While you may be seduced to gust right through the Peruvian capital, I’m here to show you that there are numerous things to do in Lima to warrant sticking around for a while!
One place that seems to be on everyone’s bucket list these days is Machu Picchu. The ancient metropolitan of the Incas is one of the brand-new Seven Wonders of the World and is probably the most popular destination in all of South America.
In order to get to Machu Picchu, though, opportunities are you’ll have to pass through Lima.
Exploring the historic centre, paragliding high-pitched above the coast, feasting on Peruvian cuisine, dancing all nighttime in a conceal forbid. These are just a few of the many awesome things to do in Lima.
Read on for an in-depth look at all that Peru’s capital has to offer.
Wondering what to do in Lima during your excursion? Here’s my schedule of 21 things you won’t want to miss!
1. Take a Free Walking Tour( what to do in Lima when you two are arrive)
There’s no better space to get to know a city than by exploring it on your own two feet. It’s even better when you can do so with a regional guide and a group of like-minded travellers. The real icing on the cake, though, is when the tour is totally free!
Joining a free walking tour is definitely one of the best things to do in Lima, and it’s the excellent situate to begin your expedition in the Peruvian capital. While there are quite a few groups ranging expeditions these days, the original free walking tour is with Inkan Milky way system.
These safaruss last a few hours and cover part of the highlights of Lima’s famed Historic Centre. All the while, you’ll learn about the history and culture of Lima from your template, who will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Be sure to ask for some recommendations on the best places to eat, browse, and drinking while you can!
Tours operate from Monday-Saturday at both 11 AM and 3PM starting at La Merced Church. For the earlier tour, a usher will even pleased to meet you in Miraflores at 10:00 to help you navigate the public transportation to get to the city centre.
While the safarus itself is indeed free, they control only on your tips. If you enjoy the expedition, be sure to tip your usher. How much you tip-off is absolutely up to you, but I feel like around 20 -3 0 soles ($ 7-10) per person is fair considering what you get out of it.
Looking for a more “official” walking tour in Lima? Check out this highly-rated” City Highlights Small-Group Tour“, which makes you around Lima( 9:00, 9:15 or 2:30 ). The tour includes a pick up from your hotel, entrance fees and guide.
See Also: Why You Can’t Miss The Free Walking Tour in Medellin
2. Explore the Plaza de Armas
While you’ll walk through the Plaza de Armas on the free expedition, you don’t have a whole lot of time to take it all in. As such, you’ll want to go back there on your own at some level for further exploration.
Also known as the Plaza Mayor, this was the birthplace of Lima when the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city in 1535. As per the order of King Charles I of Spain, the city was centred on a square-shaped plaza.
The Plaza de Armas is surrounded by important historical and cultural landmarks, such as the Lima Cathedral and Government Palace. It’s a beautiful tree-lined plaza with a fountain in the middle and a great spot to relax for a while.
The cathedral has a spectacular exterior, but you’ll need to go inside to truly appreciate it. It’s free to enroll to a certain point, but you’ll need 10 soles( about$ 3) to go further inside and see the museum full of religious prowes.
As for the Government Palace, it’s the official residence of the Peruvian president. Tours are free, but you’ll have to arrange them ahead of time by calling the position at +51 -( 0) 1-311-3908.
If you don’t get on a safarus, at least be sure to catch the daily changing of the protector rite at noon. Those who do the early free walking tour will be able to see it.
For directions to the Plaza de Armas, click here.
3. Visit the Catacombs in San Francisco Church
One of the most popular( and eerie) things to do in Lima is taking a tour of the catacombs under the San Francisco Church. This beautiful Spanish Baroque church was built in the late 1600′ s and is probably the best-preserved in all of Lima.
In addition to the church, there’s an adjoining monastery with a very impressive collection of ancient religious texts. Most travellers don’t come here to read, though. They come to head underground to see the catacombs.
This was the original cemetery in Lima, and it’s estimated that up to 75,000 beings were buried here. Many of Lima’s prosperous privileged chose to be buried here due to the belief that doing so would leave them closer to God.
In an effort to offset visiting the catacombs less fright for tourists, the bones have been arranged in artistic motifs. I still think it’s a bit creepy, but it’s an important part of the city’s history and worth a visit unless you’re incredibly claustrophobic.
The Church of San Francisco is open daily from 9AM-5PM. The religiou is free to visit, but you’ll need to join a safarus to tour the catacombs for 6 soles ($ 2 ). You are able to obtain attitudes to the church here.
