Peru is a bucket list destination for many around the world. Machu Picchu is definitely its ticket to wild international popularity. But the country is home to many other historic and natural gems, apart from hiking in Incan ruins. Among all the places contending for space on your Peru travel itinerary, the capital city deserves some attention due to the multitude of things one can do in Lima.
For most travelers, the point of entry in Peru is either Cusco or Lima. So, it is convenient to fit in a at least one or two days for Lima.
Things to do in Lima, Peru
We collaborated with some of our fellow travel bloggers to curate this list of the best things to do in Lima, Peru.
When Indranil and I remember the couple of days we had spent in Lima, the food is what comes to our minds first, such tempting is Peruvian cuisine. But we can assure you that our love for Peruvian food is not just a selective bias.
Peruvian cuisine is universally loved by one and all who have had the opportunity to taste it. You can also get a sense of that love in this post as we have so many food and beverage related entries in this recommendations compilation of the best things to do in the city.
Historic Center near Plaza de Armas
Contributed by: Ariana of World of Travels with Kids. You can also find her on Instagram.
I love the atmospheric feel to Central Lima – yes, it might not be as beautiful as some of the other South American capitals, but it certainly makes up with a feel of being fully alive. The Historic Centre of Lima was added to the World Heritage List in 1991 and there is certainly enough to keep you occupied for the better part of a day.
The Plaza de Armas is interesting for people watching, and do not miss a visit to the Cathedral of Lima or the Archbishop’s Palace next door. Also worth a look (from the outside) the Palace of Government, where the President of Peru lives.
In one direction you can head down Jiron de la Union – it’s just a shopping mall but worth a walk – if you get thirsty, you can always stop at the Gran Hotel Bolívar which is famous for its Pisco sours.
Heading in the other direction from the Plaza de Armas is the San Francisco Convent, and the catacombs beneath it. A tour of the catacombs is an interesting insight into religion, history, and death – it is a bit creepy, so may not be for everyone. Put it this way, we have not included it on our list of things to do in Lima with kids. Entry costs around 3 USD.
Stroll the Malecón at Sunset
Contributed by: Audrey of That Backpacker. You can also find her on Instagram.
One of my favourite things to do when I visit Lima is to go for a stroll along the malecón at sunset.
The malecón is a clifftop walking path that runs along the oceanfront and looks out over the Pacific. My favourite stretch of the malecón is in the district of Miraflores. There are several attractions along this particular length of the path including the Love Park (Parque del Amor) with its mosaic-covered benches and a sculpture of a couple in a passionate embrace, La Marina Lighthouse (Faro de la Marina) with its black and white stripes flanked by palm trees, and the Parapuerto where you can watch brave paragliders take off from the cliffs.
There are various parks along the length of the malecón, so it is a popular place to work out, have a picnic, grab a snack from a food vendor, or simply enjoy the views. Sunsets are always a magical time and nature’s displays can range from intense, fiery reds to soft shades of pastel. It is a must-do when you visit Lima.
Kennedy Park
Contributed by: Vicky of Buddy The Traveling Monkey. You can also find her on Instagram.
One of the best things to do in Lima, Peru is to visit Kennedy Park. This unique park is home to over 100 stray cats, making it known as “El Parque de los Gatos” or, the Cat Park. Cats have now called Kennedy Park their home for over 20 years.
It is believed that the original cats were left there by priests of a nearby church in order to help control a plague, however, no one knows for sure. Over the years, the cats multiplied and are now cared for by the community. In fact, a group called Grupo Voluntario de Defensa Felina, or Feline Protection Volunteer Group, feeds the cats daily and periodically provides basic veterinary services such as de-worming, vaccinating, spaying, and neutering. On the weekends, they also set up a booth at the park to assist in adoptions.
So if you feel like you need a little feline companionship while you are in Lima, we definitely recommend visiting the cats at Kennedy Park. It is free to enter and easy to get to. The park is in the Miraflores district of Lima.
