In a nutshell
- In this article, we’ll show you the 17 best things to do in Lima and share plenty of personal, practical tips for your sightseeing.
- The top highlights are the historic center with its colonial buildings, the trendy neighborhood of Barranco, and the beaches near Miraflores.
- To hit all the key Lima attractions, plan for at least 2 days, base yourself in Miraflores, and get around by metro bus or Uber.
Sights in Lima on a Map
Lima is the capital of Peru and for many travelers the starting point of a Peru road trip.
To give you a first impression of Lima and its highlights, we’ve put together a map with the top must-sees. You can also download and print it.
The Best Highlights in Lima's Historic Center
Most of Lima’s attractions are located in the Centro Historico. That makes it the best starting point for your sightseeing.
Book a guided tour through Lima’s historic center
Plaza de Armas
What do you need to know? The Plaza de Armas — also called Plaza Mayor — is the perfect starting point for your sightseeing in Lima. The square is surrounded by impressive buildings that make for great photos, and most city tours kick off right here.
Is it worth it? Absolutely — the main square is a genuine must-see in Lima. It does get pretty crowded and hectic during the day, though. We’d recommend heading there first thing in the morning if you want good photos without the crowds.
Our tip: If someone on the square offers you a city tour, they’ll almost certainly quote you an inflated price. Book a walking tour of Lima’s historic center online in advance instead — it’s better value and you’ll get a proper guide.
Lima Cathedral
What do you need to know? One of the top highlights on the Plaza de Armas is the Lima Cathedral. The current structure — built in a baroque and neoclassical style — dates from after the 1746 earthquake, when the original 16th-century church was rebuilt. Inside, you can admire the main nave and two side aisles.
Is it worth it? Yes — the Lima Cathedral is a real landmark of the city and well worth seeing from the inside too.
Tickets: Admission costs 30 soles ($7.50) for international visitors. You can buy tickets on the cathedral’s website or on-site.
Government Palace
What do you need to know? The Government Palace is the second famous building on Lima’s Plaza de Armas, and it’s equally impressive. The highlight here is the changing of the guard, which takes place on the square every day at noon — a little reminiscent of the ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London.
Is it worth it? Yes — get there early in the morning for the best photos before the crowds arrive, then stick around until noon for the changing of the guard. Definitely worth it.
Our tip: Tours inside the Government Palace may be possible, but we weren’t able to find reliable booking information. Your best bet is to contact a travel agency in Lima before your trip — search for “agencia de viajes Lima” on Google Maps for a good selection.
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
What do you need to know? The Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco is one of the absolute top things to do in Lima — largely thanks to the catacombs beneath the monastery. Those catacombs hold the bones of over 10,000 people, which is seriously eerie. Also stunning is the library inside, which feels like something out of Harry Potter and houses around 25,000 books.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The catacombs and the library are not to be missed during your time in Lima.
Tickets: Admission to the church (including the library and catacombs) costs 30 soles ($7.50).
Book your Lima city tour with a ticket to the San Francisco Monastery here
Jirón de la Union
What do you need to know? Jirón de la Union is a pedestrian street and shopping strip in the city center. It’s a great place to browse. Along the way you’ll also find smaller points of interest, like the Basilica La Merced and Casa O’Higgins.
Is it worth it? Yes — if you’re already in the historic center, make sure to take a stroll down the street and check out not just the shops but also the impressive buildings lining the route.
Our tip: After exploring the Plaza de Armas and the San Francisco Monastery, walk the entire length of Jirón de la Union heading south until you reach Plaza San Martín. It’s a natural and satisfying way to end your historic center loop.
Plaza San Martín
What do you need to know? Plaza San Martín is the second major square in Lima’s historic district — very spacious and really beautiful. At its center stands a monument to José de San Martín, one of the most important figures behind Peru’s independence in 1821.
Is it worth it? Yes — it’s a great way to wrap up your sightseeing in downtown Lima.
