which predate the Incas. Huaca Pucllana is located in the popular tourist district of Miraflores, about nine blocks north of Parque Kennedy (if you’ve got some cash to burn, there’s also a good onsite restaurant). Huaca Huallamarca is located in the wealthy San Isidro district.
Drive or tour across ochre cliffs and fossil‑rich desert meeting the sea; the reserve spans 335,000 hectares and protects 200+ bird species.
If clothes shopping in Gamarra didn’t quench your retail thirst, try the Mercado Central (near barrio chino) and Polvos Azules (La Victoria) for, well, just about anything. For souvenirs (think alpaca items, replica Inca ceramics, paintings, Peruvian silver), try the Mercado Indio (Indian Market) along Avenida Petit Thouars in Miraflores.
The historic center of Lima is dotted with colonial casas, including Casa Aliaga, Casa de la Riva, Casa de Oquendo (Casa de Osambela) and the impressive Torre Tagle Palace. You can visit all of these old homes, but you’ll have to arrange a tour in advance (sometimes easier said than done).
The Plaza de Acho for its architectural and historical significance (and onsite museum). The Plaza was investigated by Ghost Hunters International in “Temple of Doom: Peru” (Season 3, Episode 07); as usual, the team strolled around like a bunch of gasping idiots.
Lima’s Parque de las Leyendas is a reasonably well maintained zoo (especially by South American standards) that highlights animals from the country’s three geographical regions: the coast, highlands and jungle. Parts of the Maranga archaeological complex — an important administrative and ceremonial site of the Lima culture (c. 100 to 650 AD) — are also found on the grounds of the zoo.
Lima’s numerous beaches come alive during the summer months (from December to April). Many of the best beaches are just south of the city off the Panamericana Sur highway, including El Silencio, San Bartolo and Punta Hermosa to name just a few. You’ll find bars, restaurants and clubs dotted along many of the beaches, as well as some upscale resorts.
Palace tours are free but need to be arranged at least a day or two in advance, but you can try to charm your way in without a prior appointment. You can call the palace on 311-3900 or visit the nearby palace tourism office to arrange entry. While you’re at the palace, stick around for the changing of the guard. Arrive at about 11:30 am for the midday change.
Back in the mid-1700s, when pirates and corsairs were harassing the vital port of Callao, construction began on a fortress to secure the port and the cargo that passed through it. The fort still houses about 1,000 Peruvian soldiers, as well as the Peruvian Military History Museum. Foreign nationals can pay S/.15 to join a guided tour through the imposing fortress. Like the Plaza de Acho, Real Felipe Fortress was investigated by Ghost Hunters International in “The Ghost Child of Peru” (Season 1, Episode 015); as usual, the team strolled around like a bunch of gasping idiots.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes to do random things just for the hell of it, head out to Paseo Billinghurst in the Chorrillos district. Here you’ll find a cliff top restaurant called El Salto Del Fraile (The Friar’s Jump). I’ve no idea what the food is like, but that’s not so important. The monk is important, because he jumps off the cliff into the sea below. Awesome (and here’s a video for you). I’m not too sure how often he jumps (it might just be Sundays in the afternoon), but I’ve emailed the restaurant for the schedule (no response yet…). If you are inte
OK, that may be optimistic, but you’ll find casinos dotted all over Lima, giving you the chance to get rich quick (and maybe increase your Peru travel budget) or go broke even quicker.
Lima isn’t well known for scuba diving opportunities, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be found. Popular dive sites include Pucusana (south of Lima) and the Islas Palomino. Perú Divers offers diving lessons, equipment rental and tours.
One of Peru’s best restaurants. Saha is a culinary innovator that foodies flock to from miles around. It incorporates the perfect balance of fresh, delicate flavors with traditional styles of dish and ingredients. A must visit!
OK, so this is one of those “why go to Peru just for that?” things, but a decent cinema can be quite a treat for long-term backpackers. Cinerama “El Pacifico” and the UVK Multicines cinema in Larcomar are both good options in Miraflores.
If you like drinking, dancing, chatting and generally staying up all night, you’ll never be short of opportunities in Lima, be it at a trendy hotspot or a place that most middle class limeños wouldn’t recommend. The best nightlife spots in Lima change all the time, so ask the locals for recommendations.
Yep, Lima is certainly a good place for it, whether you find yourself chowing down on ceviche near Chorrillos marke, sat in an affordable Miraflores eatery like Aventuras Marinas, or paying a little extra in one of Lima’s more famous cevicherias like La Mar, Chez Wong or Pescados
Whatever the weather, you’ll always see a few surfers dotted along Lima’s extensive coastline. Both novices and pros can find a good spot to surf, be it learning at Punta Hermosa or competing with the best at Punta Rocas.
Have some more time? Enjoy an adventure-packed day in Huacachina (just a couple of hours away from Lima) sandboarding down the biggest dunes in South America! There are trips daily departing from Lima. Check out FindLocalTrips for the best operators out there.
Stomachs be damned, there are anticuchos, churros and picarones to be devoured.If you would like to learn about the traditional dishes and get a taste at the local eateries in the Peruvian capital you can check out the options and make a reservation.
Embrace the chaos of combis, colectivos and micros or explore the city using the Metropolitano.
There are plenty of impressive pieces already in place throughout the city, with new works springing up all the time.
Head to the Gran Teatro Nacional (GTN), Peru’s state-of-the-art multipurpose theater. You can see the schedule in PDF form at the Ministry of Culture website (there’s also a GTN Facebook page).
By most accounts a half-assed replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. The controversial statue was a “gift” from outgoing president Alan Garcia, who decided to stick it on a desolate mount adjacent to the Morro Solar hill.
I know, no-one goes all the way to Peru to eat Indian food. But if you’ve been backpacking in Peru or South America for a while, you might be craving a curry (we English crave curry frequently, both at home and abroad). Try Mantra or Guru Kebab & Curry.
