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Lima

  • Lima, Lima Region, Peru

Pale yellow painted cathedral in Lima, viewed from below
Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro – audacious conqueror of the Inca Empire – Lima was the capital of most of Spanish South America for nearly 300 years. The affairs of an empire were once managed from its narrow, low-slung streets, but today the city’s colonial heart is choked with traffic and soot.  

However, to understand Peruvian history, this 500-year-old grid is a must-see, housing extravagant baroque churches, historic buildings, the presidential palace and the cathedral where Pizarro is buried. Look out for the San Francisco church with its bone-filled catacombs, the filigree-carved balconies of Torre Tagle mansion and the opulent, rococo archbishop’s palace.

Elsewhere, there are fascinating museums dedicated to Peru’s history. The best museums sit in the colonial centre. They include MALI, a Lima Art gallery, with 7,000 pre-Columbian and Spanish pieces, all housed in a beautiful art nouveau building set in gardens. The Gold Museum has glittering artefacts from the country’s principal ancient civilisations.

The city also has a renowned world-class dining scene and some of the finest restaurants in the world, serving up a virtuoso fusion of unique national ingredients with Asian and European techniques. Book ahead for the best restaurants.

Most trips to Peru inevitably involve a stop in Lima – thankfully there’s plenty worth seeing.

Culture & Customs

Evening activities are limited since historic buildings (and many restaurants) only operate during the day. Note that some churches also close for a short period after midday mass.

Tours, tickets & transfers

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)

  • Lima

Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)

Viator

Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups)
Discover the city of Lima known as the "City of Kings"! We will visit the highlights of the Historic Center of Lima such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Lima, the Monastery of San Francisco with its incredible Catacombs and other historical places that make this unique experience full of culture, history and memorable memories. In addition, you should know that our company mission is to support our nonprofit sister organization, Reciprocity NGO. With the profits from our tours, Reciprocity NGO is able to implement social projects that improve the quality of life for the communities living below the poverty line.

Price $29

Min age 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [901 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
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Lima Highlights! (All-Inclusive)

  • Lima

Lima Highlights! (All-Inclusive)

Viator

Lima Highlights! (All-Inclusive)
Get the Best of Lima with us! If you have only one day in Lima and want to make the most of it, this is your chance to get to see the highlights of the city! We pick you up and head to Huaca Pucllana, a pyramid built in the year 200 b.c. by ancient Peruvians (panoramic), then we go to "The Park of Love" to take excellent photos with the monument "the kiss". After, we leave Miraflores to go to a non-touristy area, this is the fishers Village of Lima, where we visit a fish Market as we learn a bit more of the everyday life of Peruvians. After Chorrillos, we go to The bohemian district of Barranco, to see the street art and the "Bridge of Sighs". For lunch we go to an indigenous market to try our famous and local ceviche!. After lunch, we head to the Historic of Lima, to explore the mysterious catacombs below the San Francisco church and to have a meaningful Walking tour along with our guide. The visit to Main Square and San Martin Plaza are included on the program. Just Great!

Price $110

Min age 8

Rating 4.94 / 5 [572 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >

Lima's Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City's Landmarks Half-day

  • Lima

Lima's Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City's Landmarks Half-day

Viator

Lima's Vibrant Heritage: Exploring the City's Landmarks Half-day
Explore Lima’s Historic Center on this immersive tour, delving into its UNESCO World Heritage architecture. Begin at the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, steeped in history as the former home of San Marcos University. Admire its ancient chairs and library housing 25,000 Dominican books. Visit Lima Cathedral, rich in religious art and housing Francisco Pizarro's remains. Journey through modern districts like San Isidro and Miraflores, discovering pre-Inca pyramids and vibrant parks, including the iconic Parque del Amor with its infinite kiss sculpture, offering breathtaking views of Lima's bay.

Price $49

Min age 0

Rating 4.35 / 5 [540 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >

Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport

  • Lima

Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport

Viator

Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport
Exclusive transfer service, fully equipped vehicles for all capacities, professional drivers, security and punctuality, live a comfortable travel experience. When booking, choose the correct option if it is from the Airport to the address or Hotel or also from the Address or Hotel to the Airport. If it is from the Airport to the Hotel, do not forget to enter the flight number, if it is from the Hotel to the Airport, keep in mind that for National flights, it is recommended to be at the Airport 2 hours before and it would add one more hour which is the approximate route. With traffic to the Airport, in the case of International flights, it is recommended to be 3 hours early, which would add 1 more hour to the journey. In any case, after making the reservation, our help and support center is available 24/7 and we can add any information that is missing or we can recommend a new schedule.

Price $17

Min age 0

Rating 4.31 / 5 [304 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo
Website >
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Travel advice

When to go

May to November Lima is blanketed in thick Garua sea mist, when everything looks grey and damp and temperatures can drop to 8°C. Visit November to April when the sun breaks through and temperatures peak at around 30°C.

Getting there and away

The Jorge Chávez International Airport serves numerous airlines and connecting flights from major cities worldwide and from domestic destinations. Alternatively, if you prefer a more scenic journey, you can travel by bus from neighbouring countries like Ecuador or Chile.

From the airport, take a Lima Airport Taxi (around 25 to 30 minutes, £15 during light traffic).

Getting around

The central district is easy enough to explore independently on foot since most of the important sights lie within a few blocks of the main square. The inner suburb museums are easily visited by taxi (use Uber or Cabify, don’t hail from the street), or you can take an organised day tour that visits all the key sights.

Where to stay

Most visitors to Lima opt to stay in one of Lima’s three main districts.

Centrally located Miraflores has an upscale vibe, breathtaking ocean views with a lovely boardwalk, a vibrant nightlife and many of the city’s top restaurants are here. It’s a reliable and convenient option.

For something a little more edgy, try Barranco. Known as Lima’s bohemian district, it captivates with its artsy ambiance, colorful houses, and lively music scene. Here you can wander through charming streets, visit art galleries, enjoy live performances, and unwind at the scenic Barranco Malecón.

San Isidro, Lima’s financial and residential hub, appeals to those seeking luxury and tranquillity. It offers upscale hotels, beautiful parks, exclusive restaurants, and high-end shopping.

Health & Safety

The security situation has improved dramatically in downtown Lima over the last decade but pickpocketing is still a problem, especially in crowded public areas.

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