See Also: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Colombia
4. Tour the Aliaga House
Back when Pizarro founded the city in 1535, he committed a plot of land near his palace to one of his relied allies, Jeronimo de Aliaga. Aliaga improved a dwelling there, and it still stands to this very day. Obviously, there have been various renovations to the house over the years.
Not exclusively is the home as aged as Lima itself, but it’s the oldest house in the Americas to be continuously occupied by the same family. His successors still live on the owned in a modern backstage, and the mansion is now a museum.
Inside the house, you’ll investigate a very impressive collection of Peruvian art and artifacts. Calling the Casa Aliaga is definitely one of the top things to do in Lima Peru.
Tours of members of this house need to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance by cry +51 -( 0) 1-619-6900 or sending an e-mail to reservas @casadealiaga. com. They’re not inexpensive( about $40 per person ), but they’re well worth it if you’re interested in art and history. You knows where to find the Aliaga House on the delineate here.
5. Sample Peruvian Cuisine( one of the top things to do in Peru !)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Peruvian cuisine is the best in all of South America. Your taste buds are in for a real treat when you travel to the Peruvian capital!
Thanks to its long multicultural history, Peruvian cuisine has fused smells from many corners of the globe using neighbourhood ingredients. From the Spanish conquistadors to Chinese immigrants, there have been many different influences on Peruvian cuisine over the centuries.
Eating your route around the city is a major foreground of a inspect to Lima. If you’re not sure what to do in Lima, run sit down in a regional diner and program your daytime as you experience a marvelous meal.
Perhaps the most famous dish in Peru is ceviche. This food of raw fish marinated in lime liquid is so important in Peru that it even got its own holiday. That’s right, Peru celebrates National Ceviche Day every year on June 28 th! Eating a fresh illustration of ceviche is definitely one of the tastiest things to do in Lima.
In addition to ceviche, other must-try saucers include lomo saltado( stir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and French fries ), aji de gallina( a spicy chicken stew ), and Chifa( Peruvian-Chinese meat ).
6. Take in the Views from San Cristobal Hill
If you’d like to admire the Centro Historico from above, be sure to include a trip up to San Cristobal Hill to your Lima itinerary. At 400 metres above sea level, this is the highest natural target in the city.
The hill is hero-worship as an apu- a ridge deity that protects the city. As they tended to do, the Spanish conquistadors foisted their beliefs on the indigenous people by plant a cross here.
People still make offerings to the mountains, and a massive pilgrimage of Christians comes here during Semana Santa.
While you may be dared to hike up the hill, that is ill-advised. This isn’t the safest part of Lima, so it’s not the right place to be walking around on your own.
The best road to get up the hill is by catching the bus in the Plaza de Armas. It expenses 10 soles ($ 3) round-trip and gives you enough time to enjoy the views and take photos.
San Cristobal Hill is located exactly northeast of the Plaza de Armas, on the other side of the Rimac River. You can check its point on the map here.
See Also: Best Things To See and Do In( And Around) Mendoza
7. Hang Out in the Cat Park
If you’re a cat-lover, then you’ll emphatically want to check out Parque Kennedy while in Lima. While the park is actually reputation after John F. Kennedy, numerous people simply refer to it as the Cat Park these days.
Nobody is quite sure where they came from, but the park is home to well over 100 stray cats. One common conjecture is the fact that it started when a few “cat-o-nine-tails” flee from a religiou where they were being used to catch mice.
Here kitty, kitty, kitten! | Photo by Sasha Savinov
However they got there, the famed felines have made themselves quite comfortable in the ballpark. While countless tenants deride them( some have even been poisoned ), there is thankfully a great non-profit now that feeds the “cat-o-nine-tails”, spays and neuters them, and assistances find a residence for them.
Parque Kennedy is located right in the heart of the Miraflores district of Lima, which is basically backpacker primary. The authorities have various hostels around the park, making this a very popular place to stay. You can find the exact location of the common here.
See Also: A Guide to Valparaiso- Chile’s Colourful Street Art City
8. Stroll or Bike Along the Malecon
Lima is known as the Garden City, and that’s thanks in massive persona to the beautiful, cliffside Malecon. It strains for various kilometers high above the Pacific Ocean in Miraflores and contains several different parks.