Our tip: If you still can’t get enough of grand plazas, keep walking to Plaza Miguel Grau. Or if you’re in the mood for some fresh air, the nearby Parque de la Exposición is the perfect spot.
Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums in Lima
Circuito Mágico del Agua
What do you need to know? In Parque de la Reserva, between the historic center and Miraflores, you’ll find the Circuito Mágico del Agua — a fountain park where spectacular light shows take place after dark. It features 13 fountains that, combined with music and technology, put on a genuinely impressive show.
Is it worth it? Yes — the Circuito Mágico is especially worth visiting in the evening for the light shows.
Tickets: Admission is super affordable at just 5 soles ($1.25). Tickets are available on-site at the entrance.
Huaca Huallamarca
What do you need to know? Huaca Huallamarca is a historic site right in the middle of the city. It centers on an ancient pyramid that’s over 2,000 years old — once an important religious center. Today you can take a close look at the restored temple, and there’s a museum on the grounds where you can learn more about the site.
Is it worth it? Yes, and at only 5 soles ($1.25) admission, it’s a no-brainer if you have the time.
Our tip: The Huaca Pucllana archaeological site in Miraflores is also worth a visit as an alternative — it’s another ancient pyramid and equally fascinating.
Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera
What do you need to know? Lima has a huge number of archaeological museums, and one of the finest is the Rafael Larco Herrera Museum. You’ll find a vast collection of pre-Columbian art — including textiles and jewelry. The erotic ceramics collection is also fascinating, and not something you’ll come across in most other museums.
Is it worth it? Yes — if you’re only going to visit one museum in Lima, make it this one. It’s well-organized, beautifully presented, and has a lovely garden to wander through.
Our tip: Don’t confuse it with the National Museum of Archaeology, which is also lovely and located very nearby. In Spanish it goes by: Museo Nacional de Arqueología Antropología e Historia del Perú.
Tickets: Admission costs 50 soles ($12.50). It’s really worth adding a guided tour to get much more out of your visit.
Get your ticket with guided tour for the Larco Museum
Parque del Amor
What do you need to know? Parque del Amor is a small park in Miraflores right by the ocean. The standout feature is a huge statue of a couple in love, and the mosaic walls — reminiscent of Park Güell in Barcelona — are absolutely worth seeing. Combined with stunning ocean views, it’s a small but special spot in Lima.
Is it worth it? Yes. We wouldn’t make a special trip just for the park alone, but since you can easily combine it with a stroll along the promenade, it’s totally worth it.
Our tip: Walk from Parque del Amor along the promenade to Barranco — more on that neighborhood in a moment. It’s about a 40-minute walk with great views of the water the whole way.
Pachacamac Archaeological Site
What do you need to know? Pachacamac is an archaeological site and museum in the far south of Lima. The ancient ruined city is even larger than Machu Picchu, and you’ll learn fascinating stories about Peru’s indigenous peoples here.
Is it worth it? If you’re into archaeology, yes. Otherwise, we’d honestly skip the trip and spend that time exploring more of Lima itself.
Our tip: Book a guided tour to Pachacamac so you have a knowledgeable guide and transportation taken care of.
Book the guided tour to Pachacamac
The Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in Lima
Barranco
What do you need to know? Barranco is Lima’s hippest neighborhood — everything moves at a relaxed pace, and around every corner there’s another little gem waiting to be discovered. Popular draws include the ocean viewpoints, the street art, and the Puente de los Suspiros with its colorful buildings all around.
Is it worth it? Absolutely — Barranco is one of our favorite spots in all of Lima. There are also tons of charming little restaurants here that are well worth a stop.
Our tip: Visit Barranco in the late afternoon so you can catch the sunset over the ocean. Restaurante Javier is a great spot with a view.
Miraflores
What do you need to know? Miraflores is one of the best-known neighborhoods and especially popular for staying in Lima. You’ll find plenty of upscale restaurants and a great nightlife scene here. Classic points of interest in Miraflores include the Amano Museum and Parque del Amor, which we covered above.