Parque de la Reserva
Contributed by: Nicole Hunter of Go Far Grow Close. You can also find her on Instagram.
The Parque de la Reserva is a park found in downtown Lima. It is eight hectares and built in a neo-classical style, with many sculptures by Peruvian artists found throughout. One of the coolest things that you can do in Lima and at the park, is to go in the evening to the “Magic Water Tour”.
The Magic Water Tour is the world record holder for the largest fountain complex in the world. It comprises of 13 distinct fountains, many of which are interactive, and at night, all of the fountains are lit up, many with continuously changing color schemes.
The highlight of the Magic Water Tour is the incredible multimedia show presented in the Fantasia Fountain. A couple times a night, you can watch a regularly scheduled laser and picture show, which when we were there, presented the history of Peru in dramatic and spectacular fashion.
Entrance fees are 4.00 Soles per person and is open 7 days a week from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Make sure you dress warmly, bring a rain jacket, and even a towel or two if you think you or your children will want to get close to the fountains. Give yourself a minimum of a couple of hours after sunset to explore the water park. It is a lot of fun uncovering and experiencing all of the beautiful fountains scattered about.
Miraflores
Contributed by: Vicki of Vickiviaja. You can also find her on Instagram.
Between the 43 districts of the enormous city of Lima, Miraflores is probably the most famous district. With its international flair, Miraflores is especially popular with tourists. Many of the picturesque colonial style houses have been renovated. They are located near modern supermarkets and restaurants. Miraflores is also considered one of the city’s wealthiest and trendiest neighborhoods.
With its numerous restaurants and bars, the neighborhood is also considered to be the foodie paradise of Lima, where some of the best dishes in Peru are offered.
You can find the ancient pyramid Huaca Pucllana, which is considered one of the most popular sights of the neighborhood between all the modern buildings. Moreover, if you are not into sightseeing but just want to walk around, Miraflores is perfect. With its Kennedy Park in the city center or the walkway along the cliff (Malecón), Miraflores simply offers excellent walking opportunities. The walk along the cliffs is especially popular during sunset. During the rest of the day, you can also walk along here and see numerous sights on the way, such as the Parque del Amor and the mall Larcomar.
Moreover, directly on the coast, you can try exciting activities like paragliding and surfing.
Barranco
Contributed by: Dan of Layer Culture. You can also find him on Pinterest.
When in Peru and looking for the best things to do in Lima, try not to miss out on the neighborhood of Barranco. As you spend time in Lima, eventually you will want to arrive at a place where you feel like you can let your hair down and relax.
In general, your safety in Peru is nothing to worry about, however, sometimes you will want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the central areas. Barranco is perfect for that. If you are the type of traveler that loves food markets, live music shows, and unique local artworks that can all be enjoyed outdoors, then Baranco has something for you.
On arrival, you will be greeted by mural filled streets along with some of the hippest restaurants and coffee shops in the area. To get past the surface level there are various free walking tours you can do which include both food and street art sightings. The neighborhood overlooks the Pacific Ocean, so the area is somewhat of a romantic place to visit, especially when combined with a stroll over the Bridge of Sighs.
Be sure to give Canta Rana a visit for some top-notch food, particularly ceviche. All in all, Barranco is a must-see place in Lima for any new visitor and can be easily reached by foot from nearby Miraflores.
Eat Ceviche
Contributed by: Sean Lau of LivingoutLau. You can also find him on Instagram.
As the capital of Peru, Lima is one of the best places to sample some delicious Peruvian cuisine. In fact, Lima has two of the world’s top 50 restaurants in the world. Ceviche, the national food of Peru, is one of the dishes you must not miss when visiting Lima.
For anyone who is unfamiliar with Peruvian Ceviche, it is a seafood dish made primarily with raw fish and lemon juice. Though this might not sound safe to eat, the acidity of the lemon juice essentially cooks the raw fish, creating a light and appetizing dish that reminds you of the fresh sea with every single bite. Onions, cilantro, camote (Peruvian sweet potatoes), and choclo (Peruvian corn) are added to create a perfectly balanced meal.
