This list of the best places to visit in Lima It will help you prepare your itineraries for one of the most charming cities in South America, which we are sure, will end up stealing your heart.
In the old town of the capital of Peru, a World Heritage Site and that revolves around the Plaza de Armas, colonial architecture, ruins of ancient civilizations and more modern buildings are mixed, being also one of the most frequented places by tourists They visit the city.
In addition to these architectural jewels, the city has a privileged position on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, with several beaches that are perfect for surfing and relaxing on hot days and if you add to all this Peruvian cuisine, located among the best in the world , make this city a must for every traveler who visits the country.
Being the gateway to Peru we recommend spending in Lima between one or two days at the beginning of the trip and in this way begin to acclimatize yourself in the best way to the country and its magnificent people.
Based on the experience of the days we spent in the city during our trip to Peru for free, we have made this list of what we believe are the 10 essential places to see in Lima. We start!
1. Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of the historic center and in the same place where in 1535 the conqueror Francisco Pizarro founded the city, is one of the most important places to visit in Lima.
Surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the city such as the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace and the Church of the Tabernacle, this spacious square is also a good meeting point for tourists and locals around a beautiful fountain, Being the most famous and crowded place in the city.
To get to the Plaza de Armas or move around the most touristic points of the city we recommend you get on the buses that do not exceed 2 soles (half a euro) per trip and if you prefer comfort you can take a taxi, which is usually much more expensive.
A good way to know the history of this square and the main attractions of the city is to book this free tour of Lima Free! or this full tour with tickets, both with guide in Spanish.
Main Square
2. Park of Love
Walking at sunset through the Parque del Amor located in the famous neighborhood of Miraflores, is one of the best things to do in Lima. Inaugurated on Valentine's Day in 1993, in honor of the lovers, this is the perfect place to walk and sit on their benches, made with colored mosaics that remind us of Park Güell in Barcelona, while you read the different phrases of poets dedicated to love. In the park there is also the famous sculpture "The kiss", by the Peruvian sculptor Victor Delfín, and a heart-shaped flower garden.
Although it can be visited at any time of the day, our recommendation is to approach you when the sunset begins and the views of the Pacific Ocean are unforgettable.
Love Park
3. Huaca Pullcana
Huaca Pullcana, an archaeological zone belonging to a pre-Inca civilization that existed from 200 to 700 AD. C., is another one of the essential places to see in Lima.
Abandoned for centuries, these ruins were not recovered until 1967 to turn them, after years of restoration, into another of the great tourist attractions to visit in Lima, which we recommend you to visit.
The archaeological complex has a pyramidal shape reaching a maximum height of 25 meters and is composed of a set of squares, courtyards and structures belonging to the Lima culture. We recommend you climb to the highest area of the 7-story pyramid, built with mud bricks, from where you can enjoy curious views of the ruins surrounded by modern buildings.
To get to Huaca Pullcana you can take a taxi for about 25 soles from Plaza de Armas or book the Lima tourist bus that stops at all points of interest in the city and has comments recorded in Spanish.
A good option to try the most modern Peruvian food overlooking the archaeological site is to dine at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant.
Visiting hours: from Wednesday to Monday from 9am to 5pm and from 7pm to 10pm.
Huaca Pullcana
Our recommended hotel in LimaOur recommended accommodation in Lima is the Casa Andina Standard Miraflores Centro, located in the center of the Miraflores neighborhood and 15 minutes walk from the Parque del Amor. In addition to its excellent location, this hotel stands out for the friendliness of the staff, a good buffet breakfast, 24 hour reception and one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.
4. Barrio de Barranco
Barranco, former fishing village, is the bohemian neighborhood and our favorite neighborhood to visit in Lima.
Although it is best to wander aimlessly, it is worth traveling along San Martín Avenue surrounded by residential buildings, art galleries and hotels, to the charming Barranco square and not forgetting another one of the best things to do in Lima and in this neighborhood: look for the fantastic murals that fill its streets and squares with urban art.