Taking a foot or going a bicycle along the Malecon is easily one of “the worlds largest” recreation things to do in Lima. The opinions of Lima’s Costa Verde( Green Coast) off to the side are incredible, and there’s a lot to see and do along the way.
One of the highlights of strolling the Malecon is the Parque del Amor( Park of Love ). Here you’ll find the huge sculpture called El Beso( The Kiss ), which outlines the master smooching his wife. You’ll too find many young Peruvian pairs re-enacting the representation themselves.
For an easy, informative and amusing bike tour of the city, check out this tour, which takes you around Miraflores and Barranco.
9. Go Paragliding( one of the more intrepid things to do in Lima)
For adrenaline junkies wondering what to do in Lima, the choice is easy — go paragliding! Thanks to the tall faces and strong gales that prevail in Lima, this is the perfect spot for it.
Just north of the aforementioned Park of Love, you can sign up for a quick flight above the Malecon and the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard to beat the views from this vantage point, that’s sure as shooting!
You don’t need to sign up for paragliding in advance. Really is an indication, pay the fee( about $75 per person ), and signal all the necessary documents. You’ll also get the video and photos from the flight so you can show off on social media later.
While it’s very safe, make sure you’ve got travel insurance before prancing off a cliff in Peru!
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10. Beach Hopping and Surfing
While they aren’t exactly the nicest beaches in the world, it’s still fun to stumble la playa when you’re crossing in Lima. Doing so is quite easy, as all you need to do is walk down the stairs from the Malecon to access Playa Waikiki.
The beaches are rocky and the sea can be downright frigid, but that doesn’t stop people from plucking up a easy chair, cracking a cerveza, and enjoying the views of the ocean. Lima’s seas are always bustling during the busy summer months of December-April.
For those who need a bit more excitement than a deck chair, surfing is something of the most popular things to do in Lima Peru. While you’ll need to travel 1-2 hours outside of the city to find the really good coasts and executioner wavings, the beaches in Miraflores and Barranco will have to do if you’re short on time.
You can find committees for hire and sign on for world-class in Miraflores at Pukana Surf School. They have categories 365 dates a year every two hours from 6AM-4PM. Group exercises start at just $20. If you exactly need members of the board and a wetsuit, it’s $10/ hour to rent both. Check them out on the map here.
SEE ALSO: Reflections and Highlights- Our Two Month Trip in Peru and Ecuador
11. Shop and Dine at Larcomar
Normally, I wouldn’t dare placed a shopping mall in a hurtle usher. Precisely ask my wife, and she’ll be quick to tell you how much I dislike going to see malls. That tell me anything, the Larcomar mall is pretty freaking cool and deserves its spot on such lists of things to do in Lima.
Their claim to glory is being the only shopping mall built into a cliff. How cool is that ?! Thanks to this offbeat orientation, there are some incredible notions from this open-air mall.
Inside Larcomar, you’ll find 17 eateries and over 70 patronizes, so there’s plenty to do here to keep you occupied. When we stayed in Lima in December, I even got my draw taken with Papa Noel( Santa Claus) here!
When you’re out exploring the Malecon, it’s definitely worth it to drop by Larcomar simply to check the place out. It’s a speedy move here from the centre of Miraflores. It’s open from 10 AM-1 0PM every day and can be found here.
12. Ancient Ruins in the Modern City
While more and more high-rises are going up in Lima, the city still does a good job of prolonging its past. There’s no better sample of that than the ancient ruinings of Huaca Pucllana, which are located right in the heart of Miraflores.
Constructed back in the 5th century during the time of a civilization known as the Lima Culture, Huaca Pucllana is a sacred, 7-tiered temple made of adobe. It was built for the elite clergymen who were in charge to show their official and control over the natural resources of the area.
A visit to Huaca Pucllana only expenses 6 soles ($ 2) and includes a guided tour, which loped very often in both Spanish and English. It’s not going to knock your socks off like Machu Picchu, but it’s a good warm-up for those manager on to the ancient city of the Incas.
The ruins are open from Wednesday to Monday from 9AM to 5PM. You’ll have to got to get by 4:15 or so to make sure you get on a tour. Another alternative is visiting at night to eat at the restaurant on site. The synagogue is lighted up, making for a very special dining experience. You can find counselings to Huaca Pucllana here.