Because of Lima’s geographic positioning next to the Pacific Ocean, it gets some of the freshest fish to make Peruvian ceviche. Do not try Peruvian Ceviche in Cusco because the region only has river fish, it is not nearly as good.
You will not have difficulties finding cevicherias (ceviche restaurants) in Lima, but most of them are concentrated in the neighborhoods of Barranco and Miraflores. In fact, one of the best things to do in Miraflores is to enjoy the multitude of fresh seafood and ceviches. Typically, a Peruvian ceviche costs around 30-40 soles.
Food Tour/ Cooking Class
Contributed by: Lindsey Puls of Have Clothes, Will Travel. You can also find him on Instagram.
Lima has some of the best food in the world! If you only have time to do one thing while in Lima, Peru, I highly recommend taking a Cooking Class and Food Tour with Lima Gourmet Company. I, personally, only had one day in Lima, and this is how I chose to spend it.
Cooking Class
The cooking class itself is a small group experience (I had less than 20 people in my class) and is 1 hour long. It costs 40 USD. If you would like to pair this cooking class with a food tour of Lima (like I did), this will take a total of 5 hours and cost 135 USD.
This Peruvian cooking class will teach you how to make the most famous dish in Peru – Ceviche! You also learn how to make the national cocktail – a Pisco Sour. The instructor also lets you sample different variations of Pisco before you prepare your own Pisco Sour.
My guide and the chef were both incredibly fun and easy to follow. I am a terrible cook and bartender, but both my Pisco Sour and Ceviche were delicious, thanks to their guidance.
Lima Food Tour
The food tour will give you a great sampling of the local cuisine. You will start at a coffee shop, head to a local market to sample fresh fruit and then end at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana, a restaurant right next to pre-Incan ruins. You will get several different gourmet dishes to try, along with dessert and alcoholic beverages. (All included in your tour price.)
The only downfall to this tour is that it is on the pricier side (at least compared to many of the other tours I experienced while in Peru). I did feel they were justified in charging this price though, as you get to experience and try A LOT of different tasty foods and beverages.
Chocolate Workshop
Contributed by: Bailey from Destinationless Travel. You can also find him on Instagram.
Did you know cocoa beans are grown in Peru? In fact, some of the best chocolate in the world is grown and produced in Peru. Therefore, one of the best things to do in Peru is to learn all about making chocolate, and even better yet, make some yourself to take with you as a souvenir!
In Lima, you can visit the Choco Museo and join one of their chocolate-making workshop. As one of the best things to do in Miraflores, this centrally located chocolate shop is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours in Lima.
Their classic workshop is called Bean to Bar and it lasts for about 2 hours. During the workshop you will learn all about the process of making chocolate and then make your own bar of chocolate too! From grinding the beans to making the paste to pouring in molds, you will do it all!
The workshop also includes making a traditional hot chocolate drink that you get to have. Not only is it a really fun and interesting experience, but for only 25 USD per person, it is one of the cheaper experiences you can do in Lima.
Fine Dining in Lima
Contributed by: Kenny of Knycx Journeying. You can also find him on Instagram.
Not only Lima is the capital of Peru, but it is also the food capital of Latin America. It is an exciting place for food lovers to visit as the city of Lima is filled with world-class restaurants. In fact, Lima has the greatest number of World’s 50 Best Restaurants amongst all South American countries (with Central at number 6 and Maido at number 10 in 2020).
While it may be difficult to secure a table at these celebrity restaurants, fine dining experience could be found in many places across the city. The prices of their tasting menus are usually a quarter of those we found in Paris, London, or New York, without compromising on the chef’s creativity or the food quality.
Astrid & Gastón, La Picanteria, La Mar, IK, and Rafael are some of the great examples of restaurants serving food that combines innovation and tradition. Many of these fine dining dishes usually incorporate ingredients obtained in Peru – potatoes, sweet corns, seafood, and more – and reinvent them into a tasty and delicious dish that goes beyond the diner’s imagination. It is not only an experience for your taste buds but also your eyes with their creative presentation of the dish and the interior of the restaurants.
