What to See in Lima: A Quick Overview 

Explore Lima’s Historic Center

• Location: About 1 hour from the district of Miraflores, the city’s main hotel area.

Visiting its Historic Center is one of the best things to do in Lima. Its Plaza Mayor, also known as the Plaza de Armas, is the city’s main square. It was laid out around 1535, at the time of Lima’s foundation, and it remains the heart of the capital today. Several important historic buildings surround the square, including the Government Palace, the Municipal Palace, Lima Cathedral, and Torre Tagle Palace. Its colonial streets follow a grid layout, a legacy of Spanish urban planning, and are lined with beautiful mansions inspired by French and Spanish Renaissance styles. Some of the best-known streets include Jirón de la Unión, Jirón Carabaya, Jirón Conde de Superunda, and Jirón Junín.

You can also visit the old Desamparados station, now home to the House of Peruvian Literature, located behind the Government Palace. 

A trip to Lima would not be complete without visiting its Historic Center. It is a great place to take photos and get a first feel for the city.

Walk Along the Miraflores Boardwalk

• Location: About 20 minutes from most places in Miraflores. Malecón de la Reserva 275.

Without a doubt, Miraflores is one of the best things to see in Lima. The district is home to many of the city’s 3, 4, and 5-star hotels and is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in the Peruvian capital. Walking along its scenic cliffs is one of the best ways to enjoy Peru’s coast and take in some of the best sunset views over the ocean. This seaside promenade runs along a high cliff facing the Pacific and offers five miles of walking paths and bike lanes. Along the way, you will also find plenty of excellent cafés and restaurants. 

The paths also lead you to the Parque del Amor (Love park), a romantic park decorated with love poems written on colorful mosaics. Here, you will see families walking, people jogging, paragliders flying over the coast, and travelers enjoying the view. You can easily spend the day strolling by the ocean, tasting authentic Peruvian food, and watching a beautiful sunset over the sea. Without a doubt, it is one of the best things to do in Lima.

Discover Barranco district

• Pedro de Osma Museum location:  Av. Pedro de Osma 421. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you enjoy exploring artistic and bohemian neighborhoods, you will love Barranco. This district has a unique street art scene, from graffiti to realistic murals. It also has a lively cultural atmosphere, active nightlife, delicious food, colorful buildings, and plenty of photogenic, trendy places to spend time. 

Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) is its most popular attraction. According to local legend, if you make a wish and hold your breath while crossing the bridge, it will come true!

The Bajada de los Baños (Descent of the Baths) is a charming cobblestone path that runs below the bridge and leads down toward the Pacific Ocean. The walkway is surrounded by old Republican-style mansions, lush greenery, and colorful urban murals. Along the way, you will find small bars, cafés, and restaurants with terraces that are perfect for taking a break.

The Pedro de Osma Museum is a must-visit for history and art lovers. It is housed in a beautiful French-style mansion from the early 20th century and displays an exceptional collection of paintings, sculptures, silverwork, and furniture from Peru’s colonial period.

Visit the Magic Water Circuit

• Location: Inside Parque de la Reserva. Jirón Madre de Dios S/N, Lima 15046.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Entrance fee: Adults: 5 soles. Seniors: 2.5 soles. Children under 5: free.

The Magic Water Circuit in Lima is a perfect plan if you are traveling with kids and want to end the day with something fun, beautiful, and easy to enjoy. The park has illuminated fountains, water tunnels, music, and wide open spaces where children can walk, play, and be surprised by each water jet.

When night falls, the colorful lights and water fountains come together, turning the place into a very special stop for the whole family. You do not need to walk too much or plan anything complicated: just arrive, take a relaxed stroll, and enjoy the show.

If you are looking for the best things to do in Lima Peru with kids, this circuit is one of the top choices thanks to its family-friendly atmosphere, beautiful photo spots, and that touch of magic that both children and adults love.

Explore the San Francisco Catacombs

• Location: Inside the San Francisco Convent. Jirón Ancash, Lima 15001.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Entrance fee: Adults 20 soles. Children 5 soles. Students: 10 soles. 

This convent is unlike most other religious buildings you may have visited. First of all, it is known for the catacombs beneath it, which are believed to hold around 70,000 human remains. During the colonial period, people believed that being buried on holy ground, close to churches, would bring them closer to God. As the city grew and the land around the San Francisco Convent filled up, a new cemetery had to be opened: today’s Presbítero Maestro Cemetery.

If you are looking for something less intense, the convent also has an incredible library with around 25,000 old texts, some of them from the pre-colonial period. Its many paintings and beautiful architecture are also worth taking the time to appreciate, as they are part of the remarkable history of this place. Do not miss the chance to walk through a building that once played an important role in Lima’s cultural life.

Eat Ceviche

• Our recommendation: La Mar restaurant.
• Location: Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores 15074.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

When thinking about what to do in Lima Peru, tasting a plate of Ceviche should definitely be on your list. Peru is famous for its food, and Lima even more so, often called the food capital of South America. Ceviche is its signature dish. It is made with raw fish “cooked” in citrus juice, usually lime, and served with fresh ingredients such as lettuce, sweet potato, corn, chili peppers, and rocoto. 

Ceviche is so loved in Peru that the government created National Ceviche Day, celebrated every June 28. In Lima, you can find Ceviche in many places: restaurants, huariques, small and often hidden local spots known for excellent food, local markets, street stalls, and cevicherías, which are restaurants specialized in this seafood dish.

