22 must do’s in Lima | Peru
Welcome to Lima! The capital of Peru, also known as the City of Kings, built along the scenic cliffs, is the second-largest city in South America. Lima is the starting point of everyone’s visit to Peru. Here are my must do’s when in Lima.
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Historic Center Lima
Go wander through the historic center of Lima to see some beautiful facades!
1) Plaza Mayor de Lima
The Plaza is surrounded by beautiful colonial and republican buildings. The beautiful baroque facade concludes the Government Palace, the residence of the president of the republic, the Cathedral, the Municipal Palace, and the Archbishop’s Palace. Try to see the change of guard of the soldiers on the Patio of the Government Palace (every noon).
Sad fact: The Plaza construction dates from 1535 with Renaissance facades. Due to the earthquake of 1746, the new facades are of Baroque style. The central bronze fountain (1651) is the only building still standing to this day.
2) Lima Cathedral
Look at its ceiling which simulates a starry sky. Don’t miss out on this beautiful building!
3) The Catacombs of San Francisco
The monastery and church of San Francisco de Asis (1600), was the most important in all of South America. Its ancient library is intact, and still open to the public. 25,000 crypts remain in the basement as Lima didn’t have its own cemetery. The population believed that being buried in a church would help them to be closer to God. The bones and skulls of these people are arranged in circles.
4) San Cristobal Hill
San Cristobal is the most iconic hill in Lima. Just located outside of Lima, it is the perfect natural viewpoint of the Historic Center. We were told not to go to this viewpoint without a guide as this place is not in the tourist area.
5) Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo
A beautiful Monastery in Lima with catacombs in the cellar and ancient books still open to the public from when the Spaniards came (17th century).
Miraflores
6) Miraflores Lighthouse
Faro la Marina is a 22-meter tall lighthouse (1900) on the cliffs of Lima and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From Parque Del Amor, it is a 10-minute walk.
7) Biking or running on the reserve boardwalk Miraflores
Go for a run, walk or ride on the reserve boardwalk of Miraflores (Malecon de la Reserva). A pedestrian route that borders the coast and the sea for 6 miles long.
8) The Pyramid of Lima – Huaca Pucllana
This clay structure was a ceremonial pyramid and administrative site of the Lima Culture during the pre-Columbian era (200-700 AD). The archaeological site is located in the middle of the heart of Miraflores. The contrast between the surrounding commercial buildings and this pyramid is striking. The site also has an amazing Peruvian cuisine restaurant.
9) Parque del Amor
Parque del Amor on the Malecón de Miraflores is the perfect spot to see the sun fade over the sea in a red sunset. Try to read some lines of different Peruvian poets like Augusto Tamayo Vargas and Abelardo Sánchez León. The centerpiece of the Park “The Kiss” is in the middle of the park and represents an embracing couple.
Fun Fact: It features mosaic designs similar to Antoni Gaudi’s for Parc Güell in Barcelona, Spain.
Love Fact: The “Park of Love” opened on Valentine’s Day 1993.
10) Paragliding
Close to the Marine lighthouse (Faro de la Marina) you will find many paragliders. Fly for 10-15 minutes in the sky with your instructor.
11) Surfing
The beaches in Lima are not just for swimming, they are made to go surfing. Waves are always available as you can see.
12) Mercado de Surquillo
Mercado De Surquillo #1 or #2 are markets filled with fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat!
Barranco
Barranco is one of the most artistic and cultural districts within the capital. The many artists, musicians, and colonial houses give the neighborhood a colorful, and romantic character. There are many hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and nightlife in Barranco, which makes it a great location to stay. We LOVED the vibe in Barranco! Would have rather stayed here than in the touristy Miraflores.
Coffe shop tip: La Bodega Verde
Restaurant tip: Isolina
13) Street Art
The streets of Barranco are like a beautiful outside art gallery. There was even a local market from the boutiques from Barranco for Mother’s day!
14) Puente de Los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs)
The Puente de Los Suspiros is a small wooden bridge that used to cross a water stream below however today the stream has become a stone pathway called Bajada de Los Baños that leads down to the beach.