See Also: Travelling Salta- A Culture Rich Region of Argentina
13. Check Out the Larco Museum
If you don’t know what to do in Lima on a foggy, drizzly period( there are many of them ), simply front to the Larco Museum. Housed in a onetime manor and full of thousands of pre-Columbian artifacts, this is definitely the most impressive museum in the city.
There are a few things about the Larco Museum that make it stand out. For one, “its one” of the first museums in the world to actually open up its storerooms. You can peruse tens of thousands of ancient ceramics that aren’t on display in the museum.
What most people know the Larco Museum for, though, is its vast collection of sexual ceramic artistry. The Spanish were shocked when they found it, but you’ll probably just giggle at experience the Kama Sutra in clay.
The Larco Museum is open every day of the year from 9AM to 10PM. An admission ticket overheads 30 soles ($ 10 ), and you can also sign up for guided tours in Spanish or English. Get tacks by thoughts here.
14. Study Spanish
Many travellers begin an extended excursion around South America in Lima, as the city has huge flight options from North America and Europe. If you’re going to be expend some time in this part of the world, it’s well worth taking the time to pick up some espanol.
While it’s totally probable to get by in Peru with just English and body language, you’ll have a much more enjoyable and honoring suffer if you can interact with people in Spanish. Thankfully, you’ve got various preferences for Spanish instructions in the Peruvian capital.
A majority of the Spanish class are centred around Miraflores, which is convenient since it’s also the biggest tourist hub. You can sign up for anything from a few cases hours of private readings up to intense radical classes that congregate five days a week for a few months or more. If you want to stay in Peru longer, signing up for Spanish readings is the best and easiest way to handle the visa situation.
I can personally recommend El Tulipan, as I took grades there for a few weeks during our month-long stay in Lima. It’s only 165 soles( about $50) for six hours of small-minded group exercises a week, which buds you plenty of time to explore the city. Contact them in advance or merely drop in to talk to them about signing up.
See Also: Exploring El Chalten- Argentina’s Trekking Capital
15. Search for Street Art
I don’t know about you, but I perfectly adore searching out street artwork when I circulate. Museums are great and all, but it’s nice to get your art fix outside of a stuffy chamber with uppity wards following you around.
Street art devotees are in for a real treat in the Peruvian capital. Since it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and all, the local government emphatically frowns upon graffiti in the historic centre. That tell me anything, there are some hidden pearls if you poke around for a while there and get away from the Plaza de Armas and all its protected landmarks.
So much cool street artistry in Lima! | Photo by Sasha Savinov
Without a indecision, the best place to search for street art in Lima is Barranco. How accessible it is, then, that Barranco just so happens to be the next item up on our register of the best things to do in Lima!
16. Visit Barranco- Lima’s Hippest’ Hood
Long a favourite of Lima’s arts community, Barranco is gaining ground among travellers as a popular alternative to its more swank and upscale neighbor of Miraflores. Even if you don’t stay there, you should definitely make some time to go explore this nonconformist enclave.
Barranco was originally built up as a beach end for well-to-do Limenos, a fact that is shaped noticeable by the countless palm trees that strand the streets along with pastel-colored mansions. These periods, it describes in puzzled travellers in search of a more laid-back, artsy vibe.
There’s plenty to see and do in Barranco to keep you busy for a while. In addition to all the street art, the panoramic plaza, and the remarkable building, the area is home to plenty of distinct patronizes, restaurants, cafes, and forbids. Plus, if you’re a Digital Nomad planning to get caught up on work while in the city, there are some awesome co-working openings in this neighbourhood.
Also, make sure you take part in the local legend by nursing your breather as you cross the Puente de los Suspiros( Bridge of Sighs ). Make a choose and make it across the bridge successfully, and it will come true!
While Barranco is easy enough to visit on your own, I recommend signing up for the daily free walking tour instead. They run at both 11 AM and 4PM, so make your collect.
17. Drink Pisco Sours
You know that old saying ” When in Rome …”? Well, in Rome you drink wine, and in Lima you imbibe pisco. This high-proof spirit is made by distilling fermented grape liquid, and it’s definitely the guzzle of pick in Peru.
Seeing as the acclaimed cocktail actually originated here, one of the top things to do in Lima is definitely trying a Pisco Sour( or three ). This amazing drink is made by mixing pisco with lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, sparkler, and Angostura bitters.
Peru passions Pisco Sours so much better that they have a national holiday for them! The first Saturday of February is celebrated as Dia del Pisco Sour. Salud!