Whether or not you are a big fan of fish, trying Peruvian Ceviche at least once is one of the best ways to taste Lima and its history.

Drink a Pisco Sour

• Our pick: Gran Hotel Bolívar.
• Location: Jr. de la Unión 958, Lima 15001.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours.

The Pisco Sour is one of Peru’s most popular cocktails. It is made with pisco, a fine local grape brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and Angostura bitters. The ingredients are shaken well in a cocktail shaker or blended, then traditionally served with a few drops of Angostura bitters on top to add aroma to the white foam. Fresh, balanced, and lightly sweet, it has become Peru’s signature drink. 

You can find a Pisco Sour in most restaurants and bars in Lima; it is just a matter of finding your favorite. But if you want our recommendation, the Gran Hotel Bolívar should be on your list. This hotel is famous for serving the “Pisco Sour Catedral,” a larger version that became popular among intellectuals, artists, and international celebrities throughout the 20th century.

Visit Huaca Pucllana

• Location: Calle General Borgoño, block 8, Miraflores 15074.
• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Tuesday.
• Entrance fee: Adults: 15 soles. Children from 5 to 12 years old: 7.5 soles. Adults - night: 17 soles. Children from 5 to 12 years old - night: 8.5 soles.

On our list of what to do in Lima Peru, visiting Huaca Pucllana is in our top 3. Located in this popular tourist district, Huaca Pucllana is a unique pyramid with seven stepped levels. It was built around 500 A.D. and was brought back into public view around 1981 by Peruvian archaeologist Isabel Flores Espinoza. This huaca was once an important ceremonial center for the pre-Inca Lima culture (200–700 A.D.). 

You will see benches and deep pits where ceremonies, sacrifices, and offerings once took place. Other areas include mud and adobe structures that show the site’s administrative section. This pre-Inca monument offers a fascinating look at Lima’s ancient past. 

Next to the site, there is a well-known Peruvian restaurant with the same name, “Huaca Pucllana.” Just imagine enjoying unique flavors with beautiful views of Peru’s ancient history.

Visit the Larco Museum

• Location: Av. Simón Bolívar 1515, Pueblo Libre 15084.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Entrance: Adults: 50 soles. Seniors: 35 soles. Children aged 9 to 17: 25 soles. Children aged 3 to 8: S/ 1.00.

The Larco Museum in Lima is a perfect place to discover ancient Peru in a simple, beautiful, and fascinating way. It is located in a colonial mansion surrounded by gardens, ideal for walking at a relaxed pace, taking photos, and enjoying the visit without rushing. Inside its galleries, you will see gold pieces, ceramics, textiles, and objects that tell the story of cultures that existed long before the Incas. It also has one of the country’s most famous collections of pre-Columbian art and a restaurant with a charming atmosphere. 

If you are wondering what to see in Lima Peru one sunday, this museum is a great choice: it combines history, beauty, good food, and a relaxed plan you can enjoy on your own, as a couple, or with family.

Discover Pachacámac

• Location: Old South Pan-American Highway, Km 31.5, Lurín, Lima.
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
• Entrance fee: Adults: 15 soles. Seniors: 7.5 soles. Children from 3 to 17 years old: 10 soles.

Pachacámac would easily fit into any list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Lima. History lovers should not miss this ancient ceremonial center of the Lima culture, located on the central coast of Peru. The Pachacámac Sanctuary was the most important religious and administrative center for the pre-Inca cultures that lived in what is now Lima. Over time, it also came under the influence of three other cultures: the Wari, the Ichma, and the Inca culture. It is located about 35 km (22 miles) southeast of the city center and served as a sanctuary, oracle, and pilgrimage center on the central coast of ancient Peru for more than 1,500 years.

Today, the site is still visited for its impressive pyramids, buildings, roads, and adobe walls. It even attracted worshippers from across the Inca Empire. This is a great place to visit if you want a deeper look into the history of Lima and Peru.

Visit the San Cristobal Hill

• Location: Between Rímac and San Juan de Lurigancho, on the border of both districts.

A trip to the top of San Cristóbal Hill is quite an experience. You can see this hill from downtown Lima because of its height. It is located in the Rímac district, one of the oldest areas of the city. To get there, you will need to take the Urbanito, a tourist bus that leaves from near Lima’s municipal area and goes up to the highest point of the hill. Walking up is not recommended, especially if you are alone. The bus ride can feel steep and a little intense, but it is worth it because the views of downtown Lima from the top are beautiful. 

You can also take advantage of the cross at the viewpoint to capture some great photos. If you enjoy a bit of adventure with minimal risk, taking the bus up to San Cristóbal Hill is a great addition to your list of things to do in Lima.

Paragliding on the Costa Verde

• Location: Malecón Cisneros, block 18, Miraflores 15074, inside Parque El Faro de la Marina.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flights depend on the weather conditions of the day.
• Cost: Traditional 10-minute flight between 260 and 300 soles per person. Motorized 15-minute flight between 170 and 180 soles per person.

Paragliding is one of the best things to do in Lima. For this aerial view of the city, join other adventure lovers and enjoy a truly exciting experience. This popular activity is one of the best ways to see the colors, shapes, cliffs, and buildings of the capital from above. The most popular place to do it is along the Costa Verde, especially at Parque El Faro de la Marina. You can book paragliding or hang-gliding flights at this park, or head to the nearby beaches of San Miguel or Magdalena for motorized paragliding flights. The views include the Pacific Ocean, the cliffs, the city skyline, and the people below watching in amazement.

FAQs - Things to do in Lima