Do not forget to make a wish while crossing without breathing the Bridge of Sighs, a wooden bridge of the nineteenth century, and approach the boardwalk to enjoy fantastic views of the sea.
We recommend going at sunset since this is one of the safest neighborhoods with the best offer of good restaurants such as the Ayahuasca Resto Bar to try some of the star dishes of Peruvian cuisine such as ceviche and end up in a bar taking a last pisco sour
To learn more about the history and anecdotes of this neighborhood you can book this free tour of Barranco Free! or this one that includes the neighborhood of Callao, both with guide in Spanish.
Barranco neighborhood
5. Catedral, one of the places to visit in Lima
The Cathedral Basilica of Lima, located on one side of the Plaza de Armas, is the religious temple more important than visiting in Lima and Peru. The exterior presents several styles in which the Renaissance of the facade stands out with plateresque details, and the neoclassical of its towers and we assure you that the interior is even more spectacular, with a roof in which a starry sky is recreated and the Renaissance, neoclassical and baroque styles in decoration. There are also 13 beautiful chapels full of details, the impressive Sillería del Coro and the Crypt of Francisco Pizarro, the founder of Lima.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cathedral, one of the places to visit in Lima
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
6. Miraflores
In addition to the Parque del Amor and the ruins of Huana Pullcana, the Miraflores neighborhood has other tourist attractions to see in Lima such as the Malecon or the Larcomar.
The 5-kilometer walk is done along the Miraflores boardwalk, located on a cliff above the well-known Costa Verde and has fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. You can start the tour in the northern part where the section of the Malecon de la Marina and a Lighthouse is located, from where you get the best perspectives and stop in its beautiful parks until you reach Larcomar, the most famous shopping center in the city.
During the trip some places will offer you a paragliding flight along the coast of Lima, without a doubt, another of the best things to do in Lima although if you discard the paraglider, another fun way to see Lima is to book this bike tour with a guide in Spanish that passes through the neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco.
Miraflores
7. San Francisco Monastery
Another of the places to visit in Lima What impressed us most was the San Francisco Monastery, located near the Plaza de Armas. Very famous for its catacombs and its incredible library, where thousands of ancient texts can be admired, some from the time of the Spanish conquest this monastery also has a basilica where the main altar of neoclassical style stands out, the sacristy, the chapter room and the cloister. It is also known for its huge catacombs where some 70,000 bodies rest, some of them in crypts full of bones that have even been placed "with decorative sense".
Another of the most beautiful churches in the historic center is La Recoleta, which has a beautiful blue facade.
Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm.
San Francisco Monastery
8. Magic Water Circuit
Another of the best things to do in Lima is to see night show of lights and water of the Magic Water Circuit or Reserve Park.
Located in the south of the old town, this park opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. so that 13 sources launch water jets fully synchronized with light bulbs of different colors.
To get to the park, especially if it is night, we recommend taking a taxi before a bus or the metropolitan bus, for security reasons. Another more comfortable option is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish that includes hotel pick-up and admission.
Show schedule: 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
9. San Martin Square
Surely, during any walk through the old town you will pass through San Martin Square, one of the places to visit in Lima with more atmosphere. Once you arrive at this square you will find yourself surrounded by historic buildings such as the Teatro Colón, the Giacoletti building and the Gran Hotel Bolívar and in the center of the square the statue in honor of General San Martín, manager of the independence of Peru.
To get to this square we recommend you to walk along the Jiron de la Unión street, one of the most commercial in the city, which leaves from the Plaza de Armas.
Plaza de San Martín, one of the places to see in Lima
10. Excursions in Lima
After completing complete the list of places to visit in Lima And if you have extra time, we advise you to make an excursion to some of the wonders that you visit in Peru, which are closer to the capital.
Among the day trips we recommend for travelers visiting the city are:
Nazca Lines
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to visit in Lima, add yours in the comments.
