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    Lima

    Peru

    Lima

    City

    Peru's capital lies on the Pacific coast and is the first stop for most travelers. Francisco Pizarro founded it in 1535; as the seat of the Viceroyalty, it became Spanish South America's most important city.

    by Felix Gillen

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    5. Peru
    7. Lima and Central Coast
    9. Lima
    Peru's capital lies on the Pacific coast and is the first stop for most travelers. Francisco Pizarro founded it in 1535; as the seat of the Viceroyalty, it became Spanish South America's most important city. Its historic center, with its cathedral, monasteries, and wooden balconies, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.For travelers, three districts are particularly important: the Centro Histórico with Plaza Mayor and the San Francisco Monastery, Miraflores with the Malecón along the cliffs and the adobe pyramid Huaca Pucllana, and Barranco, the bohemian district with galleries, murals, and the Puente de los Suspiros. In the Pueblo Libre district, the Museo Larco displays one of the country's great collections of pre-Columbian art.
    Miraflores

    District 1 of 3

    Miraflores

    Miraflores is the district where most travelers in Lima stay. It is located on the steep cliffs above the Pacific: Along the Malecón, parks and pathways stretch, and on the cliff, the Larcomar shopping center is built into the rock.

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    Centro Histórico (Lima)

    District 2 of 3

    Centro Histórico (Lima)

    The historic center of Lima is located in the districts of Lima and Rímac, on the Río Rímac.

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    Barranco
    Jaime Troncoso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

    District 3 of 3

    Barranco

    Barranco is located south of Miraflores on the coastal cliffs and was once a seaside resort for wealthy Limeños. In the early 20th century, writers and artists moved here; today, colorful houses, murals, galleries, cafes, and bars define the district.

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    Sights in Lima

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Museo Larco

    1Museo Larco

    The private museum in the Pueblo Libre district opened on July 28, 1926, founded by Rafael Larco Hoyle. It showcases pre-Columbian art spanning millennia, including ceramics, textiles, and gold jewelry, and allows visitors a glimpse into its open storage with tens of thousands of ceramics. It is housed in a Viceroyalty-era mansion with a garden.
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    Restaurants in Lima

    Culture

    Culinary CapitalIn Lima, Spanish, indigenous, African, Chinese, and Japanese influences converge, and nowhere is this more evident than on your plate. Here, you eat ceviche for lunch; Chifa is Peruvian-Chinese cuisine, Nikkei the Peruvian-Japanese.Colonial HeritageThe Spanish founded Lima in 1535 as the capital of their Viceroyalty. The old town, with its wooden balconies, monasteries, and churches, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.Museums and ArtThe Museo Larco displays pre-Columbian ceramics spanning millennia; in Barranco, galleries and murals shape the streetscape. Those who want to hear Peruvian music go to a Peña in the evening.

    Exploring locally

    From the AirportJorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is located in Callao, northwest of the city. Depending on traffic, getting to Miraflores or Barranco can take anywhere from just under an hour to well over ninety minutes. The safest options are an official airport taxi, a pre-booked transfer, or a shuttle bus.Within the CityLima is huge, and traffic is often slow. The Metropolitano express bus line connects the Old Town with Miraflores and Barranco via its own dedicated lane and is often faster than any taxi. For evenings and short distances, most people use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Cabify; it's best not to hail street taxis.On Foot and By BikeWithin the neighborhoods, you can easily get around on foot. A bike path runs along the cliffs of Miraflores and Barranco over the Malecón, and you'll find rental bikes in several places in Miraflores.

    Accommodations in Lima

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    Lima and Central Coast

    Lima and Central Coast

    The region around the capital is located on the central Pacific coast. Lima, founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, is the main arrival point for international flights; its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988. Approximately 200 kilometers to the north, in the Supe Valley, lies the Sacred City of Caral, considered by UNESCO to be the oldest center of a civilization in the Americas.
    Centro Histórico (Lima)

    Centro Histórico (Lima)

    The historic center of Lima is located in the districts of Lima and Rímac, on the Río Rímac. Its focal point is the Plaza Mayor, where Pizarro founded the city in 1535, bordered by the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace with its wooden balconies, and the Government Palace. UNESCO initially added the Monastery of San Francisco to its World Heritage List in 1988 and extended the entry in 1991 to include the entire old town.Two blocks from the Plaza lies the Basilica of San Francisco, featuring a library and catacombs that served as a burial site until the early 19th century. Visit the district during the day; the Foreign Office advises particular caution in the city center in the evenings.
    Miraflores

    Miraflores

    Miraflores is the district where most travelers in Lima stay. It is located on the steep cliffs above the Pacific: Along the Malecón, parks and pathways stretch, and on the cliff, the Larcomar shopping center is built into the rock. The heart of the neighborhood is Parque Kennedy.Amidst residential blocks stands Huaca Pucllana, a seven-tiered adobe pyramid, which the Lima culture used as a ceremonial and administrative center between approximately 200 and 700 AD. You can visit it with a guided tour, and a small museum is included.
    Barranco

    Barranco

    Barranco is located south of Miraflores on the coastal cliffs and was once a seaside resort for wealthy Limeños. In the early 20th century, writers and artists moved here; today, colorful houses, murals, galleries, cafes, and bars define the district. Barranco is Lima's nightlife district.Its landmark is the wooden Puente de los Suspiros, beneath which the cobbled Bajada de los Baños leads down to the sea. Barranco also houses the MATE photography museum by Mario Testino and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (MAC). The Auswärtige Amt names Barranco, alongside Miraflores, as a district where evening thefts occur.
    Caral

    Caral

    The Sacred City of Caral is located in the dry Supe Valley, approximately 180 kilometers north of Lima and a good 20 kilometers from the coast. According to radiocarbon dating, it was utilized between approximately 3000 and 1800 BCE. Since 2009, UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage site and the oldest center of a civilization in the Americas. Visible are step pyramids, plazas, sunken circular courts, and residential areas.It is open daily from approximately 9 AM to 4 PM.Without a car, you can reach Caral by bus to Supe on the Panamericana Norte and from there by Colectivo or taxi. The Colectivos only return until approximately 4 PM.There is little shade on the site, so bring sun protection and water.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
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