I was a bit hesitant because of the egg white, but telling you — after a few swallows, this became my brand-new beloved cocktail. It really is a fine beverage, peculiarly when working together with a nice illustration of ceviche. Forget wine and cheese, I’d much rather go with Pisco Sours and ceviche.
18. Learn About Peruvian History
While you’re in the capital city of Peru, you might as well learn something about the country’s history. There’s no better place to do that than the city’s Natural History Museum.
Just last year, the Natural History Museum of Lima celebrated its 100 th remembrance. There are several different exhibitions now, with some of the highlights including the skeleton of a seman whale and fogies of giant ground sloths.
One great thing about this museum is that they’re open every day of the week, exactly with various hours. It’s open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM-5: 15 PM, 9-4: 30 on Saturday, and 10 -4: 30 on Sunday. You knows where to find it on the delineate here.
There are several other immense museums importance checking out to learn a bit about the history of Peru. You can also visit the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History and the Museum of the Nation, for example.
19. See the Magic Water Circuit
Without a mistrust, one of the coolest things to do in Lima Peru is viewing the Magic Water Circuit in the evening. It really is a magical establish, with various fountains, music, and spate of laser lights.
Located inside the Parque de la Reserva, this actually spawned it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest water fountain complex. There are 13 different fountains that are all crystallized at night, making for quite the spectacle.
While it’s fun precisely wandering the common and checking out all the fountains, you’ll want to make sure to occasion your see to see the special show with Peruvian ethnic music. The register duration are 07:15, 08:15, and 09.30 PM.
The park is right next to the National Stadium and is accessible by the Metropolitano bus. You can find it on the planned and get tendencies here.
If you’d rather join a expedition and not have to figure out the logistics of transport, click here for a tour that includes a navigate, transportation, and entrance fees. Or, if you’d like to make a night out of it, check out this tour which includes delivery, template, entrance fees, dinner, and a dance performance.
20. Dance All Night
People in Lima emphatically know how to have a good time. No matter what night of the week it is, there’s something amusing going on in this bustling city of 10 million. Indulging in the nightlife a must when tripping to the Peruvian capital.
There’s something for everyone when it comes to nightlife in Lima. You can find craft breweries, dive disallows, classy cocktail joints, music venues, posh fraternities, and more. To really know-how a darknes out in Lima the regional nature, though, you’ll want to find one of the city’s penas.
Penas are small, often obscured barrooms where the party revolves around Peruvian criollo music, lots of dancing, and plenty of Pisco. It doesn’t even have to be in an actual disallow, as some of them control out of people’s living rooms. These are the kinds of places where the tables get propagandized out-of-the-way after a few cases lyrics so that everyone can bust a move.
For the uninitiated, these can be hard to find and perhaps a bit awkward to try to attend. Your best bet is heading to Don Porfirio in Barranco, which is only open on Friday nights. You’ll have to wait in line and remunerate a cover charge of 25 soles ($ 8), but it includes a Pisco Sour and is well worth it! Find Don Porfirio on the planned here.
21. Take a Day Trip
Once you’ve gotten your pack of all the awesome things to do in Lima, it’s time to set out to see more of this amazing country. Rather than fly straight to Cusco for your Machu Picchu excursion, why not take it slow and suffer some of the bordering areas of Lima?
A few of the nearby must-visit recognises include the breaks of Pachacamac( 1 hour away ), Palomino Islands( unearthed simply off the coast at Callao ), the fisheries industry village of Pucusana( one hour’ ish away) and the sea end of Punta Negra( 1 hour away ).
Don’t miss experiencing penguins, sailing and swimming with sealions! Check out the tour of Palomino Islands here, and for an awesome day trip to Pachacamac, click here.
There are many more sights that are a bit further away, but it’s best to visit them and expend the light, rather than trying to do a day trip from Lima.
Now You Know What To Do in Lima!
While numerous skip out on Lima in favour of heading straight-shooting to Cusco, hopefully by now you can see that the city is worth at least a few daytimes on your trip-up to Peru.
With a solid game plan and a bit of motivation, you can cross off plenty of these great things to do in Lima in just a weekend.
Just think about the diversity of pleasures on offer in the City of Kings. In one day, you can visit ancient devastates, go paragliding above the ocean, identify a magical water fountain show, chew some of the best food you’ve ever had, launder it all down with a few cases Pisco Sours, and dance until the wee hours of the morning. Welcome to Lima, amigos!
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