Love Fact: The bridge is a meeting point for couples in love but also the birthplace of countless love affairs in Lima. All the sighs of love resulted in the name Bridge of Sighs, which is a completely different reason than the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy.
Fun Fact: Whoever crosses the bridge while holding their breath will have their wish granted.
15) National Museum
The National Museum is the largest museum in Peru and covers all historical stages of the Andean country, from the Stone Age to the Inca era. Check out the replica of the tomb of the Lord of Sipán. It is the first complete mummy of Moche pre-Inca culture. Some say that this discovery is similar in importance to that of the pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt.
16) Larco museum
The Larco Museum is one of the largest and most varied collections of pre-Columbian art in South America. It hosts a large collection of erotic ceramics belonging to the pre-Inca culture Chimu and temporary exhibitions of other important pre-Inca like the Moche, Tiahuanaco, Chavin, and Paracas cultures.
Fun Fact: It was the first one in the world to open its warehouses to the public.
16) Peruvian Gastronomy
Peru has been known as the gastronomic South American capital for several consecutive years. Included in the top 10 gastronomical places in the world: Central (A restaurant of experimental cuisine that combines native ingredients with techniques of international cuisines), Maido (a restaurant of food fusion between Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, the Nikkei), and Astrid & Gastón (Traditional Peruvian restaurant with the best of creole cuisine). Other worth mentioning are La Mar, Punto Azul (Seafood restaurants), and Madam Tusan Chifa restaurant (Chinese-Peruvian cuisine).
17) Lima Chinatown
Peru is a mix of cultures formed over the years. 1854 was the year when Chinatown saw the light in the first blocks of Capón Street, one of the first in South America. The Chinese restaurants started cooking with the traditional cuisine of Capón, Pekin, and Sichuan provinces. In later years these cuisines were melting with the Peruvian cuisine, resulting in the Chifa. We were told not to go into this region due to safety reasons.
18) Drink a Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is Peru’s national cocktail you could say. The distillation of green grapes results in Pisco. You can consume it alone or combined with lemon juice, ice, egg white, Jelly syrup, and a few drops of Angostura bitters (the world-famous Pisco Sour).
Fun Fact: The Peruvians have been consuming it since pre-Inca times, and named one of their cities in honor of this drink; Pisco.
19) Ceviche
Peruvian ceviche is listed as the best in the world and is made from raw fish marinated and served with fresh onion slices, sweet potato, corn, and the famous Tiger Milk (Spicy sauce made with fine pieces of fish, diced chili, lemon juice, and a little fresh milk). Due to Lima’s location on the coast, and Ceviche being made of raw fish, it’s the best place to try out this dish!
You’ll find numerous restaurants offering ceviche on the menu, but the Cevicherias are the best places to enjoy it. You should go to the Canta Rana, AlTokePez Punto Azul, and La Mar Cevicheria. I don’t eat anything from the sea so this was not my kind of dish 😉
20) The Cat’s Park
John F. Kennedy Park is the residence of many cats. Their origin is unknown. Some say the cats belonged to a nearby convent with rat problems, others say that the cats were placed there to exterminate a plague of rats in the 1980s.
21) El Circuito Mágico del Agua or Magic Water Circuit
The “water park” is located in the Parque de la Reserva, a beautiful green zone in the center of the city, that was once the old Lima airport. This park doesn’t have waterslides, it has more than 15 water sources and light shows to observe.
Fun Fact: The most popular zone is the Maze of the Dream, where you’ll have to go to the center of a platform, dodging water!
22) See Penguins and Sea Lions
Go on a boat tour to the Islands of Lima to see Penguins and thousands of sea lions!
Where to stay in Lima?
The best areas to stay in Lima are Miraflores, San Isidro, and Barranco, as these are safe, and offer a lot of accommodations and restaurants. We stayed at the Arawi Miraflores Express.
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4 Comments
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Eva
I was really (positively) surprised about Lima! You must visit Barranco! It was my favo place 😍 lot of nice coffee shops and chill places!
Lisa
Lima is top om de reis mee te starten. Barranco is zo leuk en mooi om rond te dwalen en een koffietje te drinken ☺️ Als ik die Lomo Saltado zie, krijg ik een hongertje 🙃