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With its food revolution, colonial architecture and history, find out why you should make Lima, Peru, your next destination.

Peru

Lima

13 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lima, Peru at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Discover the top 20 things to see and do when visiting Lima, Peru's capital city.

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Lima

Check out all the reasons to fall in love with Peru's capital and discover Lima's unique character. 

7 Reasons to Love Lima, Peru

Take a stroll through the beautiful and diverse streets of Lima on our Instagram tour of the "City of Kings."

The 17 Most Instagrammable Spots in Lima, Peru

Check out our guide to the best weekend vacations from Lima and discover all the fun you can have just outside the city

The Best Weekend Trips from Lima, Peru

Insider Travel Guides

Lima, a heady metropolis on the Pacific Ocean, is often overlooked in favor of other Peruvian attractions, such as Machu Picchu. But amid the cosmopolitan chaos lies a city full of character, from the culinary scene – one of the best in South America – to pre-Columbian pyramids, modern art galleries and colorful bohemian neighborhoods.

The Insider Guide to Lima

Known as the City of Kings to the Spanish conquistadors, these days, Lima is a city of contrasts, where shanty towns rub shoulders with skyscrapers, high-end restaurants vie with street food, ancient temples sit among colonial churches, and bumper-to-bumper traffic leads to sheer cliffs and endless horizons – perfect for watching the sun sink into the ocean while sipping on a pisco sour or two. 

At first glance, Lima might seem like a jumping-off point to explore the rest of Peru, but this old city still has many treasures, from rich heritage to a tantalizing foodie scene, neon nightlife, fascinating museums and lush parks. While most will choose to stay in Barranco and Miraflores, the Plaza de Armas in Lima Centro is the perfect place to begin your city exploration. This is the heartland of Lima; the Spanish laid the first stone here in 1535 on the site of the future Basilica Cathedral of Lima.

Yet even within the city itself, it’s possible to go further back in time. Long before the Spanish arrived, the region was inhabited by the indigenous Lima culture whose legacy is still visible in the architectural landscape. Huaca Pucllana and Huaca Huallamarca are within the city itself, while Pachacamac and the Norte Chico settlement of Caral, are a little further away. For those who can’t make the journey, the Museo Larco – with an extensive collection of pre-Columbian art dating back more than 5,000 years – is the next best thing.

History and culture lovers will find themselves in awe of the impressive museums, galleries and cultural offerings, such as the Museo de Arte de Lima next to the Parque de la Reserva in the 1872 World’s Fair Exhibition Palace and Casa de Aliaga, a 500-year-old colonial mansion that has been in the Aliaga family for 17 generations. 

You can’t visit Lima without soaking up the food and the nightlife. Whatever you’re after, there are generous food offerings across the city, from fine dining overlooking the surf to ceviche in the Chorrillos district, chifa in the Barrio Chino neighborhood, and street stalls serving Peruvian classics. As darkness sets in, head to a peña for a traditional Peruvian take on a good time, or make your way to the trendy bars around Barranco, Miraflores, Pueblo Libre and Surco. Ready to explore? Keep reading to find out more of Culture Trip’s favorite spots.

The Main Attractions

Private Peruvian Cooking Class in Lima with a Miraflores Gourmet Chef

Peruvian Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Lima Miraflores

Pisco & Peruvian Chocolate Experience

Peruvian Experience

Ceviche Experience in a Peruvian Home

Learn how to surf,and cook with local musician - Lima Summer Combo

Vineyard & Buggy tour in Huacachina / 1 day tour from Lima

5 iconic restaurants of Barranco Lima / guided food tour

Half Day - Gastronomy Tour by Bike at Barranco

The 7 Best Ceviche Spots in Lima, Peru

7 Backstreet Cevicherias in Lima the Locals Wish Were Kept Secret

The Best Japanese Restaurants In Lima, Peru

The Best Restaurants In Lima, Peru

The 7 Best International Restaurants in Lima, Peru

The Best Food-Fusion Restaurants in Lima

The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants In Lima

The 10 Best Restaurants in Central Lima, Peru

How Lima's Craft Beer Scene is Paying Homage to Its Incan Past

The Best Rooftop Bars And Restaurants In Lima

The 5 Best Pisco Sour Bars in Lima

The Best Bars to Visit in Lima

The 7 Best Places to Drink Pisco in Lima

The Top Vegetarian Restaurants In Lima, Peru

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Lima

The Top 10 Street Food Spots In Lima, Peru

Best Markets To Visit In Lima, Peru

The Best Peruvian Restaurants in Lima

The Best Gourmet Restaurants in Lima

Guide to Food & Drink in Lima, Peru | Culture Trip

Read our guide to the best places to eat in Lima, Peru. From established spots to gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian delights, here’s our selection of the best places to eat and drink in Lima, Peru.

Memorable Food and Drink Experiences

Local food and drink experiences you can book on Culture Trip

Great Eats & Drinks

Discover the best spots for good food & good vibes

Food & Drink

The 7 Best Ceviche Spots in Lima, Peru

Food & Drink

7 Backstreet Cevicherias in Lima the Locals Wish Were Kept Secret

Restaurants

The Best Japanese Restaurants In Lima, Peru

Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Lima, Peru

Restaurants

The 7 Best International Restaurants in Lima, Peru

Restaurants

The Best Food-Fusion Restaurants in Lima

Restaurants

The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants In Lima

Restaurants

The 10 Best Restaurants in Central Lima, Peru

Bars We Love

Guides & Tips

How Lima's Craft Beer Scene is Paying Homage to Its Incan Past

Restaurants

The Best Rooftop Bars And Restaurants In Lima

Bars & cafes

The 5 Best Pisco Sour Bars in Lima

Bars & cafes

The Best Bars to Visit in Lima

Bars & cafes

The 7 Best Places to Drink Pisco in Lima

Veggie Delights

The top places to eat well when looking for veggie-options

Restaurants

The Top Vegetarian Restaurants In Lima, Peru

Restaurants

The Best Healthy Restaurants in Lima

Markets & Shops

Food & Drink

The Top 10 Street Food Spots In Lima, Peru

See & Do

Best Markets To Visit In Lima, Peru

Fancy Food

A collection of the best high-quality and Michelin-starred restaurants

Restaurants

The Best Peruvian Restaurants in Lima

Food & Drink

The Best Gourmet Restaurants in Lima