Is it worth it? Yes — Miraflores is especially great for a relaxed stroll and a really good meal.
Our tip: Do a street food tour in Miraflores. It’s one of the best ways to discover the top food spots and have a fantastic culinary experience in Lima.
Book a street food tour in Miraflores
San Isidro
What do you need to know? If you want to escape the hustle of the big city, head to San Isidro. Similar to Miraflores, there aren’t many traditional sights here, but the parks are genuinely beautiful. We especially love Parque el Olivar — it’s filled with olive trees and super peaceful.
Is it worth it? If you’re spending more time in Lima, yes — it’s a great place to simply unwind. If you’re short on time, we wouldn’t make a special trip out here.
Cool Activities in Lima
Try Surfing
What do you need to know? Many beaches in Lima are great for surfing, and it’s easy to try out here. A popular surf beach is Playa Makaha in Miraflores, where lessons are widely available. For more experienced surfers, La Herradura in the south of Lima is worth checking out — the water tends to be less crowded there.
Is it worth it? It’s okay. You can definitely learn to surf here, but we personally found it a bit annoying how often surf instructors approached us on the beach in Miraflores — which is actually why we ended up skipping it ourselves.
Our tip: Book a surf lesson online in advance so you know you’re getting a professional, quality course rather than a random beach approach.
Book a surf lesson in Miraflores
Paragliding
What do you need to know? Along Lima’s coastline — especially in Miraflores — you’ll almost always spot paragliders in the sky. It’s an extremely popular activity here and a seriously exciting experience. Many flights launch right next to Parque del Amor.
Is it worth it? Yes, but only if you love adventure and don’t have a fear of heights. Paragliding in Lima is actually cheaper than in many other destinations, which makes it even more tempting.
Our tip: Book your flight online in advance to make sure you’re going with a reputable operator. You’ll find a good selection on GetYourGuide.
Take a Cooking Class
What do you need to know? For us, Lima is practically the culinary capital of all of South America. We’ve rarely eaten as well anywhere else — ceviche, lomo saltado, and so much more. The great news is that Lima offers plenty of cooking classes where you can learn to prepare these Peruvian dishes yourself.
Is it worth it? Yes! If you’re at all interested in cooking, absolutely. These classes are a lot of fun too.
General Tips for Lima
To wrap things up, here are a few helpful pointers for your city trip to Lima.
Also read all our travel tips for Peru
Where to Stay in Lima?
For accommodation in Lima, we especially recommend the Miraflores neighborhood. It’s very popular with tourists because the area is safe and modern. Plus, there are plenty of hotels in all price ranges and lots of great restaurants nearby.
Read our article with the best hotel tips in Lima:
Getting Around Lima
We generally recommend getting around Lima by metro bus. The buses have their own dedicated lanes, which means you can avoid Lima’s notorious traffic as much as possible.
For the metro buses, you’ll need the Tarjeta Integrada de Transporte (TIT). It costs 7.50 soles ($1.90) and you load money onto it for your rides. A single trip costs 3.20 soles ($0.80).
Alternatively, you can always take Uber or a taxi. We prefer Uber since you can see the price upfront before you book.
Lima also has trains, but they don’t serve the tourist neighborhoods — so you probably won’t end up using them at all.
Within individual neighborhoods, you can easily get around on foot — just be sure to avoid deserted alleyways.
Important: After dark, always take an Uber and skip walking — and avoid public transit too.
Is Lima Dangerous?
It’s a mixed bag. Some parts of Lima are dangerous and others aren’t — but the good news is that as a tourist, you’ll almost never set foot in the dangerous areas.
The areas around the main attractions and the neighborhoods where you’d typically stay are generally safe. Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro are among the safest neighborhoods in Lima.
The historic center is also safe during the day — but avoid it at night.
We’ve put together all our safety tips for Peru in a separate article.
