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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

Barranco Culinary & Art Experience

Pachacamac Full Day and Typical Peruvian Dinner

Historic Downtown, Miraflores & Catacombs Private Tour

Peruvian Dinner Buffet, Typical Show and Barranco Tour

Visita de medio día a las Ruinas Sagradas de Pachacamac

Private city tour Lima + Catacombs Museum (04 hours)

City of the Kings Tour from Lima airport - Safe and practical!

Traditional and indigenous markets of Lima - Live a local and unique experience

Lima City Tour Privado

Cool and Quirky Things to Do in Lima, Peru

Most Unique Experiences to Have in Lima

The Best Cultural Tours to Take in Lima, Peru

The Best Places to take a Date in Lima, Peru

The Best Street Art in Lima, Peru

The Top Museums in Lima to Visit

Lima’s Barranco District: Is This the World's Most Colorful Neighborhood?

11 Things You Can Only Do in Lima, Peru

What to Know About Lima's Lord of the Miracles Celebration

The Most Beautiful Beaches Near Lima, Peru

The Best Cycling Spots in Lima, Peru

Best Weekend Getaways From Lima

The Best Running Routes in Lima, Peru

The Best Off-the-Beaten Track Trips from Lima

7 Things to See and Do in Lima During Summer

7 Secret Lagoons in Peru Even Locals Don’t Know About

The Most Epic Hikes to Take in Lima, Peru

The Best Surf Spots in Lima, Peru

20 Things to Do in Lima in 2018

The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Barranco, Lima

The Best Flea Markets and Thrift Stores in Lima

The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Lima

7 Fashion Designers From Lima You Need to Know

The Best and Most Exclusive Fashion Malls in Lima

The Most Impressive Buildings in Lima to Visit

A Tour of Lima's Architectural Landmarks

The Top 5 Art Galleries in Lima

The Best Independent Art Galleries in Lima, Peru

A Murals Lover's Tour of Lima's Barranco District

The Best Contemporary Art Galleries In Lima

7 Reasons Why Lima Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

7 Things to Do With Kids in Lima, Peru

The Best Family-friendly Activities in Lima, Peru

Events and Activities in Lima, Peru | Culture Trip

Discover the best things to see and do in Lima, Peru including museums, parks, and architecture, as well as hidden delights, and seasonal events. Let Culture Trip be your guide.

Bestsellers: Memorable Experiences

Discover hidden gems you can book on Culture TrIp

Off the Beaten Path

Find the hidden gems and experience the city like a local

Guides & Tips

Cool and Quirky Things to Do in Lima, Peru

See & Do

Most Unique Experiences to Have in Lima

Guides & Tips

The Best Cultural Tours to Take in Lima, Peru

Guides & Tips

The Best Places to take a Date in Lima, Peru

Art

The Best Street Art in Lima, Peru

History

The Top Museums in Lima to Visit

Guides & Tips

Lima’s Barranco District: Is This the World's Most Colorful Neighborhood?

See & Do

11 Things You Can Only Do in Lima, Peru

See & Do

What to Know About Lima's Lord of the Miracles Celebration

Outdoor Activities

Escape the city - the best outdoor places to visit

Guides & Tips

The Most Beautiful Beaches Near Lima, Peru

Guides & Tips

The Best Cycling Spots in Lima, Peru

Guides & Tips

Best Weekend Getaways From Lima

Guides & Tips

The Best Running Routes in Lima, Peru

See & Do

The Best Off-the-Beaten Track Trips from Lima

See & Do

7 Things to See and Do in Lima During Summer

See & Do

7 Secret Lagoons in Peru Even Locals Don’t Know About

See & Do

The Most Epic Hikes to Take in Lima, Peru

Guides & Tips

The Best Surf Spots in Lima, Peru

Attractions

Fun things to do that are worth your time

See & Do

20 Things to Do in Lima in 2018

See & Do

The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Barranco, Lima

Shopping

Shops

The Best Flea Markets and Thrift Stores in Lima

Guides & Tips

The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Lima

Fashion

7 Fashion Designers From Lima You Need to Know

Shops

The Best and Most Exclusive Fashion Malls in Lima

Iconic Buildings

Learn about historic sites and special architecture

Architecture

The Most Impressive Buildings in Lima to Visit

Architecture

A Tour of Lima's Architectural Landmarks

Art

For the art lovers - everything from museums, galleries to street art

Art

The Top 5 Art Galleries in Lima

Art

The Best Independent Art Galleries in Lima, Peru

Art

A Murals Lover's Tour of Lima's Barranco District

Art

The Best Contemporary Art Galleries In Lima

Family Friendly

The best spots and activities with kids

Guides & Tips

7 Reasons Why Lima Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

Guides & Tips

7 Things to Do With Kids in Lima, Peru

See & Do