Things to Visit in Lima

Lima's main square since 1535, surrounded by the Government Palace (with a changing of the guard at noon), the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, and the City Hall. The yellow colonial architecture and bronze fountain create a grand setting. Free to walk around. Guided tours of the Cathedral (PEN 10) include the catacombs of San Francisco nearby.

A 17th-century Franciscan monastery with an ornate Baroque church, a library of 25,000 antique texts, and underground catacombs containing the bones of an estimated 70,000 people. The bone-lined tunnels are the highlight and genuinely eerie. Guided tours only (PEN 15, 45 minutes). Located one block from Plaza Mayor.

Lima's main pedestrian avenue connecting Plaza Mayor to Plaza San Martin. Once the most elegant street in the city, it retains some fine colonial and Republican-era buildings alongside modern shops. The Gran Hotel Bolivar on Plaza San Martin was Lima's grandest hotel in the 1920s and its bar still serves a mean Pisco Sour.

Lima's premier art museum in the Parque de la Exposicion, covering 3,000 years of Peruvian art from pre-Columbian textiles and Inca ceramics to contemporary works. The building itself is a beautiful 19th-century exhibition palace. Admission PEN 30. The permanent collection provides excellent context for understanding Peru's rich artistic heritage. Allow 2 hours.

A 10-km walking and cycling path along the dramatic clifftops overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Parque del Amor (Love Park) has a large mosaic sculpture and ocean views. Paragliders launch from the cliffs daily (USD 70-90 for a tandem flight). Sunset over the ocean from the Malecon is Lima's most scenic daily spectacle.

A massive pre-Inca adobe pyramid dating to 500 AD, sitting incongruously in the middle of modern Miraflores. Night tours (PEN 15, Wednesday through Sunday) are especially atmospheric with dramatic lighting. The on-site restaurant is one of Lima's most unique dining settings, with the illuminated pyramid as a backdrop.

An open-air shopping center built into the Miraflores cliffs, with ocean views from most restaurants and shops. The dining options range from ceviche to Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) cuisine. Not the cheapest option but the setting is spectacular. The movie theater with ocean views is a unique experience. Located at the end of Avenida Larco.

Lima has a strong surfing culture with consistent waves year-round. The reef break at La Herradura (Chorrillos) and the beach breaks at Makaha (Miraflores) are popular. Surf schools in Miraflores offer lessons for about USD 30-40. Wetsuits are needed year-round as the Pacific current keeps the water at 15-20°C.

Lima's artistic and bohemian district, with colorful colonial mansions, street art, galleries, and the best nightlife in the city. The Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs), a wooden bridge over a ravine, is the neighborhood's icon. The streets around the bridge have craft bars, live music venues, and restaurants. Barranco comes alive after dark.

A museum dedicated to the work of Mario Testino, the Peruvian fashion and portrait photographer. Housed in a restored 19th-century townhouse. Rotating exhibitions feature Testino's fashion, celebrity, and cultural photography. Admission PEN 30. The building and small garden are beautiful. Located in the heart of Barranco.

Peru's national cocktail is a frothy blend of pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters. Barranco has some of the best bars for trying it. Ayahuasca (in a stunning Art Nouveau mansion), Dedalo, and Hotel B's bar are excellent choices. A pisco sour costs PEN 25-40 at a quality bar. The egg white gives it a distinctive creamy foam.

Lima's ceviche (fresh raw fish cured in lime juice with onion, chili, and corn) is the city's signature dish. La Mar (by Gaston Acurio), El Mercado, and Chez Wong (reservation only, no menu, just whatever fish is freshest) are among the best. Ceviche is traditionally a lunch dish, served before 4 PM. Expect PEN 45-75 for a portion at a quality restaurant.

Lima has two restaurants consistently in the World's 50 Best list: Central (Virgilio Martinez, ranked #1 in 2023) and Maido (Mitsuharu Tsumura, Nikkei cuisine). Both require reservations weeks or months in advance. Tasting menus run USD 120-200 per person. Astrid y Gaston and Kjolle are other excellent choices. Lima's fine dining scene rivals any city on the planet.

Several companies run walking food tours through Surquillo market, Miraflores, and the street food stalls of historic Lima. Tours (USD 40-60, 3-4 hours) typically include 10+ tastings: anticuchos (grilled beef heart), empanadas, lucuma ice cream, causa, and more. Lima Gourmet Company and Haku Tours are well-reviewed. A food tour on day one helps orient your eating for the rest of the trip.

Lima's large Chinese community has created a unique cuisine: chifa, blending Cantonese cooking with Peruvian ingredients. Lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fries) is the most famous dish. The Chinatown area (Barrio Chino) has dozens of chifas. Wa Lok and Chifa Titi are institutions. A full meal costs PEN 30-50 at neighborhood chifas.

An ancient pre-Inca pilgrimage site 30 km south of Lima, with pyramids and temple remains dating back to 200 AD. The Temple of the Sun and the reconstructed Inca Palace are highlights. The on-site museum displays excellent artifacts. Entry PEN 15. Take a taxi or organized tour (USD 30-40). Less crowded than any equivalent site and provides insight into Peru's pre-Inca civilizations.

A boat tour from Callao harbor (30 minutes from Lima center) visits islands inhabited by thousands of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and seabirds. Some tours allow swimming alongside the sea lions. Tours cost PEN 50-80 and last about 3 hours. The smell can be intense near the islands but the wildlife encounters are worth it.

A privately owned pre-Columbian art museum housed in an 18th-century mansion built on a 7th-century pyramid. The collection of gold and silver artifacts is outstanding, and the famous erotic pottery gallery is unique worldwide. The garden restaurant is a lovely lunch spot. Admission PEN 30. Located in Pueblo Libre, about 20 minutes from Miraflores by taxi.