Remember to save an afternoon in your itinerary and reserve a table to fully enjoy the incredible food journey.
Shopping in Gamarra
Contributed by: Arabela of The Spicy Travel Girl. You can also find her on Instagram.
Shopping for textiles is one of the most popular activities for travelers and without a doubt, Lima is best explored with a fresh set of clothes. While buying an entire new wardrobe can quickly get very expensive in most places, it is very affordable in Lima, thanks to the famous Gamarra textile market.
Located in Lima’s rather infamous La Victoria district, the Gamarra textile market is one of the largest textile outlet markets you will ever find with thousands of different shops selling everything from underwear to ball dresses. Whether you need a new pair of shoes, belts, or cute summer dresses, you will find it all in Gamarra for the cheapest prices since most clothes are produced in the stories directly above the shops. And while roaming around in La Victoria is usually not recommended due to security concerns, Gamarra is very safe thanks to police guarding the gates to the fenced market area, making shopping in Gamarra one of the best things to do in Lima.
Getting to Gamarra is equally straightforward, either by taxi or by metro. However, make sure to lock the taxi doors when driving through the area around the market and watch your belongings while in the metro. The best time to visit Gamarra is early afternoon right after enjoying some delicious Creole cuisine in Lima.
Swim with Sea Lions near Palomino Islands
Contributed by: Lauren Cirkot of Always Find Adventure. You can also find her on Instagram.
One of the more thrilling activities that a visitor can do in Lima, Peru is swim with sea lions near Palomino Islands. Sea lions are very friendly, almost like dogs of the ocean. You get to see, hear, smell and interact with these cute creatures without worrying about sharks (they do not live here). The sea lions are used to humans and love brushing up against your feet. While cruising to the island, you learn about the wildlife in the area, as well as the history from the knowledgeable tour guides.
This activity is half a day long, costs around 50-60 USD and you are provided with wetsuits, life jacket, snacks, and drinks. You should bring swimwear and a towel, along with a jacket and sunscreen.
Advice: Whether or not you get seasick, take seasickness pills and/or bracelets. In addition, this activity is also not for people who are sensitive to smell (The water where the sea lions live is not super pleasant). The water is cold but the wetsuits keep you warm. Lastly, bring a Go Pro or a waterproof camera if you would like to capture the moments.
Lima, Peru: Make It Happen
To help you plan your Lima trip, here are the details of the logistics.
How to reach
Lima has excellent connections with not just the rest of Peru, but internationally as well. Jorge Chavez International Airport is the main airport receiving domestic flights in Peru and international flights from all over the world. You can also travel to Lima by bus. Check out Peru Hop passes to create custom itineraries covering Lima and various other places in Peru.
Where to stay
Lima is a large city with several neighborhoods of varying characters spread across the city. So finding a place of accommodation in the city can be an overwhelming task.
You already read about the nice neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco. Either of them can be great to experience the city life. For more budget friendly accommodations, check out the Historic Center.
We had stayed in a small boutique hotel in Miraflores during our trip. From experimenting with food to walking on the streets at night, we liked everything about the neighborhood.
Trips from Lima, Peru
Lima can be a great base for exploring other regions to the south of the city. You can combine the following destinations to create an awesome extended weekend getaway from Lima.
- Paracas National Reserve, for desert meets ocean landscapes.
- Ballestas Islands, known as poor man’s Galapagos, due to the abundance of sea animals and birds on this uninhabited islands.
- Huacachina, for sand dunes, oasis and desert adventure activities.
- Nazca Lines, to witness centuries old mysterious geoglyphs.
Final Thoughts
With the importance of its colonial history, modern urban development by the coast and the current spread of swanky neighborhoods, Lima is just like any other big city by the sea. In fact, the city reminded us strongly of Mumbai. But if given the chance, we would not hesitate to return to Lima. Just for the food!
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