10 hotspots you must visit in Lima
Lima, Peru’s administrative capital, is the gateway city to South America. The city’s touristy Centro and Miraflores districts, as well as Callao in the northwest and Barranco in the south, home to Jorge Chavez International Airport, form a mammoth metropolitan area. The center of the city retains much of its colonial architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cathedral of Lima
Private Full-Day: Lima City Tour, Cathedral, San Francisco Church, Larco Museum
This towering cathedral stands right next to the Plaza de Armas. It was built in 1535, just as Lima was beginning to take shape. It took more than 20 years to build. Today, it’s one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Peru. Over the centuries, it has survived major earthquakes and partial destruction, but it has been constantly renovated to look the way it does today. Inside, you’ll find ornate gilded decorations, carvings, and altarpieces, most notably 14th-century religious paintings and Inca portraits.
Basilica y Convento de San Francisco
Private Full-Day: Lima City Tour, Cathedral, San Francisco Church, Larco Museum
A 17th-century Baroque cathedral in Lima’s Centro. A mixture of convent, prayer hall, library, and catacombs, it is more commonly referred to as a monastery than a cathedral by travelers. While the exterior of the cathedral is ancient, there’s something special hiding in the basement. The eerie catacombs. It was once used as an afterlife resting place for Catholics, and contains more than 75,000 bodies. It’s also said to be the largest underground tomb in the world, and the way the remains have been arranged and organized is a sight to behold.
Plaza de Arms
Lima City in 1 day (Lima’s main highlights)
The Plaza de Armas, also known as the Plaza Mayor, is the center of Lima. This is because it’s centered around important buildings such as the Presidential Palace and Lima City Hall. It’s easy to lose track of time just looking at the various buildings that line the square. When UNESCO declared Lima’s old town a World Heritage Site in 1991, the Plaza de Armas was rebuilt in its center.
Plaza de San Martin
Lima City in 1 day (Lima’s main highlights)
A large plaza south of the Plaza de Armas. In the center stands an equestrian statue of General San Martin, a national hero who is considered the protector of Peru. Together with Simon Bolivar, the “Father of South American Liberation,” he liberated Peru and Chile from Spain. Because of his role in Peru’s independence, Peruvians tend to honor San Martin more than Simon Bolivar. Although it usually serves as a shelter for citizens, it also serves as a stage for various rallies and festivals. The lawn around the statue is a popular photo opportunity.
Museo de Arte de Lima
Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima – MALI
This art museum is located south of Lima’s Centro, or MALI for short. The exhibitions here are divided into permanent and special exhibitions, with the latter featuring big names like Mexico’s Diego Rivera and Colombia’s Fernando Botero. The works of modern and contemporary painters are mostly on display, and there is also a room with artifacts related to the Inca civilization. The museum is characterized by a large number of works from the time of the Spanish invasion.
Parque Central de Miraflores
Visits and Tours to the Historic Center Lima and Miraflores
The Miraflores neighborhood is one of the most visited places in Lima by travelers. With its stable security and well-developed commercial district, this is where most travelers unpack and start their Lima itinerary. Miraflores Park is located at the beginning of the Miraflores district and has a lot of foot traffic. It’s a valuable resting place for travelers and locals alike and often hosts festivals. The park has a variety of food vendors selling churros, chicha, a traditional Peruvian corn drink, and antichurros, which are roasted cow’s heart. A fair number of stray cats live here, which along with the manicured flower gardens make for great photo subjects. There are plenty of bike rental shops around, so you can rent a bike and ride to the beach.
Inka Market
Peruvian Experience: Interactive, Cultural & Gastronomic Guided Tour
A short walk northeast from Miraflores Park, you’ll find a large souvenir shop district. There are several markets with different names, including Inca Market, Mercado Market, and Cusco Market, but they’re usually referred to collectively as Inka Market. You’ll find a variety of souvenirs to tempt travelers, including T-shirts with Machu Picchu or Inca Cola designs, stuffed alpacas, soft llama wool hats, gloves, and other accessories. If you’re traveling to high altitude destinations like Cusco or Arequipa, it’s a good idea to stock up on sweaters, hats, and ponchos. Haggling is a must, as prices are not scouted.
Parque del Amor
Visits and Tours to the Historic Center Lima and Miraflores
At the southern tip of Miraflores, this park sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
In the center is the park’s most famous sculpture, the 12-meter-long, 3-meter-high Kissing Sculpture. The sculpture depicts a man and woman kissing and is set overlooking the Pacific Ocean, creating a romantic atmosphere. It’s a favorite spot for Lima’s young people, and it’s not uncommon to spot couples actually kissing. With your back to the Park of Love, you can see the coastal promenade that runs down the cliffs and the Pacific Ocean behind it. It’s also a popular sunset spot thanks to its westernmost location.
Amor Park reminds us of another place. It”s Park Guell, located in Barcelona, Spain. It“s modeled after Gaudí”s Park Guell, which is why you”ll find architecture throughout the park that mimics his work.
Mirador de San Cristobal
Twenty minutes from the Plaza de Armas is the San Cristobal Observatory. Peru was once ruled by Spain. After building Ciudad de Los Reyes (today’s Lima), the Spanish erected a cross on San Cristobal Hill, which is where the Mirador de San Cristobal stands. The observatory is located on top of the hill and offers views of downtown Lima and the Pacific Ocean.
Barranco District
Pachacamac Sanctuary and Barranco District
This neighborhood has developed rapidly in recent years and is located south of Miraflores. It’s centered around the Plaza de la Barranco, where you’ll find high-end restaurants and cafes, banks, museums, and more.
The promenade along the beach is covered in high-quality graffiti, and hippies huddle together to sell shoddy accessories or play improvised music for travelers. Artists abound and there’s plenty to see.
The square is also home to several top-notch museums, including the Electricity Museum, MATE Museum of Contemporary Art, and Pedro de Osama Museum, as well as many unique restaurants.
