Things to do in Lima: best sights & travel tips
Lima is the capital of Peru and a great place to start or end your trip around the country. Many travelers skip Lima after arriving and head straight to Cusco or Arequipa. We think that's a shame! There are plenty of things to do in Lima to keep you entertained for a couple of days.
Lima is also an amazing destination for foodies, with countless great cafés and restaurants to choose from. On top of that, the city sits right on the coast, on top of enormous cliffs. Especially in Miraflores, you'll find plenty of places with incredible views over the Pacific Ocean.
Wondering what to do in Lima? In this guide, we share our favorite things to do in Lima, including the best sights and activities, as well as practical tips for visiting Peru's capital.
How many days do you need in Lima?
Two full days are generally enough to see the main sights in Lima. If you'd also like to take a day trip to Paracas and Huacachina, we recommend spending at least three days in Lima.
Best things to do in Lima
Lima really surprised us. We started our trip around Peru here and spent the first few days taking things slowly while adjusting to the time difference. Despite the relaxed start to our trip, we still managed to see quite a lot of the city and had a great time exploring it. Below, we share our favorite activities and things to see in Lima.
Walk along the Malecón in Miraflores
The Malecón de Miraflores, also known as the Miraflores Boardwalk, runs along the cliffs overlooking Lima's coastline. It's a wonderful place to go for a walk, and on a beautiful day you'll see plenty of people enjoying the area. From the cliffs, you have amazing views over the Pacific Ocean, where you'll regularly spot surfers in the water. You'll often see paragliders soaring above the coastline as well. We absolutely loved the atmosphere here!
Visit Lima's Historic Centre and Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is located in the heart of Lima's Historic Centre. The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and you'll find several impressive buildings surrounding the square, including the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral and the City Hall.
Make sure to take some time to explore the surrounding streets as well. The colonial architecture in this part of Lima creates a huge contrast with the modern buildings of Miraflores.
Visit Parque del Amor
Parque del Amor, or the Park of Love, is located along the Malecón in Miraflores, making it easy to combine with a walk along the coastline. The colorful park is best known for its mosaic-covered benches and the large El Beso sculpture. It's free to visit, and especially at weekends you'll see plenty of locals picnicking, walking or playing with their dogs.
Explore Barranco
Barranco is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Lima and is known for its colorful streets, street art, cafés and lively atmosphere. The neighborhood is located just south of Miraflores, making it easy to visit if you're staying in this part of the city. One of Barranco's most famous landmarks is the Puente de los Suspiros, or Bridge of Sighs.
Eat and drink your way around Lima
Lima is an amazing destination if you love good food. Especially in Miraflores and Barranco, you'll find countless cafés, restaurants and rooftop bars. And, of course, you can't visit Peru without trying the country's most famous cocktail: the Pisco Sour.
Some of the places we personally enjoyed were Panchita, Maido, Plural and Ambra. If you're spending a few days in Lima, we definitely recommend researching a few restaurants beforehand so you already have some places you'd like to try.
Visit Huaca Pucllana
Right in the middle of Miraflores' modern buildings, you'll find Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological site that shows that Lima's history goes back much further than the Spanish colonial period. The large pyramid was constructed from adobe bricks and today creates a fascinating contrast with the modern city surrounding it.
Go shopping at Larcomar
Want to do some shopping during your stay? Larcomar is a fun place to visit. This modern shopping center is built into the cliffs of Miraflores and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. You'll find several shops, restaurants and cafés here. For us, the location and ocean views were the main reasons to visit Larcomar, and we enjoyed simply walking around for a while.
Take a day trip to Paracas and Huacachina
There are plenty of day tours from Lima that allow you to visit both Paracas and Huacachina in a single day. Although both destinations are several hours away from Lima, making it a very long day, we thought the combination was absolutely worth it. It also gives you the chance to see a completely different side of Peru.
Where is the best place to stay in Lima?
Most travelers stay in either Miraflores or Barranco, and both are great areas to base yourself while exploring Lima. Miraflores is particularly convenient for a first visit to the city. There are plenty of restaurants and other facilities, and the neighborhood is located directly along the coast. Barranco has a slightly more artistic and atmospheric feel. We stayed in Miraflores ourselves and found it to be a great base for exploring Lima and taking day trips from the city.
Is Lima safe?
Lima is easy to visit as a tourist, but as with any large city, it's sensible to stay aware of your surroundings. We never felt unsafe ourselves, but we recommend keeping a close eye on your valuables in busy areas. For longer distances in the evening, we preferred taking a taxi or Uber rather than walking.
Getting around Lima
Taxis and Uber are convenient options for getting around Lima, especially when visiting attractions that are further away from your hotel. Depending on where you're staying, you'll also find plenty of places within walking distance. Electric scooters and bikes are another option and can easily be rented around the city.
How to get from Lima Airport to Miraflores
One of the easiest ways to travel from Lima Airport to Miraflores is by taxi or Uber. There are plenty of taxis available at the airport, and many hotels also offer an airport transfer service. If you arrange a transfer through your hotel, someone will often be waiting for you at the exit with a sign displaying your name.
What is the best time to visit Lima?
The best time to visit Lima is generally from December to April. This is the summer season, when the weather is warmer and sunnier and there is little chance of rain. During the winter months, from May to November, temperatures are cooler and the city is often covered by a thick layer of fog.
Overall, Lima receives very little rain and even during winter it doesn't get extremely cold. Daytime temperatures are often around 15–20°C. We visited Lima in July and still enjoyed some beautiful sunny days.
Things to do in Lima: our experience
Lima is sometimes skipped during a trip around Peru, but we actually thought it was a great place to start our journey. Between the lively neighborhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, the Historic Centre, the coastal location and — perhaps most importantly — the incredible food, there are more than enough things to do in Lima to fill two days. Have an extra day? We definitely recommend adding a day trip to Paracas and Huacachina to your Lima itinerary.
